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15 (16) High Street
Rochester
Above photo showing the original "White Hart" (centre building) which
was demolished around about 1904-08. Two doors to the left was the
"Guildhall," also demolished same time. Kindly sent by Tony Smith. |
The "White Hart" is shown on the left, opposite to the "Bull
Hotel." |
Above photo, circa 1940, kindly sent by Tony Smith. Around about 1904-08
this area of the High street underwent some demolition and rebuilding
due to a road improvement scheme, the pub shown here dating from this
time. Currently open as a Pizzeria. |
 
Above sign left, 1978, sign right, October 1991.
With thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com. |
Identified on the 1866 map above as the pink building, central.
Unfortunately incorrectly labelled. |
One of the oldest heraldic devices is the White Hart, adopted for his
personal use by Richard II, and later by Henry V and Edward IV. This "White
Hart" was known in 1390, when Richard was on the throne.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 3 April 1838.
Servant Girl Burnt to Death.
On Thursday an inquest was held at the "White Hart," Rochester,
before R. Hinde, Esq. touching the death of Mary Paine, servant
at the Inn. She was a fine-looking girl; her age was about 14 years.
From the evidence adduced it appeared she was standing
before the kitchen fire, when her clothes were caught by the flames,
and before they could be extinguished the lower parts of her
body were so dreadfully burnt, that she survived only two days. Dr.
Martin was promptly called in to attend the deceased, and
pronounced no hopes of her recovery. The coroner charged the jury,
and they without hesitation returned a verdict of:—
Accidentally burnt to death.
The same jury and coroner held another inquest on the body of a boy
who fell overboard from a lugboat about 24 tons burden, which was
lying below Rochester bridge. The boy, eleven years old, named
Robert Harding, was playing with a hand stick on the windlass, and
fell overboard. His brother, who was on board at the time, threw the
creepers after him for the purpose of catching him by the clothes,
and upon the second throw succeeded in hooking hold of the body,
after he had been in the water about fifteen minutes. He was
immediately conveyed ashore to the "Flushing Public" house, and
medical assistance procured. The usual applications for restoration
were applied, but without success. The jury returned a verdict of —
Accidentally Drowned. The parents of the boy live at Maidstone,
where the body has since been conveyed.
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Southeastern Gazette, 19 July 1853.
COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. Rochester
Friday. (Before James Smith, Esq., and Major Boys).
William Henry Bonnett, of Chatham, grocer, and to whom the license
of the "White Hart" public-house, High-street, was granted about 18
months since, applied to have it transferred to his brother, James
William Bennett.
The application was opposed by Mr. Stephenson, solicitor, on behalf
of Edward Woodyer, an inhabitant rate-payer of Chatham, on the
ground that the house in question was one of ill-fame.
The applicant admitted that it might have been one, but assured the
court it was his brother’s intention to endeavour to alter the
character of the house.
After some discussion it was arranged that the further consideration
of the application should stand over till Wednesday, the 22nd
instant.
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LICENSEE LIST
WITHAM John 1788+
MERRYWEATHER George 1824+
BALDWING Thomas 1828+
TODD Thomas 1832+
WOOD William 1847+
BONNETT Henry 1852-July/53
BONNETT James William July/1853
LEMMON Thomas 1858+
LEMON Felicia Mrs 1862+
SUMMERS William Henry 1870+
DANIELS James 1874+
RIDOUT James 1881-91+ (also brewer age 38 in 1881 )
MADDOX/MADDEY George 1891+ (age 39 in 1891)
CARLTON/CHARLTON Samuel 1903+
PESKETT William Thomas 1911+
FORSTER Frederick Ernest 1913-22+
SANDERSON Robert 1930+
PATTENDEN Frederick 1938+
THOMAS Dave & Nell 1960-63
https://pubwiki.co.uk/WhiteHart.shtml
From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29
From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
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