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High Street
Chatham
Reference from the West Kent Guardian infers that this one was situated
four doors from the "Navy
Arms."
The only reference I have found so far for this pub is in the Wright's
Topography of 1838.
I have reference to another "Compasses"
situated at 33 Russell Street, which I am assuming is a different pub to
this.
I believe this started out as early as 1710 named the "Bunch
of Grapes" then changed name to the "Woolpack,"
before coming the "Compasses" and later changed to the "Angel."
There is still some confusion over the changes of names for this one
concerning the "Woolpack" as dates seem
to overlap.
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West Kent Guardian 14 January 1843.
James Chidley, landlord of the "Compasses," High-street, Chatham,
four doors from the "Navy Arms," said this two prisoners came into
his house about a-quarter past six o’clock on Sunday morning last.
The prisoner, Ballard, called for a pot of ale, and gave
half-a-crown to witness to pay for it, receiving 2s. change. There
were two others with the prisoner — one a fisherman and the other
Sutherland — they then had some gin-hot. The prisoner Ballard called
for 2lb of rump steaks; witness not having the steaks, they had
6-penny worth of bread and cheese: Smith, the prisoner, gave witness
a six-pence to pay for what he had. Witness did not see the party
leave his house. In the course of the morning Ballard came to his
house again, and gave witness a half-sovereign to pay for a quartern
of rum; a woman named Parham was with
him, the prisoner said he should not go on board that morning.
Witness produced the half-sovereign he took from the prisoner
Ballard.
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West Kent Guardian 26 February 1842.
Independent Lodge of Odd Fellows.
The long talked of removal of the No. 3, Wellington Lodge, from
Holborn-hard to the "Compasses," in the High-street, of Chatham, has
been effected, and the lodge held its first meeting on Monday last,
when a numerous and respectable body of the lodge assembled. The
lodge was opened with an impressive address from the most noble
grand. Several healths were enthusiastically drank, amongst the
number were the most noble grand, vice grand, and secretary, as also
the health of P. G. Heard, the founder of the lodge; suitable
answers were returned. Several very excellent songs were sung, and
the harmony of the evening was kept up until a late hour. The room
at the "Compasses" is very commodious, and has been recently painted
and ornamented; and the lodges regalia presented a very pleasing
appearance. Towards the conclusion, the health of the worthy host,
Mr. Chidley, was drank with a handsome compliment, for the manner in
which he offered his room for the lodge to hold their future
meetings.
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Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Tuesday 3 August 1858.
Passing bad money at Chatham.
John Johnson, 21, soldier, was indicted for offering to counterfeit
2s. 6d. pieces at Chatham.
Mr. Deeds prosecuted.
George Parnell said he kept the "Admiral Rodney" beer house at
Chatham. On the 27th of June prisoner came in at 9 o'clock and
called for a pint of porter, and gave him a bad half crown in
payment. Prisoner was then given into custody.
By Prisoner:- I did not let the 2s. 6d. go out of my hand. I did not
give you change.
P.C. George Baker produce the 2s. 6d. in question. He took the
prisoner into custody.
By Prisoner:- I am sure it is the same half crown. It has not left
my hand since I had it from the landlord.
Mary Garrett, wife of the landlord of the "Compasses" at Chatham,
said:- Prisoner came in about 8:30 on the 27th of June, and ask for
a pint of porter, tendering 2s. 6d. in payment. Shortly afterwards
she saw prisoner pass the house in custody, and that induced her to
take the 2s. 6d. out of the till, and found it bad. It was the only
2s. 6d in the till.
By Prisoner:- There was only one 2s. 6d. in the till. I gave it to
my husband. The servant has access to the till, and so has my son,
but he was not at home on the evening.
Mathias Garrett saw his wife go to the front door. The soldier went
by in custody. Mrs. Garrett showed him the 2s. 6d. He gave it to
P.C. Fisher.
By Prisoner:- I saw my wife take out the 2s. 6d. from the till. I
kept it in my pocket for 2 hours.
P.C. Fischer produced the bad 2s. 6d.
By Prisoner:- I can swear to the 2s. 6d. It never left my sight at
the magistrates' office.
Mr. Barling, silversmith, of Maidstone, proved that both half crowns
were bad.
Prisoner read his defence from a paper, and showed considerable
shrewdness in cross-examine the witnesses.
Guilty:- Six months hard labour.
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Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Saturday 14 August 1858.
GROSS ASSAULT.
Robert Harvey and James Salvage, two privates of the Royal Marines,
were brought up on remand, charged with having violently assaulted
and beaten Mary Garrett, wife of James Garrett, at Chatham, on the
2nd inst.
The prosecutrix said that her husband kept the "Compasses" at
Chatham. On the afternoon of Monday last the prisoners came in and
had a quartern of rum, for which they refused to pay. She asked them
for the money, but they merely made games, and laughed at her.
Harvey showed her some silver in his hand, and asked her if she
would have that? She said no, she only wanted the 6d. for the rum,
and if they went out without paying she would call the police and
have them locked up. One of them then knocked her down. The servant
picked her up, and she got inside the parlour. She called the
police, when the prisoners made use of very bad language, and
Salvage knocked her down again, one of them saying, "Kick her guts
out." She then had two heavy kicks on her face, and became
insensible. She also received several kicks about the body.
Cross-examined:- You had a pint of porter before that, for which
you paid. It was in the parlour you kicked me.
Esther Solly, servant to the prosecutor, said that she saw the
prisoner Salvage knock her mistress down twice in the passage, using
most disgusting language, and then kicked her several times. They
were both alike in their conduct. She holloaed and screamed, and
somebody sent someone after a policeman.
Cross-examined:- I saw you knock mistress down and kick her. I
followed you into the parlour.
Policeman 25 K.C.C. saw the prisoners running up meeting-house-lane,
and found them in a garden at the back of the house. With the
assistance of Constable Fisher he captured them, and took them back
to Mr. Garrett's. When they got into the house they used very filthy
language, and Harvey broke a pane of glass. They complained that
they had ordered a glass of rum, and that the girl had drunk it.
They were drunk, but Harvey was the worst of the two.
The defence was of the usual character. The parties were rather
lively from the effects of heavy wet, and ordered a quartern of rum,
the girl drank the whole of it, upon which, partly in joke, they
refused to pay for it, whereupon they were violently assaulted, and
ran away, after having one of their caps pulled off, and otherwise
treated like Rooshans. Their only motive for refusing to pay was,
they had not partaken of the fiery beverage.
The magistrates having expressed their regret that they could not
inflict a heavier punishment, sentenced them each to six months'
hard labour.
One of the defendants has two medals of honour, and the other, one. |
LICENSEE LIST
WARD W D 1838+
CHIDLEY James 1843+
GARRETT Charles 1851-58+ (age 38 in 1851 )
Wright's
Topography 1838
West Kent Guardian
Census
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