Southeastern Gazette, 11 January 1853.

Fire at Chatham.

On Wednesday evening last, about eight o’clock, a fire was discovered to have broken out in the spacious assembly-room in the rear of the "White Swan tavern," High-street, Chatham, in the occupation of Mr. Wilkins. The fire spread with great rapidity, and the whole building was quickly enveloped in flames. A strong muster of Royal Marines and Artillery were despatched from the barracks, as also the Garrison engines, and those belonging to the Kent and Sun fire offices. Their services, however, were of little avail, owing to a deficiency in the supply of water, and the fire continued its progress until the entire building was consumed. The origin of the fire is unknown. The property was insured.

South Eastern Gazette, 24 April, 1860.

Wednesday. (Before the Rev. G. Davies.)

William Marsham Milton and George Walker Bartlett, privates in the 53rd Regt., were charged with robbing a private of the 73rd Regt., named John Orill, corporal, of a purse containing three sovereigns.

Prosecutor said he was in a room in a cottage at the back of the "White Hart" public-house, Chatham, on Monday evening, and after he had been there about five minutes the two prisoners and another soldier ran in. He was quite positive the prisoner Malton was one of the men, but was not sure as to the other prisoner. The instant the three men entered the room they rushed on prosecutor, when Milton placed his hand on his mouth to prevent him calling for assistance. Feeling sure that the object of the men was to rob him he took his purse, which contained three sovereigns, out of his pocket, and held it tightly in his hand. The men, however, overpowered him and got his purse out of his hand. Prosecutor could recollect that the prisoner Milton took the purse from him, and all three then made their way out of the house, followed by prosecutor, who traced them to the "Swan" public-house, where he lost sight of them. During the time Milton was taking the purse from him he gave him a violent blow in the face with his fist.

Charles Wier, a private in 73rd Regt., said he was in the "Swan" public-house on Monday evening, when he saw the prisoner Milton and two other soldiers rush through the tap-room into a rope-walk at the back. Witness followed them and heard them talking, but it was too dark for him to distinguish who they were.

At this stage of the proceedings the prisoners were remanded until Friday.

South Eastern Gazette, 31 July, 1860.

Robbery from the Person at Chatham.

George Matthew Milton, 22, and George Walter Bartlett, 20, soldiers, were charged with having stolen certain money from John Oriel, with violence, at Chatham, on the 16th April. Mr. Lilley was for the prosecution, and Mr. Ribton appeared for the prisoner Milton.

The prosecutor said that in April last he was a corporal in the 23rd Regiment at Chatham. On the evening of the 16th of that month he was in a cottage at the back of the "White Hart" public-house. While there, three soldiers came into the room; one of them he recognised as the prisoner Milton. Two of them immediately rushed upon him, when Milton put his hand over his mouth, and rifled his pockets. He had a struggle with Milton for his purse, which contained three sovereign and a small Indian coin. Milton ultimately got possession of it, and all of the men then ran away; Milton, before leaving, striking prosecutor a blow in his face. He, however, ran after the men, and followed them into the "White Swan," and through the house into the back of the premises, where he lost sight of them.

Three soldiers were called, who were sitting in the taproom of the "White Swan" when the three men ran through, two of whom spoke to Milton as being one of them, and one to the prisoner Bartlett.

Two witnesses, also soldiers, were called on behalf of Milton, who distinctly swore that they were drinking with him at another house at the time the prosecutor stated the robbery to have been committed; and one witness gave similar evidence for the prisoner Bartlett.

The jury acquitted the prisoners.

South Eastern Gazette, 18 September, 1860.

TO BE LET.

THE "WHITE SWAN TAVERN," High-street, Chatham, in Barclay’s Trade for Beer, free for Wines and Spirits. The above concern will bear the strictest enquiry. The house comprises four two-bedded rooms and three single bed-rooms, and large dining-room upstairs; bar, with plate-glass front, three sitting-rooms on ground floor, good kitchen, large stable-yard, with forge attached, and good garden. Rent low. Satisfactory reasons given for letting; the present proprietor having occupied the house for twelve years.

Apply personally on the premises, or by letter to Mr. W. Wilkins, "White Swan," Chatham.

Rent and taxes made by beds and stabling.