PRIVATEER Pub of Gravesend

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Gravesend, September, 2023.

Page Updated:- Thursday, 28 September, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1775-

(Name from)

Privateer

Latest 1914

86 (65 in 1851) West Street

Gravesend

Above photo, date unknown. Kindly supplied by John Hopperton. Also showing the "New Falcon" on the right.

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

Originally known as the "Flying Horse" and changed name to the "Privateer" between 1738 and 1775 finally closing in 1914.

Maidstone Journal, 1 March, 1842.

The public-house known as the "Privateer," in West-street, occupied by Mr. Tisdale, had a narrow escape from destruction on Wednesday last. It appears that some time previously an alteration had been made in one of the upper apartments, a flue leading from below having been cut off and its place occupied by a cupboard. During the whole of Wednesday the family were annoyed by a strong smell of burning, but after the closest examination they were unable to detect from whence it proceeded; just however before retiring to rest it providentially happened that the cupboard alluded to was opened, when if was found to be enveloped in flames. Immediate exertion was made and the fire extinguished without further damage than the destruction of the articles it contained, and the injury of the adjoining woodwork. It was found on enquiring into the cause of accident, that the workmen who was employed to make the alterations alluded to, had with culpable negligence omitted to stop up the flue, and hence the origin of the disaster. But for its fortunate discovery the fire would in all probability have burst out in a short time with the uncontrollable fury, and from the combustible nature of the surrounding dwellings, might have caused the most extensive mischief.

From the Maidstone and South Eastern Gazette, 14 January, 1845.

COMMISSIONERS' MEETING.

On Tuesday a meeting of the commissioners of lamps and pavements was held at the Town-hall; Mr. Alderman Staff in the chair. There were present:- Messrs Brown, Cullerne, Carter, Doughty, Death, Ditchburn, Eversfield, Hatten, Johnston, Jerry, Lovell, Lamburn, R. Martin, W Martin, Mabbott, Ridge, Selmes, Vigers, and West.

Mr. Southgate read the minute of the last meeting.

A great many remarks were made respecting Mr. Tisdell's, landlord of the "Privateer," West-street, disregard of the order from the commissioners, by a letter from Mr. Southgate, to takedown and rebuild the front wall of his house, it having been deemed, by the surveyors, in an unsafe state.

Mr Tisdell came into the court just at the close of the debate, and expressed his readiness to rebuild the front as soon as he could ascertain whether it should be set back in a line with the "Talbot," which he thought would be done if the commissioners would buy the ground on the same terms as they had done further on in the street.

The board then proceeded to examine and compare the tenders which had been received in consequence of an advertisement in the Times, to supply them with York stones and curb stones for pavements and granite for the carriage ways.

The various sorts of stones and different kinds of work; formed twenty-one items. The prices of each specified in the different tenders sent in by Messrs. Stephens, Cobham, Haigh, and Tuckwell, were very carefully compared. The choice with the board lay between Messrs. Stephens and Tuckwell. They were called in by the court to name their sureties, and were told that the board would take a week to decide on their respective tenders.

After some further consideration on the subject, it was moved by Mr. Jerry, seconded by Mr. Hatten, and unanimously carried, that the committee consider the matter, and that a court be appointed to receive their report on Tuesday.

Mr. Ridge observed, as nothing; was before the chair, he wished to know what was the report of the committee appointed to consider the intended improvements in High-street.

Mr. Southgate then read the report, from which it appeared, that the committee proposed taking down five houses, beginning with the House adjoining the "Rose Tavern," and proceeding south towards the top of the street to Mr. Palmer's house. The purchase of the property, and the remuneration of the tenants together they estimated at £3215, and that two thirds of the payment be made by Milton ward, and one third by Gravesend.

South Eastern Gazette 11 February 1845.

WEST STREET IMPROVEMENTS.

It was inquired, whether Mr. Tisdell had taken down the front wall of the "Privateer," and whether he would set it back on a line with the "Talbot." This was done. It appeared to be the general opinion of the board, that Mr. Tisdell had, naturally enough, wanted to know whether the commissioners intended to pay him for the ground which he might give up, in order to widen the street.

From West Kent Guardian 20 December 1845.

GRAVESEND POLICE COURT.

Thomas Johnson was charged by William Tisdell, landlord of the "Privateer," West-street, with robbing him.

The prisoner was brought before the magistrates by J.W. Pethers, police-constable.

Pethers made the following disposition. on Tuesday night last week, I was on duty at Old Brentford; the prisoner met me between eleven and twelve o'clock, and asked me where the station-house was. I told him. He then asked if any one was there. I said, yes; the sergeant. The prisoner, after walking with me twenty yards, said, " I may as well surrender myself at once. I have robbed my master, Mr. Tisdell, of the "Privateer," West Street, Gravesend, of between five and six pounds." I took him to the station-house, and locked him up. Mr. Tisdell said, in consequence of information which I received, I went to Brentford police station last Saturday, where I found the prisoner. He had lived in my service about three years, and conducted himself very well. About three weeks ago he absconded. After a day or two had elapsed I began to suspect all was not right. I soon found he had presented to one of my customers a bill amounting to £7 9s 8d. The whole he received, and accounted to me for £1 15s., retaining for himself £5 14s 8d.

The prisoner acknowledged this was the fact. He said, in his defence, that his master had promised him a donation of Five Pounds, but never gave it him, so he paid himself, but knew he had done wrong.

Mr. Tisdell denied having made such a promise.

The prisoner was committed to Maidstone gaol, to take his trial for the felony.

In November 1846 a fire ravished through the area and the pub was destroyed. (Details here.) It must have been rebuilt though as I have seen refrences to this one up to at least 1914.

South Eastern Gazette, 11 October 1853.

PETTY SESSIONS.

Monday. (Before R. Oakes and E. Tickner, Esqrs.)

James White and John Baker were committed for trial for passing one counterfeit shilling upon Mr. Farr, the landlord of the "Albion;" one counterfeit shilling upon Mr. Turner, of the "White Hart;" and one counterfeit shilling upon Mr. Tisdell, of the "Privateer," West-street.

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FLETCHER Elizabeth 1828-32+