FREEMASON'S TAVERN Pub of Canterbury

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Canterbury, October, 2024.

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 29 October, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton & Rory Kehoe

Earliest 1857-

(Name from)

Freemason's Tavern

Latest 5 Apr 1965

14 Margaret's Street

Canterbury

Above photo showing the inside of the pub in 1942, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe who says the following:-

"I'm not sure if this next bit is strictly true but let's say it is! The pub had previously been the "Freemason's Inn" but the Baedeker raid put paid to the north side of the building, which included the accommodation and the undercroft, under which which carriages, cars etc. accessed the old stable yard. All this is 100% correct. With no accommodation, the "Freemason's Inn" could no longer accommodate bona fide travellers and was, therefore, downgraded to being a mere Tavern. Sounds fair to me! However, the "Fremason's Tavern" was still knocked about pretty badly and there was some delay in it re-opening. The regulars referred to their local as "Dirty Dick's" and some wag, rather poignantly, placed this sign by the beer pumps!

Above photo 1965.

Freemason's Tavern and Marlow Theatre 1965

Above picture from 1965 shows a miner's May day rally outside the old "Marlow Theatre." To the left of that is the "Freemason's Tavern."

Pictured in the period between the Council's compulsory purchase and the pub's demolition circa 1965, as part of property clearance for the proposed "Parallel High Street" plan. Quite a few old, attractive and much-loved buildings were compulsorily purchased by the Council and quickly flattened but then, some common sense prevailed and the parallel High Street plan come to nothing. Sadly, too late for the Freemason's Arms. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above map 1874 identified by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, August 2017, kindly taken and sent by Rory Kehoe.

Originally called the "Mermaid" the house had changed name by 1858.

In 1917 the premises was also referred to as the St. Margaret's Hall and the Y.M.C.A. branch held its meetings there.

14A St. Margaret's Street was owned by Gardner & Co, Ash Brewery, as their Brewery Office in 1889, and were advertising their Family Bitter Ale, 4 1/2 Gallons 4/3 & 6/3 For Cash on Delivery. Full price list on application at the stores. Canterbury, Dover, Hastings, Ashford, Ramsgate, Sittingbourne. In 1917 the manager was named as E. J. Martin

The pub closed on 5 April 1965 and the licence held in suspense following compulsory acquisition.

Kentish Gazette, 17 March 1857.

Yesterday.

ASSAULT OF THE POLICE BY SOME OF THE MILITARY.

Two privates, in the 79th Highlanders, named William Gilchrist and Matthew Gemmell, were had up on a charge of violently assaulting the police in the execution of their duty. It appeared by the evidence of Inspector Parker that as he was passing down the High-street, shortly after eleven the previous night, he found Mr. Usher, of the "Freemasons’ Tavern," following the defendants, whom he was desirous of giving in charge for breaking two windows at his house; whereupon he took hold of Gilchrist, and Mr. Usher took hold of the other. A scuffle ensued in which Gilchrist broke from his custody, and struck him from behind a violent blow on the head, which laid it open to a considerable extent, and prostrated him. Gilchrist then ran away. He (the Inspector) seized the other man, who kicked and struggled so violently that he also got away. At half-past one in the morning he arrested Gemmell at a coffee shop, in the borough, when he resisted very violently, but was secured. There was an assemblage of some 15 or 16 persons when the scuffle took place, yet none would render him assistance.

Police-constable Samson, seeing the mob, went to the spot, when Parker’s head was bleeding from the blow which he had received. Witness afterwards went to a coffee shop, in King-street, with Manuel; and charging Gilchrist as his prisoner for breaking windows and assaulting Inspector Parker he seized a poker and with great violence aimed two severe blows at him, which he avoided, and a Dragoon afterwards took the weapon from him. When in the street he kicked and struck and resisted with great violence; and the other tried to rescue the prisoner, and going out returned with five Dragoons — all of whom attacked him, knocked him down and kicked him. Gemmell then ran away, but was subsequently apprehended, and conveyed to the station. Witness bore striking evidence of the ill-usage he had received.

Police constable Manuel corroborated the evidence of the assault on Samson on the evening described, and spoke of Gemmell having struck him. When at the police station he said they would pot care for six months if they got their discharge.

The clerk having pointed out that the bench had power to fine the defendants £5. and in default commit them to prison for three months, or if they felt that not severe enough, to send them to the quarter sessions and there indict them, the bench fined each 20s. and costs, and in default committed them to St. Augustine’s for a month. The men treated the sentence with the utmost levity, and it was generally felt that it was not near severe enough, as the assault was of an aggravated and cowardly nature. We hope, however, that if disturbances of this nature, and this is by no means a solitary case, the military authorities will abridge the indulgence of allowing so many men out of barracks at night. The men convicted in the present instance had committed damage at another place, in respect of which no charge was preferred.

South Eastern Gazette, 12 March, 1860.

BIRTH.

On the 8th inst., at the "Freemasons’ Hotel," Canterbury, the wife of Mr. W. H. F. Moore, of a son.

From the Dover Express, 17 March 1860.

BIRTHS.

March 8, at the "Freemason's Hotel," Canterbury, the wife of Mr. W. H. F. Moore of a son.

South Eastern Gazette, 26 June, 1860.

CANTERBURY COUNTY COURT.

The monthly sitting of this court was held on Wednesday last, before C. Harwood, Esg , Judge.

Usher v. Lambert.

For the recovery of £2 2s., for the hire of three rooms and the use of a bar at the "Music Hall Tavern," in St. Margaret's, in 1857, during the cricket week; 15s. had been paid into court.

The defendant admitted the hiring of the rooms, but explained that an opening was made from the "Music Hall tavern" to the ball room, at an expense of £6 or £7, and which was considered of advantage to the house. This (with the 15s. paid) he considered ample for the accommodation afforded by the use of the rooms.

The plaintiff denied that the communication made into the hall was of any advantage to him. He had not been treated properly in the matter.

Judgment for the sum paid into court.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 2 June 1900. Price 1d.

CANTERBURY POLICE COURT, FRIDAY.

Before Mr. J. Cox (in the chair), Mr. J. Hunt, and Mr. H. G. Sadler.

THE MUSIC HALL AND THE STAGE PLAY.

Mr. Lang, proprieties of the "Freemasons' Hotel," was summoned for on the 16th May allowing a stage play to take place in the Music Hall without getting the consent of the Town Council.
The defendant, who was represented by Mr. Scripps, pleaded not guilty.

Superintendent Farmery stated that on Wednesday, the 16th, he went to St. Margaret's Hall at about 9.30 p.m. The hall formed part of the licensed premises of the "Freemasons' Hotel," and there he saw a laughable sketch being played by Mr. Arthur Roberts and Company. The title of the sketch was "Stop, thief, or Desperation.” There were five persons, including Mr. Roberts, in the performance. There was no singing; it was all speaking. The play lasted about a quarter of an hour.

In cross-examination witness said he did not get the name of the play from Mr. Graham Falcon. Mr. Falcon was present, but he was not bringing these proceedings. Witness took them himself. He did not hear one of the company announce that as the hall was not licensed only selections would be given from the sketch.

Mr. Scripps called Mr. Victor Roi, who deposed that be was a theatrical provider. He made an arrangement with Mr. Roberts to come down and give an entertainment at St. Margaret's Hall. He engaged him as a concert party. When the bills were sent to witness a stage play was advertised, viz. a sketch called "A Race for a Thousand Pounds." Witness ordered the printing. On the evening of the 16th May witness told Mr. Roberts that the hall was not licensed for stage plays. Mr. Roberta replied " Very well, then we will give selections from the sketch.” It was not a stage play as given by Mr. Roberts. Witness wrote to Mr. Roberts when Mrs. Lang received the summons, and Mr. Roberts wired and referred witness to the author of the sketch in London, who had had it acted time after time in the London music halls, and no notice had ever been taken of it.

The Chairman and the magistrates considered a breach of the law had been committed. The defendant was liable to a fine of £20, but as this was the first time she had been before them, they would deal leniently with the case, and only impose a fine of £1 with costs.

LICENSEE LIST

USHER John 1857-58+