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94 London Road
Crayford
Above photo circa 1930, kindly submitted by David Clinker. |
Above photo circa 1930, kindly submitted by David Clinker. |
Above photo circa 2006, kindly submitted by David Clinker. |
Built originally as a set of three, a beer-house, shop and warehouse,
situated opposite the David Evans silk factory on land purchased by William
Miskin from the United Building and Investment Co. in January 1863. The rag
shop and warehouse were later combined into one.
A fire at the "Printer's Arms" caused the loss of life around 1898-90,
and another in September, 1893 occurred in one of three caravans at the
back, which were then used as lodgings.
I am informed by David Clinker that the pub closed ages ago and the
building extensively rebuilt to become a soap factory. Next it was a Trade
Union office, and finally a Chartered Accountant's office owned by David,
before being sold in 2012 and demolished.
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Kentish Independent, 09 September 1865.
BREAKING THE PLEDGE.
Patrick Connolly, 27, of the "Printers' Arms," Crayford, was charged
with being drunk and assaulting Police Constable Sharpe, 284 R, at
Crayford.
The prisoner, who said that he had not tasted drink for three years
previously, was fined 20s. or 14 days’ imprisonment.
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The Kentish Independent, Saturday, 10 July, 1880.
A Paltry Theft.
Kate Crowley, 20, field hand, late of Crayford High Street, Woolwich,
was charged with stealing a purse containing 1s., the property of Joseph
Plowman, a painted, living at the "Printers Arms," Crayford.
Prosecutor said that he had been drinking with prisoner all the previous
day. At 8 o'clock she took the purse from his pocket and ran away with
it. The police proved that prisoner had been committed from this court,
and had suffered three months' hard labour for stabbing woman at
Woolwich some six months ago, and they Mr. Balguy sent her for 21 days'
hard labour.
Prisoner, on hearing the sentence, said "Thank you, Sir."
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From an unknown document.
Printers Arms - 94 London Road.
This pub is named after the local textile printing trade. The David
Evans Silk Printers were situated opposite this pub.
In January 1863 William Miskin purchased a plot of land from The United
Building and Investment Co. upon which this purpose-built beerhouse and
shop was erected. The shop (a rag shop and warehouse) was later combined
or, as the brewers property register notes, “have since been thrown
together." In his historical book 'Memories of Crayford,’ (1958),
Barnett suggested that there was a fire at the Printers Arms, which
caused the greatest loss of life in Crayford. Although Barnett reckons
the fire was said to have taken place around the end of 1889, or the
start of 1890, I have been unable to trace such an incident. However, in
September 1893, there was indeed a fire in one of three caravans at the
back, which were used as lodgings. As it happened at 9pm, no one was in
bed and the landlord with his neighbours prevented the fire from
spreading, using buckets of water, until the Bexley heath, Erith and
Sidcup fire brigades arrived. The landlord was only insured for £30
though the damage was estimated to be £50. This was an unfortunate loss
as the caravans accommodated between 15 to 20 lodgers at a time. The
Census enumerator for 1901 recorded that the caravans’ residents were
“all casual tramps and lodgers - best information that could be
obtained." The lodgers who held various occupations, including navvies
and organ-grinders, gave the enumerator incomplete places
of birth and someone even gave his name as “Cock Robin."
The pub was referred to the Compensation Authorities and was closed in
December 1921. Compensation of £2,210 was paid to the freeholder and £200
to the tenant. The tenant, Mr Pearce, immediately purchased the freehold
for £550.
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From the Greenwich and Deptford Chronicle and the Woolwich Gazette,
Saturday, 4 January, 1910.
Inquest on a Crayford Man.
On Christmas Day a sad case of sudden death occurred at Crayford. With a
companion, Daniel Fortin, aged 51, a fell-monger by occupation, visited
some friends and wished them the compliments of the season, and of
course drank to each others good health. On returning to the "Printers
Arms," where they lodged Fortin and his friend had their Christmas
dinner, and then indulged in a sleep. Subsequently Fortin's head was
noticed to be falling forward, and on another man going to his
assistance, he slid from the form on which he was sitting to the floor,
and expired almost immediately.
The enquiry was held at Erith on Wednesday morning by the Coroner. Mr.
H. Bolton Sewell.
Edith Driver, wife of Frederick Driver, of 106, Blenheim Crescent,
Notting Hill, sister of the deceased stated that it was five years ago
since she last saw her brother, although she had heard from him several
times. She heard of his death on Christmas Day. She knew deceased had
been accustomed to drinking for many years.
Arthur Pearse, the licensee of the "Printers' Arms," Crayford, stated
that deceased, who was in regular work, had lodged with him from ten to
eleven months. He had good health, except that he was subject to gout.
On Thursday and Friday deceased seemed in better health than for some
time, and on Christmas Day he went out at 10.30 to visit some friends.
He returned at 2.20, and to all outward appearances was all right.
Deceased had his dinner, and witness did not see him again until 5.10.
when he was called into the kitchen, and found him lying dead on the
floor. Deceased appeared to be sober, when he returned to the house, and
witness had never seen him in any other way. He believed Fortin was
accustomed to drinking, but he did not have much indoors because he drank
spirits.
Thomas Whiffin, machinist, living at the "Printers' Arms," Crayford,
said he had known deceased since he had lodged at the house, and he
appeared to enjoy good health. Witness returned at a quarter to five,
and found deceased asleep on a form in the kitchen by the fire. Whilst
witness was having his dinner, deceased woke up and said. "Hullo, how
are you?" Deceased went on nodding again and as witness noticed his head
was falling onto the table, he called to him, but he did not answer.
Witness went to lift deceased up, when he slipped off the seat into his
arms. Witnessed laid Fortin, who was breathing, but unable to speak, on
the floor, and called the landlord.
Police constable Hamlin, coroner's officer, spoke to removing the body,
and on searching the clothing finding 16s. 3d. in silver, 4d. in bronze,
and a tobacco pouch in the pockets.
The man who was out with deceased on Christmas morning was then called.
His name is George Charles Perrin, also lodging at the "Printers' Arms,"
who said that they went to see friends who did not live far away, and
wished them a Merry Christmas. All they had to drink was four little
drops of whiskey, and on returning to the house they had dinner
together.
Dr. C. M. Oakwell, of Crawford, was called at 5:30 on Christmas
afternoon, and found the man lying dead on the floor in the kitchen. The
body was that of a well developed and well nourished man. The condition
of the internal organs marked the advanced stage of alcoholism, and
death was due to syncope and uremia, due to the state of the kidneys,
which was accelerated by chronic alcoholism.
A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned. |
LICENSEE LIST
KILLICK John 1861+ (age 46 in 1861 )
LURRIDGE Alfred to July/1892
TANNER James July/1892+
DANN Mr July/1894+
PEARCE Arthur 1901-22+ (also lodging house age 45 in 1901)
https://pubwiki.co.uk/PrintersArms.shtml
Census
Maidstone
and Kentish Journal
Bromley and District Times
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