CHEQUERS Pub of Challock

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 08 November, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1668-

Chequers

Closed 2016

Church Lane

Challock

https://whatpub.com/chequers

Above photo, date unknown kindly sent by Barbara Patton.

Above postcard, date unknown.

Above postcard, postmarked 1909. The "Chequers" is shown with the X above the building.

Above postcard, date unknown, from Tel Terry.

Above photo, 2005 kindly sent by Barbara Patton.

Above photo, date unknown, by permission of http://www.challock-history.org.uk/

Above photo 2010 by Paul Moore Creative Commons Licence.

Photo taken 24 October 2010 from http://www.flickr.com by Jelltex.

Above photo, 2013.

Above sign left, July 1991. Sign right, 2013.

Thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above map 1952.

The building is 17th century and was originally built as a posting house on the Maidstone to Canterbury Turnpike, it is said the building was erected in 1629 from old ships timbers being transported from Faversham.

The first sale of alcoholic beverage can be traced back top 1635 when farmer Zachary Carpenter sold beer but it didn't become officially registered inn till 1700.

The building has also been used for the sale Saddlery, Drapers, Grocers and the village Post Office.

26 March 1789.

Insured:- Julius Shepherd, Faversham, Kent, brewer.

Other property or occupiers: the Chequers, Challock (Jno. Akhurst, victualler).

26 March 1793.

Insured: Julius Shepherd, Faversham, Kent, brewer.

Other property or occupiers: The Chequer, Challock (John Aythurst victualler).

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, Friday 21 April 1797.

Kent. To be sold by auction, at the "Chequers Inn," Molash, on Wednesday the 3rd day of May next, between the hours of 1 and 3 (unless previously disposed of by private contract of which notice will be given in this paper.)

The following freehold estates in five lots.

....

Lot 2. A brick Messuage, formerly the "Red Lion" Alehouse, with the garden and apportenances thereto belonging, situate near the west end of Challock Lees, in the occupation of James Andrews, tenant from year to year. Possession to be held at Michaelmas next.

....

For further particulars apply to Mr. Delasaux, Attorney at Law, New Rents, Ashford, or to Mr. Edward Boys, of Willesbourgh, either of whom will treat for the sale any of the lots by private contract.

Maidstone Telegraph. 24 October 1868.

Assault by a gypsy.

At the petty sessions, on Tuesday, Thomas Rossiter, sen., a gypsy, was charged by George Small, of Challock, grocer, with an assault on Challock fair-day.

Faversham Gazette, 24 May, 1856.

CHALLOCK.

An inquest was held at this place on Monday last, at the "Chequers" public house, on the body of James Sammer, who met his death under the circumstances detailed below in the evidence:-

Charles Swain stated:— That he had known the deceased all his life. On the evening of his death he had been drinking at the "Chequers" about a quart of ale; he also had his supper there, and then left the room (as he said) for a few minutes. Finding ho did not return, witness went in search, and discovered him lying on his back outside the bar. Witness touched him and turned him over; he groaned, but did not speak. Assistance was obtained, but he died in five minutes.

Elizabeth Knowles said:— She had laid the body out, but no marks of violence were discernible upon it.

The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."

About 12 o'clock on the evening of that day Rossiter and 20 or 30 "pikeys" came to the "Chequers Inn," Challock Lees, kept by Small's father, and demanded some beer. They refuse to draw them any, and the assault was then committed.

Find 20s., costs 9s., or 14 days hard labour.

I am informed by Rory Kehoe that the pub is now (October 2017) closed as has been converted into a private residence. It apparently closed in 2016.