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Guildhall Street
Canterbury
Above photo, date unknown, showing licensees George and Elizabeth
Oakenfull, kindly sent by Roger Woodman, who says this could have been
their wedding photo. They were married on the 10 April 1838. |
Above location identified on the 1874 map by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, Wednesday 2nd August 1905. Crowds gathering to witness the
visit of General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. Kindly
sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Guildhall Street and the "Guildhall Tap" both took their name from
Canterbury's ancient Guildhall, which stood at the other junction with the
High Street. Having served the city since mediaeval times, in the late
1940s, the City Council made the controversial decision to demolish the
building.
Above photo circa 1900 showing the Guildhall. At the extreme
right-hand side of the picture, abutting the Guildhall was the "Ben
Johnson." The building still exists but it now houses a
restaurant. |
Only reference to this so far is from Stapleton's
Guide of 1838. This was probably the tap to the hotel of the same name.
Guildhall Street being also on the corner of the High Street, where the "Guildhall
Family and Commercial Hotel" is addressed.
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From the Kent Herald, 17 May 1827.
On Monday evening another of those disgraceful and dangerous riots, which have
lately so often occurred in this city, took place at the "Guildhall Tap,"
Guildhall Street, between a party of soldiers and some of the people drinking in
the house. The soldiers suddenly attacked the company with pokers and other
weapons, with which they inflicted severe and dangerous wounds upon those who
fell in their way. The cries of "murder" brought a number of the inhabitants to
the spot, who succeeded in apprehending some of the fellows, who were examined
before the Mayor on Tuesday morning, and two committed for trial. We have often
observed that these riots, (which we fear will end in loss of life,) usually
take place a night or two previous to their marching for another station; and it
would be well off if the Officers confine them to their barracks upon those
occasions.
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From the Kent Herald, 12 July 1827.
Canterbury Sessions.
Monday the Sessions for the City of Canterbury and County of the same City, were
held at the Guildhall, before the Mayor (G.Friend, Esqu.) the recorder, and a
Bench of Alderman.
John Taylor, a soldier, was indicted for having assaulted, and ill-treated
Thomas Ashby, on the 15th of May, in the parish of St. Mary Bredman.
Mr. Ashby is the landlord of the "Guildhall Tap," and on the night in question
an affray took place in the house between some soldiers and other persons there,
in the course of which two pokers were used (and one of them broken,) together
with sticks, &c,. and blows and kicks, and bruises, were distributed, without,
as it appeared, most of the parties being able to ascertain amidst the confusion
that prevailed, by whom they were favoured with them.
Ashby, however, and his son swore positively to the prisoner, as having
inflicted of severe wound, with a poker, upon the head of the former, who was
taking no part in the dispute, and who was taking no part at the time rendered
insensible, and did not recover from the effects of the ill treatment he
received for a considerable period.
The Jury returned a verdict of Guilty, and the Court taking into consideration
that he had been already imprisoned for some time, sentenced him to 14 days
imprisonment.
Edward Jones, a soldier, who was committed with him, but he was not indicted,
was discharged with a reprimand from the Court, he being considered as the
origin of the affray.
This was one of the many rows which have taken place in this city between the
people and the military.
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Canterbury Weekly, 29 April, 1837.
On Tuesday afternoon, the inhabitants of Guildhall Street, in the
city, were thrown into a state of alarm and confusion, in
consequence of a report that a man had been killed in the "Guildhall
Tap."
Upon enquiry, it appeared, that two young men, named Archer and
Phipps, had been quarrelling, when the latter, after being much
irritated by the former, seized the poker and inflicted a most of
severe wound on his head.
The violence of the blow deprived him, for a time, of reason, and
the police were compelled to strap him to a shutter upon which they
can feed him to the workhouse, completely drenched in blood.
Phipps was yesterday fully committed for trial, at the next
Sessions.
Archer's skull not being fractured, it is hoped he will recover.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 15 August 1837.
TO BE LET.
THE GUILDHALL TAP, in the City of CANTERBURY.
Apply on the Premises.
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Canterbury Weekly, 4 November, 1837.
On Friday week Mr. Jones, of the "Guildhall Tavern," lost a cheque
for £285, and notes, off Messrs. Hammond and Co's bank, to the
amount of £80 more. He immediately offered a reward of £20 for the
recovery of the money which was restored to him on Saturday. The
check was picked up by a pieman, who takes his stand every night at
the corner of St. Margarets, and who was ignorance of its value till
he heard the crier; and the money was found a short distance from
the bank by a country man. The reward was divided between the two
lucky finders, who much delighted with their good fortune.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 8 July 1839.
TO LET. THE GUILDHALL TAP.
Apply on the Premises. July 8, 1839.
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LICENSEE LIST
ASHBY Mr 1827+
JONES Mr 1837+
HUBBLE John 1838
OAKENFALL George 1838-47+
Stapleton's
Guide 1838
From Bagshaw Directory 1847
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