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.