Milton Creek

Murston

Above photo circa 1920s.

Above photo 1980s when it was used as a car breakers.

Above photo 1980's showing the raised Creek Bank.

Above photo 2008.

Above photo 2009 showing the now private residence. From http://www.sittingbourne-museum.co.uk

Brickmakers were represented in many licensed houses, especially at Murston near Sittingbourne, home of the famous Smeed Dean brickworks.

There, the "Brickmaker's Arms," facing Milton Creek, was strategically situated near the brickfields, and provided a welcome place of refuge for thirsty workers. A century or so ago, the labourers at Smeed Dean lived in considerable squalor, and to alleviate the stress often spent the greater part of their wages at Murston's five pubs. George Smeed himself built the "Brickmaker's Arms" for his workers in 1859, although, as he pointed out when applying for a licence for the premises, they would be well patronized also by the crews of barges docked at Murston Wharf.

Kelly's Directory of 1903 incorrectly titled this the "Bricklayer's Arms."

The Milton and District Directory of 1904 advertised the pub as hosting the "Arms Hand-in-Hand Club as their headquarters. This was for Benefits for sickness and death with share-out. Meeting nights, every fourth Monday.

Also in 1904, the Murston Gun Club also held their headquarters here where shoots take place at a meadow at Elmley Ferry at intervals during the winter season.

Lastly, the Murston Football Club also held their headquarters here and their home ground was the Trim Tram Meadow.

Above photo showing a flagon from the pub circa 1870 when Benjamin Hawkins was landlord.

During the 1980s the building was used as a car breakers.

Closed and now used as a private house, but I don't have the date yet.

I have just added this pub to that list but your help is definitely needed regarding it's history.

As the information is found or sent to me, including photographs, it will be shown here.

Thanks for your co-operation.

LICENSEE LIST

HAWKINS Benjamin 1870-71+ (age 58 in 1871)

SHILLING Charles H 1903+

CHESSON William 1913-30+

CLUSSON George 1938+

https://pubwiki.co.uk/BrickmakersArms.shtml

From the Post Office Directory

From the Post Office Directory 1903

From the Kelly's Directory 1903

From the Post Office Directory 1913

From the Post Office Directory 1930

From the Post Office Directory 1938