Kentish Gazette, 7 March 1820.

We are exceedingly concerned to state that the town of Chatham has been visited by one of the utmost destructive fires which it ever experienced. The conflagration commenced about two o'clock on Friday morning at the house of Mr. Hill, a baker, residing at 69, High-street. Before any assistance could be afforded, it had gained such strength as to put an end to all hopes of saving Mr. Hill's house, or that next to it, with which the flames had almost immediately communicated. The attention of those who first came to the spot was then directed to the adjoining houses, and those opposite, towards which the flames were driven by a violent North Westerly wind, which continue to blow strongly until a late hour in the morning. From Mr. Hill's house, and from those of Mr. Watson, a linen Draper; of Mr. Cohen, a pawnbroker; and two or three others which intervened, the devouring element reach the "Sun Tavern," a very extensive pile of building, and the principal Inn at Chatham. When this house caught fire the scene was most awful, the flames had been driven by the violence of the wind, to the opposite side of the street, which then presented to the eye a pile of burning buildings, between which, from the narrowness of the place, the passage was in some places impassable, and, in all extremely dangerous. About half-past four or five, the roof of the "Sun Tavern" fell with a tremendous crash, and shortly after only a very small part of the walls were still standing. At one time the brewery of Mr. Best was thought to be in such danger that it's otter rain was looking upon as inevitable; providentially, however, by the prompt assistance of great numbers of the town's people, aided by the active exertions of the military, it escaped with comparatively trifling danger. Mr. Best was not so fortunate with respect to his dwelling house, which, with several adjoining houses, also his property, were entirely consumed. The walls of Mr. Best's house were, from their great solidarity, the only parts which were not levelled with the Earth. At four, and between that and six o'clock, the confusion which resigned in the town was beyond description. From the appearance of the flames at the latter hour, it was thought that all the houses south-east of that where the fire began, would fall a sacrifice to its rage. So strong was this impression, that many families, considerably removed from the immediate scene of danger, had taken down there bedsteads and other articles of furniture, and had removed a large part of them to a still greater distance.

About 11 o'clock, the fury of the flames was checked by the partial destruction of some houses on the same side of the street where it began, and by the total demolition of one or two on the opposite side, which the flames of not then reached, but which were judged proper to take down, to prevent the further spread of the configuration. The whole number of houses destroyed in High Street is 38; and there were several small buildings destroyed in the rear of each. The violence of the wind was such that large flakes of burning matter were conveyed to some 100 yards' distance. One of those flakes fell upon a large stack of hay about 150 yards from High Street, which consumed that, and two others, which were close by. There was a considerable quality of hay besides these stacks, which fortunately escaped. From the extraordinary rapidity with which the flames spread, and the danger of which threatened, in a narrow street, both sides of which, for a great part, on fire, and immensity of property was destroyed, which, had the weather been more mild, might have been saved. Several houses, and those principally belonging to persons whose ruin must be the consequence, are wholly uninsured. It is, however, a satisfaction, and relating this melancholy accident, to be able to state that no life was lost on the occasion. One or two persons were hurt by the falling of a wall, but not dangerously. At an early hour of the day the news of the fire reached London, from which some engines were dispatched; but before their arrival the flames had been nearly subdued. The engines from Rochester and Maidstone on on the spot as soon as possible after the accident had reached those places. The Sun fire engine, drawn by 6 horses, reached Chatham at 6 in the afternoon. Great inconvenience was experience from the wants of a plentiful supply of water. In some places it was conveyed in casks to the spot where the engines were at work, and there emptied into the street. The fire is supposed to have originated from the carelessness of one of the baker's men, who carried out some hot ashes, which he emptied near a rick of faggotts, and which was fanned into a blaze by the excessive high winds.

This is the third severe visitation by fire which Chatham has experience within the last half-century. About 20 years ago a fire broke out nearly in the same place as the present one, which consumes nearly 70 houses; and about 22 years before that period a fire happened in the same street, to which 80 or 90 houses fell a pray.

Another Account.

The following are some further particulars which we have learned.
The family of Mr. Hill, at whose house the configuration commenced, and also that at the "Sun Tavern," had merely time to snatch a few garments, so rapid was the progress of the flames, there being only two small engines, that belong to the town, and a private one. When the flames reached Best's brewhouse, a large stone fronted building, the engines were supplied, owing to the scarcity of water with beer, to the amount of nearly 100 butts. The wind blew with considerable fury, and both sides of the street, which is very narrow, being in flames at the same time the falling ruins rounded it dangerous for persons to pass, or to render assistance. The watch-houses and places of confinement, it is lamentable to add, were filled with the lower order of townsfolks, who took advantage of their neighbours' distress and got intoxicated at their expense; and such was a scene of distress, that nothing less than the utter ruin of the town was expected. On the side of the High Street, next the Medway, there are about 15 houses destroyed. On the opposite side about 12, besides the number of courts and alleys.

The letter of a correspondent gives the following as a correct list of the person whose houses have been destroyed and much damaged by the dreadful configuration.

On The North Side.

Mr. Schnebbelie, confectioner, Mr. Benjamin; Mr. Hills, baker; Mrs. Burdett, tallow chandley; Mr. Watson, ironmonger; "Crown and Anchor;" Mr. Cohen, pawnbroker; Mr. Hall, tailor; "Sun Tavern," Mrs. Etherington, stationery; Mr. Whitehead, sadler; Mr. Fisher, draper; Mr. Stronghill, glazier; "Kings Head," entirely destroyed.

Mr. Hendy, breeches maker, Mr. Large, shoemaker, Mr Williams, draper, Mr. Delasour, silversmith, much damaged.

On The South Side.

Mr. Catchpool, draper; Mr. Thompson, grocer; Mr. Crockford, cabinet-maker; Mr. Poole, hatter; Mr. Harris, green-grocer; Mr. Hawkins, fishmonger; Mr. Appleby, stay-maker; Mr. Pye, butcher; Mr. Frid, pawnbroker; Mr. G. Miller; Mr. Matthews, tailor; Mr. Brittain, hair-dresser; Mr. E. Wickham; Mr. H. Wickham; entirely destroyed.

The mansion of J. Best esq. burnt and Brewhouse very much damaged.

Mr. Godfrey, surgeon, Mr Bishop, grocer; Mr. Lucas, slopseller; Mr. Ray, butcher; Mr. Davis, ironmonger; very much damaged. Several small houses and back premises on both sides the way, burnt down, it is supposed that £100,000 will not repair the loss.

From the South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 26 October, 1841.

William Brooks, 23, soldier, for housebreaking, stealing one watch, value 15s., the property of Lemeul and Samuel Lyon, at Chatham. Pleaded Guilty.

The prisoner, who is a soldier, broke a pane of glass in prosecutor's window, and took out a watch.

Nine months' hard labour.

From the Kentish Gazette, 28 July 1846.

George Jones and George Gardener, were charged with uttering counterfeit coin at Chatham and Northfleet.

Edward Powell, assistant-solicitor to the Mint, produced a copy of the conviction of George Pointer and Richard Farmier, at the Hertford sessions, December 13, 1844, for uttering counterfeit coin, for which they were sentenced to one year's imprisonment; also the copy of the conviction of George Wilson and Martha Taylor, at the Central Criminal Court, on the 10th November, when the former was sentenced to one year and the latter to six months' imprisonment.

James Wagpell and George Spencer Davis identified the prisoners as the same who were convicted on the above occasions.

Elizabeth Ann Funnell said that on the 20tn March, Gardener came to her shop and bought some flour, for which he paid with a shilling. She kept it in her hand until her husband came in, and watched the prisoner to the "Malt Shovel."

Edward Funnell marked the shilling before he gave it to the constable.

John Adams, a beer seller at Chatham, said Gardener came to his house and called for a half-pint of beer, for which he paid with a bad shilling. Observed it was a counterfeit the moment he gave it him. Went with Moodie to the "Malt Shovel," where they found Gardener in company with Jones. Gave the same shilling to Moodie.

Charles Henry Moodie, a constable of Chatham, produced the shillings he received from Funnell and Adams. Took prisoners into custody at Chatham, and found 2s. 8d. good money on Gardener.

A. Flint, of the "Plough," at Northfleet, deposed that Gardener called for a pint of beer, and put down a bad half crown in payment, Witness sent for the constable, and gave the prisoners in to custody.

Thomas Robert Everest, constable at Northfleet, produced a half crown which he received from Mr. Flint. Prisoners said that "they were to rights now" (an expression used when a case is clear). On searching them, they said it was of no use, an that half crown was the last. Jones said that he gave Flint the half-crown. Witness produced a letter which was written by Jones and also signed by Gardener. The letter was addressed to Mr. Dyke, Orchard-street, Westminster, in which they informed him they had been "nailed at Chatham, and were now nailed at Northfleet, and did not know how it would end."

Mr. Powell examined the coin, and said that they were all counterfeits.

The prisoners made no defence, and were transported for ten years.

From the South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 24 November 1846.

On the 16th instant an inquest was held at the "Malt Shovel," Chatham, before J. Hind, Esq., on Elizabeth, the wife of John Daxman, age 61 years, and died suddenly the previous Saturday. Mr. Steddy, surgeon, was of opinion the deceased died from a fainting fit, brought on by disease of the heart.

Verdict accordingly.

From the East Kent Gazette, Saturday, 9 March, 1867.

Alleged Robbery of Corn at Stoke.

Isaac Pemble, 44, publican, John Hutchings, 40, and William Rolfe, 43, labourers, were charged with stealing four bushells of beans, four bushels of potatoes, and a truss of straw, the property of John Huggens Comport (the master of Hutchings and Rolfe), at Stoke, on the 15th of February.

The jury, after a very lengthened deliberation, acquitted Hutchings, but found Pemble and Rolfe guilty, recommending the latter to mercy.

Rolfe was sentenced to 2 months hard labour, and Pemble to 4 months'.