From South Eastern Gazette 21 December 1847.

COUNTY COURT OF KENT.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS to be heard at the SESSIONS HOUSE, at MAIDSTONE, in the county of Kent, on WEDNESDAY, the 5th day of JANUARY, 1848, at Ten o'clock in the forenoon precisely.

WILLIAM MARSDON, formerly of the WHITE LION public-house, CHATHAM, Kent, licensed victualler, farmer, and dairyman; afterwards of Brompton, Kent, grocer and farmer; then of 18, Westcourt-street, Brompton, aforesaid, farmer; then of 6, Garden-street, Brompton, aforesaid, farmer; and lately of 6, Garden-street, Brompton, aforesaid, out of business.

Kentish Gazette, 3 September 1850.

On Thursday week an inquest was held at the "White Lion," Chatham, before J. Hinde, Esq., on the body of Hester Denny, widow, aged 67, who was found drowned in a well near her residence on Sly Kate’s-hill, the same morning. It appeared that she had been in a deranged state of mind for some time, and it is supposed that she must have got up and thrown herself down the well, before any of the neighbours were about, where she was found by a person who went to draw water at six o’clock.

Although she had fallen nearly 120 feet, no bones were broken.

Verdict:— "Found drowned in a well."

Kentish Gazette, 1 February 1853.

Incendiary Fire.

On the night of Tuesday last some maliciously disposed person attempted to set fire to the premises known as the "White Lion," Chatham, by placing a quantity of shavings, and other inflammable substances, in an out-house adjoining the back of the premises. The escape of the whole of the premises from destruction was almost miraculous, several of the articles contained in the shed having been partially burnt. The escape of the premises may be accounted for from the shavings employed for the diabolical purpose being rather damp. A reward of £20 has been offered for the discovery of the offender.

South Eastern Gazette, 8 November 1853.

Sudden Death.

T. Hills, Esq., coroner, held an inquest at the "White Lion" public-house, High-street, on Monday, on the body of Mary Howes, aged 61, a single woman, who was found dead in her room at the house of her brother, one of the constables of Chatham, on the previous Sunday morning. The evidence of Mrs. Howes went to show that deceased had been for some time past an inmate of Cobham College. On Saturday (the day before her death) she walked in from Cobham to visit her brother. She had for some time past suffered from disease of the heart, and rather more than a year ago had a fit. On Saturday night last she retired to rest at about eleven o’clock, after having partaken of a light supper. On lying down she complained to witness of a slight pain in her chest, which she said would go off as soon as she had lain down. The next morning, on proceeding to the room, deceased was found lying on the floor, and quite dead. Mr. E. A. Steddy, Surgeon, was promptly in attendance, but that gentleman stated as his opinion that deceased must have been dead many hours, as when found she was quite cold. The medical gentleman also stated that deceased must have died from disease of the heart. The above facts having been deposed to, the jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Kentish Gazette, 12 September 1854.

Escaping From a Constable.

At the petty sessions, on Wednesday, John Brown, who described himself a labourer of Dover, was charged with stealing two quart, and one pint pewter pots, the property of John Robert Alexander, of the "White Lion," at Chatham. This case was exceedingly clear. A niece of the prosecutor's was looking out of the bedroom window between 11 and 12 o'clock the preceding morning, when she saw the prisoner go into the skittle ground, where the pots were hung up to dry, and take two of them off the stand. She gave information to her uncle, who apprehended the man, as he was leaving the premises with the pots in a basket.

Committed for trial.

While being conveyed to gaol, he endeavoured to abscond from the constable, and has not since been heard of. The accused is about 60 years of age, about 5ft. 6 or 7 in. high, stout made, dark hair, and short dark whiskers. He was dressed in dark coat and trowsers, with a cap on.

South Eastern Gazette, 12 March, 1860.

Conviction of Publicans.

The following licensed victuallers of Chatham were summoned before the magistrates at Rochester, on Friday last, on the information of Police-sergeant Fisher, and convicted in various penalties, for having their houses open for the sale of liquors at prohibited hours on Sunday.

Eliza Alexander, "White Lion," High-street, fined £1 and costs.