DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Malling, April, 2024.

Page Updated:- Monday, 29 April, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1774-

Swan

Open 2020+

26 Swan Street

West Malling

01732 521910

https://whatpub.com/swan

Swan 1917

Above postcard, circa 1917, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Swan 1940s

Above photo circa 1940s, kindly sent by Michael Mirams.

Swan 1948

Above postcard, circa 1948, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Swan 2015

Above photo kindly sent by Eric Hartland, 16 March 2015.

 

Pigot's Directory of 1832 also stated that this was the Excise House.

On a photo of the "Clarence Arms," Gravesend dated 1919, it stated "1931 Exchanged for the "Swan" P.H. West Malling."

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 4 May 1774.

TOWN-MALLING, KENT, April 7, 1774. JAMES FULLER,

HAVING entered upon the "Swan Inn," at Town Malling, in the County of Kent begs Leave to inform his Friends and the Public in general, that he has neatly fitted up the same for the Accommodation of all these who shall honor him with their Commands; and as he hopes a Continuance of former Custom to the House, so he earnestly solicits the Patronage of the Gentry in the Neighbourhood, as well as these who may travel through these Parts, promising that it shall be his utmost Care to provide the best Liquors and Accommodation of every Kind, and that to oblige will be the earnest With of Their most obedient and Dutiful Servant,

JAMES FILLER.

 

From the South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 2 July 1839.

To be let, and entered upon on or before Michaelmas next.

That old established well known Posting and Commercial Inn, the "Swan," town Malling. Excise and Post-office, with a good tap detached from the house. The present occupier being obliged to leave on account of ill health.

For particulars inquire, if by letter post-paid, of Mr. George Mandy, Auctioneer, &c, Farningham; Mr. William Goodwin, "King's Arms," Eltham; Mr. Henry Duty, Aauctioneer, &c., or on the premises.

Stock and fixtures to be taken at a fair valuation.

 

From the South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 27 May 1851.

Town Malling, Kent.

To Coachman, ostlers, &c.

To let. The tap at the "Swan Hotel," coming in about £80.

Apply to Mr. T. Carrick, "Swan Hotel," town Malling.

 

Southeastern Gazette, 8 February 1853.

MALLING, WEST.

On Thursday last, at the "Mansion House," William Melton, a young man for whose apprehension a reward had been offered, was brought up in the custody of a county of Kent officer, charged with having stolen the sum of £226 3s. 8d., and two bills, one for £100, and the other for £50, the property of Mr. Dalgleish, of No. 29, Mincing-lane, Merchant.

Mr. Peachy, of the firm of Oliverson, Lavie, and Peachy, attended for the prosecution.

The information, upon which the warrant for the prisoner’s apprehension was granted, was read by Mr. Goodman, the chief clerk.

Mr. Edward Webb stated:— I am managing clerk to John Dalgleish, of Mincing-lane, fruit broker. The prisoner, William Melton, is a clerk in the employment of Mr. Dalgleish. On Saturday, the 22nd Jan., he was sent to the house of Lenengen and Co., of Austinfriars, London, to obtain for me the bill of exchange I now produce. The bill is the property of my employer. The prisoner did not return with it, and I have not seen him since till now in custody. The bill of exchange, which is dated Malaga, 12th January, 1853, is for £100, and is a 3 months' bill. I received it from John Carrick.

John Carrick stated:— I am the landlord of the "Swan Inn," in West Mailing. The prisoner came to my house on Saturday, the 22nd January, by the coach which arrives about eight o'clock in the evening. He remained in my house until Saturday last, when he was apprehended. He did not mention his name for a day, but afterwards he gave the name of Wilmot. I produced a Times newspaper, 28th January, 1853, and in consequence of an advertisement I saw in it, I searched the prisoner’s things in the bed-room at my house occupied by the prisoner, and I took from a carpet-bag, belonging to him, the pocket-book, which I now produce, and which contained the bill of exchange deposed to by Mr. Webb. I then went to John Young, the constable of West Mailing, and read the advertisement to him, and believing that the prisoner was the person alluded to in the advertisement, I wished that officer to go and take him into custody. The carpet-bag was not searched by me. I pulled the side open and put my hand in and felt the pocket-book, which I took out. I did nothing more to the carpet-bag.

John Young, constable of the parish of West Mailing, stated:— On Saturday last, in consequence of information which I received from the last witness, I went in search of the prisoner, and saw him coming out of an inn at Addington in company with two other prisoners. I asked him whether his name was William Melton, and he said Yes. I then told him from an advertisement I had seen in the Times I should take him into custody as my prisoner. I then took him to the lock-up, at West Malling, and I found £22 10s. in gold, and £35 10d. in silver, upon his person, and I still retain that money.
Cross-examined by the prisoner:— I did not see you come out of the door of the inn, but you were coming from the direction of the "Angel Inn." Mr. Peachey said there were other cases which it was the intention of the prosecutor to investigate against the prisoner, who was accordingly remanded.

 

Southeastern Gazette, 14 June 1853.

Petty Sessions, June 6. (Before J. W. Stratford, Esq., chairman, J. Savage, A. Akers, M. H. Dalison, R. Tassell, J. Woodbridge, and W. Lee, M.P., Esqrs.)

John Carrick, of the "Swan Inn," West Mailing, was charged with having his house open for the sale of liquors at a quarter before one o’clock in the morning of Sunday, the 15th of May.

John Young said that he went to Carrick’s house at a quarter before one o’clock; he found the house open and several persons in the bar; there was liquors before them on the table; they were most of them persons of the town. One of the persons passed his house at half-past twelve, whom he found at Carrick’s at a quarter to one. Once before found the tap open; there was a fight there which lasted two hours. Had been a constable eight years, and had often gone to the house before the door was open.

J. Orpin said he was going home at half-past twelve, and saw Brookes, the man spoken of, pass with a horse and cart in the direction of the "Swan."

Mr. George, who appeared for the defence, then called Ann Tomsett, who said she was servant to Mr. Carrick, and that she shut the door between eleven and twelve o’clock on that night, but as they expected Mr. Hurl in they were waiting up for him. Upon hearing some one drive up to the door, Mrs. C. opened the door, and the parties got out of the cart and came in; she did not see them have any liquor; the other persons were parties invited by Mrs. C. to supper; they were invited in the afternoon; witness placed the supper in the bar for four; they came between ten and eleven o’clock; the supper was not cleared away when the constable came in.

The Bench said they had better call one of the four persons who had supper.

Thos. Longhurst was then called, and said that he was present when Young came; had been there from ten o’clock. Mrs. C. invited him to sup; they had some salmon and some gin afterwards; he did not pay for what he had, and did not see any one pay. The supper was over by half-past eleven. He was invited about eleven; he had no more to drink before Young came, although it was an hour and a half.

Mr. George contended that they could not charge the defendant with opening his house, as it had not been shut. This was overruled by the Bench, inasmuch as if that was the case the house might be kept open continually. He then said there was no proof of any liquor being sold, and said that the persons at the bar were travellers. This was negatived by Young stating that there were several glasses and liquor on the table when he came in, and Brookes, one of the party, had passed his own house, about a mile off, in his road to the "Swan."

The Bench said they did not think a man within half a mile of his own house, a traveller, and pronounced the defendant guilty, and he was fined 5s. and costs.

 

Morning Advertiser, Thursday 1 September 1853.

TOWN MALLING HOP DINNER.

The annual hop dinner at the "Swan Hotel" came off on Wednesday (the 28th inst.) The chair was ably field by Mr. Kentish, of Maidstone, the Vice Chair by Mr. Bookham. The winner of last year's sweepstake was declared to be Mr. E. Wimble, who carried off the sweepstakes of the previous year. The sets for the present year range from 145,000l. to 230,000l.

Maidstone journal.

 

South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 8 March 1859.

Malling West. Narrow Escape From Fire.

A escape from fire, within a very short period, occurred at the "Swan Hotel" on Monday morning. Soon after the fire in the nursery had been lighted, flames burst out from the chimney, which is composed of earthen piping, and smoke was seen issuing from various parts of the roof. Prompt assistance, however, was at hand, and it was found that the rafters had caught fire, near the chimney, but with a plentiful supply water the fire was soon suppressed.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sean McPolin, 17 March 2023.

Immigration officers arrest two Albanian men at The Swan in West Malling.

Two people have been arrested after immigration officers raided a restaurant and bar.

The Home Office detained two Albanian males after visiting The Swan in West Malling last night.

Two immigration enforcement vehicles were spotted outside the bar and restaurant in Swan Street by a member of the public.

One of the men arrested is currently in detention and awaiting his return to Albania.

The Home Office confirmed the employer had been served with a civil penalty referral notice.

Government guidelines explain employers face a fine of up to £20,000 for each illegal worker.

A Home Office spokesman said: “The government is tackling illegal immigration and the harm it causes by removing those with no right to be in the UK.

“We continue to work with law enforcement agencies to tackle illegal migration in all its forms.”

The Swan declined to comment on the matter.

The bar and restaurant was criticised in 2020 for throwing a large social event which sparked social distancing fears.

Police investigated the incident but took no further action.

 

LICENSEE LIST

FULLER James May/1774+

WILDISH Dilnot 1802+ Next pub licensee had

AUSTEN Ambrose 1828-34+ Pigot's Directory 1828-29Pigot's Directory 1832-34

CARRICK John 1851-62+ (also Inland Revenue Office in 1858 and Posting House & Omnibus Proprietor in 1862)

COX William 1874+

MASTERS Richard 1881-82+ (age 51 in 1881Census)

LUCAS W 1890+ Maidstone and Kentish Journal

LUCAS Thomas J 1891+ (age 45 in 1891Census)

MORTON Walter 1901-July/08 (age 52 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1903Kent and Sussex Courier

ROFE Frederick E July/1908+ Kent and Sussex Courier

HARVEY George 1913+

MILES John Henry 1918-22+

SWIFT Edward Hibbert to Feb/1926 Kent and Sussex Courier

BOX Archer Edwin Feb/1926+ Kent and Sussex Courier

BEX Arthur Edwin 1930-38+

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

 

Pigot's Directory 1828-29From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29

Pigot's Directory 1832-34From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Kent and Sussex CourierKent and Sussex Courier

Maidstone and Kentish JournalMaidstone and Kentish Journal

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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