ADMIRAL RODNEY Pub of Hoath

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 13 December, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1798-

Admiral Rodney

Latest 1980s+

(Name to)

Church Street

Hoath

Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Mike Bundock.

Above sign 1987.

The pub was named after Admiral Georges Brydges Rodney, most famous for his victory over the French at the Battle of Saintes in 1782. He died some 10 years later in 1792.

The building is probably Tudor and the oldest part of the building is said to be 1722 in build and is situated next to the churchyard of Holy Cross Church (built 12th century), and was a stage stop for travellers to Thanet.

I am informed that the pub changed name to the "Knave's Ash" some time in the mid 1980s.

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, Friday 15 June 1798.

Woodlands in Herne, Sturry, and Chislett to be sold by auction, at the sign of the "Admiral Rodney," at Hoath, in the parish of Reculver, on Monday the 18th day of June, 1798, between the hours of 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon, unless previously disposed of by private contract in three lots.

South Eastern Gazette, 12 June, 1860.

HOATH. The Victualler, and his Friends.

At the St. Augustine’s Petty Sessions, on Saturday last, George Oliver Groombridge, landlord of the "Admiral Rodney" public-house, appeared to answer an information preferred against him by Superintendent Walker, for having his house open for the sale of beer during the proscribed hours on Sunday, the 27th May. Defendant said that two captains had been staying with him, who asked him to let them have some beer. Witness said he hardly knew how, as it would not do to let his "missus" see him, but he took a jug, went down into the cellar, bored a hole in a cask with a gimblet, and drew out about a quart of beer. He then took it and stood it on the green, but was not paid.

In answer to the Bench, Sergeant Mayhew, K.C.C., said that one of the men present was a Whitstable man, and the other two had been lodging there on the previous night. The house had not been complained of previously.

Defendant said he had been 17 years in the house, and no charge had ever been brought against him before. He knew he had done wrong now, and ought not to have drawn the beer. He had told his "missus" that he should plead guilty, and pay the expenses of his folly.

Fined 5s. and 14s. costs, the Bench telling the defendant that he had rendered himself liable to a penalty of £5.

From the Whitstable Times, 3 November, 1900.

ST AUGUSTINES PETTY SESSIONS HOATH. HIS WIFE'S MISTAKE.

Charles Castle, landlord of the "Admiral Rodney," Hoath, was summoned for refusing, through his agent, to supply half-a-pint of rum and half-a-pint of whiskey to P.C. Binfield for the purposes of analysis.

Mr. R. M. Mercer appeared for defendant who pleaded guilty in respect of the whiskey.

Mr. Mercer said that on the date in question defendant was not at home. The constable came in and asked for some whiskey, and after putting a good deal of water in it he said he did not like it. He then said he would have a turn at the rum. Having drunk a little he said he would take half-a-pint from the same bottle. Defendant’s wife said there was not half-a-pint in the bottle and offered to get him some fro another bottle. The constable then asked for half-a-pint of whiskey, but she declined to give it to him as he had previously complained about it. Defendant had been in business 16 years and had never been brought before the Court before. Mr. Cooper Wanhur, and the vicar of Reculver with Hoath, testified to his good character.

The Bench imposed a fine of 20s. and 8s. 5d. costs.

The Post Office Directory of 1874, I believe incorrectly said Edmund Keene was licensee, it should have read Alfred Keen.

LICENSEE LIST

STRAN James 1841+ (age 40 in 1841)