COMPASSES INN Pub of Maidstone

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Maidstone, November, 2025.

Page Updated Maidstone:- Wednesday, 12 November, 2025.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1798+

(Three) Compasses Inn

Latest 1874

(Name to)

56 (120) Week Street

Maidstone

The premises exists in the song, "The Maidstone Landlords" in 1798.

I have also seen this referred to as the "Three Compasses."

Kent Gazette Reports 17 May 1805.

DEATH.

Last night after a lingering illness, the wife of Mr. Reynolds, of the "Three Compasses," Maidstone.

From the Kentish Gazette, 27 March 1838.

DEATH.

March 16, Ann, wife of Mr. R. Pattenden, of the "Compasses Inn," at Maidstone, aged 54.

Kent Herald, 31 March 1825.

Criminal Court, 30th of March, 1825, before Mr. Baron Graham.

William Monk, labourer, 21, charged with a burglary in the house of James Fullager, at Milton, and stealing a teapot, and other things, value £5.

Mr. Bolland addressed the Jury in this case, and called the following witnesses. Richard Goord examined:- I am a grazier, and on the 20th Jan, lodged with Mr. Fullager, at Milton, near Sittingbourne. I had a great coat and pair of boots, which I saw about two days before the house was broken open. I missed them the morning after the robbery. The robbers entered the house by taking a casement out of the wash house.

James Fullager examined: I am a farmer at Milton. On the morning of the 21st Jan. I found my house had been broken open. I missed a queen's metal teapot value 5s. a plated stand, two plated tops of pepper castors, two silver salt spoons, and five desert spoons. I knew prisoner; he lived in my service in the summer of last year.

Henry Kipping examined:- I am an officer of Maidstone. On the 10th Feb. I went to the county gaol, and saw prisoner there. I asked to look at his boots, and told him I suspected he had been concerned in breaking open Mr. Fullager's house. He said he had not been nearer the house then Key Street and Sittingbourne; on the 19th. Warner was then had in, and from what he stated I went next day to Mr. Fullager's house. I took Monk's boots with me and compared the right boot with the foot mark in the new made ground in front of the house. They corresponded exactly. I went to a lot of rubbish on the King's Ferry Road, and found a broken dish, as described by Warner. (Witness produced the dish.) I afterwards went to Messrs. Beaching and Edmead, pawnbrokers, in Maidstone, by direction of Warner, I there found a blue great coat. (Witness produced the coat.)

Mr. Goord deposed to the coat being his property.

Keeping's examination resumed:- On the 26th February, I saw Monk at the gaol. He said Warner had not told the whole of the truth, for there was a woman with them. I then went to the "Golden Lion," Maidstone, where Warner said they slept on the 21st of January. I searched the privy and in it found a tea-pot and stand. (Witness produced them they were beaten up.)

Mr. Fullager had no doubt of their being his property.

Jane Dirtnall examined:- I live with Mr. Fullager as servant. The night before the burglary, I saw the house safe about half past 10 o'clock. Next morning, about six, I found the house broken open. I noticed the teapot and stand now produce, a dish, a soup like, and two silver tea spoons.

Sarah Epps, another servant, examined:- I got up at 5 o'clock, and missed a pudding and dish; the front door of the house was shut but not fastened.

James Warner (an accomplice) examined:- I lived at Eltham before I knew Griffiths. On the 19th of January I saw him at Maidstone. He asked me to go to the gaol and see Monk. Monk just came out of the gaol-gate as I got up. He and I went into the "Compasses" and had a pint of bear. He then went to the "Golden Lion," where Griffiths was. I then went to the "Queen Anne," and Griffith and Monk came there to me. We then went towards Key Street. Monk said he knew a house where he could get some things, where he had lived servant once. Mr. Goord's house. We concluded we would go there that night about 12 o'clock. We went to the "Cross Keys" at Key Street; Monk said it would not do that night as there were people about; we then went to the "Plough" at Sittingbourne and slept there; next morning we went to the "Castle," at Greenstreet; after staying there two or three hours, and then went out, at last we got a Milton about eight o'clock in the evening. We had agreed to go to Mr. Fullager's that night's. When we got to Milton, we went into a farm yard and laid down. We got down to Fullager's about 12 o'clock. It rained, and we all three went into the privy. Then Monk and Griffiths got over a hedge at the back of the house. I stood in front to keep watch. In about 90 minutes they came round, and Monk tried to get into the cellar window, but could not. We then all went round, and Monk got into the window of the wash house; they pulled some part of the window down, Monk went through the house, and opened the front door. He came out and brought some silver spoons, a tea pot, some salt spoons, a pepper caster, a pair of boots, and a great coat, and a meat pudding in a dish like that produced. Monk pulled the door too after him. We went into the main road, Griffith broke the dish and threw it over some chalk rubbish into the hedge. Monk and the great coat, and Griffiths the boots. We got into the "Squirrels" at Stockbury, we laid down in a hedge. I got into Maidstone about seven o'clock. We all met at the "Golden Lion," and in the evening Monk took the coat out and pawned it. Monk and I slept at the "Golden Lion." The other things Griffith took to London to sell in Petticoat Lane.

W. Moore, Osler at the "Key," Key Street, deposed to prisoner and Warner being at the house the night of the day, on which Monk came out of gaol. Another man was with them.

James Hunt, landlord of the "Plough," deposed to Monk and Warner sleeping at his house with another man, the night before the burglary.

His lordship, in addressing the Jury, said the case was so very clear, and the testimony of the accomplice was so strongly corroborated, that it would be a waste of time to recapitulate the whole of the evidence. The Jury without hesitation found prisoner guilty.

Death recorded.

It appears that Prisoner committed the burglary immediately after being discharged for the confinement of 12 months for passing bad money.

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Tuesday 24 December 1839.

Three Compasses Inn, & Commercial House.

Week Street, Maidstone, Kent.

ROBERT PATTENDEN most respectfully begs leave to return his sincere thanks to his numerous Friends and the Public in general for the very kind support with which they have favoured him during a number of years in which he conducted the business of the old established Inn; and begs to acquaint them that he has again taken the same establishment, where he hopes to be honoured with that kind and liberal support and patronise which were formerly bestowed upon him, assuring his friends and the public that nothing
on his part shall be wanted to insure the same comfort and accommodation they formerly met with; trusting by the attention which will he paid to the beds being well aired, together with the very best wines and spirits, that the arrangements will meet with perfect approbation.

Good Lock-up Coach House and excellent Stall Stabling, and every other accommodation for commercial travellers.

A good Ordinary at half-past One o'clock, daily.

Maidstone, 12th Dec, 1839.

South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 7 April 1840.

James Brewer was charged with uttering a counterfeit half-crown, with intent to cheat and defraud R. Pattenden, of the "Three Compasses Inn," Maidstone.

It appeared that on Thursday evening the 26th March, the prisoner went into the "Three Compasses Inn," called for half a pint of beer, and offered a bad half-crown in payment, which was refused. He then tended a good one, but Mr. Pattenden detained him, and sent for a policeman, who searched him and found three good half-crowns and a penny piece. When taken to the station-house, he was accused of having something in his mouth, which the police attempted to obtain by seizing him by the throat, but were unsuccessful.

Prisoner said "I have swallowed it, so help me God; let me go."

Prisoner here said "Yes, I did say so, and would swear I swallowed an iron pot before I would be strangled by you."

On being called on for his defence he stated that what he had got to say he should reserve for his trial.

He was remanded till Friday when he was discharged, in consequence of the Mint declining to prosecute.

South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 9th February 1841.

Robert Pattenden the Elder (sued and committed as Robert Pattenden), formerly of the "Three Compasses Inn," Week Street, Maidstone, in the county of Kent, licensed victualler, farmer and nurseryman; afterwards of the Boxley Road, near Maidstone aforesaid, farmer and nurseryman; then of the "Three Compasses Inn," Week Street, Maidstone aforesaid, licensed victualler, farmer and nurseryman; then of the Boxley Road aforesaid, farmer and nurseryman; then lodging at the "Parrs Head" Public House, Sheerness, in the county aforesaid, and late lodging at the Boxley Road aforesaid, out of business.

Kentish Gazette, 31 December 1850.

MAIDSTONE. Drawing Extraordinary.

A lottery of poultry for Christmas consumption, has been for some days announced at the "Compasses Inn," Week-street. The drawing was however anticipated by some rogue, who, determined not to have a blank, managed to forestall his chance, by abstracting from the landlord's safe, a turkey, three geese, and a brace of ducks, with which he got clear off.

Kentish Gazette, 9 March 1852.

Inquest.

An inquest was held on Saturday in the new Assembly Room, at the "Compasses Inn," before F. F. Dally, Esq., coroner, on the body of a male child named Henry Bow Simmons, aged about one month, son of a brazier, of this town. The child was put in the same bed with its mother and father at about ten o'clock as well as usual, though suffering somewhat from a cold or cough which it had had from its birth. In the morning on taking it up its mother discovered that it was apparently dead; but whether she had lain on it or not she could not tell. She went for assistance, and afterwards on her husband coming home from work, he went for Mr. Sanders, surgeon, who attended and found deceased quite dead, but warm. From appearances which presented themselves, great lividity of countenance and protrusion of the tongue, with discoloration of the left hand, arm, and leg, he formed the opinion that death was caused by suffocation, occasioned most probably from having been accidentally over-lain by the mother.

Southeastern Gazette, 19 April 1853.

Notice is hereby given, That by indenture bearing date the 20th day of April, 1853, and made between ROBERT LOCKYER, of the "Compasses Inn," in Maidstone, in the county of Kent, victualler, of the first part, Thomas Franklyn, of Maidstone aforesaid, wine and spirit merchant, and George Prentis, of Maidstone aforesaid, wine and spirit merchant, of the second part, and the several other persons being creditors of the said Robert Lockyer therein mentioned of the third part, the said Robert Lockyer hath ASSIGNED all his personal estate and effects to the said Thomas Franklyn and George Prentis, it trust for the equal benefit of the creditors of the said Robert Lockyer as therein mentioned. The said indenture was duly executed by the said Robert Lockyer, Thomas Franklyn, and George Prentis on the said 20th day of April, 1853, in the presence of and attested by John Monckton, of Maidstone aforesaid, Attorney-at-law, and Edward Giles, clerk to the said John Monckton.

And the said indenture now lies at the office of the said John Monckton, in King-street, Maidstone, for execution by the creditors.

Maidstone, 20th April, 1853.

Southeastern Gazette, 5 July 1853.

Bankruptcy of Mr. R. Lockyer.

At the examination meeting of this bankrupt, a licensed victualler, plumber, painter, and glazier, at Maidstone, before Mr. Commissioner Fonblanque, London, the balance sheet filed showed that the debts amounted to £859 18s. 1d.; the property given up was £358 10s., with £30 12s. 11d. in cash, good debts. £34 6s. 3d., and doubtful debts £30 4s., total £473 13s. 2d. The assignees required further information respecting a leasehold estate which the bankrupt had possessed, and the final examination was therefore adjourned till the 15th inst., at twelve o'clock; the protection being renewed in the mean time.

Southeastern Gazette, 2 August 1853.

Friday. (Before W. Hills and T. Hyde, Esq.)

The license of the "Compasses Inn" was transferred from Robert Lockyer to William Jeffery.

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, Saturday 7 January,1860. Price 1d.

G. TWITCHELL

"Compasses Inn," Week Street, Maidstone.

Noted for superior Wines, Spirits, and Malt Liquors of every description.

South Eastern Gazette, 24 July, 1860.

Innkeepers’ Licenses.

The following transfer of public-house licenses were also granted last week.

The "Three Compasses," Week-street, from G. W. Twitchell to Mrs. Fuller.

South Eastern Gazette, 18 September, 1860.

MAIDSTONE PETTY SESSIONS.

SATURDAY. (Before C. Ellis, Esq., in the chair and R. Cooper Esq.)

A FEMALE SENT TO GAOL FOR THE 28TH TIME.

Ann Chatfield, 26, an unfortunate, was charged by Rebecca King with assaulting and beating her, on the 16th inst., and also with breaking a pane of glass at the "Compasses," value 16s. The prisoner, it seemed, had been confined in Maidstone gaol no fewer than 27 times, and had only been released on the previous morning, when she went to the "Compasses Tap," and made a disturbance. On being ordered out of the house by the servant, Rebecca King, she assaulted her, and thrust her own fist through a pane of plate glass.

Two months’ hard labour.

Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, Saturday 22 December 1860.

Maidstone Petty sessions.

Charles Humphrey and John Kelly, on remand, were charged with stealing a box of French plums, value 3s. 6d., from the shop of Mr. Bartlett, grocer, Week Street, and a further charged with stealing a pair of brass candlesticks, and some dominoes, from the "Compasses Inn."

Thomas Holmes, assistant to Mr. Bartlett, identified the box of plums as his master's property. It had been taken from a shelf in the shop near the door.

George Copper, marine store dealer, deposed to purchasing the plums of the prisoner for 1s. The prisoner also offered him a pair of candlesticks and some dominoes, which he (witness) refused to purchase.

Police Sergeant Hill said that in consequence of what Kelly (who was apprehended in the act of selling the candlesticks) told him he went to the shop of the last witness, where he obtained the box of plums now produced. On conveying the prisoners to gaol on the previous Saturday the prisoner Kelly said to Humphrey "after you sold the box of plums, did you not give me the two candlesticks to sell."

Humphrey:- "No."

Kelly:- "Yes you did, you said it was your turn now to go and sell them. I took them to the shop, and you stood outside, and if it had not been for you I should not have got into trouble."

Elisa Beal, servant at the "Compasses Inn," said that she knew the candlesticks to belong to her mistress, as she had been in the habit of cleaning them. She last saw them on Friday the 14th inst. They were then in the kitchen, and missed them about 3 hours afterwards. There were also some dominoes similar to those produced in a box near.

Walter Hodson, potman, at the "Compasses Inn," said, that on the afternoon in question he saw the prisoners in the tap room. He heard Humphrey say to Kelly "It's your turn now," to do something. Kelly immediately went out. On witness proceeding into the kitchen for some coals he saw him standing by the fireplace, and upon his asking him what he was doing there. He said he was "looking for some needles and thread." Witness said there were none there, and ordered him out, and upon turning around he saw him going out with something under his arm, but witness did not know what it was. He walked down the passage and out of the front door, and returned in about a quarter of an hour, when he called out the other prisoner. They left together and witness did not see them afterwards.

P.C. Phipps said that on the above named evening, about 7 o'clock, he was near the gaol, in private clothes, when he saw the prisoners in company together, and from what he overheard was induced to follow them. Kelly went into Mr. Bushnell's, iron monger, and witness follow. He asked Mr. Bushnell whether the prisoner Kelly had offered anything for sale. Mr. Bushnell said he had. Witness observed a candlestick partly concealed under the prisoners coat, and something bulky in one of his pockets. He pulled the candlestick from under the prisoners coat and another from his pocket, asking him how he could account for having them in his possession. Prisoner said "that's my business." Witness, however, informed him he was a constable, and must consider himself in custody. On searching him at the police station he also found in his pocket the dominoes produced.

Kelly pleaded guilty to both charges and Humphrey who had been a soldier, said he was innocent. He had been drinking with the prisoner and he had got into trouble and if convicted would lose his pension.

They were sentenced to 6 weeks' imprisonment with hard labour for each offence.

South Eastern Gazette, 25 December, 1860.

MAIDSTONE PETTY SESSIONS.

Tuesday. (Before C. Ellis, Esq., Mayor, and T. Franklin, Esq.)

John Kelly and Charlotte Humphrey, remanded from Saturday, were charged with having stolen a box of French plums, value 3s. 3d., the property of Sir. D. Bartlett, grocer, Weekstreet; they were also charged with having stolen two candlesticks, and 20 dominoes, the property of Charlotte Fuller, landlady of the "Compasses Inn," Weekstreet.

Thomas Holmes, assistant to Mr. Bartlett, said he saw the plums safe on a shelf near the door of his master's shop about 20 minutes paat 4 o'clock on Friday afternoon, and at half-past four he missed them. He could swear to those produced, from having prosecutor’s private mark on them.

George Copper, marine-store dealer, Week-street, bought the plums of the prisoner Humphrey, who said he had brought them from abroad. Kelly was with him at the time. They also offered him the candlesticks, but he refused to buy them.

Rosa Hutton, barmaid at the "Compasses," also deposed to having had the plums offered to her for sale.

Eliza Beale, servant at the "Compasses," identified the candlesticks as belonging to Mrs. Fuller, and said she saw them in the kitchen on Friday.

Walter Hudson, potboy at the above house, said he saw both prisoners there on the day in question, and while they were drinking at the bar, Humphrey said to the other prisoner, "It's your turn to do something now." On going into the kitchen a few minutes afterwards witness found Kelly there standing against the fire. Witness ordered him off, and when going out of the door, observed something under his coat.

Police-constable Phipps repeated his statement as to the apprehension of the prisoners, who were sentenced to six weeks' hard labour on each charge.

Kent Times, 31 May 1862.

Assault by a Militiaman.

Police Intelligence, Saturday, May 24. Before the Mayor (W. Haynes, Esq), H. W. Joy, Esq., and T. W. Allen, Esq.

Thomas Powell, a militiaman, was summoned by William Driver, landlord of the "Three Compasses," for having assaulted him. It appeared that the defendant (who did not put in an appearance) had forced himself into a room reserved for a "select" party, and on the landlord complaining, he struck him a slight blow in the face. He also made use of threatening language, and when told that he would be summoned, declared that he didn't care for the Mayor or anybody else. He was fined 6s. and 11s. costs, or in default ten days' imprisonment.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 3 July 1866.

At the Petty cessions, yesterday, before Griffith Taylor and William Winnett, Esqs.

A Violent Customer.

Thomas Gilliard, of Gravesend, was at the same sitting charged with having, on the previous Sunday, assaulted William Driver, landlord of the “Compasses Inn,” and disturbed the peace. Mr. Goodwin prosecuted. Complainant deposed that he closed his house at eleven o’clock as usual on Sunday evening, his wife and step-daughter being out at the time. They came home half an hour after, and as he was letting them in, a number of men rushed in also, and his step-daughter insisted upon the men having something to drink. Amongst those who came in was the prisoner, whom witness ordered to go out. He would not go, so that witness endeavoured to put him out, and prisoner then struck him on the face with his fist. There were seven or eight men in the house at the time. P.C. Cuckoo stated that he heard cries of murder, and the smashing of glass from the inside. He entered, and Mr. Driver asked his assistance to clear the house. Prisoner pulled hold of him, and struck, bit, and kicked him. At the station the prisoner was very violent. For the assault on complainant the prisoner was fined £1, and 8s. costs, or fourteen days’ hard labour; and for disturbing the peace 10s. and 6s. costs, or seven days’ hard labour. He was locked up in default of payment.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 19 September, 1873.

MAIDSTONE. FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT.

On Sunday evening a boat accident occurred on the Medway, between Maidstone and Tovil, which resulted in the death of W. Millen, landlord of the tap at the "Compasses Inn," Week-street. He was in a boat with two companions, named Thomas Shirley and Henry Hart, and a sudden movement on the part of the deceased upset the boat. Shirley and Hart managed to reach the bank, but deceased, who was unable to swim, was drowned. The body was recovered at about half-past eight o’clock, and removed to the "King’s Head Inn," West Borough, where an inquest was held on Tuesday, and a verdict of accidental death recorded.

When the London, Chatham and Dover Railway opened in 1874, the pub was renamed the "Railway Guard Hotel."

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REYNOLDS Thomas 1805-30+