TAM O'SHANTER Pub of Chatham

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Chatham, April, 2025.

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 01 April, 2025.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1851-

Tam O'Shanter

Latest 1973+

(Name to)

112 Chatham Hill

Chatham

Above photo, circa 1920, kindly sent by Alan Doughty.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo circa 1970s. By Robert Muttant.

The Licensing Records of 1872 stated the premises held a Beer License and was owned by Thomas Wells of Chatham.

In the 1970s, this was said to be one of the best places to see local live music and the jazz sessions that used to appear on Sunday lunch times and any other music being held on Monday nights.

Stuart James tells me the following:- "My parent Leon & Margaret James ran that from 1974 until it changed ownership and name in 1978/79? My Dad Leon James was an ex-copper, and Mum Margaret James was a Rep for Trumans. They've since divorced, mainly from the stress of running that pub!

They introduced live music, and one of the bands I remember playing there were '64 Spoons'. The lead singer of which (Jakko) now plays in King Crimson!"

South Eastern Gazette 18 October 1859.

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY.

(Before the Rev. G Davies and Captain Savage).

George Holland, belonging to the corps of Royal Engineers was examined on a charge of fraud.

The prisoner, with some of his companions, went to the "Tam O'Shanter" public-house, Chatham-hill, and represented to Mr. Martin, the landlord, that they were employed on the trigonometrical survey, and that the officers had directed them to wait there. They accordingly regaled themselves with bread and cheese and beer, which the prisoner ordered and paid for, after which they went away. In a short time after, however, they returned and had some refreshments, and on the landlady asking them who was to pay, they replied, "Captain Gordon." They continued regaling themselves till after five o'clock, but as no officers made their appearance, they were asked to pay their bill, amounting to 6s.2d.

Prisoner then said he was acting corporal, and gave an IOU for 5s. Ultimately they left without paying anything. Captain Gordon said he knew nothing of the prisoner, and had not authorised him to have the articles.

Committed for trial.

Maidstone Telegraph, Saturday 15 January 1870.

Determined Suicide.

An inquest was held on Friday last, at the "Tam O’Shanter" public house, Chatham-hill, before F. Hills, Esq, coroner, on the body of John Handen, who committed suicide by hanging. The deceased was employed in Chatham Dockyard, as a labourer, in addition to which he was in receipt of a naval pension. In consequence of his name having been included in the list of those sent up to the Admiralty for superannuation the deceased seemed much affected, and expressed his fear that he should came to want. On Wednesday morning he was found by his brother, with whom he lived, to have committed suicide by hanging himself, and the jury returned a verdict that the deceased destroyed himself during a fit of temporary insanity.

LICENSEE LIST

HARRIS William 1851+ (age 66 in 1851)