BRITISH TAR Pub of Gravesend

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Gravesend, October, 2023.

Page Updated:- Sunday, 01 October, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1808

British Tar

Oct 2005

(Name to)

15 (8 in 1851) Milton Road

Gravesend

Above photo, date unknown. Kindly supplied by John Hopperton.

Above photo date unknown.

Above photo date circa 1930.

Above photo, date unknown. Kindly supplied by John Hopperton. Showing one of the twenty-seater Dennis Buses of the Gravesend & District Bus Company, which operated a service from here to Perry Street from 1925, and later to Waterdales via Darnley Road.

Above sign, March 1986.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

First recorded as being located at 8 Milton Road in 1808 although the building is thought to have been built in the 1790's.

In 1823 the "British Tar" was registered as a Free House.

In 1858 the premises was taken over by brewers Barclay and Perkins, and again in 1910 by the brewers Russell's Gravesend Brewery.

In 1869-70 the pub was part of a consortium who were advertising their goods of selling tea in response to grocers' selling beer and wine. (Click for further details.)

1931 Russells sold out to Truman's Brewery and ceased brewing but continued to use the brewery as a bottling plant.

In 1977 Derek Winch bought the "British Tar" from Truman's/Grand Met so to become as it started in the 19th century as a Free House.

Above showing the plans of the building circa 1910.

Southeastern Gazette, 13 September 1853.

PETTY SESSIONS.

Wednesday. (Before J. Saddington, Esq., Mayor, R. Oakes, M. Troughton, H. Ditchburn, J. Smith, E.

Tickner, E. Lacey, Esqrs., and Dr. Ridge).

This was the annual general session for renewing licenses and granting new ones.

Jane Godfrey, the landlady of the "British Tar," was summoned for having her house open for the sale of liquor, on Sunday morning on three several occasions. The defendant admitted one offence, but denied the others. She stated that the men were soldiers, who had ridden up from Maidstone before breakfast, had put up their horses in her stable, and had their breakfast. The constable, however, said that he knew two of the soldiers belonged to the garrison of this town.

Fined 1s., costs 6s. 6d.

South Eastern Gazette, 25 October 1853.

Wedneday. (Before J. Saddington, Esq., Mayor, in the chair, and R. Oakes, Eaq.)

John Nott was charged with being drunk and assaulting Mrs. Godfrey, the landlady of the "British Tar." Ordered to pay the costs, 4s.

Gravesend Reporter, North Kent and South Essex Advertiser, Saturday 6 December 1862.

Gravesend Police Court. Monday, December 1st.

George Burr Beers, who said he was a sailor and farmer, was brought up in custody, on a charge of stealing a pint beer pot, the property of Thomas Wagstaff, of the "British Tar" public house.

John Calecraft said that on Saturday last, about 12:15, he was in the "British Tar," when he saw the prisoner, who was in the room, go out with a pint pot in his hand.

Thomas Wagstaff being told by Calcraft that the prisoner had gone out with a pot in his hand, followed him, and came up to him, with the policeman, who who searched him, but no pot was found upon him.

It was proved that the prisoner had been begging in the town, and he was committed for 14 days, as a rogue and vagabond.

LICENSEE LIST

NEWSON Thomas 1823-28