DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Canterbury, November, 2023.

Page Updated:- Friday, 17 November, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton & Rory Kehoe

Earliest 1774-

Old Palace

Latest 1913+

St. Augustine's (St Pauls 1841Census)

Lady Wootton's Green

Canterbury

Old Palace 1800

It is suggested by Rory Kehoe that the "Old Palace" was this building.

Old Palace location 2017

Above photo taken and sent by Rory Kehoe, August 2017, showing the location of the "Old Palace."

 

At present the only reference to this pub has been from Pigot's directory, which gave the address of St. Augustine's and listed it as Taverns and Public Houses.

I also have reference to a "Palace Hotel" and addressed as Whitstable Road, but do not know whether the two are related, or even in the same area. Local knowledge required.

The Stapleton's Guide of 1838 referred to this as the "Old Palace Tea Gardens," and addressed as at Lady Wootton's Green.

 

Kentish Gazette, 2 February, 1774.

Cockfighting, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next, at Mr. Moores, at the "Palace," Canterbury, Canterbury against Elham; to show 21 Cocks on each side, for 20 guineas a battle.

Some Byes will be fought each day.

An ordinary each day at 1 o'clock.

 

From the Kentish Gazette 10 December 1783.

"...To be sold, at auction, by Mr Richard Staines on Wednesday 17th December at Mrs Tunbridge's, the "Old Palace," Lady Wootton's Green, the lease of two acres etc etc..."

 

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, Tuesday 22 September 1801.

FIREWORKS,

On the Bowling-green, at the "Old Palace," Canterbury, on Saturday evening next, 26th of September, 1801, (if the weather permits, if not, on Monday).

Admission One Shilling each person.

Rockets will be fired as a signal a quarter of an hour before the exhibition begins.

Doors will be opened at half past seven, and the Fireworks begin at eight o’clock.

 

Kentish Gazette, 14 August, 1804.

A Great MAIN of COCKS will be Fought at the "Old Palace," Canterbury, during the Race week, between a Gentleman of London, and a Gentleman of Kent.

Gladish, Feeder for London.

Chapman, Feeder for Kent.

 

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, Tuesday 5 December 1826.

MARRIED.

Last week, at Dover, Mr. Edward Austen, late of the "Old Palace," Canterbury, to Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Maypole.

 

Kentish Chronicle, 4 August, 1829.

Death.

July 29, suddenly, aged 34, Mary, wife of Mrs. Miller, landlord of the "Old Palace," Lady Wootton's Green, Canterbury. The deceased had just finished breakfast, when she was seized will illness, and almost instantly expired.

 

South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 8 April 1834.

DIED.

March 27, at the house of his uncle, Mr. Jarvis, "Old Palace," Canterbury.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 20 September 1836.

OLD PALACE INN AND TAVERN, CANTERBURY,

TO LET, with Possession on the 11th of October next.

THE above comprises a spacious Bowling Green, Fives' Court, Tea and Pleasure Gardens, &c., &c., all of which have been recently much improved and laid out with great taste and convenience by the present proprietor.

For particulars, apply to Mr. Jarvis, on the premises; or at St. Augustine’s Brewery, Canterbury.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 28 August 1838.

TO BE LET,.

With immediate Possession, or at Michachnas next, THAT well-known and long-established House, the "OLD PALACE TAVERN," with the Bowling Green, Tea Gardens, Fives’ Court, &e. &c.

For particulars, inquire on the Premises. Canterbury, August 27, 1838.

 

Kentish Gazette, 23 April 1844.

An inquest was held on Monday, at the "Old Palace Tavern," Canterbury, on the body of G. B. Armstrong, the son of the widow of the late Serjeant Armstrong, of the 45th regiment, who was one of the men engaged in the Courtenay riot, and afterwards at Newport, where, for his exertions in protecting the Mayor, at the time Frost, Williams, and others, took possession of the town, he was discharged and appointed by his Grace the Duke of Wellington to a situation in the Tower, but which office he did not live long to enjoy; and his widow is now a recipient of parochial alms. By the evidence it appeared that the child, who is between three and four years of age, on the previous Friday, during the temporary absence of its mother, who resides in Ivy-lane, set fire to his clothes, by which his throat, face, and other parts of the body were much injured. He was immediately conveyed to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, and died on Sunday.

Verdict "Accidentally burned."

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 6 September 1913.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will return to Lambeth Palace from the Continent at the end of September. During October the Archbishop, with Mr. Randall Davidson, will be in residence at the "Old Palace," Canterbury.

 

We have a theory, which is that the "Old Palace" was not actually on the green itself but part of the old monastic buildings, probably to the right of the gateway in the image at the top of the page. What is certain is that Alfred Beer ran his brewery from the gateway and adjoining building (c.1820 to c.1850) and William Beer is listed as running the "Old Palace" in1838. Given the size of the building, it seems reasonable to think that Alfred was running a brewpub. Mrs Tunbridge is not recorded as a brewer but in 1770 the gatehouse was leased to a Mr Hill who converted it to a brewery. It's not much of a leap of reason to think that Mrs Tunbridge ran the "Old Palace" with Mr Hill's beers. Mr Hill was succeeded by his son John, then various other brewers until Alfred Beer took over.

 

LICENSEE LIST

MOORE Mr 1774+

TUNBRIDGE Mrs to 1783

AUSTIN Edward pre 1826

LAWRENCE William 1824-28+ Pigot's Directory 1824Pigot's Directory 1828-29

MILLER Mr 1829+

EPPS John 1832+ Pigot's Directory 1832-34

JARVIS Mr 1836

BEER William 1838+ Stapletons Guide

GOLDSMITH Thomas 1841+ (age 47 in 1841Census)

 

Pigot's Directory 1824From the Pigot's Directory 1824

Pigot's Directory 1828-29From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29

Pigot's Directory 1832-34From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

Stapletons GuideStapleton's Guide 1838

CensusCensus

 

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

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