FOUNTAIN Pub of Gravesend

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Gravesend, August, 2023.

Page Updated:- Monday, 14 August, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1740

Fountain Hotel

Latest 1914

47 The Terrace

Milton

Gravesend

Above photo circa 1910. Kindly supplied by John Hopperton.

This was originally called the "Fountain Tavern" and the original building existed from between 1714 till 1816 when it was demolished to make way for the Custom House and the new hotel was built on the opposite side of the road but closed in 1914.

From Jackson's Oxford Journal, (Oxford, England),Saturday, July 27, 1816.

DEATH.

Mr. Gibbs, formerly of the "Fountain Tavern," Gravesend, afterwards of the "Canteen," in Tilbury Fort, in which he accumulated some property. He then took a public house in Gravesend, in which being unsuccessful, it took such an effect upon his mind as to deprive him of his senses, in which situation he died.

From the Kentish Gazette, 5 March 1839.

DEATH.

Feb. 23, Mrs. Hodgskin, wife of Mr. T. Hodgskin, of the "Fountain Inn," Gravesend, aged 42.

Southeastern Gazette, 22 March 1853.

PETTY SESSIONS.

Friday. (Before J. Saddington, Esq. Mayor, R. Oakes and C. Spencer, Esqrs.)

Assault with Intent.

George Douglas, sergeant in the 69th regiment, was charged with a felonious assault on the wife of Corporal Collingham, of the same regiment.

The complainant, Mrs Sarah Collingham, who is but 19 years old, stated that Douglas had called on Monday, at her lodgings, in Wakefield-street, to desire her to wait upon an officer’s lady, who wanted her children nursed. She accordingly went with him, and entered into an agreement with the lady, in Harmer-street, and when she left the sergeant was waiting to go with her to the "Fountain Inn," to see her sister. He treated her there to a glass of rum, and in the evening, at five o’clock, called again at her lodgings, when; wishing to get rid of him, she walked out as far as the "Prince Regent," Peppercroft-street, where they had more rum, and, being in a room alone, the sergeant locked the door, and assaulted her in the manner complained of. She screamed, but no one came to her aid, and as soon as she could get away she went and informed her husband. On cross-examination the prosecutrix made several important admissions; that she had changed her dress in the sergeant’s presence before going to Harmer-street, and that in the course of the day she had drunk, at his expense, a glass of gin, two glasses of rum, and three glasses of rum and water; that she had gone up stairs with him at the "Prince Regent," thinking; no harm, as he was a friend and was present at her wedding;" and that, after the offence, they had walked arm-in-arm down Peppercroft-street.

The Bench were of opinion that both parties had been intoxicated, and guilty of great impropriety; but the charge before them could not be sustained. They therefore dismissed the case.

Burials St Peter & St Paul, Milton next Gravesend. 1846-1864.

20 Jan 1847 Thomas Hodgskin, Fountain Tavern aged 56.

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, 03 September 1870.

Sudden death.

An inquest was held at the Town Hall, on Friday afternoon, before E. A. Hilder, Esq., Borough Coroner, touching the death of William Upton, age 42.

The first witness examined was Annie Hales, barmaid at the "Fountain Hotel." She stated that deceased have been for some time employed as pot man at the hotel. On the previous night, at about half-past nine, deceased came in looking very ill. He sat down in the parlour, and she sent him some brandy but he could not take it. The landlord (Mr. R. O. Davis), and a man named Thomas West, went to the deceased and a medical man was sent for, and came shortly afterwards. Deceased expired about half an hour afterwards. He was perfectly sober at the time, and had complained of a pain in the chest early in the evening.

Mr. Joshua Lever, assistant to Dr. Russell, stated that he was sent for shortly after ten o'clock, and immediately went to the "Fountain" and saw the deceased. He was then alive but could not speak, and he expired about a quarter of an hour after witnesses arrival.

Witness was of the opinion that the cause of death was disease of the heart.

The jury returned a verdict of "death from natural causes."

Gravesend Reporter, North Kent and South Essex Advertiser, Saturday 9 August 1873.

Mr. Robert Page applied for a certificate to enable him to carry on business of the "Fountain" public house, until licensing day.

Granted.

From an email received 15 December 2022.

I have been researching my relatives the Vousdens of Goudhurst, Kent.

In 1821 Elizabeth Vousden (1797-1839) married Thomas Hodgskin (1791-1847) who later was the Licensed Victualler of the Fountain Tavern in Milton next Gravesend.

They had two sons, both dying young, and four daughters all of whom were legatees of his will.

I have just finished transcribing the will, proved in 1847, which set up a trust for the maintenance, education and an eventual equal share in the proceeds of his will on each daughter attaining the age of 21. The trustees were his brother John Hodgkin, ("Queen's Head," Brompton) and Samual Bryans both also licensed victuallers.

Thomas Hodgskin also held the leases of tenements Nos. 1 to 12 Rural Vale, Northfleet. I have located this street on the 1911 OS map south of the London Road, and Rosherville Gardens, and looking at Google Maps they are still going strong!

Your site mentions the death of Elizabeth, Mrs. Hodgskin, in 1839. The 1841 Census includes not only Thomas and his four daughters, Ann Down, Mary, Harriett and Elizabeth, but also a Sarah Hodgskin age 35. A further search of the records showed that Thomas married secondly a widow, Sarah Mason, whose father Samuel Salisbury was also a licensed victualler. However she was not mentioned in the will.

Roger Purcell.

LICENSEE LIST

GIBBS Mr pre 1816