DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 04 September, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1828-

(Name from)

Ferry Inn

Open 2024+

Appledore Road

Stone-in-Oxney

01233 758246

https://www.oxneyferry.com/

https://whatpub.com/ferry-inn

Ferry 1908

Above photo, circa 1908, kindly supplied by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, 1910, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Ferry Inn 1914

Above postcard, circa 1914, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. The sign looks like it says "Stone Ferry Inn."

Ferry Inn inside

Above photo, date unknown.

Ferry Inn 1950s

Above postcard, 1950s.

Ferry Inn drawing

Above drawing, date unknown.

Ferry Inn 2017

Above photo, 2017.

Ferr Inn bar 2017

Above photo showing the bar area 2017.

Ferry Inn 2023

Above photo circa 2023.

Ferry Inn 2023

Above photo circa 2023.

Ferry Inn bar 2023

Above photo 2023.

Ferry 2024

Above photo, 2024, kindly sent by Michael Harris.

 

The building was built in 1690 to refresh and accommodate the travellers who would then cross over the outlet of the River Rother to the mainland! The existing narrow watercourse you see today is called the ‘Reading Street Sewer’ (or ditch, or dyke) and is the Southern edge of the Old Rother, which was up to a quarter of a mile wide in parts at the time. I believe it was originally known as the "Black Ox," but don't know the year it changed name yet.

The then coastline was near to where the Military Road and canal is today, and if you drive from Rye to Appledore and look to your left, you can clearly see the original ‘Stone Cliff’, the ancient shoreline of the Isle of Oxney.

The "Ferry Inn," along with many other buildings on the Romney Marshes and other nearby areas were Smuggler’s haunts, and in the corner of the main bar (by the Inglenook) can still be seen an Owler’s (smuggler’s) window, where people inside could signal to the smuggler’s boats to let them know whether it was safe to land the contraband. Knock House at the bottom of Knock Hill was virtually on the coast and was the HQ of the Customs and Excise men.

During the Napoleonic War, troops were quartered in the upstairs rooms and attic in case the French invaded. One soldier was murdered by another upstairs after falling out over the favours of a local lady! The murderer was executed at Chatham. There was also a barracks at Reading Street and also an army racecourse.

The Isle of Oxney, on which the Ferry stands, was a separate island from the Isle of Ebony (also called the Chapel Bank), which you can see from the bar windows quite clearly. You can see all this on one of the many maps in the bar, ‘Hasteds Hundred Map’, which also shows that even after the waters diminished and the bridge was built, the road North only went as far as Court Lodge Lane and not straight on to the old school crossroads, so that travellers to Tenterden, Ashford and further afield had to go right (Court Lodge Lane) through Appledore (B2080) and onwards.

The Ferry was originally a Free House, once owned by the Deedes family from Saltwood Castle (Bill Deedes MP’s ancestors). It was purchased by Edwin Finn brewery (Lydd) and leased by them to Style and Winch (Maidstone) who later purchased it from them. Courage Barclay Simmonds, later ‘Courage’ bought out Style and Winch, in 1953. It was sold by Courage as a Free House, which it still is today.

 

Kentish Gazette, Tuesday, 11 March 1856.

Corn Stealing.

A waggoner named Rose, in the employ of Mr. Thomas Baden, of Brookland, was charged with stealing, and Frederick Frampton, of Stone Ferry, with receiving a quantity of beans, the property of Mr. Baden. Rose confessed his guilt, and was committed for three months' hard labour. Frampton, who denied all knowledge of the affair, was committed for trial at the next quarter sessions.

 

The sentence on the prisoner was that he be imprisoned one week on the first offence, and at the expiration of that period twelve months in the House of Correction for the second.

The prisoner before leaving the bar desired to address the court, which he was not allowed to do and he was conveyed into the prison.

 

From the Kentish Express, 12 April, 1856.

East Kent Quarter Sessions.

These Sessions were held on Tuesday last at Saint Augustine's, Canterbury, when the prisoners for trial were less in number than usual at this season of the year, a circumstance that may in some way be accounted for from the recent Spring Assizes having disposed of the various offences committed in the Division during the past quarter, and from the operation of the recent enactment which enables the magistrates to dispose of petty larceny by summary conviction.

The court, which was not not fully attended by the magistrates of the county as is usual, was composed of J. B. Wildman, Esq., (chairman,) the Ven. Archdeacon Croft, Kev. K. Biron, E. H. K. Hugesson, G. Gipps, E. Foss, T. H. Mackay, J. J. Lonsdale, W. Farley. M. Bell, W. Oxenden Hammond, A. Munn, E. C. H. Wilkie, Esqs., &c., &c.

Receiving Stolen Goods.

Thomas Stoneham, for receiving about one bushel of mixed beans and oats, value 5s.; and Frederick Frampton, for receiving about seven gallons of beans, value 5s., the property of Thomas Bayden, well knowing them to have been stolen, at Stone, on the 19th February, 1856.

These prisoners, although separately indicted, and unconnected in the transactions as far as the evidence showed, may be considered as immediately conjoined in one and the tame system of plunder. The facts are therefore given together in our report.

Stonham, it was stated, is a baker and grocer, and post-office keeper, at Iden, near Rye, in Sussex; and Frampton, a publican, at Stone Ferry, near the Isle of Oxney, ("Ferry Inn") in Kent, and both of them reputed as men in good circumstances, and highly respected in their neighbourhood.

True bills on three different transactions were found against each of them, charging them with having on various occasions purchased of the prosecutor’s waggoner, oats and beans for a trilling consideration, they well knowing that they must have been stolen.

Mr. Addison conducted the prosecution under the direction of Mr. Stringer, solicitor, at Romney; and Mr. Francis defended the prisoners on each indictment, instructed by Mr. T. T. Delasaux.

The cases occupied the greater part of the day. Mr. Francis succeeded in obtaining an acquittal for Frampton on one of the indictments, but was not so successful in the others, for which the prisoners were put on their trial. The third Indictment against each prisoner was withdrawn after being formally read by the clerk of the peace.

By the evidence in support of the charges, it was shown that a youth, in the employ of the prosecutor, as waggoner’s mate, told the bailiff (Sir. Hyder) that the waggoner was taking corn from the farm at Brenzett, as also from that at Sandhurst, and selling it to both Stonham and Frampton. This information was given in February last, but the transactions went over a space of four months previously.

The waggoner, whose name is Rose, was apprehended on the charge, and upon admitting his guilt, was summarily dealt with by being sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, with hard labour, and was now produced as a witness to corroborate the statement, made by the boy Bowles, the waggoner’s mate, and it may be best for the sake of brevity to give Rose's own statement of the transactions.

He said, that during the month of September, Stonham asked him to get a little corn for his pony, and that he (Rose) did on the 3rd of October, or about that time, take to him about a bushel of oats and beans, which had been supplied him at Sandhurst farm for his horses. He gave it to Stoonham, at the "Stone Ferry" public-house, who paid him 1s. 6d. for it. A few weeks after, he took from the granary at Brenzett half-a-bushel of split beans, which Stonham had, and gave him 9d. In February last, he supplied Frampton with a quantity of beans procured in the same way, for which he (Frampton) gave him is. On another occasion he supplied Frampton with about six or seven gallons of beans, for which he had had no consideration; and at length when he carried another parcel to him Frampton refused to let them be left at his house, saying that the boy Bowles had been chattering about it, and that there were parties employed to watch. He, (witness) in consequence, took the last named parcel back, and restored them to his master's granary.
The above is an epitome of the evidence in support of the whole of the indictment, excepting that it was stated that Stonmam also received some corn on the 9th of December, in like manner, but no evidence was adduced to support the charge.

For the defence of Stonham it was attempted to be shown, that on the 3rd of October Stonham was at home at Iden all day, and consequently could not, have been at "Stone Ferry," some four or five miles distant, but by an ingenious system of cross-examination pursued by Mr. Addison, it was shown that the witnesses, in support of an alibi, though not wilfully stating that which was not true, were speaking from data that could not be relied on. G. A. Lamb, Esq., a magistrate of Sussex, gave Stonham an excellent character for honesty and propriety of conduct, as did other respectable persons in his neighbourhood, and several witnesses as to character were examined on the part of Frampton, but the weight of evidence was too great on the minds of the jury for this to shield the prisoner from conviction.

In passing sentence, the Chairman remarked on the enormity of the offence of which they had been convicted, observing that persons moving in the sphere of life they (the prisoners) did, ought to do their best to protect their neighbours' property, in place of which it had been shown to the satisfaction of the jury and the Court, that they had encouraged poor and ignorant farm servants to rob their employer.

The sentences were:— Stonham, one week and twelve months' hard labour; Frampton, twelve months' hard labour.

 

Thanet Advertiser, 2nd February 1924.

EX-COASTGUARD AND SMUGGLERS' HAUNT.

The many Broadstairs friends of ex-Coastguard W. J. Rickaby will be interested to learn that he is now the landlord of The "Ferry Inn" at Stone-in-Oxney, near Appledore.

Mr. Rickaby's new duties are not confined to catering for the inward needs of travellers and others, but he also fills the somewhat mediaeval role of toll keeper upon the King’s highway. This is a job that would have eminently suited Air Raid J

15th April 1856.

CONVlCTION OF A PUBLICAN.

Frederick Frampton, rendered in court, charged with having on the 19th of February, received seven gallons of beans, the property of Thomas Bayden, at Stone, well knowing them to have been stolen.

Mr. Addison, who prosecuted, spoke of the heinousness of the offence, which he regretted to see was now but too common, of servants robbing their employers, and celled Thomas Bowles, a lad, in the service of prosecutor as wagoner's mate. - William Rose was the wagoner.

On the 19th of February, a quantity of beans, taken from the barn chest by the wagoner, was placed in the wagon, when they were going together to Wittersham, and at Stone Ferry it was delivered up by the wagoner to prisoner, who kept a public-house there. The beans, which were in a sack, were placed in a little out-house, and on the wagoner telling him what he had got for him, the prisoner gave him a shilling. Witness told his master of the affair next day. When they went to the house again on the 25th, on their road to Wittersham, prisoner said he had a suspicion there was some man there on the watch, and told the wagoner to go on and take no notice.

Cross-examined by Mr. Francis:- He did not think of telling his master who he saw the wagoner take the beans out of the chest, though he knew it was wrong; he told him of it next day. They had been in the habit of baiting the horses at the prisoner's house, with the corn taken from his master's stables. They usually left the corn in the little out-house and baited on their return. he was close to the wagoner when the prisoner gave him a shilling. On the day in question they baited their horses, but not with that parcel of corn to which be had alluded; they had two parcels. His master had told him he should have some money when the case was over—he did not know how much—he had heard somebody say it was £20.

Re-examined:- He lived 29 miles from here, and left home the previous afternoon, and the bailiff told him that he should have some money—he never said anything about £20. When he communicated with the bailiff, he told him what to do.

John Hyder, bailiff to prosecutor, spoke of the communication made by last witness on the 19th February, about what he had seen in the stable, when he told him to look after the wagoner. He had made no offer to witness of any money.—

Cross-examined:- Rose, the wagoner, was in gaol, under a conviction for the same offence.

Mr. Francis, in addressing the jury for the defence, complained of the appeal that had been made to them as farmers to invoke their feelings against the prisoner for the peculiar offence of corn stealing; and asked whether they would convict on the evidence of a stupid witness, who by the last answer of the bailiff, stood proved guilty of perjury. He argued that the corn had been left as usual at prisoner's for the baiting of the horses and the money that had passed was merely that which had been given in change for the allowance.

George Trice, publican; Stephen Wenham, constable of Stone; Thomas Wellard, farmer; G. Halberson, farmer and grazier; and Charles Hoath, were called to character, which they spoke of as very good; and others were in attendance to depose to the same effect, but it was thought unnecessary to trouble them.

The Chairman having summed up, the jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty.

The prisoner was further charged with having stolen seven gallons of beans the property of the same party; and Mr. Addison, in opening, repudiated, what had been imputed to; him, any desire to press unfairly on the prisoner, and as regarded the lad to whom perjury was attributed, that there was no reason for concluding that, as all that had transpired was probably what he had heard of receiving money for coming to the trial; and it could not be supposed he would have attended without, as he could not afford to lose the time or bear the expenses of travelling. The learned counsel related that it was a charge for an offence of a similar nature to the last, committed on the subsequent Saturday. He then called the lad again.

Thomas Bowles who deposed that in consequence of what he was told by the bailiff in respect of the last case, he was on the look out; he kept his eyes open—and on the Saturday following he (witness) took seven gallons of beans out of the chest as the wagoner bade him, and put them into the wagon, which rent to Wittersham, and stopping at the prisoner's house, the beans were taken into the outhouse by the wagoner, the prisoner standing at the gate the same time. When they returned the wagoner sold the beans, but he did not see any money given. They took some beans to bait the horses and some to sell—the wagoner told the prisoner he had some beans for him.

Cross-examined:- Prisoner said nothing—it being the first time, and not the second, that he heard the conversation about the beans. They baited at Wittersham that day, and prisoner refused to allow them to bait their horses.

Re-examined:- He gave as his reason that it was because he thought that same man was watching.

By the Court:- What he meant by the wagoner selling the beans was that Rose told him that he had sold them and had got something for them, but he did not say how much.

William Rose, the wagoner, was then brought up from the House of Correction, on the order of the Court. He spoke of the second occasion when he went with some beans which he left at prisoner’s house; he placed them in his lodge under his directions—he gave him 1s. the first time, but nothing the second; he expected that he should receive on the second occasion the same as before, which was his reason for taking some again. He saw the prisoner in the road, who asked if he had got any thing for him to-day; to which he replied that he had, when he told him that he had better not stop that day as there was somebody on the watch, for his mate had been talking about it. Consequently he did not leave the beans, but took them back again.

Cross-examined:- He used to bait his horses there; he did not leave any when going to Wittersham on the second occasion spoken of, but left them on his return; he told prisoner on one occasion that he had got a few beans for Mr. Stonham, which was the beginning of it—he never told him that he should not bait his horses there again.

Hyder, the bailiff, merely deposed that in consequence of the communication he told the boy to keep his eyes open.

Mr. Francis, for the defence, argued against the prisoner having received the beans knowing them to have been stolen, or that there was any proof of his having received them at all.

A third charge imputed to him a similar offence on the 27th, the particulars of which were briefly detailed, though the learned counsel, Mr. Addison, refrained from prosecuting it. He stated that on this occasion when the corn was taken to prisoner, he refused to take it, as it appeared that the thing had become blown. The witness had been told to keep his eyes open and no doubt he did so; and prisoner having his apprehensions, the corn was conveyed to Wittersham and afterwards returned to the stable. He should, having obtained a conviction, withdraw this charge.

The Chairman, in sentencing prisoner, said the Court perfectly coincided with the verdict of the jury in finding him guilty of having received these beans knowing them to have been stolen. There was every reason to believe that this practice had been carried on to a very great extent, much to the injury of the farmers of the neighbourhood. Were there no receivers there would not be found so many persons prompted to crime as there were. He sentenced prisoner to twelve months in the House of Correction.

On leaving the bar the prisoner exclaimed that he had been tried very wrongfully, for he never had or ever touched a bean.

im, Coastguard Rickaby’s constant and faithful canine companion of Broadstairs memories.

Curiously enough his connection with the preventive calling is not completely severed for the "Ferry Inn" is a romantic and comfortable relic of smuggling times, and was the headquarters of one of the gangs that in those good old days infested Romney marshes. Beneath the quaint old hostelry there still exist cellars and caves used by the free traders of the past, and in particular the subterranean passage by which they brought their merchandise from the coast.

 

Thanet Advertiser, 19th July 1932.

Ex-Coastguard Bereave.

There will be many friends in Broadstairs who will regret to learn of the death of Mrs. Rickaby, wife of ex-Coastguard W. J. Rickaby, who was stationed at Broadstairs during the war. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rickaby were well known end both by reason of many acts of kindness were held in the greatest respect and affection by Broadstairs residents. Mr. Rickaby was a well known figure during the war years, when he went his rounds telescope under arm, accompanied by his dog. In 1919, when he was removed to another station, he and his dog were made the recipients of a public presentation at the Cinema. Upon his retirement from the service Mr. and Mrs. Rickaby settled at Stone in Oxney, near Ashford, where Mr. Rickaby became the landlord of one of the oldest inns in the county, the "Ferry Inn" and Toll. Mrs. Rickaby's funeral took place last week and was attended by nearly everyone in the neighbourhood.

 

LICENSEE LIST

DENNIS William 1828-32+ Pigot's Directory 1828-29Pigot's Directory 1832-34

HOACH Charles 1841+ (age 54 in 1841Census)

FRAMPTON Frederick 1851-56+ (age 32 in 1851Census)

HASKINS Henry 1871+ (age 31 in 1871Census)

FILE William J 1891+ (age 26 in 1891Census)

NAPP Henry 1903+ Kelly's 1903 (Oxney Ferry Inn)

CLARKE James 1911+ (age 70 in 1911Census)

RICKERBY W J Mr 1924-32+

WITHERS-GREEN Paul 2018+

 

CensusCensus

Pigot's Directory 1828-29From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29

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

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

 

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