Church Street
Wye
01233 812418
https://www.kingsheadwye.com/
https://whatpub.com/kings-head
Above postcard, 1908, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent my Mark Jennings. |
Above postcard, date unknown. Pub is on left. |
Above photo, date unknown, from Tel Terry. |
Above map form the O.S 1896. |
Above photo 2011 by Oast House Archives
Creative Commons Licence. |
Above sign left, July 1991. Sign right, 2010.
With thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com.
Above sign left 2011. Sign right, 2018. |
Above aluminium card issued June 1951. Sign series 3 number 18. |
Above photo March 2018 kindly taken and sent by Rory Kehoe. |
From the Kentish Gazette or Canterbury Chronicle,
Saturday, 15 October, to Wednesday, 19 October, 1768. Price 2d.
FOUND
On the Road between Chilham and Wye, between the Hours of Six and Eight
at Night: A Brown Gelding, about fourteen Hands high, and on, when found, a Saddle
and Bridle. The Horse is now at the “King's Head” at Wye; where the
Owner, by applying and paying all reasonable Charges, may have him
again. |
Kentish Gazette, 16 March, 1804.
DEATH.
On Thursday se'nnight died, at Wye, Mr. J. Ryall, landlord of the
"King's Head inn" at that place.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 18 February 1840.
Wye.
A dinner took place at the "King's Head Inn," numerously attended.
Another meeting was also held at the "New Flying Horse Inn," at both
loyalty, conviviality, and good feeling reigned throughout the evening.
The ball was well attended.
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Maidstone Journal, 27 December, 1842.
Atempted Murder by a Soldier.
It will be remembered that a general court-martial assembled at
Chatham in the month of October but, for the trial of private Robert
Dun, alias James Brown, of the 80th Regiment, for having, in the
yard of the public-house called the "King's Head," at Wye, to the
county of Kent, on or about the county of Kent, on or about the 3rd
of July, 1841, fired a musket, loaded with powder and ball, at
Lance-Corporal Allen of the 80th Regiment, with intent to murder or
do him some grievous bodily harm; for having deserted from the depts
of his corps at Wye, as aforesaid, on or about the 3rd of July,
1841, and continuing in a slate of desertion from the 80th Regiment
until brought back at Chatham by a military escort, on or about the
14th of September, 1842; and for having, whilst in a state of
desertion from the 8oth Regt. as stated in the second charge,
enlisted into the 73rd Regt. The court found the prisoner guilty of
the several charges preferred against him, and sentenced him to be
transported for the term of his natural life. Her Majesty having
approved the finding and sentence of the Court, the same was read
publicly on Monday, and the prisoner was conveyed under escort to
the hulks off the Dockyard.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 24 October 1843.
DEATH.
Oct. 11, at Wye, Mary, the wife of Mr. John Betts, of the "King's Head
Inn," aged 41.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 18 January 1848.
On Monday last T. T. Delasaux, Esq., coroner, held an inquest at the
"King’s Head Inn," Wye, on the body of John Chapman, aged 50, who was
employed by Mr. Betts, the landlord, as hostler at the above
establishment, and who was found hanging in the loft over the stable on
Sunday morning. By the evidence of the witnesses before the jury, it was
shown that deceased was a person of eccentric character, and was
considered "underwitted" by those who knew him, and that recently he had
appeared to be very dull and melancholy. The jury returned a verdict
that deceased hung himself while labouring under temporary insanity.
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Kentish Gazette, 12 September 1854.
A Jury Summoned and Dismissed Without Holding an Inquest.
On Tuesday last, at six o’clock, a respectable jury assembled at the
"King's Head Inn," to inquire touching the death of Silas Haycock,
which event occurred the previous evening.
Various reports had been circulated as to the cause of death, some
attributing to the prevailing epidemic, others to an improper
medicine having been administered,—while the friends of the deceased
said it resulted from natural causes.
From inquiries made, it appears that the deceased was taken ill with
cramp in his stomach, when his housekeeper went to a neighbouring
grocers (Mr. Mills) and wished to be supplied with some cholera
mixture. Mrs. Mills asked her why she did not send for the doctor;
but she said Mr. Lovell was not at home. Mrs. Mills then advised her
to send for Mr. Wildash, but the housekeeper said no; she should
prefer having some of Mr. Mill's stuff.
Accordingly Mr. Mills asked if the deceased's bowels were relaxed,
and the housekeeper replied in the negative; but he was in great
pain. He then supplied from 1/2 to 3/4 of an ounce of Daffy's
Elixir, which he believed consisted principally of tincture of senna;
he should, however, have sent cholera mixture if the deceased's
bowels had been opened.
Some of the elixir was administered, but the deceased getting worse,
Mr. Lovell, surgeon, was sent for, and death soon after ensued.
Upon entering the inquest-room, on Tuesday, the coroner, Mr. T. T.
Delasaux, enquired for the usual notice for holding the inquest.
The constable said he had not obtained any notice, and had not seen
any forms for that purpose.
The Coroner:- The law says that the notice from the coroner is
legal—this is only a suggestion from the
magistrate I have told the magistrates that these notices are very
well, but that they cannot compel me to wait
for them. The law says:— when a coroner receives a notice from a
peace officer, he shall issue his precept for
holding an inquest; but I do not wish to quarrel with the
magistrates.
A Juror:- Are there any reasons for holding an inquest in the
present case?
One of the overseers of the parish impressed his conviction that
there were no grounds for such proceeding. Another Juror inquired at
whose instigation the jury had been summoned?
The constable said he was told by the surgeon to go for the coroner.
The Coroner:- What are the circumstances? What was the cause of
death?
A Juror:- We must have the doctor to tell us that.
The Coroner:- But he will not give his opinion without receiving his
fee.
A Juror:- But you are not obliged to hold an inquest, if you find
the circumstances do not require it, are you?
The Coroner:- Certainly not; I have a discretionary power as to
whether I should, or should not hold an inquest. Can any of you give
me the cause of the man's death?
A Juror:- His son told me that his father was ill all day; and at
tea time he came out with the tea kettle and kept leaning about very
strangely. He then went in-doors, and had one cup of ten, when he
was taken worse. They got him upstairs, and sent for the doctor, who
gave the deceased some medicine. Soon after, he said "Oh dear," and
then died. It appears he had been having some cholera mixture, which
the doctor (Mr. Lovell) disputed, and said if he had been called
upon sooner, he could have stopped it. It has been said it was
cholera.
The Coroner:- If the doctor attended the deceased in his life time,
it is not necessary to have an inquest. And as the jury appear to
think that it is unnecessary I will go with one of them to the house
of the deceased, and make some inquiries, and if I do not see any
necessity for holding an inquest, I will not detain you gentlemen
here.
The coroner, accompanied with one of the jury, then left the room;
upon their return, in a brief period the Coroner said:- I have been
to the house and seen two of the family, and they have satisfied me
that there is no occasion to trouble you to inquire into the
circumstances attending the death of the deceased. The surgeon told
one of the son's that it was caused by cramp in the stomach; how
that occurred, it is impossible for any of us to say.
The jury were then dismissed in the course of the proceedings, Mr.
Delasaux remarked that although his office was open from nine
o'clock in the morning till seven o'clock in the evening, for the
transaction of business in
connection with his official duties, scarcely a night passed over
but he was summoned from his bed to answer
the inquiries of constables or police officers expecting inquests;
he thought that was too great a tax upon a
public officer, who required a cessation from his labours as well as
private individuals,—and he gave notice
that, for he future, he should only attend to such business during
his regular office hours.
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From the Kentish Chronicle, 22 September, 1860.
WYE. MR. BARBER'S TESTIMONIAL.
A short time since we noticed that efforts were being made to raise a
testimonial to Mr. Barber the railway station master at this place. The
proposition was warmly responded to, and last week the presentation of
the testimonial took place at the "King's Head Inn." It consisted of a
beautiful purse, given by Mrs. Hunt, the landlady, in which were 50
sovereigns, together with a mustard pot with a suitable inscription
thereon, and a pair of sugar tongs, with a neatly written letter on
vellum, nicely framed. One hundred and eleven subscribers contributed to
the testimonial.
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South Eastern Gazette, 13 November, 1860.
WYE. Suicide of a Labourer.
On Tuesday last, the county coroner, T. T. Delasaux, Esq.. held in
inquest at the "King's Head Inn," in this parish, respecting the
death of a labouring man named Edward Mills, 60 years of age, who
had committed suicide bv hanging himself.
Turness Blackman deposed that on the previous morning, between 7 and
8 o’clock, he went into a lodge at the back of the deceased's house,
and there found him suspended by a piece of rope from a beam. He cut
him down, when he was quite dead but warm.
Mary Austen, daughter of the deceased, proved that her father had
been low and melancholy for the past four or five months, and that
of late he had been without work.
Verdict "Insanity."
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From the Whitstable Times, 2 March 1867. Price 1d.
WYE FARMERS' CLUB.
A meeting of the Wye Farmers' club was held on Wednesday last, at the
“King's Head Hotel,” Wye. The chair was occupied by Mr. W. Tassell, &
Cold Harbour, and there was a numerous attendance of members. The
subject of discussion was “Abortion in Cattle and Sheep"; and was
introduced in an able address by Mr. Seelly, of Ripple Farm, near
Godmersham. Mr. Seelly having said considerable practical experience in
his profession as a veterinary surgeon, detailed with much minuteness
and perspicuity the origin, causes, and symptoms of this affection in
cattle and sheep, spoke at length of the action of the brain and nervous
system, and gave it as his opinion that this malady was caused by the
introduction of foreign matter which has a depressing influence on the
nervous system; by nasty fodder; or abstinence for some time, and a full
feed afterwards, which, by distending the stomach too much, weakens the
other parts; or sudden changes from a warm shed to a bleak open yard.
Mr. Seely's paper contained a great amount of practical advice, and was
listened to with much intense by all who were present. A discussion
followed, in the course of which many practical hints as to the rearing
and management of sheep and cattle were given by members of the club.
The next meeting will be held on the 20th of March, when Mr. Tassell,
the Chairman, will read a paper on the advisability of introducing the
lupin for cultivation. |
Dover Express, Friday 22 February 1889.
Re Charles George Hills, late of the Kings Head Inn, Wye.
The deptor commence business in 1879 at the "Dering Arms," Pluckley,
left there in 1881, when he took the "Kings Head," Wye. His unsecured
debts amounted to £446 4s. 1d.; fully secured, £350; partly secured £259
7s. 1d., less £30 estimated value of security, leaving a balance of £259
7s. 8d.; the gross liabilities with thus £1,085 11s. 9d., and the amount
expected to rank for dividend, £705 11s. 9d. The assets, £91 7s. 3d.,
leaving a deficiency of £614 4s. 6d.
The debtor stated the cause of his failure to the heavy expenses of
carrying on business, there being insufficient trade to the house to
meet them.
The receiving order was made on the debtors own petition.
The debtor was closely pressed as to the disposal of his furniture, and
as to his book debts, and eventually the examinations was adjourned for
a fortnight.
|
From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Chris Britcher, 17 June 2019 Kings
Head in Wye unveils pizzeria with help of pizza world champ Marco Fuso.
A village is set for the arrival of a pizzeria next door to a popular
pub - with staff trained by a pizza world champion.
After two years of planning, owners of the Kings Head pub in Wye,
near Ashford, are to launch the Kingshed Pizza venue this week.
It will be sited in a previously empty outbuilding next to the pub’s
outdoor courtyard seating.
The pizza venue opens up next door to the Kings Head pub in Wye -
with staff trained by expert Marco Fuso.
It comes complete with a bespoke Italian pizza oven and vinyl
turntable.
Marco Fuso, pizza expert and World Pizza Champion 2017/18, ran
training workshops with the entire team in the art of dough making,
pizza throwing and baking.
Using locally sourced ingredients for classic toppings, each pizza
will be made to order to either eat in or to take home.
The pub in Wye has already won plaudits for its food.
Scott Richardson said: "We’ve taken our time to get the pizza
offering exactly right and are so pleased with the quality.” |
From an email received 7 July 2021.
My 3x Great Grandfather was John
Betts, who was the licensee from 1841 to 1859.
He remarried after the death of Mary to Elizabeth Dixon in 1844. They
had two sons. This portrait of his wife and sons would have been painted
at the Kings Head, circa 1854.
John Betts died on I September 1859, the same year that he ceased to
be a licensee. He is buried in Wye churchyard.
I hope at least some of this information may be of use to you. |
LICENSEE LIST
RYALL J Mr to Mar/1804 dec'd
WHIDDETT Jacob 1828-32+
BETTS John Ashbee 1841-Mar/59 (age 27 in 1841)
HUNT Thomas Joseph Mar/1859+
HUNT Mrs 1860+
HUNT Thomas Joseph 1861-62+ (age 45 in 1861)
SPITTLE George 1871+ (age 41 in 1871)
HILLS Charles George 1881-89
HILL Jane Mrs 1903+
GREENSTED Charles 1918+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/KingsHead.shtml
From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29
From
the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
Census
From Melville's Directory 1858
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
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