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Bough Beech
Chiddingstone
Above postcard, circe 1921, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. When this
photograph was taken, the "Chequers" was a tied house, within the estate
of E & H Kelsey's Culverden Brewery, Tunbridge Wells. |
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.
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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.
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From the Maidstone Journal Oct 31st 1843.
Alehouse licence transferred from Mr. Best to Mr. James Wallis at the
"Chequers."
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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.)
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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.
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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.
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Gravesend Journal – Saturday 4th September 1886,
Bridget Burgess, a hopper, was charged with being drunk and disorderly
at Tonbridge, on the 29th
August.
P.C. Potter said that at 4 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, the
prisoner who was drunk was
kicking the door of the "Chequers," screaming at the top of her voice. As
she would not go and used
bad language, he took her into custody. She had been lodging at the
house till she was turned out, and
had broken some windows at the back of the house.
The prisoner
admitted that she was drunk, but
alleged she was brutally used by the police who tore nearly all her
clothes off.
Superintendent Barnes
said that the defendant’s conduct was most disgraceful and her language
was frightful as children were
coming from Sunday School.
Fined 2s. 6d. and costs with seven days’
labour.
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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."
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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+
 
LARKIN John (son) 1833-34
LEIGH Henry jun. 1834-42 (also butcher)
BEST Richard May-Oct/1843+
WALLIS James Oct/1843-54 dec'd
WALLIS Mrs (widow) 1855-58+
BUTCHER Richard to June/1878
PAYNE John June/1878-1903+ (age 41 in 1881 )
RALPH Alfred James 1913+
DREW Charles 1918+
STEVENS Arthur 1922+
STEVENS William 1930+
DODMAN Frederick H 1938+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/Chequers.shtml
http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/chequers.html
From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29
From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
Census
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