75 Stour Street / Hawks Lane
Canterbury
Above photo, circa 1900, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Showing what is
believed to be the pub to the right of the weather boarded building on
the left. |
Above map 1874 identified by Rory Kehoe. |
Above map 1874 identified by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, date unknown. Shown as part of a builders yard. |
Above photo, September 2017, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |

Location on map 1874, identified by Rory Kehoe. |
Described as the corner of Hawks Lane and Stour Street. The Licensing
lists of 1692 mentioned this as "The Sign of London" and mentioned the
billeting of 4 soldiers.
The pub closed in 1912 and subsequently became part of Messrs. Wiltshiers
complex of buildings including a builders yard
Kentish Gazette - Friday 7 September 1798.
PUBLIC HOUSE TO BE LET, AND ENTERED UPON IMMEDIATELY.
The House, known by the name or sign of the "City of London" opposite
the Workhouse in this city.
The draught of beer and porter is
very considerable, and not advertised for the want of persons disposed
to treat for it, but merely to obtain a fair rent, according to the
trade.
For particulars apply to Mr. Starr, Attorney at Law, in St. Alphage Lane.
This will not be advertised any more.
Canterbury, Sept. 1798.
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From the Canterbury Poor Law Union General Court
Minutes, 25 February 1820.
‘Messrs Worthy & Moss to survey & ascertain
the Dilapidations of the "City of London" public House. That Messieurs
Worthy and Moss Surveyors Survey and ascertain the Dilapidations of the
Messuage or Tenement Called or known by the Sign of the "City of London"
and premises in the parish of Saint Margaret in the said City late in
the Tenure or occupation of Southee Wear as undertenant to Thomas Flint
late of the same City but now of Thannington Esquire, the late Lessee of
the same premises, which Lease expired on the sixth day of July last
past.'
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From the Kentish Gazette, 5 July 1836.
An accident, which was nigh being attended with fatal consequences,
occurred to the wagon of Mr. Petts,
of the "City of London tavern," in this city, on Thursday morning last.
The wagon, in which were the boards,
lamps, devices, and canvas used by Mr. Petts in the erection of his
capacious and elegant booth, was
proceeding down White Horse Hill, near Folkestone, when the skid, owing
to the wagoner’s heedlessly neglecting to attach the guard chain, flew out, and the vehicle and all
its contents were instantly prostrated
to the earth. The wagon had travelled nearly seventy miles since the
preceding Sunday evening, and the
men accompanying it had left the top only a few minutes before the
occurrence. Had they continued their
seats the most dreadful accidents must have ensued. Mr. Petts has
sustained great loss by the injury of the
articles we have above-named, as well as the destruction of bottles and
jars filled with wines, spirits, and
porter. Too much care cannot be used by wagoners in driving heavily
laden vehicles down such precipices
as those converted into turnpike roads in the neighbourhood of the sea
coast.
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From the Kentish Gazette 16 January 1838.
DEATH.
Jan. 8, Richard, son of Mr. Gibbon Ladd, of the "City of London"
public-house, in this city, aged 14 years.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 19 May 1840.
TO BE LET BY TENDER.
By order of the Guardians of the Poor of the City of Canterbury, on
Lease for 14 years from the 6th day of July, 1840.
ALL that MESSUAGE, TENEMENT, or INN, called or known by the name or sign
of the "CITY of LONDON," the yard and appurtenances thereunto belonging,
situate, lying, and being at the corner of Stour-street, in
Hawke’s-lane, in the parish of St. Margaret, in the city of Canterbury,
and now in the tenure or occupation of George Kilner.
Tenders to be sent to the Workhouse, sealed up, before Three o’clock of
the afternoon of FRIDAY, the 22nd day of May, 1840.
The Guardians will not be bound to lake the highest Tender, bat that
which may appear to them most eligible.
For further particulars, and conditions of letting, apply at the
Workhouse, Canterbury; or to Mr. John Nutt, solicitor. No. 61, Burgate-street,
Canterbury.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 7 February 1843.
CANTERBURY POLICE—Monday, Feb. 6.
James Baker was charged with stealing a sheep, the property of Mr.
Robert Young, and Susan Milgate was charged as an accomplice.
It appeared by the evidence of Inspector Bradley, that from information
be received he suspected the prisoners of the theft, and, accompanied by
Policeman Spratt, found the male prisoner at the "City of London," and
conveyed him to the Station-house. He afterwards went to the "Star Tap"
where he found the female prisoner, and told her Mr. Young had lost a
sheep, and he suspected it was at at her house. She denied all knowledge
of it. He took her to her house in Fortune's passage, and found the
sheep nearly whole, and also the skin. She then began to cry, and said,
he (meaning the male prisoner) had brought her to it, and the sooner she
was transported the better.
The skin was sworn to by Mr. Young's shepherd, to having marked it with
a pitch mark R.Y. a short time before.
Another witness named Barton stated that he saw Baker on Friday evening
come down Wincheap with a sack on his shoulder containing something
heavy, but he did not know what it contained.
The prisoners, who had nothing to say in defence, were committed for
trial.
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Kentish Gazette, 10 September 1850.
On the annual licensing day (Thursday last) our city magistrates
suspended the following licenses:-
"Military Tavern," King Street;
"Eight
Bells," King Street;
"Duke of York," Riding Gate;
"Kentish Arms," Jewry
Lane;
"Eagle," Whitehorse Lane;
"Golden Cross," Northgate;
"Queen's
Head," Northgate;
"City of London," Tower Street;
"Duke's Head," Wincheap;
"True Briton," Northgate;
"Royal George," Northgate;
"Queen's
Arms," Northgate; and
"Three Grenadiers," Military Road.
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Kentish Gazette, 18 May 1852.
Lawrence M'Carthy and John White, two privates in the 58th Regt. of
foot, were charged with violently and criminally assaulting Harried
Knott, a girl above 20 years of age, in a field near the Military
Hospital. White stuffed a handkerchief in her mouth, to prevent her
screaming, and afterward drew a knife and threatened to murder her, if
she resisted, and demanded all the money she had—and searched her
pockets. The defence set up by them both, was, they only saw the girl in
the "City of London" public house, but did not go out with her, end that
they were in the barracks by nine o'clock, and requested that the
orderly Serjeant might be sent for, who would prove their being in the
barracks. he was sent for, and he stated they were absent. The charge
was fully proved against them both, and they were fully committed to
take their trial at the next Maidstone assizes.
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Kentish Gazette, 21 September 1852.
Thursday. Licensing.
This being the adjourned licensing day, those parties, whose licences
had been suspended, again attended, and after
receiving animadversion for their irregularity of conduct, had their
licences granted, but with a decided caution that if again
complaints were made against them they would not have their licences in
future.
These parties were:- John Stairs, of the "Eight Bells," King Street;
John Noble, "Kentish Arms;"
George Kilner, "City of London;"
John Jordan, "White Heart;"
John Gillis, "Bricklayers' Arms;"
Elizabeth Forbes, "Oddfellows Arms;"
John Murphy, "Carpenter's Arms;"
Richard Wellard, "George and Dragon," Westgate;
Joseph Pentecost, "Royal George;"
and George Crow, "Rose and Crown."
Applications for New Licences.
Thomas Rodgers, of the "Sir Robert Peel" beer shop;
David Tuthwell, "True
Britain;"
and Edward Gordon, "Pine Apple,"
applied
for spirit licences, but which were refused.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 3 November 1857.
CANTERBURY POLICE COURT.
Wednesday. (Before William Mount, Esq., and Captain Love)
Charles Hines, a private in the 6th regiment, was charged with
having, in company with other men of the same regiment, been guilty
of riotous conduct and violent assaults upon several persons.
It appeared that on Tuesday night a disturbance took place in the
"City of London" public house, between some militia men and privates
of the 6th. Two or three of the soldiers were hurt, and a labourer
received some severe injuries. Afterwards the soldiers passed along
Northgate Street Nourishing their belts and striking every one who
came in their way. A young man named George Philips was quietly
passing by, when he received repeated blows on the face, which had
the effect of completely closing one eye and inflicting other
injuries. Philips was in court, but he expressed himself unable to
identify the prisoner or any of the men who assaulted him. He was
not even looking at them at the time. Corporal Payne, of the 17th
Lancers, with a private of that regiment, was passing when the
assault was committed, and being appealed to by the bystanders,
attempted to quiet the men, but the 6th then attacked them also, and
we understood that the corporal’s face was covered with blood from a
blow on the head. Police-constable Epps came up and succeeded in
capturing the prisoner, but the others made their escape, leaving
two belts behind them. The belts were produced, and one was covered
with blood.
Corporal Payne said he made no charge against the prisoner for the
assault upon himself. He only interfered to protect the civilians,
and it was for them to make a charge if they thought proper. He did
not see Hines strike any one, though he was certainly behaving in a
manner unworthy of a soldier. He (the corporal) hoped his statement
would not be mentioned, for if the prisoner were dealt with by the
military authorities for the assault upon himself, he might be
liable to transportation.
The Bench said the particulars of the case must be given, whatever
the consequence to the accused.
P.C. Epps identified the prisoner as one of the party, but did not
sec him strike any person.
Under these circumstances the Bench considered that the case had
better be given into the hands of the military authorities, and Mr.
Superintendent Clements was directed to acquaint Captain Gore with
the particulars of the case, and meanwhile to retain the man in
custody.
Mr. Clements subsequently reported that Captain Gore had expressed
his thanks to the civil power for retaining the prisoner in custody,
and had sent an escort for him. He also stated that the other men
who participated in the disturbance were in the guard-house, and
that no doubt need be entertained of their being properly punished.
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Dover Express 29 August 1863.
EPITOME OF COUNTY NEWS.
At the Canterbury Police County, the other day, Henry Easton, landlord
of "City of London," Canterbury, was fined 7s. 6d. and costs for having
his house open for the sale of liquor after 11 o'clock on the previous
Sunday night.
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From the Canterbury Journal, 7 January 1865.
Sudden Death.
On Friday morning Sarah Elliott, an old woman, 79 years of age, who
resided in Stour-street, was found dead in bed. On the evening of
the same day an inquest was held at the "City of London"
public-house, before Mr. Coroner Delasaux, when the jury returned a
verdict of "Death from natural causes."
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From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 27 July 1867. Price 1d.
TRANSFER OF A LICENSE
At the Canterbury Police Court, on Thursday, the Magistrates, (the
Mayor, W. Plummer, Esq., and J. Hemery, Esq.,) transferred the license
of the “City of London" public-house from Mr. Milles to Mary Ann
Godfrey.
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From the Whitstable Times, 14 June, 1902.
SUICIDE OF A LABOURER AT CANTERBURY.
An inquest was held by the City Coroner (Dr. T. S. Johnson), at the
Guildhall on Monday afternoon, touching the death of Terry Miles, a
labourer, lodging at, the “City of London,” Stour Street, Canterbury.
Mr. O. Hollamby was elected foreman of the Jury.
Joseph Nicholls Pilcher stated that deceased was his wife’s brother, and
was a labourer, and lodged at the “City of London,” Stour Street. He was
about 51 years old. Witness saw him last Thursday at 6.30 p.m., when he
seemed cheerful and healthy. He saw deceased on Tuesday last when he
seemed comfortable and happy. Witness never thought he would do such a
thing as take his life. He was a sober men to the best of witness’s
knowledge.
William Gales, labourer, and a lodger at the “City of London,” stated
that he had known deceased for about four years. On Monday morning at
5.30 he went down to the w.c. at the back of the house, and there found
deceased suspended by a rope. Witness cut the body down. He last saw
deceased the night before, when he seemed in his usual health.
Stephan Blundell, landlord of the “City of London” public house, stated
he had known deceased four or five years. He was always a quiet and
reserved man. Deceased came home on Tuesday and witness said “No work
to-day?” Deceased said “No.” He was going to have a holiday on his own,
as everyone had the previous day, owing to peace. Deceased then went
out. Witness saw him on Sunday, when he was cheerful and about the same
as usual. He did not complain of anything. Between 5.30 and 6 o'clock
that morning the last witness called him. Witness went down at once and
assisted to cut the body down, and while the police were being sent for
he used artificial respiration.
P.C. Reynolds stated that at about ten minutes to six o’clock that
morning he was called to the “City of London” public house. On arriving
there he found deceased lying on his beck with his mouth open. The
landlord sent for Mr. Prentice.
Mr. Prentice, surgeon, stated that at about 5.46 that morning he was
called to the public house, where he saw deceased lying on his beck
dead. He saw the marks of a rope on his neck. Witness considered death
due to strangulation.
The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide whilst of unsound mind.”
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Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 14 February 1903.
CANTERBURY BREWSTER SESSIONS.
CHIEF CONSTABLE’S REPORT.
I have given notice of objection to the following houses:-
"City of London," Stour Street.— That this house is used as a common
lodging house; that the premises are in an unsanitary and unsafe
condition; that the premises are not properly adapted for police
supervision, and that the licence is not required to meat the wants of
the neighbourhood.
THE CITY OF LONDON, STOUR STREET.
The Chief-Constable stated that he had visited the "City of London,"
Stour Street. The present tenant had held the license for about ten
years. He objected to the license being renewed on the grounds that the
house was used as a common lodging house. It was, he said, in a bad
state of repair and the sanitary condition was only fair.
The City Surveyor. Mr. A. C. Tarleyy, gave evidence as to the condition
if the house, which he said was unsafe.
Mr. Drury, who applied for the renewal of the licence, called Mr. Gerald
Adams, surveyor, and Mr. F. P. Gentry, builder, both of whom said the
house was in a safe condition.
The tenant was called to give evidence, and after hearing it the
Chairman said the decision of the Bench would be announced at the close
of the sitting.
THE DECISIONS. SIX RENEWALS REFUSED
The Magistrates retired for the purpose of considering the cases. On
their return into Court the Chairman said the Magistrates had given a
great deal of consideration to the cases having regard to the
consequences of their decisions. In the case of the "City of London" the
Justices had decided that it must stand over in order that plans could
be submitted and approved for the alterations required by the police and
the Surveyor. The plans would have to be submitted by the 21st inst., so
that they might be considered before the adjourned Sessions to be held
on the 25th, and an undertaking would have to be given that the plans
would be carried out to the satisfaction of the police and the Surveyor.
The Sessions were then adjourned until February 25th.
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LICENSEE LIST
CULVER John 1792+
BARBER William 1797+
FOWLER Thomas 1801+
WEAR Southee 1820+
LEPINE William 1824-31+

(Wincheap Street)
BASSETT George 1832+

PETTS Mr 1836+
LADD Gibbon 1838-40+
 
KILNER George 1847-52+

BOYLE G 1855+
WEST Joseph 1858+

HOBDAY E 1862+
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EASTON Henry 1863+
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MILLES/MILES Mr to July/1867
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GODFREY Mary Ann July/1867-68+
 
ELDRIDGE William H (widow age 61 in 1871 )
ELDRIDGE Miss Charlotte 1874-78+

NICHOLS Frederick 1881-82 (Beer retailer) (age 43 in 1881 )
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NEWMAN Thomas 1882+

WHITCOMBE J 1888
BEST Henry 1889+

BLUNDELL Stephen 1902-11+ (age 62 in 1911 )

https://pubwiki.co.uk/CityofLondon.shtml
From the Pigot's Directory 1824
From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29
From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
Stapleton's
Guide 1838
From the Pigot's Directory 1840
From Bagshaw Directory 1847
From Melville's Directory 1858
From the Post Office Directory 1862
Greens
Canterbury Directory 1868
From the Post Office Directory 1874
Census
From the Post Office Directory 1882
From the Kelly's Directory 1882
Historic
Canterbury web site www.machadoink.com
Whitstable Times
and Herne Bay Herald
From the Dover Express
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