CHEQUERS Pub of Bough Beech

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Friday, 10 May, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton & Lionel Cole

Earliest 1828-

Chequers

Latest 1978+

Bough Beech

Chiddingstone

Above photo, date unknown by Darkstar.

Elizabeth Larkin dies in 1828 and left the following will:- "To my son John all my old messuage now in his occupation together with the orchard and garden on the south and east side and also all those two closes of pasture land, cowshed, yard, barn, wood-lodge and all that new-built messuage in two tenements now occupied by myself and John seal with all appurtenances belonging near Gravel Pits all of which was formerly called the "Chequers" at Bough Beech. To son Sidney all that new built public house called the "Chequers" at Bowbeech together with the stable and all the premises garden and appurtenances thereto belonging.

Although Elizabeth owned the "Chequers" her son John was licensed there in 1833-34 and Henry Leigh junior 1834-1842. John was a shoemaker who died in 1850. Sidney owned the "Chequers" from 1838 to beyond 1851. Henry Leigh junior, butcher, son of Henry Leigh, was licensed at the "Chequers," Boughbeech 1834-43. He also tenanted a butcher’s shop at Bough Beech belonging to his father. Later he became an agricultural labourer. He was succeeded as tenant of the "Chequers" by James Wallis, licensed 1843 to his death in 1854.

From the Maidstone Journal May 2nd 1843.

The licence to the public house at Bough Beech, Chiddingstone, was transferred to Mr. Richard Best (brickmaker). One of the magistrates asked the new landlord whether he thought he should succeed in his undertaking as his predecessors had apparently not done much in the house. Mr. Best with a right feeling replied that he would use his best exertions to deserve success, and we trust that a man impelled by such motives will not be disappointed.

From the Maidstone Journal Oct 31st 1843.

Alehouse licence transferred from Mr. Best to Mr. James Wallis at the "Chequers."

South Eastern Gazette, 18 September, 1860.

On Friday, John Price, a tramp, was charged before Major Scoones and J. Ridgday, Esq., with stealing about 5s. in money, the property of John Luck, of East Peckham. Both parties were lodging at the "Chequers Inn," and on Wednesday night prosecutor lost his money, which was found on prisoner.

Committed for trial.

(Or this could be the "Chequers" at Royal Tunbridge Wells.)

Kent Times, 29 March 1862.

To Publicans & Others. To Let.

A PUBLIC HOUSE, called the "Chequers," Bough Beach, with Meadow attached. For particulars apply to Messrs. Day and Martin, Black Eagle Brewery. Westerham, Kent.

Kent & Sussex Courier 21 June 1878.

CHIDDINGSTONE. LICENSING.

At the Tonbridge Petty Sessions, on Tuesday, the license of the "Chequers" public-house, Bow Beach, Chiddingstone, was transferred from Mr. Richard Butcher to Mr. John Payne.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, Friday 21 December 1951.

Farmer did not drive carelessly.

A SUMMONS for careless driving against Elijah Denton, 46-year-old pig farmer and breeder, of The Homestead, Andrew Road, High Brooms, was dismissed by Tonbridge Magistrates on Tuesday.

Mr. R. Tunatall, prosecuting, said on September 20 Denton's lorry came into collision with a car near the "Chequers Inn" on the Four Elms-Bough Beech road.

The car driver, Mr. R. E. Bishop, of Isleworth, Middlesex, said he was driving along the road and saw a lorry approaching. When he got near the lorry it swerved across the road and hit the rear offside of his car.

Mr. Bishop suggested that the load on the lorry had moved, causing it to swerve across the road. He said he was driving very cautiously at the time because a person who had recently undergone an operation was a passenger in his car.

Denton denied that tyre marks leading from the point of impact to the correct side of the road had been made by his lorry. He told the magistrates he had swerved across the road because he thought the end was going to turn into a petrol filling station near the "Chequers."

The pub closed, date unknown and was converted for residential use.

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

Thanks for your co-operation.

LICENSEE LIST

LEE Joana 1705-18

LEE William 1723-32

LEE Mary (widow) 1734-61

LARKIN John 1797-1821 (dec'd 1822)

LARKIN Elizabeth (widow) 1823-32+