DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 27 September, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1777-

(Star and) Boot

Latest 1970

Church Hill

Sutton

Deal

Boot 1954

Above photo, circa 1954, taken a couple of years after Charrington's bought Thompson's Walmer Brewery and is one of a series showing the recently acquired pubs in their new livery, kindly sent by Michael Mirams and Rory Kehoe.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 27 November, 1970.

Boot at Sutton 1970

BOOT CLOSES DOWN AFTER 300 YEARS.

For the first time in 300 years there is no pub this week in the tiny village of Sutton near Dover. The "Boot" has closed its doors for the last time. The owners, Bass Charrington have decided to sell the public house as a cottage.

Licensee for the last eighteen months was Mrs. Betty Kay who took over from her husband George when he died, Together they ran the pub for about five years.

But it was not Mrs. Kay who called the final "Time gentleman please" on Wednesday night.

That unhappy task fell to farmer Mr. Cyril Wilson. Mrs. Kay had taken an off-licence at Hastings and Mr. Wilson - of Borneo Farm, Sutton - has been running the inn for her for the last three weeks.

The "Boot" - no-one seems to know the origin of its name  - has been selling drink for 300 years. Before that the premises existed with the ancient church on the opposite side of the road.

Legend has it that it was occupied by monks. And there is a story that once an underground passage ran from the cellars to the church.

Yesterday regulars were wondering where they shall now make their new local. nearest pubs are the "Butchers Arms," (closed in 2007) at Ashley and the "Plough Inn" at Ripple.

Until the end the "Boot" had an active darts team.

Regulars, at the weekend showed their appreciation to Mrs. Kay for her kindness as their land-lady.

Sutton has a good crime-free record. But recently a thief broke into the "Boot" by smashing the front window. He stole 930 cigarettes and 30 cigars. Detectives are investigating.

 

Also known as the "Star and Boot" when sold in 1822.

 

It appears to have been tied to a brewery owned by the prominent Sandwich family, the Wyborns to 1822. In 1764 William Wyborn, brewer, died and his business was left to his daughter Mary, who had married John Bradley. Their son, William Wyborn Bradley was born in 1752 William being described as "common brewer of Sandwich." William was elected Mayor Sandwich in 1785 and died in 1788. The Sandwich brewery and its tied estate of 27 pubs was eventually put up for "sale by private contract" by William's son (also called William Wyborn Bradley, born 1779) as advertised in the Kentish Gazette on 10th May 1822. I believe this is probably when the Star was removed from the name.

 

Unfortunately closed at the end of 1970.

 

Been informed that there is now a cottage that displays the name of "Boot", but no longer selling beer.

 

Former Boot at Sutton Former Boot at Sutton

The former Boot at Sutton, picture from Google Maps 2010.

 

Boot 2018

Above photo, 2018, kindly sent by Kevin Cox.

Boot air shot 2018

Above photo, 2018, kindly sent by Kevin Cox. The Boot is central.

From the Kentish Gazette, 28 June 1777.

To be sold publicly to the highest bidder, on Wednesday next, the 9th day of July, at 5 o'clock in the Evening, at the sign of the "Boot" at Sutton next Dover.

A neat and convenient Freehold Messuage, now in two dwellings, with the Garden, Orchard, and 3 roods of land (more or less) thereunto belonging; situate in the said parish of Sutton, and there in the several occupations of Henry Patterson and George Beer.

For particulars enquire at Messr's Lane and Thompson, Attorneys at Dover.

 

Kentish Gazette, 9 July 1844.

Valuable FREEHOLD PUBLIC HOUSES, at Sandwich, Word, Deal, Sutton, Northbourne, and Great Mongeham, in the County of Kent,

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, AT the "Three Horse Shoes," GREAT MONGEHAM, on THURSDAY, the 25th day of JULY, 1844, (unless previously disposed of by Private Contract, of which due notice will be given), subject to such conditions as will be then and there produced, in several Lots.

Also a FREEHOLD PUBLIC HOUSE, called the "Star and Boot," situate in the parish of SUTTON, next Dovor, with the outhouses and appurtenances thereto belonging, now in the occupation of Mr. William Friend.

The above Property forms a most desirable investment, and (if not forthwith Sold by Private Contract), will be offered for sale in convenient Lots, as will be expressed in future advertisements.

For Particulars, and to treat for the Purchase by Private Contract, apply at the Offices of Mr. Mourilan, Solicitor, Sandwich.

 

From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 24 April, 1869. 1d.

PETTY THEFT

Henry Clayson, labourer, of Ringwould, was brought up by P.C. Eaterman, charged with having, on the 16th inst., stolen a wooden spitoon, value eighteen-pence, from the "Boot Inn," Sutton, the property of Mr. T. Ratcliff.

Thomas Ratcliff deposed: I am landlord of the Boot Inn, Sutton. About nine o'clock on Friday night last the prisoner came into my house in company with several others and went into the tap-room. At the time they entered the room there were six spittoons there; but after the prisoner and his companions had left I missed one, and suspected the prisoner of stealing it. I therefore sent word to Ringwould for him to bring it back, and also informed him that if he did not do so I should take proceedings against him. I gave him till last night to return the spittoon. I said if he came and acknowledged the theft I would forgive him, I have not seen the prisoner from Friday till this morning. I don't know whether the message that I sent reached him or not. I do not wish to press the charge further than you gentleman like. I only want a stop put to this practise. The value of the spittoon is 1s. 6d.

P.C. Waterman said: I am one of the K.C.C., and am stationed at Great Mongeham. Yesterday, between ten and eleven o'clock I received information from Mr. Ratcliff, the last witness, that he had had a spittoon stolen from his tap-room, and that he suspected the prisoner of stealing it, and that he intended to prosecute it if he did not bring it back. I then went to Ringwould and made enquiries for the prisoner. I went to his house, and his mother came to the door. She said her son was upstairs abed, and at my request called him down. I asked him if he was at the "Boot," at Sutton, on Friday last, and he said, "Yes, I was." I then asked him if he saw anything taken from there, and he replied, "I took a spittoon from there." I said, "You acknowledge it then?" and he said, "Yes, I do." I told him that I must apprehend him and take him into custody, and he then offered to pay for the spittoon and said he would pay anything. That was about half-past seven o'clock in the evening. Prisoner also said he was very sorry for what he had done, and that he should not have taken the spittoon if he had been sober. I found that the prisoner had offered the spittoon for sale for a pot of beer at both of the public-houses in Ringwould, ("Lord Nelson" & "Five Bells") and that it had been ultimately broken up in the tap-room of the "Lord Nelson," and afterwards put on the fire.

The prisoner was remanded to Dover Petty Sessions, the Magistrates offering to accept bail.

The mother of the prisoner, in answer to Mr. Clarke, said her husband was minding sheep in the Marshes, and at the suggestion of the Bench left the court for the purpose of securing his attendance to enter into recognizance's of £5 for his sons appearance at Dover on the 20th of May next.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 3 September, 1886. 1d.

WINGHAM BREWSTER SESSIONS

Superintendent Kewell reported: I have the honour to place before you a list of ale houses, and grocers, and other licensed to sell spirits, wine, and beer within that part of the Wingham Division under my superintendence, and am pleased to report that the whole of them have been well conducted during the past year, but I think it my duty to inform you that James Gilham, the landlord of the “Boot” at Sutton has been twice convicted during the last six months for being drunk whilst in charge of a horse and cart on the public highway, having been previously cautioned for similar offences.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 22 September, 1922.

LICENSING

The landlord of the "Boot," Sutton, applied for permission to remain open from 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the occasion of a farm sale on October 10th.

On the suggestion of the Police the application was granted to 5 p.m. so that the house should be closed for an hour before opening time.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

FRIEND William 1844-51+ (age 55 in 1851Census)

PARKER William 1858+

RADCLIFF Thomas 1861-78+ Post Office Directory 1874Dover Express (also carrier age 53 in 1871Census)

POTT Edwin 1881-82+ (also gardener age 34 in 1881Census) Post Office Directory 1882

GILHAM Gilbert James 1886-99+ Dover ExpressKelly's 1899

THOMAS Henry 1901-03+ (age 44 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1903

ATHERTON John to Aug/1909 Next pub licensee had Dover Express

POLLARD Arthur John 1911-13+ (age 47 in 1911Census) Post Office Directory 1913

MATCHAM William 1918-Jan/1920

COTTERALL T W Jan/1920+ Deal Mercury

COTTERILL Mrs Ada 1922+ Deal MercuryPost Office Directory 1922

ELLENDER Maurice Richard to May/1929 Dover Express

DURBAN/DURHAM/BURTON Frank William George May/1929-Nov/37 Kelly's 1934Dover Express

BOWEN Mr A Nov/1937-Jan/41 dec'd Dover Express

BOWEN Elizabeth Jan/1941+ Dover Express

https://pubwiki.co.uk/Boot.shtml

 

The Dover Express report Arthur Pollard was formerly a Royal Marines pensioner, of the Gardener's Cottage, Ripple.

 

Post Office Directory 1874From the Post Office Directory 1874

Post Office Directory 1882From the Post Office Directory 1882

Kelly's 1899From the Kelly's Directory 1899

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Post Office Directory 1913From the Post Office Directory 1913

Post Office Directory 1922From the Post Office Directory 1922

Dover ExpressFrom the Dover Express

Deal MercuryFrom the Deal Walmer & Sandwich Mercury

CensusCensus

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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