DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 26 October, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1859

Brickmaker's Arms

Latest 1963-

Milton Creek

Murston

Brickmaker's Arms 1920s

Above photo circa 1920s.

Former Brickmaker's Arms 1980s

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

Former Brickmaker's Arms 1980s

Above photo 1980's showing the raised Creek Bank.

Former Brickmaker's Arms 2008

Above photo 2008.

Former Brickmaker's Arms 2009

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.

 

Brickmaker's flagon 1870

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.

 

East Kent Gazette, Saturday 24 August 1929.

Mr. W. Chesson and family, of the "Brickmakers' Arms," Murston, sincerely thank all friends for kindness and sympathy shown them in their bereavement, especially Mrs. Hammond, Mrs. Wallace, and the doctor; and for beautiful floral tributes.

 

LICENSEE LIST

HAWKINS Benjamin 1870-71+ (age 58 in 1871Census) Post Office Directory

SHILLING Charles H 1903+ Post Office Directory 1903Kelly's 1903

CHESSON William 1913-30+ Post Office Directory 1913Post Office Directory 1930

CLUSSON George 1938+ Post Office Directory 1938

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

 

Post Office DirectoryFrom the Post Office Directory

Post Office Directory 1903From the Post Office Directory 1903

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Post Office Directory 1913From the Post Office Directory 1913

Post Office Directory 1930From the Post Office Directory 1930

Post Office Directory 1938From the Post Office Directory 1938

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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