DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dartford, September, 2024.

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 17 September, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest ????

(Name from)

Bull Hotel

Latest 1935+

(Name to)

1 High Street

Dartford

Bull Inn 1895

Above engraving circa 1895, taken from the book "The Old Dover Road."

Bull painting 1900s

Above painting, circa 1900s, kindly sent by Pam Longridge.

Bull 1900

Above postcard, 1900, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Bull 1906

Above photo 1906, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Bull Hotel

Above postcard, date unknown.

Bull 1907

Above postcard, 1907, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. With an R. White's dray delivering cases of soft drinks. Robert and Mary White expanded their home-brewed bottled ginger beer business, from just one market barrow in the 1840s, to become the south east's leading soft drinks company by WW1.

Bull Hotel 1910

Above photo, 1910 from the Dartford Borough Museum.

Bull 1920

Above photo, 1920.

Bull

Above photo, date unknown.

Bull

Above photo, date unknown.

Bull cigarette card Bull cigarette card

Above showing the front and back from Lloyds' Bondman cigarette cards from the Old English Inns series.

 

See also "Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel." This obviously changed name after Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837, and gained its royal appointment.

 

By kind permission of the rector and parochial church council of Holy Trinity, Dartford (P110/1/10)

Burial entry for Richard Trevithick, buried in Dartford churchyard on 26 April 1833.

Born at Illogan in Cornwall in 1771, Trevithick who stood at 6' 2" was nicknamed the Cornish giant. A tin miner with engineering talent, Trevithick developed various forms of steam locomotive in Britain and South America with varying degrees of success, dying at the "Bull Inn," Dartford in reduced circumstances on 22 April 1833.

The Engineering Magazine of 27 March 1868 noted Trevithick was the real inventor of the locomotive. He was the first to prove the sufficiency of the adhesion of the wheels on the rails for all purposes of traction on lines of ordinary gradient, the first to make the return flue boiler, the first to use the steam jet in the chimney, and the first to couple all the wheels of the engine.

Trevithick is commemorated by a plaque in the church.

 

Ipswich Journal, Saturday 28 June 1783.

On Thursday last as Mr. William Robertson, and his nephew, Mr. Cormick, were going home in the chariot to Clapham Common, at the second bridge past Kennington turnpike, at half past 9 o'clock, they were attacked by single highwayman, on a bay horse. Mr. Robertson dozing, and his nephew asleep, the former heard some sprson speak to the coachman, and feeling a horse prancing about with a genteel looking young man, imagined he wanted to speak with his nephew; he therefore let down the glass, asking who he wanted, was instantly presented with a pistol, "Sir, your money?" Mr. Robertson with great deliberation, told him to have patience, and he should; he gave him half a guinea and some silver, and his nephew likewise what he had; he then demanded the watches. Mr. Roberts said he never had one, and pulled up his waistcoat, and putting his hand upon his thigh to convince him. His nephew, and had a watch, had, during this time, put this aside, and putting his hand upon his pocket, to show he had none - Mr. Robertson thinking his nephew might have some notes upon him, and going home so early, did not think of putting them out of his pockets, he, upon the highwayman's changing his pistol into his left hand, and leaning to reach the watch, seized the highwayman, and pulled him off his horse, called to his coachman, who with great readiness sprung from the box, seized him fast, and carried him to the "Swan" at Stockwell, where, upon searching him, found two pistols loaded, with three square slugs, and a paper full of them, and powder in his pockets. No justice been to be found, Mr. Robertson sent for a Stockwell constable, and ordered his carriage (putting the constable and the highwayman in, together with himself,) to drive to the New Gaol in the Borough, where he lodged him. His name appears to be Gladwell, was late a waiter at the "Bull Inn," Dartford, Kent,. He was next day committed to take his trial at the assizes at Croydon.



 

From the Kentish Gazette, 12 January, 1810.

TO BE LET, And entered upon at Michaelmas, 1810, With or without the following Land, or any part thereof.

THE "BULL INN," at Dartford, in Kent, one of the prettiest thoroughfares in England, and about 50 Acres of Land, of which 40 or thereabouts are Marsh Land, and the remainder Arable, situate in the parish of Dartford. Further particulars may be had of Mr, Williams, No. 50, Frith-street, Soho, London, or Messrs. Williams and Walker, at Dartford.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 27 July 1810.

BULL INN, DARTFORD.

JOHN ESSENHIGH, BEGS leave to inform the Nobility, Gentry, and Public in general, travelling the Kent Road, (also the Friends of Mr. Warton,) that he has taken the above Inn, Mr. Wm. Lease expiring at Michaelmas next, and intends conducting it on the same principles which Mr. Warton has done for so many years; and hopes, by assiduity and strict attention, to merit their patronage and support.

Various reports having been circulated respecting the "Bull Inn" being shut from the Public as a Post House, J. Essenhigh begs to assure his Friends and the Public in general that he intends to continue the Posting as usual.

NEAT POST CHAISE AND ABLE HORSES.

 

Kentish Gazette, 16 March 1852.

Dartford.

An interesting ploughing match came off on Wednesday, in a field belonging to R. Wilkes, Esq., adjoining Dartford-brent, between two sporting landlords of Dartford, viz. Mr. John Smith, of the "Marquis of Granby Inn," and Mr. James Townsend, of the "Bull Inn tap," for half a sovereign aside and a supper to plough for the straightest furrow. The work was excellently performed. The umpires were unable to decide, when an old and experienced farmer, Mr. Lucas, a stranger to both parties, was passing, and was called in; his decision was that Mr. Smith's was the smoothest work, and Mr. Townsend's the straightest furrow; the latter was consequently declared the winner.

 

Southeastern Gazette, 16 August 1853.

Charles Crane and Benjamin Hollands, of Dartford, were charged before James ’Espinasse, Esq. (at the rising of the County Court, held at the Town-hall, on Monday), with stealing several trusses of hay, belonging to Mr. Rowley Edward Potter, the proprietor of the "Victoria Hotel," Dartford.

The prisoner Crane’s premises adjoin the stabling of Mr. Potter, who has missed a considerable quantity of fodder lately, and Mr. Pearce, a blacksmith residing in a house in Lowfield-street, which overlooks the prisoner Crane’s premises, seeing him removing some straw early on Sunday morning last, mentioned the fact to Mr. Potter, who immediately gave instructions to the police upon the subject, and Superintending-constable Thatcher, assisted by police-constable White, succeeding in apprehending the prisoners, which has resulted in their committal for trial. A young man named Wm. Streatfield was also apprehended on the charge, but there being no evidence against him he was discharged. The following evidence was adduced before the committing magistrate.

Wm. Charles Pearce, of Dartford, blacksmith, deposed:- I live in a house adjoining the premises of the "Bull Inn," in Dartford, belonging to Mr. Potter. On Sunday morning, the 7th August, at about five o’clock, I was looking from the window of one of the back rooms in my house. I saw the prisoner Crane remove a truss of straw from the back part of a shed on my premises; he took it down the yard towards a stable in his occupation. He came back from the direction of his stable to the back of my shed; he then took a truss of fodder in the same direction, and came a second and third time and did the same. The prisoner occupies the adjoining premises to me, and keeps a horse and cart and sells bavins.

Frederick John Thatcher, inspector of the Dartford police, went to the house of the prisoner with Mr. Potter, told the prisoner Mr. Potter had lost some hay, and asked him to let them look in his stable, to which prisoner replied "Yes, you may look in welcome, I know of no fodder being there, for I have not carried any in nor have I been in the stable for a week or ten days." In the stable witness found six trusses of hay and two of straw piled one on the other. Prisoner said he did not know how it came there, and denied putting it there. Some hay was scattered about the prisoner’s garden, and under a window of Mr. Potter’s stable, which abuts on the garden.

William Barnes, ostler to Mr. Potter, identified the property.

Charles White, police-constable, Dartford, deposed that at about one o’clock that afternoon he apprehended William Hollands, the other prisoner, in a field in the occupation of Mr. Parkhurst, where he was at work. Witness told him he took him into custody on a charge of stealing some hay and straw, the property of Mr. Potter, and selling it to Mr. Crane. He said the prisoner Crane has asked him several times to get him some hay and straw, and last Sunday morning he got him four trusses of hay and a truss of straw; that no one carried it from the stable but himself; that he put it out of the window and some man received it, and at about eight o’clock he received 5s. of Crane for getting the hay and straw.

The prisoner Crane denied asking the other prisoner to get any. Hollands, it appears, was in the habit of carting, the hay and straw to Mr. Potter’s from Mr. Parkhurst’s, of whom the hay and straw was bought, and the stable containing it was never locked.

They were both committed for trial.

Crane made application to be liberated on bail, which was refused.

 

South Eastern Gazette, 18 September, 1860.

DARTFORD. County Court.

This court was held on Monday, before James Espinasse, Esq., Judge. There were 108 causes entered for hearing, 3 of which were adjourned causes, and 17 unsatisfied judgments. Several of the cases were, however, struck out or settled before the court sat, and the remainder were chiefly for very small amounts. The only one possessing any features of interest was that of Hendon v. Bray, the plaintiff being the landlord of the "One Bell," and the defendant proprietor of the "Bull Hotel." The action was brought to recover damages which plaintiff alleged had been sustained by a carriage belonging to him, in consequence of one of the defendant’s servants negligently driving against it whilst standing at the station. It was expected that a question as to the right of the plaintiff to place his vehicle in front of the station would have been raised, but as the plaintiffs witness said that Mr. Bray’s man purposely drove against his carriage, and committed the damage in question, namely the breaking of one of the wheels, his Honour stopped the case, holding that though an employer was liable for any damage committed through the negligence of his servant, that was not the case where the damage was wilfully done. The plaintiff was therefore non-suited, the expenses of several witnesses subpoenaed by the defendant being allowed.

 

Kent Times, 8 February 1862.

DARTFORD.

On Thursday an inquest was held at the "Bull Hotel," before C. J. Carttar, Esq., coroner, on the body of Alexander Clark, aged 14 years, son of a chimney-sweep living in Sweep's-alley. Water-side. The inquest was held on account of the parents being dissatisfied with the treatment of the medical man, Dr. Martin.

Dr. Moorr, of Bridge house, Dartford, made a post mortem examination of the body according to orders from the coroner, and gave it as his opinion that the boy died of pleurisy aided by bad living. The inquiry was adjourned for a fortnight to allow of the contents of the stomach and also the remains of the medicine he had been taking to be analysed.

 

From the Kentish Chronicle, 21 May, 1864.

SINGULAR DEATH OF A Child.

An inquest was held on Monday at the “Bull Hotel,” Dartford, before C. J. Carttar, Esq., coroner, on the body of a child named Sarah Elizabeth Heron, aged six years.

It appeared from the evidence of the mother and father of the child that some time before death the deceased had complained of being very unwell, and in great pain about the body and legs. The mother afterwards discovered that the deceased had been eating buttercups from a field close by, and sent for a powder from a chemist's, but as the deceased vomited a great deal and presented every appearance of having been poisoned, she hastened off for the parish surgeon, Mr. Martin, who did not make his appearance at the house till the child was dead. A post mortem examination had been made which clearly proved the deceased had been poisoned by eating buttercups, and the jury brought in a verdict to that effect, but thought that Mr. Martin was to blame for not having attended sooner upon the deceased.

 

Gravesend Reporter, North Kent and South Essex Advertiser, Saturday 11 September 1869.

Dicks, Chemical Fire Engine.

A trial of the patent portable self-acting chemical fire engine took place in the meadow at the rear of the "Bull Hotel" on Saturday afternoon. A number of stakes were driven in the ground, and tar barrels placed at the base. Upon these were pieces of wood, placed crossways, and the vacuum filled with shavings, the whole being plentifully besprinkled with inflammable liquid. This heap was soon fired, and in a few minutes was one sheet of flame. The engines, commonly known as "L'Extincteur," were then brought to play on the burning mass, which was almost immediately extinguished. Bowls of petroleum were then thrown upon a debris and caused the flames to again make headway, bit directly the machine was directed against it it was completely extinguished.

Bromley & District Times, Friday 10 March 1893.

Licensed Victuallers Association.

The annual meeting of the Dartford and West Kent Licensed Victuallers' Association was held at Mr. Lines, "Bull Inn," on Wednesday afternoon, the 1st inst.

The annual report was read, and the financial statement showed the balance in hand of £15.

Mr. Clayton of Erith, was re-elected chairman of the association; Mr. King of Sevenoaks, vice-chairman; Mr. Lines, treasurer, and Mr. J. C. Drew of Penge, retains his post as secretary.

Some discussion took place with reference to the Local Option Bill now before Parliament, but no definite resolution was come to it being thought advisable to wait and see what action the Trade of London should take in regard to the Bill.

It may be noted that Mr. Clayton has been chosen as a delegate to represent the Dartford and Sevenoaks Association in the National Trade Defence League, or Fund as it is called, and that Alderman Long (of Maidstone), and Mr. William Sampson have been elected to represent the trade of the Kent and neighbouring counties in the same league.

 

The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950) Monday 15 October 1900.

MR. KRUGER IN KENT.

In nearly every town throughout the County of Kent may be found a hostelry brazing the sign of the Bull.

Dartford is not peculiar from the rest In this respect. But in order to distinguish it from the "Bull and George" in the same street the chief hotel in Dartford is entitled the "Royal Victoria and Bull."

Chief among its relics of a bygone day are a number of nearly square wooden four-post beds.

If these ancient couches could talk there is one in particular that could a tale en-fold.

Hereon slept more than one Queen Elizabeth. Under the same canopy also reclined soon after her accession to the throne Her Most Gracious Majesty Victoria R. and I.

Likewise, on the occasion of his last visit to England, Mr. Kruger, President of the late South African Republic, stretched himself in repose behind the same white bed-curtains. How he managed to stow his bulky frame comfortably in so relatively small a compass is not known.

Oom Paul was, however, thoroughly pleased with his visit, amusing himself by trying on a huge black leather hat shaped like a sou'-wester, many sizes too big for him, and generally assigned to Oliver Cromwell or some one of his Ironsides. At the same time the Boer ex-President explored a cleverly devised secret staircase, which had only recently been discovered, and wherein the skeleton of a long dead man had been found.

Oom Paul doubtless saw some of the other curiosities with which the old place abounds, but probably none that would appeal to him more strongly just now, when hard pressed for a safe and secret "way out."

 

See Dartford Map 1905.

 

LICENSEE LIST

WARTON Mr to July/1810

ESSENHIGH John July/1810+

Last pub licensee had POTTER Edward 1828+ Pigot's Directory 1828-29

BAKER Sarah 1841+ (age 65 in 1841Census) ("Bull Inn Tap")

TOWNSEND James 1852+ ("Bull Inn Tap")

BRAY William Thomas 1860-64+

LINES Mr 1893+

RUSSELL Sidney 1901+ (hotel manager age 67 in 1901Census)

https://pubwiki.co.uk/BullRoyalVictoria.shtml

 

Pigot's Directory 1828-29From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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