DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Monday, 13 November, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1708

Drum Inn

Open 2020+

Stone Street

Stanford

01303 812125

http://www.thedruminn.com/

https://whatpub.com/drum-inn

Drum 1905

Above postcard 1905, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Drum 1920

Above postcard 1920, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Drum Inn 2007

Above photos, 24 October 2007, taken by Eric Hartland.

Drum Inn painting

Above painting date unknown.

 

Following information taken from their website. 2014.

The ‘Drum Inn' was built during the reign of Queen Anne (1702-1714) in the year 1708 and was originally called ‘Ye Olde Drum.'

It was built at a time when this part of Kent maintained a high level of military activity and was frequented regularly by the Duke of Marlborough's regiment, whose uniform colours are depicted in the sign outside.

In the mid-eighteenth century, the Inn was used as the headquarters for the recruiting officer who, supported by a small contingency of soldiers and a ‘drummer boy', would set out daily, making their way through the neighbouring countryside seeking the enlistment of young men eager to serve the crown.

In 1760, a fierce battle took place at the foot of Stone Street between a gang of smugglers and revenue men. The leader of the smugglers, one Samuel Jackson, shot and killed a revenue officer and wounded another before being captured and subsequently hanged. Two members of his gang escaped and took refuge in an old stone barn that stood where the car park is today.

They were found and flogged in the courtyard to the obvious delight of the soldiers at the Inn. They were sent to Maidstone to await trial and eventually they too were hanged.

In the late eighteenth century, Revenue men used the Inn as a watchtower in their fight against smuggling. It was a common sight in those days to observe running battles between smugglers and riding officers along Stone Street.

When the stone barn was pulled down to make way for the car park, a hoard of treasures were found, including two tubs of contraband gin, a smuggler's flash, a blunderbuss pistol and the original Inn Sign from which the colours were used for today's sign.

 

Kentish Gazette, 1 May, 1804.

DIED.

Died on the 24th inst. at Stanford, much respected, Mr. John Cooper, master of the "Drum" public house at the above place.

 

Kent Gazette Reports 10 May 1805.

A watch, and some gloves and stockings were stolen out of a bed-room at the "Drum," at Standford, on Thursday last, by some person who went up stairs and carried off the same unobserved.

 

Kent Gazette Reports 10 May 1805.

A watch, and some gloves and stockings were stolen out of a bed-room at the "Drum," at Standford, on Thursday last, by some person who went up stairs and carried off the same unobserved.

 

Kentish Gazette, 25 May 1852.

For Sale.

That Valuable freehold public house, the "Drum Inn," with Butchers shop, Slaughterhouse, Stables, Granary, Bullock-lodge, all in excellent repair. With 2 acres of superior pasture land adjoining; situate in the parish of Stamford; being half a mile north of the Westenhanger Station of the South Eastern railway.

For further particulars, and to treat for the same, apply to Mr. C Hammon, the proprietor, on the premises.

 

Kentish Gazette, 5 October 1852.

To be sold by private contract.

An old established free public house, in full trade, called the "Drum," together with about 2 acres of rich meadow land, all adjoining, situated at Stanford, near the Westenhanger station, on the South Eastern Railway. In addition to a flourishing business as publican, carried on by the present proprietor for many years, he has conducted that other butcher on the same premises, suitable buildings being erected thereon for the purpose. To any person competent to conduct the two occupations, the present offers are rare opportunity for interesting his capital and Industry. The property is all freehold and immediate possession maybe had.

For further particulars apply to Mr. James Worsford, Estate Agent, Dover.

 

South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 8 March 1859.

Accident.

A few nights since, as Mr. Richards, late of the "Drum Inn," Stanford, Mr. Roalfe, miller, Stanford, and Mr. Dyason, of the "Royal Oak Inn," Newingreen, were proceeding home in a fly from a concert at Sandgate, the fly came in violent collisions with the corner of the barracks, at the west end. Both of the hind wheels were broken from the vehicle, which was also otherwise damaged. The occupants were very much shaken by the fall, and one was with great difficulty extricated from his uncomfortable position, but fortunately no serious consequences ensued.

 

Dover Express, Friday 10 May 1895.

Notice.

To graziers, or whoever it may concern. If the sheep left from exhaustion at the "Drum Inn," Stanford, be not fetched away by Wednesday noon next, May 15th, it will be sold to pay expenses.

Frank Hart.

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 7 July 1888.

A Drover Killed Near Elham.

On Tuesday lastly East Kent Coroner (R. M. Mercer, Esq.) held an inquest at the "Drum Inn," Stanford, on the body of Charles Jarvis Searle, commonly called "Daisy," or "Chatterbox," aged about 44, a drover, residing at Canterbury, who was supposed to have met his death by falling off a colt which he had been engaged to take from Canterbury to Sellindge.

Mr. Arthur Randall Davis, surgeon, stated that he was summoned by the police to see the deceased on Sunday last at 3:30. He found him dead. He (witness) examined him carefully and in his opinion he had not been dead 24 hours. He was bleeding from the left ear and nostril and had a bruise over his right temple which looked as if it had been caused by falling on the ground. Death was no doubt called by paralysis, brought on by the fracture of the base of the skull.

James Adam Searle said he lived at 2, Quay Street, Sittingbourne. Deceased was his brother, and 44 years of age; he was a single man.

Mr. Harry Long said he sent deceased with a 3 year old horse, which had no shoes, from Canterbury to Sellindge Court Lodge. He had known the man for several years. Deceased started about 11; he ought to have been home between 5 and 6. Next day witness's man discovered that the deceased of passed the "George." He sent to the police and heard a man had been found dead, and he found it was deceased. He found the colt in a meadow at Lyminge. He gave particular instructions to deceased not to ride it. Deceased was sober when he had the job.

John Stickells said on Saturday at 5 p.m. as he was cutting clover, he saw a colt come into the field. He caught it, and then went down the road and saw a man lying by the side of it. He asked him if the horse was his, but he could not hear what he said. He left him, as he thought he was drunk.

The jury returned a verdict that death was caused by paralysis from fracture of the base of the skull, caused by accident.

It appears that the colt was purchased by Mr. Long of Mr. G. Wood, horse dealer, in Canterbury, on Saturday.

 

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald 4 September 1915.

LICENSING.

The license of the "Drum Inn," Stanford, was transferred from Mrs. Graham to Mr. W. Harris.

The Chairman said it was the desire of the Bench to impress upon all licensees the necessity for great caution to be observed in serving soldiers with liquor, and especially soldiers who were in a state of convalescence at coming out of hospital. The Magistrates hoped all licensees would be very careful in this matter.

 

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, Saturday 23 June 1917.

Elham County Bench. Drum Inn, Stanford.

Mr. G. W. Haines made application for temporary transfer of the licence of the Drum Inn," Stanford, from Mr. Harris to Mr. F. Clayson. It was stated that Mr. Harris had already been obliged to leave Stanford on account of ill health, and Mr. Clayson and had for 9 years held the licence of the "Rose and Crown, Elham. His intention was to manage the "Drum" himself and his wife and two sons the manage the "Rose and Crown."

Superintendent Castle stated that the Chief Constable said he could not see how both houses could receive proper attention from one licence.

A temporary licence was granted with the suggestion that Mrs. Clayson should apply to have the "Rose and Crown" licence transferred to herself.

 

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, Saturday 22 October 1921.

Transfers and extensions.

Mr. R. C. Gilbert, of the "Drum Inn," Stanford, was granted an extension of the licence for one hour on the occasion of the dinner of the Sellindge Cricket Club.

 

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, Saturday 17 December 1932.

Shooting accident at Stanford.

Licencee's Right Hand Amputated.

Mr. W. J. Percival, Of the "Drum Inn," Stanford, received serious injuries to his right forearm on Thursday afternoon when his gun accidentally discharged as he was getting over a hedge whilst he was a shooting with two friends. The shot entered Mr. Percival's right wrist.

After first aid of been rendered by P.C. Green and a lady, he was conveyed to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where it was necessary to amputate his right hand on Thursday evening.

On enquiry yesterday (Friday) the Herald was informed that Mr. Percival was making satisfactory progress.

 

Licensee change 1947

Above document showing the change of licensee in 1947.

 

East Kent Gazette, Friday 5 November 1948.

Public House Fire.

The 250 year old "Drum Inn," at Stamford, near Ashford, was damaged by fire on Friday last when bursting bottles wakened the licensee, Mr Frederick Charles Bailey. Mr. Bailey found flames creeping around an oak beam in a bath ceiling. Firemen found the beam have been smouldering for several days.

 

 

I have heard rumour (2017) that the pub is under threat of demolition to make way for a lorry park.

 

LICENSEE LIST

COOPER John to 24/Apr/1804 dec'd

HAMMON Charles 1847-52+ Bagshaw's Directory 1847 (butcher & victualler age 57 in 1851Census)

HANLEY Henry A 1861+ (age 49 in 1861Census)

RICHARDS Mr pre 1859

WANSTALL George 1871+ (also baker age 58 in 1871Census)

FORSTER Samuel George 1881+ (age 60 in 1881Census)

HART Frank 1895+

GRAHAM William Earl Storey 1899-Sept/1915 (age 59 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1899Kelly's 1903

HARRIS W Mr Sept/1915-June/17

Last pub licensee had CLAYSON F Mr June/1917+

GILBERT R C Mr 1921+

PERCIVAL William John 1932-20/Mar/47 Kelly's 1934

BAILEY Frederick Charles 20/Mar/1947+

 

Bagshaw's Directory 1847From Bagshaw Directory 1847

Kelly's 1899From the Kelly's Directory 1899

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Kelly's 1934From the Kelly's Directory 1934

CensusCensus

 

Just to prove that we don't always get things right, but that kind people help us with errors which I most certainly welcome, Robin Emdon kindly pointed out that the photo below, which we thought was of the above pub is actually one in Cockington, Torquay.

Drum Inn 1930

Above postcard, circa 1930, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo showing the entrance to the pub in Cockington, circa 1950.

Drum entrance Cockington 2016

Above Google image, September 2016.

 

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

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