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South Street
Folkestone
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Kentish Gazette, 22 June 1847.
Praiseworthy Conduct.
On Sunday afternoon, a lad about twelve years of age, said to be the son
of the landlord of the "Jolly Sailor" public house, Folkestone, fell
into the harbour, and must have been drowned had not Mr. Henry Baker
hastened to his rescue. The poor boy was taken out of the water in an
exhausted state, and delivered to his friends. Too much praise cannot be
given to Mr. Baker, for his promptness and humanity in this case, and
which we believe is not an isolated one.
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Canterbury Journal 7 September 1850.
The 29th was the General Annual Licensing day, when all the old
licences were renewed, and a new one granted to John Back for the
"Jolly Sailor."
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Maidstone Gazette 3 September 1850
Annual Licensing, Tuesday; Before J. Bateman, W. Major, C. Golder
and T. Golder Esqs.
This was the General Annual Licensing day, when all the old licences
were renewed, and a new one granted to John Back for the Jolly
Sailor.
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Maidstone Gazette 4 February 1851.
Petty Sessions, Tuesday; Before J. Bateman and W. Major Esqs.
William Ames was brought up in custody of police constable Polhill,
No. 2, charged with unlawfully assaulting and wounding Sophia, wife
of John Back, landlord of the Jolly Sailor public house, South
Street.
Mr. Sylvester Eastes, surgeon, deposed that Mrs. Back had received
two extensive wounds upon the middle fingers of the left hand, and
two or three smaller wounds on the scalp; they were lacerated
wounds, and appeared as if they had been caused by blows.
Mrs. Back was unable to attend there that day. Remanded till Friday.
Petty Sessions, Friday; Before R. Hart Esq., Mayor, and W. Major
Esq.
William Ames, remanded on Tuesday, was again placed at the bar.
Mrs. Back deposed – At about twenty minutes past eleven o'clock on
Monday night, the prisoner, who was lodging in my husband's house,
asked me for two pints of beer, which I declined drawing for him, as
it was too late. He did not take any notice of what I said. I then
laid my baby down, and when I was coming out of the room he caught
hold of me in a very indecent manner, and I slapped him on the face;
he then struck me with an iron candlestick on the head and on
different places. I do not recollect how the wounds came on my hand,
as I then became insensible.
Thomas Hall, mariner, deposed that he was at the house, and hearing
a noise on the staircase, he told Mr. Back to go and see what was
the matter. He then heard “Murder” cried, rushed upstairs, and saw a
female assisting Mrs. Back down, covered with blood. He then
collared the prisoner. Could not say whether the prisoner was drunk
or sober.
Committed for two months' hard labour.
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Dover Telegraph 8 February 1851.
Petty Sessions, Friday:
William Ames, remanded on Tuesday, charged
with unlawfully assaulting and wounding Sophia, wife of John Back,
landlord of the "Jolly Sailor" public house, South Street, was again
placed at the bar.
Mrs. Back deposed – At about twenty minutes past eleven o'clock on
Monday night, the prisoner, who was lodging in my husband's house,
asked me for two pints of beer, which I declined drawing for him, as
it was too late. He did not take any notice of what I said. I then
laid my baby down, and when I was coming out of the room he caught
hold of me in a very indecent manner, and I slapped him on the face;
he then struck me with an iron candlestick on the head and on
different places. I do not recollect how the wounds came on my hand,
as I then became insensible.
Thomas Hall, mariner, deposed that he was at the house, and hearing
a noise on the staircase, he told Mr. Back to go and see what was
the matter. He then heard “Murder” cried, rushed upstairs, and saw a
female assisting Mrs. Back down, covered with blood. He then
collared the prisoner. Could not say whether the prisoner was drunk
or sober.
Committed for two months' hard labour.
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Southeastern Gazette 4 May 1852.
Petty Sessions, Wednesday: Before D. Major and Thos. Golder Esqs.
John Back, landlord of the Jolly Sailor, was summoned for keeping
his house open for the sale of beer during Divine Service on Sunday
last. He pleaded Guilty, but said that they were men whom he had to
pay money to, and that his back door only was open.
Fined 5s. and costs.
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Dover Chronicle 8 May 1852.
Petty Sessions.
John Back, landlord of the Jolly Sailor, was summoned for keeping
his house open for the sale of beer during Divine Service on Sunday
last. He pleaded Guilty, but said that they were men whom he had to
pay money to, and that his back door only was open.
Fined 5s. and costs.
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Dover Telegraph 8 May 1852.
John Back, landlord of the Jolly Sailor, was summoned for keeping
his house open for the sale of beer during Divine Service on Sunday
last. He pleaded Guilty, but said that they were men whom he had to
pay money to, and that his back door only was open.
Fined 5s. and costs.
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Canterbury Journal 6 August 1853.
Three men, named John Golder, John Back (a publican), and Thomas
Lawrence, were charged on the information of James Summer, a
coastguard officer, with having entered the harbour in a boat called
the Chance, having concealed about their persons altogether about 20
lbs. of tobacco, besides some cigars and spirits. The prisoners were
remanded for the directions of the Commissioners of Customs. On
Thursday they were again brought up and fined £100 each, or to be
imprisoned during Her Majesty's pleasure. The fine was not paid.
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Dover Chronicle 6 August 1853.
Petty Sessions, Monday: Before the Mayor, and W. Golder and D. Major
Esqs.
Three men, named John Golder, John Back (a publican), and Thomas
Lawrence, were charged on the information of James Summer, a
coastguard officer, with having entered the harbour in a boat called
the Chance, having concealed about their persons altogether about 20
lbs. of tobacco, besides some cigars and spirits. The prisoners were
remanded for the directions of the Commissioners of Customs. On
Thursday they were again brought up and fined £100 each, or to be
imprisoned during Her Majesty's pleasure. The fine was not paid.
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Kentish Gazette 9 August 1853.
Three men, named John Golder, John Back (a publican), and Thomas
Lawrence, were charged, on the information of James Summer, a Coast
Guard officer, with having entered the harbour in a boat called the
Chance, having concealed about their persons altogether about 20
lbs. of tobacco, besides some cigars and spirits. The prisoners were
remanded for the direction of the Commissioners of Customs. On
Thursday they were again brought up and fined £100 each, or to be
imprisoned during Her Majesty's pleasure. The fine was not paid.
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Dover Telegraph 15 December 1855.
Petty Sessions, Wednesday: Before the Mayor, W. Major, J. Kelcey,
and G. Kennicott Esqs.
John Rolfe, landlord of the Jolly Sailor beer-shop, was fined 5s.,
with 8s. 6d. costs, for opening his house at 4.30 p.m. last Sunday.
The prosecution was supported by the information of Superintendent
Steer.
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Folkestone Chronicle 15 December 1855.
Wednesday December 12th:- Before James Tolputt esq., Mayor, James Kelcey
esq., William Major esq., and G. Kennicott esq.
John Rolfe, beer house keeper, charged with having his house open at
half past four on Sunday last.
The case being proved by police constable Samuel Nicholls, the defendant
was convicted in the penalty of 5s., and 8s 6d costs.
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Southeastern Gazette 18 December 1855.
Local News.
Monday: Before James Tolputt Esq.
John Rolfe, beer-shop keeper, was fined 5s. and 8s. 6d. costs for having
his house open on Sunday afternoon last.
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Dover Telegraph 22 December 1855.
Petty Sessions, Wednesday: Before the Mayor, W. Major and S. Mackie
Esqs.
John Hobbs, the keeper of a beer-shop on Belle Vue Hill, was
leniently dismissed on payment of costs (and promising not again to
offend) for keeping his house open longer than allowed for the Act.
(Mechanics Arms)
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Southeastern Gazette 8 January 1856.
Local News.
Friday: Before The Mayor, W. Major, and J. Kelcey, Esqs.
John Rolfe, landlord of the Jolly Sailor, was charged with having a
number of shirts, trousers, and other regimental necessaries, which case
was ordered to stand over till Monday.
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Dover Telegraph 12 January 1856.
Petty Sessions, Friday: George Norris, landlord of the "Radnor Inn,"
was charged by Superintendent Steer with buying a greatcoat of one
of the 2nd Regiment of Jaegers, British German Legion, at Shorncliffe. The defendant pleaded guilty, but stated that at the
time he bought it he was not aware that it was Government property.
Fined 5s., and ordered to pay double the value of the coat, £3 and
1s. 6d. costs. Money paid.
There was a similar case against John Rolfe, landlord of the "Jolly
Sailor," for having a number of shirts, trousers and other regimental
necessaries, which case was ordered to stand over till Monday.
Monday: John Rolfe again appeared, but not being able to
satisfactorily account for the possession of the goods, he was
ordered to pay £2 5s., the treble value of the goods, and to be
fined 5s. and costs, making £3 on the whole.
William Butcher, a waiter at the "Radnor Inn," was also charged by the
Superintendent with buying a military greatcoat of one of the 2nd
Regiment of Jaegers, to which he pleaded guilty. To pay £3, treble
value, 5s. fine and 8s 6d. costs, the Bench observing that in future
cases the full penalty would be enforced.
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Folkestone Chronicle 12 January 1856.
Petty Sessions, Monday: Before the Mayor and W. Major Esqs.
John Rolfe, remanded from the 4th instant, charged with purchasing
soldiers’ necessaries, or having them in his possession. Convicted
in the penalty of 5s., and £2 5s., treble value, and 10s. costs.
William Butcher, charged with a similar offence. Convicted in the
penalty of 5s, and £3, treble value, and 8s. 6d. costs..
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Southeastern Gazette 15 January 1856.
Local News.
Monday: Before The Mayor and W. Major Esq.
John Rolfe again appeared, but not being able satisfactorily to account
for the possession of the goods, he was ordered to pay £2 5s., the
treble value of the articles and to be fined 5s. and costs, making £3 in
the whole.
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Dover Telegraph 26 January 1856.
Petty Sessions, Wednesday: John Rolfe, landlord of the Jolly Sailor
beer-house, appeared to answer the information of Superintendent
Steer, for knowingly permitting drunkenness and other disorderly
conduct in his house. The case having been proved, the defendant was
fined 40s., including costs.
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From the Folkestone Chronicle 26 January 1856.
Wednesday January 23rd :- Before James Tolputt esq., Mayor, G.
Kennicott esq., and J. Kelcey esq.
John Rolfe, landlord of the "Jolly Sailor," South Street, was fined
40s. and costs, for allowing drunk and disorderly characters to remain
in his house.
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Southeastern Gazette 29 January 1856.
Local News.
Wednesday.—John Rolfe, landlord of the Jolly Sailor beer-house, Heath
Street (sic), was charged on the information of Supt. Steer, with
wilfully permitting drunkenness and other disorderly conduct in his
house.
Fined 40s., including costs.
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Dover Telegraph 20 December 1856.
Petty Sessions, Dec. 12:
Henry Allen, a private of the 44th Regt., stationed at Shorncliffe,
was charged with stealing a pair of sea boots, the property of Mr.
William Pope, a fisherman, from his door, where they were hung up to
dry. The prisoner was seen to go into the Jolly Sailor beer-house
with the boots in his hand, where he was shortly afterwards taken
into custody, and the boots found concealed in a cupboard in the
same room. The prisoner, who had been once or twice committed for
various offences, was remanded till Saturday, the 20th instant.
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Folkestone Chronicle 3 January 1857.
Wednesday December 31st: Before W. Major, J. Kelcey and G. Kennicott
esqrs.
John Rolfe, beer house keeper, was charged by Superintendent Steer with
harbouring prostitutes in his house, the Jolly Sailor, in South Street.
It appeared that between 10 and 11 o'clock on Sunday morning last, a
piquet came into the town to search for a soldier, and proceeded to the defendant's house, in the tap room of which they found three soldiers
and several disreputable women. This being the second or third time
defendant had been summoned before the magistrates, he was convicted in
the penalty of 20s and 8s 6d costs. In default to be levied by distress
and in default of sufficient distress, to be committed to the house of
correction at Dover for one calendar month.
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Dover Telegraph 3 January 1857.
Petty Sessions, Dec. 31: John Rolfe, landlord of the "Jolly Sailor"
beer-house, appeared to answer the information of Superintendent
Steer, for knowingly harbouring prostitutes and bad characters in
his house, on Sunday, the 21st. Fined £1 and 8s. 6d. costs, to be
levied by distress, and, in default, one month's imprisonment, this
being his 6th conviction in 12 months.
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Southeastern Gazette 6 January 1857.
Wednesday: Before W. Major and G. Kennicott, Esq.
John Rolfe, landlord of the Jolly Sailor beer-house, South-street,
appeared to answer the information of Superintendent Steer, charged with
knowingly harbouring prostitutes and bad characters at his house on
Sunday, the 21st inst.
Superintendent Steer stated that the house was one of the worst
description; the landlord had been fined that day week in the penalty of
£5 and costs, and had been three times previously convicted. The bench
fined him £1 and costs 8s. 6d., and in default of payment distress
warrant to issue, or one month’s imprisonment.
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Kentish Gazette, 6 January 1857.
John Rolfe, landlord of the "Jolly Sailor" beer-house, appeared to
answer the information of Superintendent Steer, for knowingly
harbouring prostitutes and had characters in his house on Sunday,
the 21st.
Fined £1, and 8s. 6d. costs, to be levied by distress, and in
default, one month's imprisonment, this being the fifth conviction
in 12 mouths.
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Kentish Gazette, 27 January 1857.
An Obstreperous Soldier.
On Monday William Kelly, a private in the 41st regiment, was charged
before the magistrates for having assaulted two of the police force,
who had been with the picquet to the "Jolly Sailor" to remove some
disorderly soldiers, of whom prisoner was one, when he struck and
kicked the police in a savage manner. He was sentenced to a month’s
hard labour in default of paying a fine of £5; and for the further
offence of causing damage at the same house, he was ordered to an
additional six weeks’ imprisonment, he being unable to pay a fine of
£1.
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Kentish Gazette 6 January 1857
John Rolfe, landlord of the "Jolly Sailor" beer-house, appeared to
answer the information of Superintendent Steer, for knowingly
harbouring prostitutes and bad characters in his house on Sunday,
the 21st. Fined £1, and 8s. 6d. costs, to be levied by distress, and
in default, one month’s imprisonment, this being the fifth
conviction in 12 months.
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Kentish Gazette 27 January 1857
On Monday Wm. Kelly, a private in the 41st Regiment, was charged
before the magistrates for having assaulted two of the police force,
who had been with the picquet to the Jolly Sailor to remove some
disorderly soldiers, of whom prisoner was one, when he struck and
kicked the police in a savage manner. He was sentenced to a month's
hard labour in default of paying a fine of £5; and for the further
offence of causing damage at the same house, he was ordered to an
additional six weeks’ imprisonment, he being unable to pay a fine of
£1.
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Any further information or indeed photographs would be appreciated.
Please email me at the address below.
This page is still to be updated.
LICENSEE LIST
HUGHES Thomas circa 1845-51
 
BACK John Sept/1851-54
(age 40 in 1851 )
ROLFE John 1854-57
From Bagshaw Directory 1847
From More Bastions of the Bar by Easdown and Rooney
From the Folkestone Chronicle
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