King's Ferry

Minster on Sea (Sheppey)

Wendy James sends me the following from a diary she is currently transcribing:- "NB January 29th 1776 - The water at Kings Ferry in the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, was frozen so very hard that people passed and repassed, in and out the Island, on the ice. And on the first day of February Mr John Head of Scockels Farm in Minster, Mr Richard Hills, shoemaker, Thomas Mummery, seavilman (sic), and myself Stephen Rouse, all of Minster in Sheppey, went to the said Ferry House and so on the ice which was but 5 inches thick, and saw George Evans Baker Esq. Mayor of Queenborough, come over the said ice, and sixteen people at one time passing and repassing.

William Hope, butcher of Sheerness drove fifteen fat sheep over, at the same time, and a large quantity of flour was brought over on men’s backs, for the bakers of Sheerness. All in the time we was at the said Ferry House. An instance not known since the year 1684 when the grandfather of the said above George Evans Baker Esq. passed the said Ferry on the ice.

All this time the ice at the Ferry was but 5 inches thick at low water, Mr John Head saw me try it at 11 different places.

On Saturday February 3rd 1776 the ice at Kings Ferry was cut away, and a passage made for the ships, and on Tuesday 6th the Horse Boat went as usual."

Although only one entry I think it's quite a good account of the fun they had at the King's Ferry...crossing the Swale on foot! I'm sure there are a few more entries regarding the King's Ferry House, but it is taking a while to revisit the earlier diaries to find them...!!

Local knowledge, further pictures, and licensee information would be appreciated.

I will be adding the historical information when I find or are sent it, but this project is a very big one, and I do not know when or where the information will come from.

All emails are answered.

LICENSEE LIST

HOWE Martha F 1858-61 (age 40 in 1861)

HOWE Bryan 1862+ (also hurdle maker)

CLEAVER Julia 1881+ (widower age 37 in 1881 occupation not given)

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

Census