Littlebourne

According to Rory Kehoe, the "Two Brewers was owned by the Field family. John Field was listed as licensee/brewer in 1834. His son George was listed as a beer seller in the 1841 census. George's son, also called George is listed in the 1861, 71 and 81 censuses as a brewer/beer retailer. George Junior died in 1889 and his widow, Mary, carried on running the pub but may not have selling her own beer. Or, the beer may have been brewed by Charles Rolfe until the pub/brewery was sold.

In 1898 Mary Field sold the 2 Brewers to Bushell, Watkins Ltd of the Black Eagle Brewery, Westerham.

The building possibly changed name to the "Basketmaker's Arms" once sold, but didn't last long as it was closed shortly afterwards.

The new owners decided to build a brand new, more prominent, pub about 50m away, on the corner of Church Road and Nargate Street and named it the "Basketmaker's Arms," possibly in honour of another activity of the Field family: that of basket making. The 1891 census mentions a Charles Rolfe as being at the premises and was listed as a basketmaker. He went on to be the first licensee of the "Basketmaker's Arms." Perhaps he was a good friend of Mary Field and perhaps had been running the pub with her after the death of her husband.

LICENSEE LIST

FIELD John 1834+

FIELD George 1841+

FIELD George Jun 1861-89 dec'd

FIELD Mary (widow) 1889-98