Above photo showing the fire in 1890.

Above photo, 1897.

Above postcard 1905.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above postcard 1907.

Above postcard, 1920.

Above photo, 1936, showing the Charles Dickens Centenary Coach.

Above photo 1948. Creative Commons Licence.

Charrington's ledger. Creative Commons Licence.

Above photo 2006 by Dave Patten Creative Commons Licence.

Above photo, 2007 by Steve Thoroughgood.

Above sign, left 1987, kindly sent by Roger Pester. Sign, right January 1992. With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Morning Post 07 November 1844.

CHARGE OF INFANTICIDE.

The quiet village of Blenden, near Bexley, has been disturbed within the last few days by an occurrence of a melancholy character, and which at first induced a very strong belief that the foul crime of infanticide had been committed by a girl, named Elizabeth Wells, who was employed in the capacity of housemaid in the establishment of a gentleman connected with one of the London banking firms, who resides in the above village.

A lengthened inquiry took place before Mr. Carttar, the Coroner for West Kent, on Monday evening, at the "Three Blackbirds," Blendon, and from the statement of the witnesses it appeared that on the previous Wednesday the girl, Elizabeth Wells, had complained of the headache and being very ill, and she went to bed about five o'clock in the afternoon, there being at this time not the slightest suspicion entertained of her being in the family way.

At a later period of the evening one of the other servants went up to the room where Wells was, and she then observed appearances which induced her to question the girl, who, after same hesitation, got up, and opening a box that was in the room, took out of it the body of an infant alive, but evidently almost in a dying state. Immediate alarm was given, and a messenger was dispatched to Bexley for a surgeon, and Mr. Cottenham, of that place, promptly attended, and did all that was possible in the case, but without effect, as the child died very shortly afterwards.

Upon an examination of the infant there did not appear to be any marks of violence upon its body, and the death was no doubt attributable to its being neglected, and not having proper attention at the time of its birth.

The Jury, after a very patient and careful inquiry, returned a verdict, "That the deceased child died from loss of blood, the mother being alone at the time she was delivered, and ignorant what course she ought to have pursued towards it."

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser 02 August 1892.

INFECTIOUS CASES, &c.

It was reported that on the 18th July there were two males and 18 female cases of smallpox, at the Hospital Ships, one on the 20th: a fresh case had been received from Stone.

Col. Kidd wrote stating that he and his wife were out driving a few days ago, and they saw an ambulance cart standing outside the "Three Blackbirds" public house at Blendon.

The members thought as it was not in their district they could do nothing, but directed Mr Hayward, the clerk, to write to the clerk of the Bexley Local Board on the subject.