Branbridges

East Peckham

Reference has been made in the 1851 and 1861 censes to what is described as "Branbridges" beer shop.

Christopher Richford say the following:- "It appears that Branbridges was the name of the hamlet/landing area on the Medway, at the South East corner of East Peckham. Or was it the owners name? In Kent I’ve come across surnames Bambridge, Banbridge, Busbridge and Branbridge."

In 1740 the River Medway was rendered navigable for barge traffic and a wharf was created at  East Peckham at Branbridges. In addition a turnpike road, Seven Mile Lane, was built between  East Peckham and Wrotham in 1805 which hastened delivery of iron from the Weald in time of war. These transport innovations improved opportunities for trade as previously the area could only be accessed via poor clay roads which were virtually impassable in the winter months. The wharf stimulated demand for local craftsmen such as carpenters and blacksmiths and provided customers for the "Rose and Crown" and "Walnut Tree" Public Houses in Hale Street.

This beer shop is definitely not the "Rose and Crown" and the "Walnut Tree" building can be traced back to the 1500s and was originally a farm house, but I do not know when it opened as a beer house yet, it may be this one.

LICENSEE LIST

PALMAR Thomas 1851+ (age 36 in 1851)

CHEESMAN John 1861+ (age 38 in 1861)

Census