SHIP Pub of Boughton Under Blean

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Monday, 10 November, 2025.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1696-

Ship

Closed 1921

71 The Street

Boughton Under Blean

Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Marie Rook.

Above photo 1910. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above Google image, July 2009.

Above photo 2016, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo 2016, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above map 1896, annotated by Rory Kehoe.

I am informed by David Swaffer who tells me he was born in the house in 1937 and lived there till 1960. The pub was sold into private ownership in 1921 and his grand parents were the first tenants when it was divided into two halves, Thomas Rodgers who was the last landlord lived in the other half also as a tenant. The pub was closed in 1921 but was not actually sold until 1926. The premises is know (2018) known as "Ship House."

Kent Herald, 27 October 1825.

Elias Culver, Thomas Culver, William Culver, and Richard Culver, for stealing on the 18th day of June, 1824, at the Ville of Dunkirk, 23 bundles of bark, the property of Robert Rooke.

Mr. Bolland opened the case, and related the facts, which were afterwards proved, and detailed in evidence. The following witnesses were then called:-

Robert Rooke examined:- Purchased a cant of wood in Blean Wood, which was felled in March, 1821, by a man named May, who was employed in flawing it, in the month of June following; was certain it was safe on the 18th June in the evening; on the 19th he missed it; the spot from whence it was stolen is about 20 rods from Dargate Common.

William Rye comer a labouring man, then deposed, that he lived on Dargate Common in the month of June, 1824, new the cant purchased by Rooke, and also that purchase by Culver; his Cottage was about 60 rods from Mr. Rooke's cant and 40 from culver's. Remembered the 18th June; it was star-light; heard a noise about half past ten o'clock, as he was going home; he immediately went to the wood, and saw the prisoners; he concealed himself behind a large oak tree, and distinctly saw four persons go to Mr. Rooke's cant and take two bundles of bark each; the prisoners were the men; they went twice; the second time taking two more bundles each, making in all 16; Culver's cant was not bound; Rook's was; saw them take the bundles and lay them near their own; he then went home, and related to his wife what he had seen; he did not immediately speak of the robbery to any other person, less the Culver's, if they knew he gave the information, should do him some bodily mischief; it was some weeks afterwards, when he told the prosecutor, at the "Monument" public house in Saint Dunstan's.

This witness was severely cross-examined by Mr. Berens. The man gave his evidence in a very clear and distinct manner; much better, indeed, then the generality of labourers; and there was nothing elicited which shook his evidence in the slightest degree.

William May, a labourer, examined:- Was employed in 1824, to flaw some bark for Mr. Rooke; the prisoner, Elias Culver, had a cant adjoining; he bound 77 bundles of bark with whiffs which he obtained in Blean Wood; they were horse beech; finished binding on the 18th June; saw the whole of the bark safe on the evening at 9 o'clock; Culver's lot was not bound; after he had done work, he went to the "Ship," at Boughton, which was about half past nine; saw the prisoners Thomas and William there; the next morning he missed 23 bundles; saw Thomas Culver, William Culver, and William Pettman, in Elias's cant at work binding the bark; went to them, and asked what time they got there; prisoners said about 2 o'clock; witness then told them he had missed 23 bundles of bark; one of the prisoners said, "The hell you have;" he then asked whether they had seen a wagon or a cart; prisoner said no; the weight of the bark stolen might be about 700 cwt.; found the whiffs in the Wood, which were the same as he had bound Rookes bark with.

----- Ralf, junior, worked in Blean Wood, where he found the whiff's lying together with some leaves over them, which he took to his father; found altogether 23 whiffs.

Thomas Ralph examined- Deposed to having sent his son for some whiffs, who returned with 23, which appeared to have been used.

John Coultard, landlord of the "Ship," at Boughton, proved that he's house was empty on the night of the robbery before 11 o'clock.

The Chairman then, dwelling occasionally upon various trifling discrepancies of evidence, which he pointed out to the Jury, left it for their consideration, whether the prisoners were guilty of the charge alleged against them.

After a short deliberation, a verdict of Guilty was pronounced.

The prisoners with the exception of Richard Culver, were sentenced to be transported seven years.

Kentish Gazette 11 January 1876.

A FRACUS AT BOUGHTON.

William Foreman and Rilo Rook, labourers, were summoned for assaulting William Branchett, labourer, on Christmas Eve.

This was a peculiar case, the complainant stating that he was coming out of the "Ship Inn," Boughton, at eleven o'clock at night, when, without any words, the defendants assaulted him, knocking him down four times, and Foreman kicked him. Corroborating evidence was given by three witnesses.

The defence was then taken. The defendants are son-in-law of the landlord, and Foreman stated that a disturbance arose in the house and they could not get the place clear. Branchett hit him and he struck him in return.

Rook said that in clearing the house he pushed complainant down the stairs.

James Butcher and James Rice were called for the defendants, but their evidence, while it showed that there had been a general melee in the darkness, failed to disprove or contradict complainant's case.

The defendants were convicted.

Foreman was fined £3 5s. 3d. and Rook £1 15s. 3d., costs included in each case.

From the Canterbury Journal and Farmers' Gazette, Saturday 6 October, 1906.

THE THREE SQUIRRELS AND THE SHIP, BOUGHTON.

Mr. Mercer applied for the renewal of these licences, and Mr. Hohler appeared on behalf of the Licensing Justices.

Police-Sergeant Hendy stated that he was stationed at Boughton for two years. The "Three Squirrels" and the "Ship" were situated in Boughton Street. There were other licensed houses in close proximity and he did not think there was any need for so many. The accommodation at the "Squirrel's" was not good and there had been several transfers during the past few years. There was very good accommodation at the "Ship," but it was not so good as at the "Queen's Head." Witness did not think 7 licensed houses were necessary in Boughton Street.

In answer to Mr. Mercer, witness said both houses belonged to Messrs. Flint. The length of the village was nearly a mile. The "Three Squirrels" was a well conducted house, and the tenants had been in the house over 4 years. The tenant of the "Ship" had also been in for four or five years.

Mr. Mercer pointed out that in Boughton Messrs. Flint were the only brewers whose houses had been reported to the Committee. Although other brewers had licensed houses in Boughton the Justices of taking no notice of them. He (Mr. Mercer) remembered when he was a young man it was quite a common thing for fights take place in Boughton, and during the hopping season extra police had to be brought into the District but that was all stopped now and the place had quite quietened down.

William Gower, tenant of the "Three Squirrels," stated he averaged 110 barrels of beer a year, 54 gallons of spirit, and 420 dozens of minerals. His customers were the working class people of the district. His rent was paid up.

John Chambers, grocer, of Boughton, stated that he had known the "Three Squirrels" for the past 20 years. Since the present tenant had been in the house it had been well conducted. Witness had never heard anyone say he thought the house should be done away with. The sobriety of Boughton had greatly improved during the past few years.

Walter Miles, miller of Boughton, stated that he had known the "Three Squirrels" for many years. It was a well conducted house and he thought it was required.

William Harvey, tenant of the "Ship," was next called, and stated that he average 154 barrels of beer a year, 55 gallons of spirits, and 1,020 dozen of minerals.

In reply to Mr. Hohler, witness said he thought 7 licensed houses were necessary for the wants of Boughton.

Mr. Plumber, farmer, of Boughton stated that he thought the "Ship" was necessary. He also thought seven houses were required if they all got a decent living. The opinion in Boughton was that a licence of the "Ship" should be renewed.

Mr. Forman, who lives next door to the "Ship," also gave it a good character. He said the house was very well conducted and he hoped it would not be done away with for his own convenience.

The Committee granted the renewal of a licence of the "Ship," but not that of the "Three Squirrels."

Dover Express, Friday 09 February 1906.

LYMINGE. LICENCES OBJECTED TO.

The Faversham County Bench of Magistrates gave notice at their meeting on Thursday that they should object to the renewal of the following licenses:- The "Dolphin", "Three Squirrels," the "Ship" ale houses at Boughton; the "Swan" ale house at Lynsted; the "Crown" ale house and the "Mayor's Arms" beer-houses at Ospringe; the "Rose" beer-house at Teynham; the "Scots Greys" beer house at Throwley; and the beer off-license held by Mr. Philpott at Davington.

William Harvey was the son of Edward who was licensee of the "Compasses Inn" in Crundale, and sadly died at this pub in 1911.

LICENSEE LIST

BAKER Thankful to Sept/1696 dec'd

COULTARD John 1825-28+