DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Thursday, 10 March, 2022.
PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1845-

 Labour in Vain

Latest 1853+

(Name to)

 

Chiddingstone

 

Maidstone Journal October 1845.

West Kent Quarter Sessions.

William Barnes (40) was charged with stealing from a shop a quantity of mutton, the property of George Leigh, at Chiddingstone. The prosecuted deposed that on the 7th of this month he left his shop, with the meat hanging in it in the evening at about 7 o'clock. Having occasion to visit the shop about an hour afterwards he found the meat gone; also the key, which have been left in the door.

From information received witness went to a beer shop about 1 mile from his home, where he saw the prisoner. On asking the landlady if anyone had brought meat to the house, she replied that the prisoner had brought some mutton and which on being produced witness found to be the same as that stolen from his shop.

James Longley farmer stated that on 7th October at the "Labour-in-Vain" public house the prisoner offered the quantity of mutton for sale, saying that he exchanged some china for it. Witness purchased the meat and shortly afterwards the prosecutor came in and claimed it, and the prisoner was handcuffed.

Guilty:- 3 months hard labour.

 
Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette 30 April 1853.

INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF THE PRESENT CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER.

Mr. G., on an excursion in Kent, after having "correctly" (see speech on Mr. Disraeli's budget) ascertained the amount of house tax payable at Knole, accidentally stopped at the "Labor in Vain" public-house, near Chiddingstone. A new idea struck him for the next budget - to relieve it of its dull monotony, and to give it a philanthropic turn. "Soap and the slave trade may be brought together. Look at that sign (the sign of the "Labor in Vain" is washing a Blackamoor). Wash the man of colour white, and he'll cease to be a slave. Take off the duty upon soap. That'll do it."

 

From an email received, 1 January 2022.

The Labour-in-Vain pub which was said to be in Chiddingstone in the 1840s and 1850s may well be the pub next door to me at Hoath Corner, Chiddingstone, now named the "Rock Inn." Prior to the 1840s, it was shown as Little Truggers Farm (on the tithe map and other historical records). However, it became a beer shop before becoming licensed as the "Rock Inn" around 1860/70. Local history suggests it may well have been called the "Labour-in-Vain" before licensing. This is supported by an incident in 1845 involving theft of mutton and the 'incident' in 1853 which you have published, being an article in the Canterbury Journal of 30th April 1853, involving the Chancellor of the Exchequer's accidental visit to the "Labour-in-Vain" following his visit to Knole re 'house tax'.

At present, all I know is that it was built about 1520, may originally have been an ale-house but was a butcher's shop/farm from the mid 1600s until the 1830s (beer shop), 1840s (Labour-in-Vain) and 1850s onwards (Rock Inn).

Best wishes,

Bob Golds.
Chiddingstone map 1835

Above map 1835.

 

LICENSEE LIST

SNASHALL William 1845+ Next pub licensee had

 

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