Kentish Gazette, 17 November 1820.

Nov. 12, after a long illness, Mr. Bullinaria, landlord of the "Victualling Office" public-house, St. Margaret's Bank, Rochester.

Kentish Gazette, 19 October, 1821.

Rochester.

The Sessions for this city were held on Monday at the Guildhall, before E. Manclark, esq. Mayor; Robert Marsham, esq. Recorder; and the other Justices of the city.

William Hiden Hollensbee and James Giles, were convicted of feloniously stealing, on the 24th of August last, from the premises Mrs. Bullinari, of the "Victualling Office" public-house, five tame rabbits, her property. The facts which appeared in evidence were, that the rabbits having been stolen, and the prisoners, who were persons of bad character, having previously been seen about the premises, were suspected of the robbery, when through the vigilance of Mr. Payne, the constable, they were traced to the "Bear and Staff" public-house in Chatham with the rabbits in their possession in a bag, which they had offered for sale.

Upon being pursued they attempted to throw it away, but were unsuccessful in their efforts, and being secured the rabbits were identified as the property of the prosecutrix.

The prisoner Hollensbee in his defence pretended he had found the bag in the street, but Giles had nothing to offer.

The Recorder after having animadverted upon the offence, proceeded to pass sentence, observing that as the prisoners had been before tried on a similar charge, and there not appearing any prospect of their reformation, the Court adjudged them to be transported far the term of 7 years.

From the South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 24 November 1846.

Child burnt to death.

An inquest was held on Wednesday last before J. Lewis, Esq., coroner, at the "Victualling Office Tavern," on the body of Charles Chandler, the infant son of Mr. William Chandler, of St. Margaret's bank, ironmonger, aged 3 years and 6 months, who died on that morning from injuries received from his clothes having caught on fire on the previous Monday. Medical skill was promptly applied, but it proved of no avail.

Verdict, "Accidental death."

South Eastern Gazette - Tuesday 12 May 1840.

The stabbing case coroner's inquest.

On Wednesday morning a coroner's jury assembled at the "Bear and Staff" public house, where the murdered man, Grigg, was lying. Throughout the examination, the house, and outside, were literally besieged by persons anxious to take a look at the prisoner, who was brought into the inquest room handcuffed, and sobbing loudly; he appeared to be about 17 years of age, rather tall and slender, and his countenance evidently bespoke his feelings on the present occasion.

The Prisoner was accompanied with a chair, and seemed to pay every attention to the witnesses examinations; he was professionally assisted by Mr. T. Patten; and Mr. Edward Birch attended to watch the proceedings on behalf of the deceased's friends.

The Coroner R. Hinde, Esq. having sworn the jury, they repaired to the room where the corps was lying; the body appeared to have been that of a fine young man, and was lying on a table in the parlour; the wound was in the thigh.

The first witness called was Edwin Page Williams, who deposed as follows:- I am a labourer, and reside in St Margaret's, Rochester. I was walking down the High Street, Chatham, on Saturday evening, about half-past ten, with the deceased, and some other young men. There was some boys, among whom was the prisoner, standing at the bottom of Chapel Lane, and one called out "Who kicked the boy when he was down?" I do not know who it was who called out. One of the boys said, "It's the chap with the bush!" Another said "It's the chap with a frock!" Deceased said to Edward John Thomas, the prisoner. "Have you anything to say to me?" Thomas said, "I am not speaking to you." Deceased said, "I wish you not to mention my name," and then walked away. Before he got cross the road, Thomas called out, "I know you, you b------ soldier-dealer!" Deceased then went back, and struck at Thomas, but I don't know whether he hit him or not. Thomas then fell or sat down on the kerb stones. Some of the boys called out, "Kick his shins!" meaning for deceased who was standing over Thomas, who then struck at a boy name Chaney, with his fist. Chaney fell to avoid the blow. Deceased stumbled, but did not fall. Thomas got up, walked a few steps, and used some expressions which I did not understand. Deceased went to Thomas and struck him, and Thomas fell down. Deceased said "Stand up, and let me have a round or two with you."

Thomas said, "If I was as big as you, you would not hit me."

Deceased then turned around and said. "He has stabbed me, or words to that effect," and immediately staggered and fell.

I said to Thomas. "You are all right, old boy, you have done it now." And assisted deceased to the kerb, and ask someone to go for a doctor.

I saw blood on deceased's trousers. I saw no more of Thomas. I assisted to remove deceased to the "Bear and Staff" public house, and Mr. Robertson, the surgeon, came immediately. We were all sober, when we were going down the street.

By the Jury:- Did not see the deceased take hold of the prisoner, and endeavour to hold him up. When the boys called out to deceased, he had a frock on, and I furze bush in his hand.

By Mr. Patten:- Chaney was standing about half way across the road when deceased stood over the prisoner.

George Thornton, aged 15, sworn, was standing at the door for his master, Mr. Thomas, the grocer, on Saturday evening last, at half-past ten. A boy name Samuel Thomas, brother of the prisoner, came into the shop for some sugar. Samuel Thomas went to the door, and called out, "Who kicked the boy when he was down?"

Grid, the deceased, who was walking to and fro by the door, took no notice of S. Thomas for some time.

F. J. Thomas, the prisoner, was standing at the bottom of Chapel Lane. The deceased struck Thomas, the prisoner, with his fists. As deceased was going off, Thomas said, "You can have a dozen if you like."

Deceased did not come back.

The prisoner then called him a b------ soldiers-dealer, whereupon deceased came back, and hit Thomas again with his fists. Thomas sat on kerb stone at the time. A boy named Chaney was standing in the road, and called out, "Kick him." Deceased then ran at Chaney and made a hit at him, but missed him. Chaney fell, and deceased fell over him, on his hands. And his deceased was getting up Thomas cried out "Oh! you b------ soldier-dealer."

Deceased then ran at Thomas, and Thomas Cried Out. "Don't hit me when down." Deceased attempted to lift him by his arms, and had got him on his knees when he suddenly let Thomas fall and called out "He has run a knife into me." Deceased stood a short time with his hands on his knee, and fell down with his face on the step of Mr. Thomas's door. Some one removed him from the step, and set him on the kerb.

He immediately fell backwards, and was removed to the "Bear and Staff." Witness was there about three feet from the deceased, at the time he fell. Did not see him throw anything away, all strike at deceased. Witness went down into his master's seller, about 20 minutes after this happened, with Tupper the constable, and some other person's. Picked up a knife; it was a clasp-knife, with a short handle, and shut. Gave the knife to Tupper. There was blood upon it, at the tip, and on the back.

John Tassell, No 18, Rochester police, apprehended the prisoner at his father's house at 1 o'clock, on Sunday morning. I only found 4d. upon him. I minutely examined the clothes of the prisoner, but found no marks of blood upon them.

Mr. A. Robertson:- I am a surgeon and resign at Chatham. About half-past ten, on Saturday evening, I was sent for to attend of deceased. I immediately attended, and found him at the "Bear and Staff." I examine deceased. He was quite dead. There was a wound in the groin. I have since made a post mortem examination of the body. I found the femoral artery severed; and the femoral vein partially divided. The haemorrhage from them was the cause of death. The wound had been inflicted by a sharp instrument. It was 7 inches and a quarter in length, across the thigh, and 3 inches in depth. Such a knife as the one produced would cause the wound.

The Coroner's them briefly address the jury, who, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of "Manslaughter against Edward John Thomas;" and he was committed, on the Coroner's warrant, to take his trial at the next and assizes.

The deceased youth was buried on Sunday afternoon; the whole line of road leading to the burial ground, and the ground itself, was crowded. He was followed by his mother and Sullivan, his father-in-law, one brother and three sisters.

Southeastern Gazette, 9 August 1853.

CITY PETTY SESSIONS.

Wednesday. (Present, Capt. Burton, J. L. Levy and E. R. Coles, Esqrs.)

Caroline Wyles was charged with robbing a gentleman named Wilson, an officer belonging to H.M.S. Boscawen, of two sovereigns.

The prosecutor stated that he met with the prisoner, whom he accompanied to the "Bear and Ragged Staff" giving her 10s. On awaking next morning he found the prisoner had left early, taking with her the money. The prosecutor said he had lost £6, but he believes he lost four sovereigns from his pocket whilst taking his handkerchief out. In reply to questions from the Bench prosecutor also stated he saw the money safe over night, and that he slept with his door unlocked, by which means any person might have entered his room during the night.

Police-constable Tassell said from information he received he went to the prisoner’s lodgings on the Brook, when he found several articles of clothing in her possession, which she had recently purchased, On accusing her of having stolen six sovereigns from the prosecutor, she said she had taken but two sovereigns, and denied stealing the other four.

The landlord of the public-house where the robbery was said to have occurred said the prosecutor and prisoner came to his house together very tipsy, and engaged a bed. On his taking some liquor up to them prosecutor paid for it from a paper in which he noticed were two sovereigns. The prisoner requested him to call her at seven o’clock next morning. On their again ringing for more liquor he refused to supply them with any, as they were both so drunk. The prisoner left early next morning.

The magistrates said it was a most disreputable case altogether, and the evidence against the prisoner being so Inconclusive they should discharge her. The articles taken from the prisoner were ordered to be returned to her.

Another unfortunate, whose name we did not catch, was charged with stealing a band-box containing two caps.

Stephen Curry, a sailor, said he was entrusted to carry the box with him to Sunderland. On the previous night to that of the robbery he met the prisoner and remained with her that night. On the following evening he again met her at the "Victualling Office", and whilst he left the room, the prisoner went off with the property.

A police-constable said the prosecutor having informed him of his loss, he went at about two o'clock in the morning to prisoner's lodgings in Five Bells-lane. He found her dressed, and with the box in her possession, which she said she had carried home, and was then going back for the prosecutor. The magistrates discharged the prisoner.

Mr. Levy complained of the disorderly conduct at the "Victualling Office" public-house, and directed the police to keep an eye upon it.

Captain Burton said great complaints had been made to him of the disorderly conduct of the boys who congregate at the front of the theatre before the performance took place. Dr. Piper had informed him that several stones had been thrown at his door, which much annoyed him.

Mr. Prall said the manager had better have a special constable sworn in, which would have the effect of maintaining order.