DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Erith, March, 2021.

Page Updated:- Sunday, 07 March, 2021.
PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton & Jim Packer

Earliest 1861-

 King's Head

Latest ????

140 (104 in 1881Census) Bexley Road (Royal Hill/Back Lane)

Erith

King's Head 1908

Above image, 1908.
King's Head 1960

Above postcard dated 1960. Kindly sent by Peter Maine.
King's Head 1965

Above photo, circa 1965.
King's Head 1966

Above photo 1966, kindly supplied by Peter Maine.
King's Head sign 1966

Above sign 1966. Kindly supplied by Peter Maine.

 

According to the postcard of 1960 the pub was the last one in the town with a beer only license and was demolished for the Town Centre development in 1967.

 

Information below from Jim Packer author of the "Lost Pubs of Bexley."

In 1870 the novel argument put forward to the licensing bench at Brewster Sessions, in an unsuccessful application for a spirit licence, was the fact that the pub was immediately next door to Erith Police Station and therefore would have a more respectable clientele.

In 1873 James Hearn was convicted and fined 40 shillings plus costs for permitting men to be drunk on the premises. It was alleged that 15-20 men had been drinking since 8 am and that, only by 5pm, the police were called because they were becoming noisy. Police stated that Hearn appeared unaware of his duty not to serve drunks or allow them to remain on his premises. In defence, he stated that it was the first charge in 19 years of being a landlord; his wife remarked that her husband wasn’t responsible for what the men drank because he was away all day providing refreshment to the men in the nearby brickfields. During his time at this pub, he issued tokens and those of the denomination of 4d and 1 shilling have been found so far.

The pub was renovated in 1912 when brewers Messrs Trumans engaged the Bexleyheath builders R and J Butler to enlarge it and add the decorative tiling. The pub was demolished for the Erith town centre redevelopment in 1967.

 

Gravesend Reporter, North Kent and South Essex Advertiser, Saturday 23 September 1865.

Petty Sessions, Sept. 16th.

This day was; specially appointed for hearing applications for the granting of licenses. Mr. Gibson applied on behalf of Mr. Jennor, of the "King’s Head," Erith. Mr. Russell opposed on behalf of the inhabitants.

All the above applications were refused.

 

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Monday 27 August 1866.

DARTFORD PETTY SESSIONS.

Mr. Gibson applied for Mr. Jenner, "King's Head," Back-lane, Erith, Refused.

 

Snippets from http://members2.boardhost.com accessed 16 February 2016.

By Graham Jansen.

My Grandfather, Leslie James Holloway (b. 16 May 1916 Erith d. Jul 1989 Dartford) lived in the "King's Head," Erith, Kent for 42 years. He moved there at the tender age of two. It used to be belong to his uncle who lived next door (he had a club foot and used a crutch to get around the bar). Because of his uncle's disability, the pub was run by his parents, James and Emma Holloway. He once recalled beer being 4d a pint and tobacco was fourpence ha'penny a packet.

 

By Christine Tye.

My great-grandparents Harry and Eliza Kyerday ran the "King's Head" for a while with their 7 children and Harry's Aunt Mary lived next door at no. 105 Bexley Road.

 

LICENSEE LIST

PRYER John 1851-58 Next pub licensee had (also carpenter age 34Census)

KYERDAY Harry 1861+ Census

JENNER William 1861-66 (age 29 in 1861Census)

Last pub licensee had HEARN James 1870-80+ Next pub licensee had

FULSHAM Annie 1881+ (widow age 38 in 1881Census)

NOTLEY B Mr Feb/1881+ Kentish Mercury

HEWITT Arthur F 1903-30+

HOLLOWAY Emma Mrs 1938+

HOLLOWAY Leslie James 1940+

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

 

CensusCensus

Kentish MercuryKentish Mercury

 

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