DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, March, 2025.

Page Updated:- Saturday, 15 March, 2025.
PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1649-

 Grocer's Arms

Latest 1656+

Address unknown

Dover

Grocer's Arms token 1656

Above showing both side of the farthing token stamped RICHARD CVLLEN around a shield or alms of the Grocer on one side and GROCER IN DOVER 1656 around an R over M F on the other.

From Williamson Dover Trade Tokens.

Listed as 208:- O. RICHARD. CVLLEN= The Grocers' Arms.

R. GROCER. IN. DOVER. 1665= R.F.C. A merchant's mark.

Richard Cullen, by will, in 1696, gave a house and land, the yearly income to be distributed every Sunday evening to twenty poor widows of St. Mary's, Dover. he likewise gave another small cottage, the rent of it to be distributed in bread.
Grocer's Arms coin obverseGrocer's Arms reverse

Above left showing the obverse, right the reverse of the coin. Both images have been digitally enhanced to highlight the detail.

Grocers coat of arms

Above picture showing the City of London Grocers Livery Company coat of arms.

 

A token of Edward Chambers once circulated showing that he lived in such a house in 1649. Another token, of Richard Cullen dated 1656, also carried the name but stated categorically that he was a grocer of Dover.

 

Further research tells me it would appear that the catalogue reference to "Grocers Arms" refers to the armorial emblem on the token and not to a public house. This was something similar to the Livery Companies that exist in the City of London today, perhaps.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

CHAMBERS Edward 1649

CULLEN Richard 1656+

 

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

Pub-info@Dover-Kent.Com

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