From the Kentish Gazette or Canterbury Chronicle, Wednesday 31 May to Saturday 3 June, 1769. Price 2½d.

ROCHESTER PAVEMENTS AND NEW ROAD

The Commissioners for Paving Rochester and Strood, and making a new Road from the “Star” in Eastgate to Chatham Hill, are earnestly requested to observe that Thursday the 8th of June is the Day appointed for them to meet at the “Bull Inn” in Rochester, to receive Proposals, and to contract for carrying the desired Plan into immediate Execution.

George Taylor, Clerk.

From the Kentish Gazette or Canterbury Chronicle, Wednesday 31 May to Saturday 3 June, 1769. Price 2½d.

ROCHESTER NEW ROAD AND STREET PAVEMENTS

Notice is hereby given, that a meeting of the Commissioners, for paving the High Street and Lanes of the City of Rochester and Parish of Strood, in the County of Kent; and for making a Road through Star Lane across certain Fields adjoining thereto, to Chatham Hill, in the said County; is appointed to be held at the “Bull Inn” in Rochester, on Thursday the eighth Day of June next, at ten o'clock in the Forenoon; when they will receive Proposals from any Persons, who shall be desirous to contract with them for making a new Road from the “Star” in Eastgate across certain Fields adjoining thereto, to Chatham Hill aforesaid.

And also for paving the Carriageway of a High Street of the City of Rochester, from a Lane called Bridge Lane, to the School-house in Eastgate, with Scots, North Ferry, Wynn, Quarry Stone, Nine Inches deep, from Five to Three Inches at Top, and the Bottom Five-sevenths of its Thickness, and Nine inches in Length.

Also for paving the Carriage way from the Pump in Strood to the Foot of Rochester Bridge, with Scots, North-Ferry, Wynn, Quarry Stone, Nine Inches deep, from Five to Three inches at Top, and the Bottom Five-sevenths of its Thickness, and Nine inches in length.

And also for paving the Carriage-way from the School-house aforesaid to the “Star” in Eastgate, with Kentish Blue Stone, scabbed and squared, Nine Inches deep, from Five to Three Inches at Top, and the Bottom Five-seventh of its Thickest, and Nine Inches in Length.

And also for paving a new-making a Foot-way from Bridge Lane aforesaid to the “Star” in Eastgate, with Moor Stone Kirb, Seven Inches thick by Twelve Inches in Width, the same to be completed and finished with Yorkshire Ealing Hedge, of Two Inches and a half thick.

And also for paving and making a Foot-way, from the Pump in Strood to the Foot of Rochester Bridge aforesaid, with moor Stone Kirb, Seven Inches thick by Twelve Inches in Width, the same to be finished and completed with Yorkshire Ealing Hedge of Two Inches and a half thick.

The Contractor or Contractors to be at all Charges in pulling up and carrying away the old Materials to such places as the Commissioners or their Surveyor shall direct or appoint; and to raise the Ground to such a Level as shall be directed and formed; and to be at all other incidental Charges whatsoever; and each Contractor is to produce a Sample of Stone at the said meeting.

Any Persons, willing to contract as above, are desired to deliver their proposals for that Purpose, to Mr. George Taylor, Attorney, at Chatham, in Writing, sealed up, at any Time on or before the said Eighth of June.

By Order of the Commissioners.

George Taylor, Clerk.

From Kentish Gazette 15 June 1771.

NINE PENCE per MILE.

Whereas a Report has been industriously propagated, that Hester Heath, of the "Bull Inn" in the city of Rochester, has made a Charge of One Shilling per Mile, for her Post chaises; which Report she has been credibly inform'd, has already tended to her Prejudice. She therefore begs Leave to assure the Public, that she never has charged as reported, but that her Chaises do and will continue Running at the usual Price of Nine Pence per Mile, at which Price, those of the Nobility and Gentry, who shall please to honour her with their Company, will have easy Carriages, with able Horses and careful Drivers, and the best Accommodations of every Kind, will be supply'd on the lowest Terms,

By their most obedient humble Servant,

HESTER HEATH.

Kentish Gazette 04 August 1786.

ROCHESTER, AUGUST 1, 1786. LAMP-LIGHTING.

Notice is hereby Given, That the Commissioners for executing an Act of Parliament, passed in the Ninth Year of his present Majesty's Reign for paving, etc. the High Streets and Lanes in the Parish of Saint Nicholas, within the City of Rochester and Parish of Strood in the County of Kent, and other Purposes, will be ready at their next Meeting, to be held at the "Bull Inn," in the City of Rochester, on Tuesday the 22d Day of August instant, at Eleven o'Clock in the Forenoon, to receive Proposals for contracting with any Person or Persons for the providing Oil, Cotton, and all Materials necessary, and for the cleansing and lighting the lamps. Repairs, etc.

Kentish Gazette, 23 March, 1792.

"Bull Inn," Rochester.

Hester Heath and Son leave to acquaint the public, that in rebuilding their house (lately destroyed by fire) the greatest regards has been paid so to arrange the apartments as to render it most conveniently adapted to the accommodation of families, and fitted in a style of neatness that they trust will be much appreciated.

They most respectfully hope they may mentioned to the Gentlemen of the County, that Mr. Ayres, of the "Crown Inn," has let his house, and solicits a portion of that patronage he so long enjoyed; and are, with the utmost gratitude and respect, the public's most obedient humble servants. Hester and Matthew Heath.

Kentish Gazette, 17 August, 1792.

Rochester.

Last week died at Rochester, much missed Mrs. Hester Heath, mistress of the "Bull Inn" in this city.

From the Kentish Gazette, 3 January 1804. Price 6d.

FREEHOLD MESSUAGES.—ROCHESTER, KENT.

TO be Sold by Auction, by Mr. BATTEN, on Friday the 13th day of January, 1804, at twelve o'clock at noon, at the “BULL INN,” Rochester, All those two substantial Brick Dwelling-houses, adjoining together, situate in the High Street of Rochester, with the appurtenances; one late in the occupation of Mr. William Francis, at the yearly rent of £42, but now of Mr. Edward Manclark, and the owner of Mr. William Phillips, at the yearly rent of £42.

These houses are freehold, but the back parts of the premises are held, as Castle Ditch, at £3, per annual rent.

To he viewed by applying to the tenants.

Further particulars may be known of Messrs. TWOPENNY, Rochester.

South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 8 June 1841.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS.

To be heard at Maidstone, in the county of Kent, on the 30th day of June, 1841, at the hour of ten in the forenoon precisely.

EDWARD BIRCH.

Formerly of the city of Rochester, in the county of Kent, attorney-at-law and solicitor in Chancery; then of the city of Rochester and Maidstone, in the said county of Kent, attorney-at-law and solicitor in Chancery; and last residing at the "Bull Inn," city of Rochester, aforesaid, attorney-at-law and solicitor in Chancery.

From the Kentish Gazette, 1 February 1842.

ROCHESTER AND CHATHAM.

At a public meeting in the Guildhall, Rochester, on Friday, the Mayor in the chair, it was determined to celebrate the day of the royal baptism by a public dinner, a subscription (at which £150 had been raised) to supply the poor with bread, meat, and beer, a closing of shops, and a general suspension of business. A ball took place at the "Bull Inn," Rochester, on Tuesday evening, to honour of the event, at which all the gentlemen belonging to the subscription assemblies acted as stewards.

Kentish Gazette, 4 September 1849.

DEATH.

Birch. Aug 25, after a few hours' illness, Mr. Henry Birch, of the "Bull Inn," Rochester, aged 72 years.

Kentish Gazette, 14 May 1850.

ROCHESTER. Melancholy Accident.

On Friday morning se’n-night Mr. Lockyer, the old and respected waiter at the "Bull Inn," Rochester, was found dead at the bottom of some steps leading to a cellar in the inn yard. It appeared it the inquest holden at the "Bull tap," before Mr. James Lewis, coroner, that the usual monthly ball had been held at the inn on the previous night, and that Lockyer was in attendance till nearly three o'clock the following morning, when he was last seen. Between ten and eleven next day, one of the persona employed about the establishment discovered his body at the foot of the steps, before alluded to, about nine or ten deep, quite dead, he had fallen backwards, his head resting against the cellar door, the arms bent and the knees up, quite stiff. From all the circumstances, the jury had no doubt that he had been to a closet close by, and had mistaken his way. The surgeon was of opinion that he had been dead some hours. The deceased was 64 years of age.

Verdict:— Accidental death.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 1 May 1866.

Charge of Theft against a Russian Surgeon.

At the Chatham Police Court, yesterday (before the Revs. J. J. Marsham and W. S. Masters, and T. H. Day, Esq.), a respectably-dressed, tall man, named Bertrand Ashley, alias Nabskoff, who described himself as an assistant-surgeon in the Russian army, was charged with stealing two printed books, of the value of £2, from the “Globe Hotel,” the property of Mr. Burch, the landlord. Mr. Stephenson appeared for the accused. The prisoner had been stopping at the “Globe” for several weeks, and had ran up a heavy score, putting off payment from time to time on the representation that be had some money coming to him, and that he was acquainted with several of the naval surgeons at Melville Hospital. On Sunday it was ascertained that he had carried off two valuable books from the “Globe,” and deposited them with some other property left at the “Bull Hotel,” Rochester, until he called for it. On the books being missed he was given into custody, when he resisted in the most violent and determined manner, it being ultimately found necessary to strap him down on the stretcher and convey him to the police-station. After being taken into custody it was found that he had recently disposed of two gold watches and some trinkets, which are believed to have been stolen. Since the accused has been in Chatham he has succeeded in victimising several tradesmen, among whom are Mr. Naylar and Messrs. Newcomb. He also appears to have ordered a suit of clothes of Messrs. Hopkins and Ashby, Hamond-place, but he was not allowed to have them without payment. On the application of Supt. Everist the accused was remanded until Wednesday (to-morrow).

From the Southeastern Gazette, 8 May 1866.

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS.

Wednesday. (Before Captain H. Savage and W. H. Nicholson, Esq.)

Betram Ashley, alias Nicholas Nabakoff, stated to be an assistant-surgeon in the Imperial Russian Navy, who stands charged with stealing two printed books, value £2, from the “Globe Hotel,” was further examined.

The prisoner, who was defended by Mr. Stephenson, appeared to be very ill, and he was allowed to be seated daring his examination. His solicitor stated that he was a gentleman of high attainments, and was acquainted with six or seven languages.

Mrs. Burch, landlady of the “Globe Hotel,” High-street, said the prisoner came to the hotel on the 20th March, and remained there until Sunday, the day of his apprehension. On Sunday the witness missed two volumes of a work entitled “Old England,” which had been usually kept in The commercial room. The prisoner made no statement to the witness respecting the books.

By Mr. Stephenson:— The prisoner twice paid witness money on account of his bill. On one occasion he paid £1 16s., and on another £4. He afterwards ran up an account of £6 14s. 7d. The prisoner had for several days been reading the books which he was now charged with stealing. The prisoner walked about the house and had access to all the rooms. He appeared to be a gentleman, and gentlemen from the barracks visited him. He occasionally read other works in the house, and always returned them. On Sunday evening, when the prisoner was taken into custody, he told witness he did not intend to steal the books.

The prisoner, at this stage of the proceedings, went off apparently in a fit, and fell down on the floor of the dock.

In answer to the magistrates, Supt. Everist said the prisoner had had several fits, apparently of the same kind, since he had been in custody, and the police surgeon had visited him twice.

The magistrates ordered the prisoner to be removed, and after an absence of about half an hour he was again brought into the Court, having in the interval been supplied with some brandy and water, and his examination resumed.

William Willson, boots at the “Globe Hotel,” said on the previous Thursday he saw the prisoner in the commercial-room with a portmanteau in his hand. The portmanteau produced was the same he then saw. Prisoner told him to take it to the “Bull Hotel,” Rochester. The witness gave it to a man, named Fawcett to carry to the “Bull Hotel.”

George Fawcett said he received the portmanteau from the last witness, and carried it to the “Bull Hotel,” leaving it with a waiter. On witness returning to Chatham he met the prisoner going towards the “Bull.” Nothing was said about the witness being paid, and the prisoner had never given him anything.

Mr. Geo. Willson, landlord of the “Bull Hotel,” said he first saw the prisoner on Friday morning. On the previous night the prisoner came to the hotel with a lady, and wished to sleep there. On Friday morning prisoner came to the hotel and asked if the lady was in No. 4 sitting-room, and on being told that she was prisoner went up to her. On Friday afternoon the witness saw the portmanteau in one of the bed-rooms. Neither the prisoner nor the lady returned after they left on Friday morning, and the witness did not see the prisoner until he was in custody. On Sunday morning witness examined the portmanteau, which was unlocked, and there discovered a silk handkerchief, marked with the named of “Lawrenson, R.N.” one of the surgeons at Melville Hospital. Some articles of clothing were there, and the two printed books produced. The prisoner was indebted to witness, on Sunday, in the sum of 18s. 6d., which was still unpaid. Witness delivered the portmanteau and its contents to the superintendent of police.

Cross-examined by Mr. Stephenson:—When the prisoner and the lady first came they had no luggage, and it was not the custom of the house to allow strangers, ladies and gentlemen together, to sleep there without luggage. The prisoner and the lady were shown a sitting-room and bed-room, and on being asked respecting their luggage prisoner went out and the portmanteau came in about an hour afterwards. Mrs. Willson and the chambermaid both had some communication with the prisoner.

Mr. Stephenson said he must request that both Mrs. Willson and the chambermaid should be present. He had a complete answer to the case, which was one of the most extraordinary he had been engaged in for many years.

The prisoner said he also wished the two waiters to be present, as they could give most important evidence on the charge of which be was entirely innocent.

The Bench accordingly ordered the required witnesses to be sent for, and another considerable adjournment took place.

Edward Petty, waiter at the “Bull Hotel,” said he first saw the prisoner, with a lady, on the previous Thursday evening. They came to the bar hotel, and the prisoner asked for a private room and a bed-room. They objected to a room on the ground floor, as not being good enough, and they were accordingly shown a room upstairs, which they took possession of. They had supper, and prisoner afterwards said he would go out and see that the portmanteau was sent up. Prisoner went out, and shortly after nine the portmanteau was brought by the witness Fawcett. A short time afterwards the prisoner returned and asked for the portmanteau, which he directed to be taken up into the sitting- room. Prisoner remained about half an hour and then left the house, sleeping out. On the following morning he came for the lady, and they both left together, neither of them returning. No money was received from either of them.

By Mr. Stephenson:— When they first arrived neither had any luggage. Prisoner said he would go after his portmanteau. Nothing was said to them about having luggage. Did not hear the prisoner tell the lady he would bring her some books to make her comfortable.

Mr. Stephenson said he wished the lady who was with the prisoner at the “Bull” to be examined, but as she was at Birmingham some few days must elapse before she could be communicated with.

The prisoner said he wished to be remanded for a week, as there must be no stain on the lady's character.

Mr. Nicholson:— Then let the prisoner be remanded for one week.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 5 June 1866.

Hotel Robbery.

During Friday afternoon last two respectably dressed men entered the “Bull Hotel,” Rochester, and having been supplied with some refreshment, succeeded in carrying off from one of the upstair rooms £10 in money, a gold watch, and some trifling articles belonging to one of the servants, together with a portmanteau and its contents from a gentleman staying in the house, with, the whole of which they got off. After the robbery they proceeded in the direction of Gravesend, and were seen, crossing Rochester-bridge, with the portmanteau in their possession.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 31 July 1866.

GROWN COURT — FRIDAY. (Before Mr. Baron Channell)Conviction of a Foreign Swindler.

Bertrand Ashley, alias Ashley Nabokoff, 22, remanded from the last West Kent Sessions, was indicted for stealing two printed books, the property of James Burch, at Chatham, on the 26th April; also for stealing a gold watch and other articles, value £20, the property of Esther Carpenter, in a dwelling-house, at Maidstone, on the 19th March. There were several other charges against the prisoner beside those above mentioned, one of which was that of stealing a small gold cross, the property of Thos. White, at Chatham, on the 13th April.

The prisoner, on his arraignment on Thursday, elected to be tried by a mixed jury of foreigners and Englishmen, and he also asked that the Judge would assign him a counsel. Although it was not usual in cases of felony, his lordship consented, and asked Mr. Poland to take charge of the defence. Mr. Barrow prosecuted.

The career of the prisoner appeared to have been a most extraordinary one, and the facts disclosed in the course of the inquiry left no doubt that he was a most accomplished swindler. The first that seemed to have been known of him was in 1863, when he made his appearance at Oxford, and afterwards at Cambridge, where he succeeded, at both places, in victimising hotel keepers and others to a considerable extent; but his proceedings were cut short by a conviction for swindling, and he was sentenced to imprisonment. After this he made his appearance at Tunbridge Wells, where he represented himself as Count Sobieski, a son of the late King of Poland, and that he had been exiled on account of his political opinions by the Russian Government. His appearance was much in his favour, being young and tall, and his expression of melancholy and the recital he made of his supposed wrongs and sufferings in the cause of his country procured for him a great deal of sympathy. It was his custom to walk on the Parade, and to get the Parade Band to play the Polish National Anthem, and he would wander gloomily along, as though absorbed in his melancholy reflections. The consequence of these proceedings was that he ingratiated himself into the confidence of a good many respectable persons, from whom he succeeded in obtaining money and property; and he also appears to have ingratiated himself with some young ladies, who seemed to be enamoured of the “distinguished young exile.” He professed to live by money transmitted to him from his Polish estates by his agent in that country, but the result showed that he got his living by swindling and fraud; and after a rather long visit at Tunbridge Wells he suddenly decamped, having victimised almost every one that came in his way. He then seems to have made his way to Chatham, where he succeeded in inducing a medical gentleman of great respectability, to whom he had introduced himself as a Polish exile, to take an interest in him, and this gentleman introduced him to several respectable persons with whom he was acquainted, among whom was Mr. White, a gentleman connected with the military staff at Chatham, and he constantly visited the latter, and was treated by him with the greatest kindness. He took the opportunity, upon one of these occasions, to steal a gold cross, and this was one of the charges that were now preferred against him. At the time, the prisoner was staying at the “Globe Hotel” at Chatham, and it appeared that, previously to his going to that place, he formed an acquaintance with a female who turned out to be a married woman who had come to Dover to visit her relations, and she had made an appointment to meet him at Rochester, and they went to the “Bull Hotel” at that place. The rest of the facts will be gathered from the following evidence:—

Mr. White said he was in the military service in Chatham in April last, when prisoner was introduced to him, and came occasionally to his house. He showed the prisoner a chain with a gold cross upon it on the evening of the 13th April, and on leaving the room, witness went upstairs to dress. When he returned prisoner was still there. Next morning witness discovered that the cross was missing.

Esther Brenchley said her mother lived in High-street, Rochester. Prisoner was in the habit of coming to her house for a glass of ale. He offered to make witness a present of the cross in question, and she received it from him on the 14th April. He asked her to take it as a keepsake. She afterwards gave it up to the constable.

Supt. Everist said he received the cross in the beginning of May from the last witness.

In summing up the evidence for the prosecution, Mr. Barrow directed his arguments to the cross-examination of the witnesses touching the identity of the cross.

Mr. White, recalled by the Judge, stated that he identified the cross by a defect in the welding. The chain was attached to a split ring, and no one had access to the room but the servant and the prisoner.

Mr. Barrow having summed up, Mr. Poland addressed the jury for the defence. He admitted that there was a certain amount of suspicion against the prisoner, but no positive proofs of his guilt. The whole case really turned on the identity of the articles, and he strongly contended that that had not been satisfactorily established.

The jury, after a rather lengthened consultation, re-turned a verdict of “Not guilty.”

The charge of stealing books was then proceeded with; the same counsel being engaged as in the above case.

Mrs. Burch, wife of the landlord of the “Globe Inn,” Chatham, stated that the prisoner came to their house on the 20th March, and stayed till the 26th. The books in question were in the commercial room, where she last saw

them on Thursday evening, the 26th April. She missed them on the following Sunday.

Cross-examined:— The books were not taken into the commercial room for his special use, but for the general use of all persons frequenting the room. Had lent the prisoner several books during his stay, which he returned.

William Wilson said he received a portmanteau from the prisoner, with orders to get a man to convey it to the “Globe Inn,” Rochester.

George Faucett received a portmanteau, which he conveyed to the “Bull Inn,” Rochester.

Edward Petty, waiter at the “Bull,” remembered the prisoner arriving with a lady. He engaged a private room and a bed room. They had no luggage with them. They had some tea and cold meat. Prisoner said he would send a portmanteau up. He afterwards went out, and during his absence Faucett came with the portmanteau and gave it to witness. Prisoner returned about half-past ten or eleven, and asked for the portmanteau. He went out again, and on the following morning he returned and took the lady away, leaving the portmanteau.

Cross-examined:— When the prisoner came he was asked if he had any luggage.

Mr. Geo. Wilson, landlord of the “Bull,” deposed that on the Friday morning prisoner asked for the lady in No. 4 room, and he went upstairs. The bill was not paid then. When the prisoner returned down stairs he went away. On the Sunday witness opened the portmanteau and found the two books (already produced) a pair of slippers, a pocket handkerchief, and other articles.

Supt. Everist stated that, from information received, he sought for the prisoner, and found him at the “Globe.” Prisoner asked that Dr. Laurence might be sent for, but that gentleman refused to see him. He told prisoner he was “wanted,” and be ran off, and witness had great difficulty in capturing him.

The jury found the prisoner guilty.

The next charge against the prisoner was for the felony at Maidstone. Mr. F. J. Smith prosecuted in this case.

Mrs. Esther Carpenter, widow, said she lived at the “Palace,” Maidstone. On the Sunday evening, 1st March, when she went to bed, she left her gold watch on the table by the side of the bed. It was attached to a chain, which held some trinkets also. She missed them next day.

Anne Luckhurst, servant to the last witness, deposed to seeing the watch on the table.

Mary Ann Surr, another of the servants, said that on the afternoon of the 19th March prisoner came to the door and asked to see the clergyman? She told him he was not there, and the prisoner then asked to see “the curate,” who was also not at the house. The door could be opened from the outside. Witness then went into the kitchen, and heard some one open the front door. She went and shut it.

Mr. Benjamin de la Cour, silversmith, at Chatham, said that the prisoner came to his shop, and said he was attached to the Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham. He left a watch, upon which witness advanced £4, prisoner observing that he would have a remittance in a fortnight from his father.

Mr. P. Hyman, watchmaker, Chatham, deposed that on the 23rd March prisoner brought a pencil-case to his shop, for repair. Some time after he brought some trinkets and a watch to witness’s shop.

Supt. Everist said that when he took prisoner into custody, on the charge of stealing the property from the Palace, he alleged that he had the articles from France.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty in this case also.

His Lordship observed that prisoner had desired, and he was very glad he had done so, to have a jury composed partly of foreigners; though for his own part he did not believe that foreigners showed more good sense and better judgment in deciding upon a case than an English jury. At the same time, it was certainly desirable that every appearance of impartially and justice should be shown to every prisoner, especially in the case of one, who being a foreigner, was supposed to be without such friends and assistance as an Englishman might command. Now he had not the least doubt as to the propriety of the verdict of the jury, and it was his duty in sentencing the prisoner not to lose sight of the fact of there being two previous convictions recorded against him. Under these circumstances, to sentence him to imprisonment for the extreme length of time the law allowed would not be anything like adequate punishment, and the sentence of the Court was therefore one of penal servitude, and that for seven years.