From the Dover Telegraph 13 Feb 1836

Henry BREWER in his 20th year, (son of Mr Samuel BREWER, Bee Hive Tavern) died Sept 1835 on board the George IV, near Bengal.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 7 January, 1837.

ACCIDENTS FROM THE SNOW

On Monday evening Mrs. Brewer, of the "Bee Hive Tavern," Snargate Street, while in the act of crossing from a neighbour's to her own house, had the misfortune to slip down and break one of her legs. The requisite assistance was promptly given, and she is doing well.

From the Dover Telegraph 2 Sept 1837

Charlotte Maria BREWER (eldest daughter of Mr BREWER, of the Bee Hive, Dover) married 27 August at St Mary's Dover to Mr EWELL, draper, Deal.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 9 November, 1839.

CORONER'S INQUEST

An inquest was held on Wednesday last, at the "Bee Hive," before G. T. Thompson, Esq., Coroner for the borough of Dover, on the body of Mary Goodwin, aged 18, who had destroyed herself by taking poison.

Thomas Coleman, surgeon, deposed, that he had opened the body, and analyzed the contents of the stomach, which were highly impregnated with arsenic, and which had, no doubt, caused the death of the deceased.

Eliza Leigh, milliner, Snargate Street examined. "The deceased was servant in the house, and had lived with them about three weeks. On Sunday, the deceased had permission to dine with her sister, and returned home about nine o'clock in the evening. I saw her on Monday morning, when she came into the work-room to receive instructions for some errands, which she went out to execute, and returned home about noon. She then appeared pale, and I asked her if she was ill; but she said no. She then had a luncheon of bread, cheese, and beer, which she partook of at the table where the rest of us had been eating. At five o'clock we dined with the apprentices, and the deceased had some mutton broth; but refused to take any meat. About half an hour afterwards I heard someone cough as if they were sick, and I asked the deceased if she had been sick; and she replied, yes; but that she was better. She then went to Charlton on an errand, and returned  in about half an hour, and lit the fire which had gone out during her absence. I did not see her again till about half-past nine o'clock, when I again heard some one sick in the yard. I again asked her what was the matter, and she said she had a head-ache, and pains in her limbs, when I desired her to go to bed, and gave her some brandy which she drank. I did not see the deceased again until ten o'clock the next morning when I heard her calling; I went and asked what she required, and she said some gin and ginger, as she had a pain in her stomach. I did not see the deceased again alive. The deceased appeared to me obliging and cheerful; but I had heard there was something mysterious in her manner, and I intended to make some enquiry into it."

Deborah Hill examined. "I am apprentice to Miss Leigh. The deceased slept in the same room as myself, on Monday night. She did not make any noise to disturb me till about four o'clock, when she said she hoped it was not time to get up. I rose about seven, and left her in bed. I have never seen any powders or poison in her room. She never said anything to me about taking poison or dying, but had said she was very uncomfortable because her mother was so cross."

Sarah Leigh re-examined: "During the time deceased has been in our service I have observed nothing particular in her manner, except sometimes coming home crying, after she had been out, when she said her mother did not use her well. I have searched the boxed of the deceased and all places she usually had access to, but have discovered nothing that would bear on this enquiry. She appeared to me, on Monday night and Tuesday morning, composed, although distressed by sickness; and made no complaint except of pain in her stomach. I said to her on Tuesday morning, that if she did not bear up I must send for her mother, and she replied "No, do not; if you send for anyone, send for my sister."

Esther Prescott, wife of Richard Prescott, mariner, examined: "I saw the deceased, who is my sister, on Sunday last about noon. She remained about an hour and a half. When she left she said she should call in the evening if I would let her walk out with her sister, which I said I would do, but she never came. Her manner was then cheerful as usual. I had not seen her to speak to her till last Sunday for near two years, there having been a coldness between us. My husband told me on Sunday that she was coming. The deceased did not like her step-father; and in consequence seldom went to see her mother."

Sarah Baker examined: "I live with Mrs. Marsh, in Last Lane, and knew the deceased well, having been acquainted with her from childhood. On Monday she came to me about eleven o'clock, with a piece of paper, on which she wished me to write 'Two-pennyworth of Arsenic' in Mrs. Hiller's name, for her mistress did not like to have it in her own name. She further said her mistress had given her a note for the poison; but she had been up the shaft, and lost it. I would not write it, as I told her I believed she wanted it to poison a young Artilleryman. I said this in a laugh, when she went away, saying she could not stop long before she would serve him out. I saw her on Sunday between twelve and one o'clock, when she said she had been looking for an Artilleryman, named Peter Preel; and that she would try and find him before she went home. Deceased told me on Monday, she would get the poison where she used to get it when she lived with Mrs. Hillier.

Peter Preel, gunner, Royal Artillery, examined: "I have known the deceased about six weeks. I saw her on Monday evening in the street about seven o'clock, but we did not speak. I saw her also on Sunday morning while I was sentry on the bridge, at the Heights. She came up the steps; and then waiting a short time at the foot of the bridge, returned without speaking. She appeared as if she wished to speak to me. The last time I spoke to her, was Wednesday; when I told her I did not want to speak to her any more. She said 'If you won't speak to me, I'll haunt you always.' She used to follow me constantly, which I did not like. She never threatened before me, to destroy herself."

It now being near eleven o'clock, the Coroner observed that the evidence adduced did not appear sufficient for the Jury to come to any other than a general verdict; and the case being of some importance, under his direction the inquest was adjourned till Thursday; when the enquiry was again resumed, at eight o'clock.

John Thomas Harvey, Chemist, examined: "I recollect selling poison to a young woman on Monday, but do not know her name. She asked for twopenny-worth of arsenic for Mrs. Hiller. She had purchased arsenic of me about four months ago, which, she said was for Mrs. Hiller, whose son accompanied her. I served the poison in a white paper, with a printed label, "Arsenic - Poison." She has at other times bought salts of sorrel, which is a poison, and used in cleaning bonnets. There was nothing particular in her manner when she purchased the arsenic on Monday, which she said was to destroy rats."

The Coroner then summed up the evidence, and addressed the Jury, who retired to consider their verdict. After a short time the foreman, Mr. Hopley, returned, saying if it could be allowed, the Jury were anxious to have the evidence of Mr. T. Houghton's servant, as they had understood she could throw much light on this enquiry. The Coroner replied that if wished, the Jury had the power of calling further evidence, and issued a warrant for the attendance of-

Hannah Hoile, who being sworn said, "I knew the deceased, and saw her on Monday last between three and four o'clock, and she then told me she came to wish me good bye; on which I asked where she was going. She replied, not out of town; and I said, then why do you wish me good bye? She replied, you will soon find out, for news soon flies. I have found out the young man I walk with, nicely; and I don't like the news I hear about him. He walks with other young women; and I have never dreaded life as I have done for the last two or three days. I asked the deceased what she intended to do; and she replied, to poison myself. I thought nothing of this, as she had several times in the summer told me she should make off with herself. She appeared on Monday very low spirited, but was not wild or excited. The artilleryman's name is Preel; and deceased told me she was in the family way by him.

The Jury having again retired for a quarter of an hour, returned with a Verdict, "That deceased destroyed herself by taking poison during a temporary fit of insanity."

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 17 October, 1840. Price 5d.

DOVER POLICE COURT

Michael Moir, 34, a private in the 77th regiment of foot, was charged with stealing, on the 28th of August last, a basket, containing sundry articles of grocery, from Daniel Pound, a coast guardsman. From the evidence produced it appeared, that prosecutor, who is fond of "lifting his elbow very oft," came down to Dover on the evening in question, for some articles of grocery, and getting a leetle drop too much, in his ramblings up and down Snargate-street, encountered the prisoner, who being a brother lately from the Emerald Isle, shared in the bounty of the mountain dew. Having "stuffed both their skins," till Mr. Brewer, of the "Beehive" public house, perceived they were a little touched. They were reminded by the worthy host of the lateness of the hour, when they went away, and proceeded towards their destinations. They had not gone far, however, before the prisoner snatched the basket containing the grocery from Pound's hand, and made off with it. What became of Pound during the remainder of the night was not ascertained; certain it was he did not like the encounter the frowns of his amiable partner, and did not go home, but early in the morning found his way to the station-house, to give information of the robbery. On his way to the station-house, he met an artillery man, whom he recollected to have quarrelled with on the previous evening. The artillery-man, however, denied the charge, and assisted in finding the prisoner. The artillery-man said, that in the evening in question he believed that prosecutor and he had one blow between them; but he could not say who gave it. After committing the robbery, at appeared that the prisoner had amused himself with drinking potations, "pottle deep," at the "Rising Sun," public house, in company of a fair damsel of the name Dunn, to whom he communicated the intelligence of his late good fortune. She, however, gave information of the same to the police, and prisoner was taken into custody. Prisoner said the young woman he passed the night with gave him the articles that were found upon him, because she did not know what to do with them. She said she found them.

Sentenced to three months hard labour.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday, 18 October, 1845. Price 5d.

DEATH

October 22, at Dover, Mr. Samuel Brewer, plasterer, of the “Bee Hive Inn,” aged 54.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 31 January, 1846.

NARROW ESCAPE OF LIFE FROM THE FALL OF A WALL AT DOVER

One of the most miraculous preservations from impending danger and death that it has ever fallen our lot to record occurred in Snargate Street during the present week. We have been favoured from an authentic source with the principal facts, and, without entering upon a lengthened detail of all the particulars, are enabled to furnish the following:-

About midnight on Monday Mr. E. Bottle, grocer, of Snargate-street was disturbed by a noise, apparently like he falling of bricks, in the rear of his premises. Supposing that depredators were endeavouring to effect an entrance, he aroused the male inmates of his establishment, with whom he searched the yard &c., and for a while watched the back of his premises; but observing no indications rendering further precaution necessary, the whole then returned to rest, totally unconscious of their critical and perilous position. About three o'clock (Tuesday morning) Mr. Bottle was awakened by a loud crash, and on proceeding towards the supposed spot a brick struck his hand, and knocked out the light which he held. The fearful truth no flashed upon his mind - that the wall at the back had fallen against the house - and alarming the inmates, whose exit by the staircase was stopped by bricks, &c., he then called the assistance of the police, who promptly repaired to the spot, and procured ladders, by which all in the house, viz., Mr. and Mrs. Bottle, two Miss Frys, (who were staying on a visit,) two young men, and a maid-servant effected an escape in their night clothes from the front window, and were received by Mr. Squire, whom the alarm had aroused, and who in the kindest manner instantly supplied what the exigences of the case rendered necessary. After some time had elapsed it was found, on an examination of the premises, that the wall erected against a bank at the base of the cliff, about 30 feet in height, and the same in length, as well as some of the bank, had fallen, and partially destroyed a range of storehouses, and the parlour, some of the furniture of which was driven into the cellar, while portions of the fallen mass had forced their way into the very apartment where the Miss Frys slept, and who, but for the fortunate position of their bed, must have been crushed to death. At the dawn of the day the removal of the rubbish was commenced, and upwards of 200 loads have been already removed. We hear that Mrs. Bottle, who has recently purchased the premises, is a sufferer to the extent of about £400, and that the re-building of the destroyed building &c., will require an expenditure of 3 or £400 more.

The premises adjoining Mr. Bottle's also experienced the destructive effects of the calamitous occurrence. At Mrs. Brewer's (the "Bee Hive") large masses fell on a workshop and the kitchen, driving the materials into the tap-room, over which Mrs. Brewer was sleeping; but the head of the bed being placed against the wall, the progress of the large stones was checked, and a most providential escape thus afforded was speedily effected by the front door. Some loose rubbish fell, however, on the head of Mr's Brewers bed, and slightly grazed her face, while two pigs were actually forced into her bed-room. Mrs. Brewer, it will be remembered, was left a widow a short time since; and as the workshop contained several new models, &c., belonging to her son, to enable whom to carry on business a as plasterer she has expended all her means, this loss will indeed be most severely felt.

At Mr. Elgar's, fruiterer, a quantity of rubbish also fell through the roof into an attic where two of his sons were sleeping. The whole family were immediately aroused, and in a state of alarm rished into the street with only their bed clothes on, and were taken in by Mr. Squire, from whom they received the same humane treatment as was experienced by Mr. and Mrs. Bottle &c.