DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Friday, 25 June, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1792-

Tiger's Head

Latest 1851+

 

Foot's Cray

 

The only reference I have found so far for this pub is in the Pigot's Directory of 1832 and census of 1851.

Further research has shown a mention of this pub from the Morning Post of 30 June 1806.

 

Kentish Gazette, 6 January, 1792.

Early on Tuesday morning last, a terrible fire broke out at Mr. Tinsleys the "Tigers Head," Foots Cray which entirely consumed the same, with great part damaging the furniture and two dwelling houses adjoining.

 

Morning Post 8 August 1815.

Richard Plater (late I. Linslny) respectfully informs the Nobility and Gentry travelling the high Maidstone and Folkestone Road, that having taken the above Original Post House, is about to fit it up with every requisite convenience, and begs to assure all those Families and Gentleman who may honour him with their favours, and experience will evidence it to be his indefatigable study to make such arrangements as shell infallibly insure to them the best mode of accommodation. R. Platter flatters himself that as his beds are good, and his rooms commodious, with a strict attention to select choice wines, and a larder as the season may afford, that those of his friends who made patronize his efforts, will find them migrating a continuance of their support. With the advantage of good horses, Footscray (being 12 miles from London Bridge) is an eligible distance to Maidstone and the coast.

 

Star (London), Monday 11 September 1820.

Foots Cray Place, Kent.

Delightful Residenes, seated on a beautiful lawn, slopeing into a fine Trout Stream, with excellent offices; Cottage Ornee; the "Tigers Head Inn," with extensive stabling; capital Paper Mill, and Residence, with fine head of water; sundry dwelling house and cottages, stable and yards; and upwards of 243 acres of Rich Meadow and Arable Land, finely ornamented with Wood and Water.

By Mr. Robbins, at Garraway's Coffee House, Exchange Alley, Cornhill, on Thursday next, September 14th, at 12 o'clock, in lots.
Lots 3 and 4. The "Tiger's Head Inn and Tap," at Foot's-Cray; containing good Accommodation for Travellers, Stabling for about 50 Horses, Coach-houses, roomy Yard, Gardens, and the Crooked Meadow, containing nearly 6 Acres, in the occupation of Mr. Plater, on lease.

 

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, Tuesday 20 December 1836.

Meeting to oppose the Sandwich Railway.

A most influential meeting was held on Friday at the "Tigers Head," Footscray, to consort measures to oppose the Sandwich Railway. Among the distinguished noblemen, gentlemen, landowners and occupiers of property in the neighborhood of the Crays were the following:-

Viscount Sydney, Lord Bexley, Lord Wynford, Captain James Chapman Esq., Rev. G. Moore, Rev C. Frith, Rev. H. Warriner, Joseph, berens Esq., J. Wells Esq., N. Malcolm Esq., Thomas Waring, Esq., John Pawley, Esq., C. J. Lawson Esq., John Staples, Esq., Thomas Staples, Esq., Thomas Lewin, Esq., Rev. Leigh, L. Hull Esq., Rev. R. Brown, James Nettleship, Esq., N. May, ---- Baxter, T. Cooper, ---- Harris, H. Woodfall, W. Wyatt, Percival Hart Dyke "Esqre. Rev. J Hotham, ---- Kilpatrick Esq., Sir P. H. Dykes, bart., Isaac Minet, Hugh Johnstone, Alexander Evelyn and W. Cator. Esqrs.

Sir Percival Hart Dyke was unanimously called to the chair, and after various apologies had been made for the absence of many gentlemen, Captain Pringle produced the plan and section of the intended line to Sandwich; and Captain Catir said the meeting was called to give their opinion upon it.

A director of the new line Mr. Aimainck, we believe, asked of the chairman whether he might be allowed to say anything in favour of the line; and observed that the directors would do anything to improve the property through which the line was intended to pass, as well as to do away with everything that was ugly. He was willing to put the meeting right, before they went into Parliament with the bill, and stated that various persons who had been inimical to the project had been brought over to their interests.

Lord Wynford said, his reasons for objecting to this line was not because it would hurt his property, as the line would not come near it, but that it might hurt the property of others. His lordship concluded by saying he hoped such speculations were about to abate, as there was not any adequate remuneration for injuries done to property through which it was intended to pass to the coast, and that he should oppose it by all means in his power.

Captain Cator then asked if the Government had proposed to advance any money for this harbour (Sandwich); and been answered in the negative, said he hoped the meeting would do all in their power to prevent the line being carried into effect.

Joseph Berens, Esq., spoke in favour of the South Eastern Railway, and thought it very unfair that others should come in after the great expense they had been, and say that this or that line was better, and so do away with a compact entered into with former companies.

Mr. Aimsinck said he should hope every indicidual would give his opinion on the best line, and trusted the meeting would suspend their resolutions until the beginning of January, pledging himself that a meeting should then be called then, as at present Sir. T. Troubridge was too ill to attend the meeting.

Mr. Alderman Wood adverted to the competition in hope, and stated, his reason for supporting the new line was, that he should be able to get his hops much quicker by that conveyance that then by water. He had purchased hops at Canterbury to the amount of £30,000 a month, and would appeal to the meeting whether it would not be a desirable thing for him to have his hops brought to the market by the quickest conveyance, instead of letting so much capital lay idle, which would be the case every day they were detained from market. They asked, would not the farmers benefit by putting into his hands at a cheaper rate, by means of the certainty of this conveyance, and with respect to fruit, would it not be better for them that it should go by this line then by water.

The meeting then separated.

 

John Bull, Monday 10 September 1838.

Thursday an inquest was held at the "Tigers Head Inn," Footscray, Kent, on the body of William Martin, a postilion, who was killed by a kick from one of the horses which he had been driving. The deceased was in the act of cleaning the animal behind, when it kicked him in the chest, and knocked him backwards in a senseless state, and after lingering three quarters of an hour he expired.

Verdict, Accidental death.

 

LICENSEE LIST

TENSLEY Mr 1792-1802+ (Evening Mail)

PLATER Richard 1815-20+

POWER William 1832+ Pigot's Directory 1832-34

HARRIS Thomas 1851+ (age 39 in 1851Census)

http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/tigershead.html

 

Pigot's Directory 1832-34From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

CensusCensus

 

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