DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Sunday, 17 September, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1740-

Dog

Latest 1921+

Hubbler Place

Clambercrown

Upper Hardres Road

Bossingham

Former Dog at Clambercrown Former Dog at Clambercrown

Both photos above showing the former "Dog" at Clambercrown near Kingston. Photos by Peter Burness.

Bossingham map 1896

Above map 1896.

 

Reference found in the Wingham Division Ale Licence list, which shows the "Dog," Kingstone (spelt with an extra "e"), to be re-licensed for the sum of 8 shillings in 1740 indicating that the pub was present before 1740.

The Kely's Directory of 1903 gave this as being at Kingston, Canterbury. Margaret Smith tells me that this is indeed true but the powers that be moved the parish boundaries again around the 1990s.

The Swing riots of 1830, set off from an impoverished state of farm workers and the introduction of machinery that were killing their livelihood by putting them out of work; one machine doing the work of many labourers. Starting in the South East, the Swing Rioters smashed the threshing machines and threatened farmers who had them. The name Swing being associated with the signature of a Captain Swing whose signature appeared on such threatening letters. Local Elham historian Derek Boughton writes the following:-

One of Francis Castle's sons, who lived at Bossingham, reported after ten o'clock that there were 7 or 8 men coming from Stelling Minnis. Dodd mounted his horse and rode to his nearest magistrate, John Bell at Bourne Park, who authorised him to go to the barracks in Canterbury and get military assistance.

John Fairman, who worked for Dodd, also lived at Bossingham. He says “about 11 at night about 20 or 30 passed with great noise of whistling singing and hallooing.

In the meantime, as predicted the Elham and Bladbean men had met up at the "Dog" at Clambercrown, which is in a very remote spot just beyond Palmstead, and some time after 11 the whole party got to Hardres Court, where they pulled the two machines, which were hired from John Holman of Canterbury and Thomas Harnett of Newington next Sittingbourne, out of the barn and smashed them.

John Fairman continues: “At Hardres Court, there was knocking as of breaking iron for half an hour, three loud cheers, then they dispersed, the greater part towards Elham, some to Stelling Minnis passed my house.

John Whitnall, waggoner to Mr Dodd, confirms that the parties separated at Hardres Rectory, and he recalls three things he heard them say: “The great wheel has broke our hammers”, “Remember Monday night”, and “You Stellingers go that way, and the Elhamers this”.

The Elhamers in fact went back via the "Dog", where they got the landlord up and had three or four gallons of beer. It was paid for, but there appears to be some mystery as to who actually did so.

 

Jacelyn BrookFurther research suggests this may be the same public house as described by Jocelyn Brooke (picture left) in the book "Dog at Clambercrown." The book is a semi-autobiographical novel following the pattern of Brooke's previous work "The Orchid Trilogy" but reveals a more homoerotic nature. The book uses the pub at Clambercrown as a metaphor for the unattainability of adulthood from a child's perspective.

The Dog at Clambercrown book

 

From RAMBLES AROUND FOLKESTONE BY "FELIX."

"CLAMBERCROWN" AND "THE DOG."

Take a large scale map of Kent, and you will find what great patches of woodland are marked to the north of Elham. In addition to North Elham Park, Clever Tie, there are West Wood, Elham Park, and the Great Covet Wood, which alone spreads itself over 1,000 acres.

These great woodlands are practically joined together, and one can walk for hours through scenes which suggest "a thousand miles from any where." On Sunday my route was entirely off the main roads. Solitude! Here it is. But yet no solitude. There is an endless feast of delight for the observer. It is indeed good to have the companionship of Nature for a few hours away from the stress and battle of life. On the "Clambercrown" I saunter easily along. The farm houses are few and far between. A human being is a rarity. Look! There are two or three fluttering objects! What are they? Specimens of the lovely clouded yellow butterfly. In the sunshine their colours show grandly against the deep green foliage.

Only a momentary glance, yet one to be remembered. But I make no secret about it I want "The Dog." After a considerable spell of more quiet walking, I arrived in front of another farm building. Some of the hands were resting over the gate. I enquired "Where's 'The Dog'?" In chorus they directed me up a narrow lane, and added: "When you come to a signpost take to the road leading to Lower Hardres; then you will find 'The Dog' on the left-hand side." And sure enough, on the confines of "The Covet" was a small inn. Where is the custom, you will ask, to maintain it I entered, and felt entitled to ask for refreshment. As the saying goes, "I could do with it." Through its very solitude, "The Dog" is famous. It is owned by a pair of "originals" a middle-aged brother and sister of the name of Philpott. Both unmarried, they have lived their lives here, amidst these surroundings, as their parents did before them.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 12 July 1842.

EAST KENT.

Ospringec, Faversham, Canterbury, Blean, Harbledown, Whitstable, Kingston, Bishopsbourne, Hardres, Chartham, and Snave, in Romney Marsh.

MR. JOHN POUT Begs to announce that he has received instructions to offer by PUBLIC AUCTION, AT the "Royal Fountain Hotel," CANTERBURY, on MONDAY, the 29th, and TUESDAY the 30th days of AUGUST next, at Eleven o'clock each day (unless the same, or any part thereof, shall be previously disposed of by Private Contract, of which due notice will be given), the following lots of very desirable FREEHOLD PROPERTY, viz:—

Lot 46.— A PUBLIC HOUSE, called the Dog, with the garden and pasture LAND, containing 8a. 2r. 35p., more or less, situate in GREAT HARDRES and KINGSTONE aforesaid, or one of them, in the occupation of Mr. Holtuin and Mr. Philpot.

 

From the Folkestone Herald, 2 January, 1926.

ABOUT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD By Felix

The “Dog” is No More.

In order to stretch the limbs and walk of the extra fare at Christmas a party of half a dozen young citizens took train to Elham on Boxing Day, their real objective being the lonely and isolated inn known as the “Dog” at Chambercrown. Out of all the thousands in Folkestone how many have tramped, as I have often done, across a part of Rhodes Minnis, through Wheelbarrow Town (about a dozen houses0 and on through densely wooded country to Clambercrown. As I wrote once in my “Rambles,” one could imagine themselves out here in the centre of Africa, so far as loneliness is concerned. The “Dog” stood on the borders of the great Covet Wood, and the license was jointly held by Miss Philpott, widely known over the countryside as “Lizzie” and her brother John. They were what might be described as a couple of “characters.” They belonged, it would almost seem, to a past age. One lived, as it were, a hundred years ago in that old place. There was a great open fireplace with lintel, a chimney corner on either side. Coal was almost an unknown quantity up yonder. On the hearth generally smouldering a big log. From the chimney hung a chain with a big hook at the end. From this was usually hanging an immense iron pot. There was no bar in the accepted sense of the word. Customers were accommodated in a kind high-backed pew, whilst the necessary beverages were served from behind a screen. I had the pleasure of conducting several little parties up yonder, amongst that my departed friend, the late Mr. Andrew Bromley, who sketched the fire place.

The Jersey had “Run Dry.”

I cannot resist a smile even now when I recall how one Saturday afternoon a little party of us had tea at the “Dog.” Mr. Bromley was one of that party. It was left to my humble self to ask dear old Lizzy if she could provide us with tea. She consented. After some delay the tea was placed on the table. Where, however was the milk? On enquiry we were informed that the Jersey cow (which grazed in an adjoining meadow) had “run dry!” There was no milk in the house, and no neighbouring farm where we could secure a supply. We consented then to partake of the beverage without milk. We desired an egg each, but back came the information that there were only three in the nests. As a result we had to toss, the odd man standing out. We “enjoyed,” too, spread on slices of bread, what is known as “crock” butter. This was of a varied colour – a queer mixture. However, we pulled through somehow, and really enjoyed the fun. I know of a certain Councillor and his wife who tramped across to the famous “Dog” on a certain Bank Holiday. Their intention was to partake of lunch at the old inn. They experienced a shock. When the aforesaid Councillor asked for “lunch for two” the good old landlady replied that they did not do that kind of thing up at Clambercrown. As there was no other form of food available in the house, it was a case of tramping on in a semi-exhausted state to Bishopsbourne. I was stranded up that way in a similar manner some years ago. I tramped over from Barham, across “Heart's Delight,” and then up through the mazes of the Covet Wood. I had forgotten to take any sandwiches, or other form of food. I asked one of the joint proprietors if they had any bread and cheese. The old lady replied slowly, “yes,” but added “Not for sale.” I don't mind admitting that at the time I felt what is known as a bit faint. There were two haymakers sitting in the “pew” before referred to. One of these eyed me up and down several times and at length remarked: “I ‘eered you ask for a bit o' bread and cheese.” He then dived into the recesses of a rush basket and brought out what might be termed a good hunk of bread and cheese and what is known in the rural districts as a “thumb piece.” This Christian gentleman (and so he was) remarked: “Take yer choice. Yer welcome.” This was pretty good, thought I, for a stranger, I accepted the “thumb piece.” This was a nice slice of home-made bread, on the top of which was a layer or two of nicely pickled pork. Well, I showed my gratitude to the farmer-hand friend in some other form than words. I have attended many a banquet at the principle hotels in Folkestone and other places since that now distant date, but never have I enjoyed anything with more real rest than I did that “thumb” piece from the old rush basket.

Only a Memory.

I had heard from several sources that of late the old inn, owing to lack of custom, had closed its doors for good. Since the Philpott's relinquished it, others have “tried their hand” at the place, but to no purpose. The “Dog” has “gone to the dogs” through lack of trade. No one can quite understand how a living was ever made up there. There are a few who, as I have said, penetrated through “the unknown” to the old place, but there are thousands (and some of then that pride themselves on a knowledge of the countryside) who never did reach that “promised land.” I am sorry my young friends on Boxing Day had a lost journey in a certain sense, but I am glad to have the means of introducing them to as glorious a stretch of country as is to be found around those parts. The roads are better now, and thus there has been less difficulty in reaching Clambercrown, but at the time I am referring to the narrow highways were covered with jagged field flints. Thus another old and quaint institution has vanished. Around that country, including Lower Hardres, I have spent some of the best times of my life.

 

LICENSEE LIST

QUESTED Henry 1740+ Wingham Ale Licences 1740

PHILPOTT John 1840-41+ (age 77 in 1841Census)

PHILPOTT Stephen 1847-84+ Bagshaw's Directory 1847Melville's 1858Post Office Directory 1882 (also blacksmith age 56 in 1861Census)

PHILPOTT John 1891-1913+ (age 43 in 1891Census) Kelly's 1899Kelly's 1903Post Office Directory 1913

PHILPOTT Elisa to June/1921 Dover Express

GRAY James June/1921+ Dover Express

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

http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/dog.html

 

Wingham Ale Licences 1740From Wingham Division Ale Licences 1740 Ref: KAO - QRLV 3/1

Bagshaw's Directory 1847From Bagshaw Directory 1847

Melville's 1858From Melville's Directory 1858

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

Dover ExpressFrom the Dover Express

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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