Kentish Gazette, 27 October, 1779.

John Eldridge, (late servants to the Rev. Mr. Sandys) having taken the "Golden Lion" alehouse, near King's Bridge, in the parish of Canterbury, informs his friends and the public in general that he has fitted up the said house with good accommodation, and has laid in a fresh assortment of liquors. He therefore hopes for their encouragement, and that their continued support shall be gratefully acknowledged by their most humble servant.

Kentish Gazette, Saturday 3 May 1783.

Henry Pot, begs to inform the public, that he intends setting out from the "Golden Lion," near Kingsbridge, Canterbury on Monday next, for Deal, and returns the same day, and on Thursday and Saturday, with a light caravan fit for passengers and parcels of any kind, and on the most reasonable terms.

Parcels taken in, for the above caravan, at the "Golden Lion," and at the "Fleece," in Canterbury, and at the "Three Compasses" at Deal.

Those who please to favour him with their commands may depend upon the general care and punctuality, and a grateful acknowledgement.

By their humble servant, Henry Pott. The above caravan stops at the "Anchor," Littlebourne; the "Dog," Wingham; and the "Bell," at Sandwich.

From the Kentish Gazette, Friday 29 July 1791.

JOHN BLUNDEN.

Takes this opportunity of returning his sincere thanks to his numerous friends and customers in general, for their kind support while at the "Golden Lion," Canterbury; begs to inform them, that he has now taken the "Bell Alehouse," near the "Old Castle," which is fitted up in a neat manner for the reception of Company; where, by attention to business, and keeping the best of beer and spirits which was always his study, he hopes to meet with their future favours, which will be gratefully received by their humble servant.

A good Ordinary provided every Quarter Session's day.

Kentish Gazette, 1 April, 1806.

Lost.

On Monday, March 24, from Broad Oak, in the parish of Sturry.

A red and white, rough-haired SPANIEL BITCH, answers to the name of Judy; long ears, large eyes, white streak down the face, and a short tail.

Whoever brings the said Dog to the "Golden Lion," Broad Oak, shall receive Half-a-Guinea reward.

Kentish Gazette, 11 April 1820.

DEATH.

April 6, in Ivy-lane, Canterbury, Mrs. Upton, widow, formerly of the "Golden Lion," public-house.

Kentish Gazette, 6 July, 1821.

DEATH.

July 2, John, youngest son of Mr. King, of the "Golden Lion," King's Bridge, Canterbury.

Kent Gazette, 16 August 1836.

Inquest taken before Mr. T. T. Delasaux.

On Saturday last, at the "Golden Lion," in this city, on the body of an aged man name Burton, who the same morning fell down on King's Bridge, and almost instantly expired.

The jury returned a verdict of "Died by the visitation of God."

Kentish Gazette, 21 May 1844.

TO BREWERS, PUBLICANS, & OTHERS. TO BE LET BY TENDER,

On Lease for 21 Years, from the 29th day of September, 1844, ALL that old-established and FREE PUBLIC HOUSE, called or known by the name of the "Golden Lion," with a Messuage or Tenement, Stable, Yard, and Premises thereunto belonging, situated in the several parishes of All Saints and Saint Peter, in CANTERBURY, now in the tenure or occupation of — Brigg and others, belonging to the Warden and Poor of Jesus Hospital, Canterbury.

For further particulars and conditions of letting, apply (if by letter, pre-paid), addressed to the Warden of Jesus Hospital, Northgate, Canterbury, to whom all Tenders are to be delivered by the 24th day of June.

N.B.— The Warden and Poor do not bind themselves to accept the highest Tender, but only such as seems to them most desirable.
May 20, 1844.

Kentish Gazette, 2 October 1849.

Coroner’s Inquest.

An inquest was held on Tuesday last, at the "Golden Lion," Saint Peter’s-street, on the body of Elizabeth Skinner, aged 66, who had died after a few hours’ illness, at her residence in Best-lane, in this city. It was stated that deceased had appeared in her usual health up to Monday, when she was seized with violent pains and vomiting, with other symptoms of the prevailing epidemic. Medical aid was called in, but she sank under the malady during the night. Mr. Rigden, who had been called in to attend her, was examined as to the cause of death; and he stated that the supply of water from a pump used by deceased and others in the neighbourhood was in a very impure state, arising, most probably, from the well lying close to a privy vault. He, Mr. Rigden, had analysed a portion of the water alluded to, and had found it very much impregnated with deleterious matter, and likely to produce the disorder of which deceased had died. The jury returned a verdict of "Natural Death," and the police officer in attendance was directed to apply to the authorities respecting the water in question, in order that the existing dangerous use of it should be prevented, and the evil complained of remedied.

Kentish Gazette, 19 August 1851.

Petty Sessions. Home Division of St Augustine's. Thursday.

(Before G. M. Taswell, Esq.)

On Thursday, Stephen Payn, labourer, age 26; Samuel Brown, sawyer, 34, and a young woman named Chittenden, age 22, were charged with having stolen a quantity of wearing apparel.

From the evidence it appeared that at an early hour on Wednesday morning, the washhouse of Mrs. Young, laundress, at Harbledown, was forcibly entered, and a quantity of wearing apparel, which had been washed, was stolen. Mrs. Young father came downstairs at 1 o'clock in the morning, when the house was safe, but on rising to go to his work, he found the wash house had been entered.

The things were trace, by Inspector Sprat, to the possession of the prisoners, at the "Golden Lion" lodging house, where they had hung out some to dry, and other portions have been pawned or sold by them. The parties to whom the things belonged fully identified them, and the connexion of the prisoners in the disposal of them was also ascertained, and they were fully committed to the assizes for trial.

A second charge was afterwards investigated, in which property that have been stolen a week previous of Mrs. Faulkner, laundress, of the same place, was traced to the possession of Brown and Chittenden. They were committed for trial on this charge.

There can be little doubt that the same parties have been concerned in the various robberies which have lately taken place about here.

From the Faversham Gazette, 5 September 1857.

Saturday. (Before David Matthews, Esq.)

Esther Inglis, wife of John Inglis, hawker, living as servant with Mr. Bigg, of the "Golden Lion," was charged with attempting to commit self-destruction.

Edward Bigg deposed that last night, about ten o’clock, from information he received, he went down the garden and saw the prisoner struggling in the river. He pulled her out and caused her to be conveyed into the tap-room. Site was in a state of delirium, and so violent that it required several men to hold her. He gave her in charge that she might be kept in safety.

In reply to the bench, Mr. Bigg said the prisoner had been with him 2 years. He had known her 16 years. She was a good servant, and generally well conducted. He did not know whether she was in liquor last night. She was not so at eight o’clock, Her husband had deserted her, and he (Mr. Bigg) believed that had preyed very much on her mind.

The poor woman who seemed much distressed, said she was vary sorry for what had happened.

It appeared to the bench that she was not fit to be at large in her present state of mind, and therefore she was ordered to find three sureties for her good behaviour, and in default was committed to gaol till the next sessions. The sureties will, however, probably be found, Mr. Bigg and another gentleman having offered themselves for the purpose.

From the Kentish Gazette, 1 September 1857.

Saturday. (Before David Matthews, Esq.)

Esther Inglis, wife of John Inglis, hawker, living as servant with Mr. Bigg, of the "Golden Lion," was charged with attempting to commit self-destruction.

Edward Bigg deposed that last night, about ten o’clock, from information he received, he went down the garden and saw the prisoner struggling in the river. He pulled her out and caused her to be conveyed into the tap-room. She was in a state of delirium, and so violent that it required several men to hold her. He gave her in charge that she might be kept in safety.

In reply to the bench, Mr. Bigg said the prisoner had been with him 2 years, he had known her 15 years. She was a good servant and generally well conducted. He did not know whether she was in liquor last night. She was not so at eight o’clock. Her husband had deserted her, and he (Mr. Bigg) believed that had preyed very much on her mind.

The poor woman who seemed much distressed, said she was very sorry for what had happened.

It appeared to the bench that she was not fit to be at large in her present state of mind, and therefore she was ordered to find three sureties for her good behaviour, and in default was committed to gaol till the next sessions. The sureties will, however, probably be found, Mr. Bigg and another gentleman having offered themselves for the purpose.

From the Kentish Gazette, 25 May 1862.

Brutal Assault on a Publican by a Soldier.

David Fraser, a private in the 70th Regiment of Foot, stationed at Canterbury, was charged with an assault on George Goulden, landlord of the "Golden Lion," on King’s Bridge.

The complainant said:- I keep a public-house called the "Golden Lion," on King’s Bridge. Last night, about ten o’clock, there was a great disturbance in my front room, caused by the defendant and a civilian fighting. I had heard them quarrelling before I went into the room, and asked the defendant to be quiet, and as soon as I had done so he knocked me down. I had not touched him. While I was on the ground I was kicked in the face, but I cannot say by whom. The defendant bit my arm. When I went to the station-house to prefer the charge against him, he caught me by the throat and hurt me.

The Superintendent:- I had great difficulty, your worships to get his hands away, they were clenched so tightly.

The prisoner was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour.

Kentish Gazette, 18 January, 1870.

Savage Assault.

A little, half-famished, elderly man named James Johnson. was charged with violently assaulting a man named Watson, landlord of the "Golden Lion," St. Peter's.

Complainant did not personally appear, his injuries being so serious as to render him incapable of leaving home.

The defendant, with his wife, had been lodging at the "Golden Lion," and had been given to quarrelling with his wife and otherwise creating disturbances. On Wednesday night he returned to his lodgings, and, on beginning his usual violent conduct, he was told by complainant that unless be behaved himself better he would have to leave the house. Upon this he became more abusive than ever, knocked complainant down, and while lying stunned upon the floor, kicked him so violently in the face that he fractured his nose in several places, completely pushing it to the right side of his face, and otherwise severely injuring him.

Mr. Alfred Andrews, surgeon, gave evidence as to the nature of complainant’s injuries, and certified the inability of complainant to attend the Court at present owing to the severe maltreatment to which he had been subjected. He did not apprehend any serious result from complainant's injuries as they at present appeared, but of course there was no saying with certainty that dangerous symptoms might not intervene.

The Mayor strongly condemned defendant's offence as barbarous and brutal.

Defendant expressed his own astonishment that a man so weak and ill as he himself was should have been able to knock down a man like the complainant; he couldn't understand it.

The Mayor said, whether he could understand it or not, it was evident on his own admission, that he had done so.

Defendant was then remanded to await the recovery of the complainant, and for the completion of the evidence.