Kentish Gazette 3 February 1809.

On Sunday morning, about five o'clock, a fire broke out at the "Bell" public-house, on the Brook, Chatham, which was got under without doing any great damage. The fire originated by a candle being placed so near a bed that it caught the curtains.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 31 July 1866

CROWN COURT. SATURDAY. (Before Mr. Baron Channell).

A Singular Case.

Joseph Lunar, on bail, Mary Hayes, 32, single, and Mark Neale, 35, marine, in custody, were indicted for feloniously taking 10s., the moneys of William Kerrison, on account of restoring a certain watch lately stolen from him, neither of them having caused the offender to be brought to trial, at Chatham, on the 12th June. Mr. Barrow prosecuted. Mr. Ribton defended Lemar.

Wm. Kerrison, a private in the Royal Marines, stated that on the 25th April last, he had a watch in his waistcoat pocket attached to a silver Albert guard. He missed it on the following morning. He saw it safe at half-past twelve at night, whilst in a public-house at the corner of Military-road. Neale slept in the same room, and witness acquainted him and two more men in the room with his loss. Witness also gave information to the police. On the 11th June he received a letter from Neale, not addressed, as follows:- “Dear friend, — Will you be so kind as to come down to the “Bell” public-house? I can tell you something about your ‘super’ [a ‘slang’ term for watch], before going to London. M. N., 161.” He saw Neale with the prisoner Hayes and a woman named White, in a house adjoining the “Bell.” Witness told Neale he had had a letter, and Neale said he wrote one. He had heard two girls talking about a watch, and from the description they gave of it he thought it was his. The watch Neale said was “put up” at a public-house for 9s. He said he could get witness the watch if he could get the money to pay for it; but witness was not to say anything about it, to get anybody into trouble. Witness went away, borrowed some money at the barracks, and returned the same evening. Neale, Hayes, and White were at the “Bell,” and Neale and White said they would fetch it. Witness said, as it was rather late, he would call for it next morning, which he did. He saw Lemar, who went out, and shortly came back with Hayes and White. Hayes said she knew where the watch was, and they would both go and fetch it, if witness would pay them the money, and the landlord would be responsible. Lemar, the landlord (one of the prisoners at the bar), who had been out, came in just at that time, and they asked him whether he would be responsible that they would bring the watch or the money. He said he would if witness gave the money. Witness then gave Lemar a half-sovereign, which he handed to White, and the two girls went away, and returned with the watch, with the bow off. Never received any information from either of the prisoners as to which was the thief,

P.S. Morgan deposed that on the 13th June be saw Neale about the letter produced and the watch. Neale said that, from the description he received from the girls, he wrote the letter. Witness also saw Lemar about it; he denied all knowledge of the matter. Eventually he said all he knew about it was that he was responsible that the parties should bring the watch back. Witness then saw the two women. Hayes said all she knew was that she saw Neale write the letter, and that she and White went to the “Black Boy,” and got the watch from Smith, the landlord. White said she received the watch from Neale, and placed it at the “Black Boy” by his directions. Had never received any information as to who stole the watch.

Mr. Eibton submitted that there was no evidence of a felony.

His Lordship said he thought there was a case to go to the jury, from the fact that the bow of the watch was broken. He thought, however, it was a weak case against Lemar.

The jury acquitted Lemar, and convicted Neale and Hayes.

Hayes two months’ and Neale three months’ hard labour.

From the Kentish Gazette, 30 September 1845.

Death from Lock-jaw.

On Tuesday se’nnight J. Hinde, Esq., coroner, held an inquest at the "Bell" public-house, Brook, Chatham, touching the death of a child named James Blake, three years and a half old, who, while sitting on a cart load of mould, for the circus now in course of erection, was thrown off and fell between the horse and the shafts. One of the wheels passed over his left arm, lacerating the flesh in a dreadful manner; but what is remarkable, not a bone was broken. The child was attended by Dr. Studdy, of Chatham, up to the time of his death, which took place from lock-jaw, induced by injuries the child had received.

Verdict, "Died from lock-jaw."

From the Southeastern Gazette, 19 June 1866.

Mark Neale, Mary Hayes, and Joseph Leman, landlord of the “Bell” public-house, Brook, were brought up on remand, charged with compounding a felony. Mr. Hayward defended the accused Leman, the accused were remanded until Wednesday, Leman being again admitted to bail. James Vanson was charged with stealing a shirt, collars, and other articles, belonging to Mr. Wm. Edwards, of Stoke, and was sentenced to one month’s hard labour