GOLDEN LION (St Peters Street) Pub of Canterbury

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Canterbury, August, 2021.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 25 August, 2021.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1779-

Golden Lion

Latest 1873+

(Name to)

3 St. Peter's Street

Canterbury

Above image taken from Google, July 2009, shows the premises of 3 St. Peter's Street as now being the Little Italy restaurant.

Traced as early as 1882, but by 1889 the premises was apparently being used by H Z Davey who operated a dairy business.

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.

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 Kentish Chronicle and General Advertiser, 22 February, 1862. Price 1 1/2d.

ST AUGUSTINE’S PETTY SESSIONS. SATURDAY.

Clarence Sutton Charlton, a native of America, about 30 yours of age, was brought up in custody on a charge of exciting charitable contributions by false pretences. The prisoner was liberated from Sandwich gaol on the 23rd January, having served twenty-one days’ imprisonment for creating a disturbance and using threatening language to the police, he is of very light complexion, has thick lips and deeply sunken eyes. His mode of operation appears to be to sham fits, which he can manage to perfection. On Thursday he was seen on the road to Harbledown, by Mr. Edward Stringer. A carriage containing a gentleman was approaching at the time, and the prisoner fell down in the road apparently in a fit. The gentleman pulled up, and was so moved by the man's seemingly pitiable condition that he gave him two half-crowns. On Thursday night the prisoner was seen drinking and treating the company at the “Golden Lion” public-house, King’s Bridge, Canterbury. On Friday he went to try his fortunes again in the direction of Harbledown. He fell down in a fit beside the houses on Harbledown Hill, and Mr. Neame, among other gentlemen, was attracted to the spot He appeared to be in a pitiable condition, his face being besmeared with gravel. A boy, who happened to be passing at the time, said the man was an impostor, for he had been doing the same near Mr. Flints, at St. Dunstan’s. Mr. Neame, in order to test the man's conduct called out for some one to go for a policeman. The prisoner, however, took no notice of this, and a man who was present said he could soon find out whether he was shamming or not. The man accordingly pinched the prisoner’s ear and his hand, but this appeared to have no effect. They then lifted him up, but he was quite stiff and rigid. After some time be began to come round, and Mr. Neame, Mr Saddleton, and another gentleman gave him a shilling each. Mr. Neame also ordered him to be supplied with some warm coffee at the “Coach and Horses,” and afterwards gave him a handsome light coloured woollen cloth coat. It appears that prior to this adventure, the prisoner had tried what he could do at St. Dunstan’s, where he had two or three fits; but on Mr. Flint threatening to send for a policeman he walked off. He told Mr. Neame that he landed at Ramsgate on Thursday, and that be was going to Loudon. He said he had been to the railway station, but they would not take him as he had not sufficient money to pay his fare. From Harbledown he returned to Canterbury, and, having made himself look as smart as possible in Mr. Neame’s coat, he stuck a cigar in his mouth and went about giving orders to several tradesmen. He represented himself as the son of a cotton planter in the state of Ohio, and tried to bargain with Mr. Trimnell for some jewellery, and with Mr. Nash for some clothes. On Friday he was again plying the profitable calling of falling into fits in the neighbourhood of Sturry. On Saturday morning about ten o’clock he was apprehended, being then going about in a state of intoxication.

The bench sentenced him to two months' imprisonment with hard labour, in St. Augustine's.

From the Kentish Chronicle, 14 February, 1863.

CANTERBURY POLICE COURT.

THE BURGLARY AT DANE COURT ACADEMY.

Oh the discovery of the robbery information was given to Supt. Davies, and he communicated with the other police throughout the county, and elsewhere. The result was that on Friday three men were apprehended at Sittingbourne, while attempting to sell eleven of the stolen forks. They were subsequently brought to Canterbury, and lodged in the station-house. It is believed that the actual thief has not yet been captured—that he is either at Woolwich or Chatham. On the night previous to the robbery all four men lodged together at the “Golden Lion,” St. Peter’s Street.

On Monday morning, the three prisoners, Alexander Hood, George Bruce, and Charles Henderson, carpenter, were placed at the bar on the charge of being concerned in the robbery. Mr. Smith, the principal of the academy, said his house was entered on Monday night, but it was not discovered until eight o’clock the next morning, when a portion of the plate required for the breakfast table were missed, and upon searching the premises it was ascertained that they had been entered, and the articles in question abstracted.

Sarah Blackman, housemaid at Mr Smith's, deposed to fastening the kitchen up on Monday night, before eleven unlock, when the stolen articles were in the plate basket in the dresser drawer. The next morning the scullery window was found open, and the Articles of plate gone. There were marks of muddy feet on the window cell. Eleven forks produced, the witness identified as a portion of the property stolen.

Mr. Elwick (pawnbroker, of Milton next Sittingbourne), deposed that on Friday last Bruce and Henderson went to his shop and offered to pledge the six silver forks produced. Bruce said they were their properly—that they were bought at an officer's sale. Having had information of this robbery, witness asked Bruce what he was, and he said a discharged soldier, and handed witness a discharge paper. Upon looking at it, he found it did not correspond, whereupon the prisoner said it was not his discharge, but his son’s, who was outside. Hood was then called in, at the suggestion of Bruce. He said he was not Bruce’s son, and that that he knew nothing of the forks offered in pledge. Witness then detained the pioneers, and sent for the police. After some further evidence the magistrates remanded the prisoners for a week, on the application of the superintendent of police.

From the Kentish Chronicle, 11 June, 1864.

DRUNK AND INCAPABLE.

Clara Scott wits charged with being drunk and incapable, in All Saint’s-lane, at a quarter before 1 o’clock at noon, on Sunday.

P.C. Holloway deposed that, in consequence of information received, he went into All Saints'-lane, where he found the prisoner lying on her hands and knees in a state of helpless intoxication. She was naked from the waist upwards. He took her to the police-station. He was informed that just before he saw her the prisoner was thrown out of the back door of the “Golden Lion.”

In reply to the charge the prisoner said she went into the “Golden Lion” quite sober, at 10 o'clock in the morning.

The magistrates discharged the prisoner, the Mayor remarking that probably, if she had been sensible, she would not have exposed herself in the way she did.

Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 20 May 1865.

Charges of Swindling.

Obtaining money under false pretences.

At the Canterbury Police Court on Saturday, and man named Sydney Hammon, a general dealer, was charged with obtaining £1 from William Lummis under false pretences. The prosecutor is a gun maker, of King Street, and it appeared that on the Saturday after Easter day both men were drinking in the "Golden Lion" public house, St. Peter's, when the prisoner offered to sell a watch to prosecutor for a gun that he had with him, and for 30s., representing the watch was silver and worth £3. The prosecutor had not the money with him, and the prisoners accepted to his bringing it on the following Monday, and in the interim the watch was left in the care of the landlady. On the Monday the prosecutor offered to take it from the landlady on condition that the money be returned to him if a watchmaker said it was not worth the amount. The landlady refused and the prisoner came forward, but would not accompany prosecutor to a watchmaker to see the value of the watch, stating that he had no licence for hawking goods. He offered to take £1 from the prosecutor, and await his return from the watchmaker with the watch for the remaining 10s. The prosecutor then gave him £1 and took it to a watchmaker, who said it was only worth 9s. 6d. He informed the prisoner of the value of the watch, and applied to him three times for the return of his money. The prisoner refused to give him the money, and said he might do what he liked in the case. The prisoner called several witnesses in defence, one of them stated that the prosecutor first offered to buy the watch, and asked the prisoner what he wanted for it. Nothing was said of the value of the watch, or that it was made of silver. The Bench thought there was doubt in the case, and dismissed the prisoner.

Kentish Gazette 30 July 1867.

GOLDEN LION, CANTERBURY.

To be Let with immediate possession, coming in about £40.

Apply to Mr. Marsh, Brewery Agent, Whitstable.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 15 January 1870.

James Johnson was charged with assaulting a man named Watson, the landlord of the "Golden Lion," St. Peter's, and the injuries Watson had thereby received prevented him from attending the Court.

Mary Ann Watson, complainant's wife, said defendant had been lodging at the house kept by her husband and on the previous night defendant came home and commenced swearing and pushed complainant down and stamped on his face.

Mr. Alfred Andrews, surgeon, gave evidence as to the extent of the injuries. The bones of the complainant's nose were broken, and he was unable to appear before the Bench. The injuries must be the result of great violence.

The Mayor said this was a very serious offence indeed the defendant's conduct was barbarous.

Defendant, who said he had been very weak and was astonished to find he had so much strength to enable him to push the complainant down, was remanded for the recovery of Watson. He also stated that he was drunk at the time.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 22 January 1870.

CANTERBURY POLICE COURT.

Monday. (Before the Mayor, Alderman Brock, and W. J. Cooper Esq.)

THE VIOLENT ASSAULT CASE.

James Johnson was charged on remand with a violent assault on a man named Watson, landlord of the "Golden Lion."

Complainant, who was unable to appear in Court on Tuesday, now attended with his nose bandaged, and gave evidence to the effect that defendant, who had with his wife been lodging at his house some weeks went in late on Wednesday evening and as he behaved in a disorderly manner, complainant said he must find fresh lodgings, whereupon defendant rushed at him, forced him down on the ground, stunned him, and smashed his nose by stamping on it with his foot. Defendant was sober, as he afterwards told a person in the house that he had stamped his (complainants) nose in, and he would do the same to his eye. Defendants general conduct towards him was quiet. He had never interfered with him before.

Defendant denied that he was sober; if he had been, it was clear he would have made his escape from the house when he saw what he had done.

The Magistrates found the defendant guilty of a violent and brutal assault, and convicted him in the penalty of £3; or in default of payment two months' hard labour in St. Augustine's Gaol.

Prisoner was removed in custody.

LICENSEE LIST

ELDRIDGE John 1779+

BLUNDEN John to July/1791