49 St. Peter's Street
Canterbury
Above two photos taken from the Historic
Canterbury web site www.machadoink.com |
Above photo, circa 1910, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above picture from Google, July 2009, showing the premises of 49 St.
Peter's Street. |
Above photo, October 2017, kindly taken and sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Traced back to 1828 so far and up to 1930. The premises seems to be the
same today but to date I do not know when it ceased trading as a public
house. Around the turn of the 20th century the licensee Richard Kempton was
also a professor of music and I believe the building also operated as "The
Canterbury Electric Theatre" and put on plays and exhibitions including the
following:- "August 2, 1913 - Manager E. Cawse-Morgon. The Eagle's Claw, The
study of a modern scientific criminal in a series of breathless sensations."
Also:- "Special cricket week attractions. Monday Tuesday and Wednesday,
George Gray in "The Fighting Parson" Thursday, Friday and Saturday - Will
Evans in his screamingly absurdity, "Harnessing a Horse." Information taken
from
.
PARES, David, St. Peters Canterbury, pugilist - opened boxing school at
King's Arms, St. Peter's Street. (Kentish Gazette 26-29 1790 p. 1 col. 2)
Derby Mercury, Thursday 26 October, 1738.
Canterbury, October 21st. On Monday the 16th instant was committed to
our Gaol, one Caleb Campbel, soldier, who quartered at the "Kings Arms"
in St. Peter's, for the horrid fact of ravishing Elizabeth Burton, a
child about 5 years old. He abused the child's body, and gave her the
foul disease, which is even attended with a very violent Gonorrhoea. She
is under the hands of Mr. Sall, Man Midwife. The fellow is in Irons; but
we hear denies the fact, tho' he confesses he has got the distemper upon
him, and that he has had it for some months.
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Kentish Gazette, 6 December, 1780.
On Friday last five well-dressed sharpers, who had been at Hythe
fair, arrived at the "King's Arms," in St. Peter's where they stayed
that night. The next morning they walked into the city, and returned
about 12 o'clock, in company with Mr. Hockless, a farmer near
Whitstable. After calling for some liquor, they proposed the stale
trick of laying a wager that Hockless did not show them £30 in half
an hour. The wager was laid, and while the men went out to borrow
the money, they ordered the ostler to get their horses ready.
Hockless soon returned, and on showing the money two of them knocked
him down, took away the £30, and rifled his pockets of £4 more; then
shutting the room door, they mounted their horses and rode off full
speed towards London.
In about 10 minutes after the man, who was during that time deprived
of his senses, recovered, and on relating the whole affair to the
landlord, an immediate pursuit was made by several persons as far as
Strood, but we hear without success.
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Kentish Gazette 09 October 1787.
CANTERBURY, Oct 9.
Thursday last died Mr. William Lodge, one of his Majesty's Yeoman of the
Guards, and the person who seized Maureen Nicholson, when she attempted
to stab the King: he was some years since master of the "King's Arms
Inn," in this city.
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Kentish Gazette, 5 July 1794
With Mr. Ely at the "Kings Arms"..... at
"Kings Arms" on a Jury of a drowned man. ....NB …desired Mr. Ely to give
me an estimate of such repairs wanting at the "Kings Arms" in his
business.
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Kentish Gazette, 16 May, 1806.
TO BE LET.
BY Tender of Rent, on Lease, for the term of 14 years from
Michaelmas 1806.
Lot 1. All that well-established PUBLIC HOUSE, known by the sign of
the "Blue Anchor," with the buildings, yards, gardens, and
appurtenances, situate in Littlebourne street, in the county of Kent.
Lot 2. All that other well-established PUBLIC HOUSE, known by the
sign of the "King's Arms," with the buildings and appurtenances,
situate in Saint Peter's-street, in the city of Canterbury.
Lot 3. All that other well-established PUBLIC HOUSE, known by the
sign of the "Monument," with the garden and appurtenances, situate
in the parish of Saint Dunstan, in the said county of Kent.
Lot 4. All that other well-established PUBLIC HOUSE, known by the
sign of "Prince Charles," with the stable and yard, situate in the
parish of Holy Cross Westgate, in the said country of Kent.
Lot 5. All that well-established CAPITAL INN, or PUBLIC HOUSE, known
by the sign of "Sir John Falstaff," with the coach-houses, stables,
yards, gardens, and appurtenances, situate in the said parish of
Holy Cross Westgate.
All the above lots are in the occupation of Mr. John Abbott, or his
undertenants.
Tenders of rent, for either or any of the above lots, to be
delivered sealed up, on or before the 18th June next, to Mr.
Cumming, of Canterbury; of whom, in the mean time, the conditions of
letting may be seen.
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Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal 13 February 1818.
MARRIED.
Feb. 10, at St. Peter's Church, Canterbury, Mr. Tucker of Deal, to Mrs.
Rouse, landlady of the "King's Arms" public-house, St. Peter's-street,
Canterbury.
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Kentish Gazette, 4 February 1820.
DEATH.
February 1, in Rosemary Lane, Canterbury, after being deprived of
the use of her limbs for the last ten years, Mrs.
Gillet, relict of Mr. Gillet, formerly landlord of the "King's Arms"
public house.
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Kentish Gazette, 11 July 1820.
TO BE LET,
THE INN and FOUR following PUBLIC HOUSES.
The "SIR JOHN FALSTAFF INN," and the house known as the "PRINCE
CHARLES," in the Parish of Westgate; the "MONUMENT,"
in the parish of St. Dunstan’s; and the "ANCHOR,"
in the parish of Littlebourne, in the County of Kent; and the "KING’S
ARMS," situated in the parish of St. Peter's in the City of
Canterbury.
They are Let to John Abbott, Esq., St. Dunstan's by Lease, which
will expire at Michaelmas next.
Further particulars may be known on application to Mr. GURNEY
CROASDILL, Thannington Court.
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Kentish Gazette, 26 October, 1821.
HORSE CAME ASTRAY.
CAME ASTRAY, on TUESDAY, the 23rd October inst., to Mr. SOLLY'S, the
"King's Arms" St. Peter's-street, Canterbury—
A BLACK HORSE, Of the Nag kind, about eleven hands high; has a white
spot on the near shoulder.
Whoever has lost the raid Horse may have him again by applying as
above and paying the keep and expences.
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Kent Gazette, 15 January 1839.
TO LET.
The "King's Arms" public house, St. Peter's Street, Canterbury.
Apply on the premises.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 21 November 1843.
DEATH.
Nov 12, in Northgate-street, Canterbury, Mrs. Susannah Marsh, relict of
Mr. John Marsh, of the "Kings Arms Inn," St. Peter’s-street, in this
City, aged 50.
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Kentish Gazette, 31 December 1844.
A FREE PUBLIC HOUSE. TO BE LET, With immediate possession.
THAT old-established and well-known PUBLIC HOUSE, the "KING’S ARMS INN,"
situated in Saint Peter’s Street, CANTERBURY.
Coming-in moderate.
Apply to Mr. George Cook, Appraiser, &c., 8, Saint George’s Terrace,
Canterbury.
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Kentish Gazette, 14 December 1847.
The Hop Dinner at the "King’s Arms Inn," St. Peter's Street, Canterbury,
last week, was very numerously and respectably attended. A first-rate
dinner, consisting of turbot and other fish, haunch of mutton,
substantial joints, a profusion of game of all descriptions, and
confectionaries, was placed upon the table. The whole was admirably
served up, and afforded universal satisfaction. The wines were
excellent, and the festivity of the day was maintained to a late hour.
The duty for next season was set at, £150,000.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 29 August 1848.
The County Court was opened an Thursday last by C. Harwood, Esq. There
were no cases of general importance, if we except that of the renewal of
a demand upon the Secretary of the "King’s Arms" £20 Burial Society for
payment of a claim upon the death of a member. The case had been
referred to arbitration, and the decision, from some informality, had
led to the plaintiff's being non-suited. The arguments pro and con.
occupied the court a long time, when the judge stated that he had not
the power to alter his judgment. He then confirmed the order of
non-suit, reserving the question of costs to a future occasion, when the
subject will probably be re-opened by a new trial.
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Kentish Gazette, 24 September 1850.
Early on Sunday morning week and upper chamber of the "King's Arms"
public house, kept by Mr. Perkins, in this city, was entered, and
between £11 and £12, and a quantity of plate, carried off.
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Kentish Gazette, 10 August 1852.
To Gentleman and servants and others, "King's Arms Inn," Canterbury.
To be let, with immediate possession, the above well-known inn, with
stabling, coach houses, &c., situated in the centre of the principal
thoroughfare of Canterbury.
The fixtures and furniture to be taken at a fair evaluation.
For further particulars apply at Beer and Co's Original Brewery,
Canterbury.
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Kentish Gazette, 31 August 1852.
Insolvent.
John Perkins, late of the "King's Arms," St. Peter's Street, appeared
for his first examination in insolvency. His debts were represented to
be to £174 17s. 10d. credits, £10. 2s. 2d. Insolvent, who was supported
by Mr. Delasaux, and was unopposed, received an interim order of
protection against appearing at next Court for his final order.
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Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette 30 April 1853.
CANTERBURY
An inquest was held on Wednesday by Mr. Delasaux at the "King's Arms,"
on the body of an aged woman, named Elizabeth Clark, who was taken ill
on Sunday, and died before medical attendance could be obtained. A
witness deposed that she went to five surgeons, four of whom were out,
and the fifth too ill to attend, and that by the time she did find one
to comply with her request, the woman was dead, Mr. T. S. Cooper, who
had since made an external examination, gave an opinion that there was
nothing to indicate other than natural causes for death, and a verdict
was returned accordingly.
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Kentish Gazette, 3 May 1853.
An inquest was held on Wednesday by Mr. Delasaux, at the "King's
Arms," Canterbury, on the body of an aged woman, named Elizabeth
Clark, who was taken ill on Sunday, and died before medical
attendance could be obtained. A witness deposed that she went to
five surgeons, four of whom were out, and the fifth too ill to
attend, and that by the time she did find one to comply with her
request, the woman was dead. Mr. T. S. Cooper, who had since made an
external examination, gave an opinion that there was nothing to
indicate other than natural causes for death, and a verdict was
returned accordingly.
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South Eastern Gazette 7 September 1858.
DIED.
On the 30th ult, at Brompton, Middlesex, Mr. W. Solly, aged 51 years.
Deceased was son of the late Mr. Richard Solly of the "King's Arms Inn,"
Canterbury.
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From the Kentish Chronicle. 20 August 1859. Price 1½d.
THURSDAY.
(Before the Mayor, Alderman Plummer, T. Philpott Esq., and Captain Love.)
John West Tolhurst, landlord of the “King's Arms.” St. Peters, was
charged with having sold two glasses of foreign wine without a license,
on the 30th alt. The defendant pleaded guilty to selling the wine, but submitted in
extenuating that he was asked for some wine by a party and that he sent
out and bought it of a neighbour, and sold it at the same price as he
gave for it. He was not aware that he was doing wrong. as he made no
profit by selling the wine. Mr. Hamilton said he had reasons to believe that the defendant had
carried on the practice for the put twelve months. This the defend denied. The Major said the fine for such an offence was £50 but the bench had
power to mitigate it, and they would do so its much as they could. The
defendant would therefore have to pay a fine of £12 10s. |
South Eastern Gazette, 21 August, 1860.
Sudden Death.
On Monday evening last an lnquest was held at the "King’s Arms," St.
Peter’s, before T. T. Delasaux, Esq., coroner, respecting the death
of a man known by the name of "Jim." It appeared that the deceased
was lodging at a house in Groves-lane, and on the night of the 11th
inst. he was seized with a fit, and shortly afterwards expired. Mr.
C. Holttum, surgeon, who had made a post mortem examination of the
body, attributed the cause of death to a rupture of the middle
cerebral of the base of the brain, which might have been produced by
natural causes, as there was disease of that vessel.
Verdict "Natural death."
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Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 14 May 1870.
A MIDNIGHT SPREE AND ITS RESULTS.
Edwin Standven was charged with assaulting Police Sergeant Hayward
whilst in the execution of his duty on Saturday morning.
Defendant pleaded not guilty.
P.S. Hayward stated that he was in the High Street on Saturday morning
between one and two, and heard a disturbance taking place in the upper
part of the town, in which direction he immediately proceeded. On
arriving as far as Mercery Lane, he heard the noise of a stone against
the shutters of Mr. Mason’s shop, and saw three men in the road, one of
whom he recognised as Standven, who on seeing him ran down Butchery
Lane. He met the other two and complained to them of their conduct in
the streets, and whilst he was talking to them several stones were
thrown at him from the corner of Mercery Lane by a person whom he
thought was Standven.
P.C. Rye being also on the scene, witness dispatched him in pursuit of
defendant, who ran away. Witness was afterwards passing the "King’s
Arms," St. Peter’s when he heard the defendant talking inside at the bar
about the affair, and boasting about what he had done to a policeman who
had tried to take up one of his friends. Witness looked in and observed
"This is exactly what I want, Standven;" and the defendant then admitted
that he threw the stones, and said he did not wish to get any one else
into a row. A complaint was also made to him of one of the coke fires
being upset in the road by the three men.
Cross-examined by defendant: Could not swear it was you who threw the
stones, but you afterwards admitted it was you.
P.C. Rye said he was with the last witness at the time mentioned. Stones
were thrown against Mr. Reeves’ shutters and three persons were seen
running from that direction, the defendant being one. He ran round an
afterwards stood at the corner of Mercery Lane and pelted P.C. Hayward
with stones. Witness ran after him but could not catch him. He was
afterwards outside the "King's Arms" and heard defendant boasting of
what he had done and subsequently make the admission to P.C. Hayward. He
could swear the defendant was the person who threw the stones and the
one whom he chased.
Defendant stated that he had been out to a party and was talking to a
friend with whom he had been in company, at the "King's Arms," the
latter, being somewhat inebriated, telling the other persons who were in
the bar that he had been throwing stones at a policeman. He (defendant)
thereupon declared that it was him who threw the stones. He said so more
out of a joke than anything, and he did not think the magistrates would
convict on such an admission, in the absence of actual proof of the
offence.
The Superintendent having stated that the defendant was a very
respectable young man, but that he was very fond of a spree, the Mayor
impressed upon the defendant the serious nature of the offence in the
eyes of the law and his liability either to fine or imprisonment, but
remarked that as the defendant did not appear to have any enmity towards
the police sergeant, the magistrates would punish the offence with as
much leniency as possible, and would inflict a fine only of £1 and 11s.
costs.
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Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 14 February 1903.
CANTERBURY BREWSTER SESSIONS.
CHIEF CONSTABLE’S REPORT.
I have given notice of objection to the following houses:-
"King's Arms," St. Peter's Street.— That the house is used as a common
lodging house; that disorderly conduct has been permitted on the
premises; that the sanitary arrangements are unsatisfactory; that the
side doors in St. Peter’s drove are dangerous to persons leaving the
premises; that the premises are not properly adapted for police
supervision, and that the licence is not required to meet the wants of
the neighbourhood.
THE KING'S ARMS, ST. PETER'S STREET.
The first case dealt with was that of the "King’s Arms," St. Peter's
Street, the renewal of the licence of which the Superintendent opposed.
Chief Constable Farmery stated that he visited the house on December
4th. Besides being licensed premises it was used as a common
lodging-house. There was accommodation for over twenty lodgers. The
trade of the house was three barrels besides two gallons of spirits. The
premises were in a fair state of repair. The lodgers constituted a great
nuisance and there had been complaints of disorderly scenes in the back
yard. The complaints were chiefly made by the deacons of the Wesleyan
Chapel and owners of adjoining property. There was a side door to the
house in St. Peter’s Grove and it was very dangerous, the door being
flush with the road and there being no foot path. There were two other
entrances to the house in St. Peter’s Grove. The house was placed out of
bounds by the military authorities in 1891, and it had not since been
withdrawn. He also objected to the house as being unnecessary. The
"Black Griffin" was 218 feet away, the "Crown and Sceptre" 168 feet, the
"Three Compasses" 118 feet, and the "Cricketers" 50 feet. There were
five houses within seventy yards.
Mr. Lewis Glyn, K.C. (instructed by Messrs. Mowll and Mowll), appeared
for the brewers, Messrs. Leney and Co , Dover, and said there had never
been any summons against the holder of the licence of the house.
Superintendent Farmery said that was so.
Mr. Glyn:— The tenant has held the licence for ten years?
Superintendent Farmery:— Yes.
Mr. Glyn asked the Superintendent if his objection was chiefly to the
use of the house as a common lodging-house.
Superintendent Farmery said that if that was done away with a great part
of the trouble would go, but he objected to a side door and other
matters, which he described in detail.
The Chairman asked Mr. Glyn if he gave an undertaking that the lodgers
would be taken away.
Mr. Glyn replied in the affirmative and said the house belonged to
Messrs. Leney and was the only house they had in Canterbury. The tenant
of the house, Bushell, was of exemplary character. He was formerly in
the Kent County Constabulary, and there had never been a summons against
him during the whole period he had kept the house. Messrs. Leney were
prepared to do anything that the Bench considered ought to be done.
Superintendent Farmery said there was an entrance to the house at the
back and he considered that a wall should be built there.
The Chairman said the licence would be renewed if the common lodging
house business were done away with and if the side doors were closed and
a wall erected at the back of the premises. The Justices could not say
what might happen next year when another Bench considered the question
of the licences in the ward.
Mr. Glyn gave the required undertaking regarding the structural
alterations and the doing away of the common lodging-house business.
THE DECISIONS. SIX RENEWALS REFUSED
The Magistrates retired for the purpose of considering the cases. On
their return into Court the Chairman said the Magistrates had given a
great deal of consideration to the cases having regard to the
consequences of their decisions. In the case of the "King's Arm’s" the
Justices had decided that it must stand over in order that plans could
be submitted and approved for the alterations required by the police and
the Surveyor. The plans would have to be submitted by the 21st inst., so
that they might be considered before the adjourned Sessions to be held
on the 25th, and an undertaking would have to be given that the plans
would be carried out to the satisfaction of the police and the Surveyor
and a written undertaking would have to be given agreeing to the
withdrawal of the lodgers.
The Sessions were then adjourned until February 25th.
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At one stage I believe this was operating as Longley's Pork Shop, but the
date of this is at present unknown.
Rory kehow says:- "Longley's traded on this site until the late 1990s.
Not sure if there was anything trading on these premises in between the
"King's Arms" closing in the 1930s and Longley's setting up shop.
LICENSEE LIST
LODGE William (master) pre Oct/1787
ELY Mr 1794+
ROUSE Mrs to Feb/1818
TUCKER Mrs (nee Rouse) Feb/1818+
GILLET Mr pre 1820
SOLLY Richard 1821-29+
MARSH John 1832-34+
GORELY Mary Ann 1838-40+
MORRIS Joseph 1847+
PERKINS John 1850-52+
TOLHEST/TOLHURST John West 1858-59+
WINCLES William 1862+
ALLEN S 1867+
CLAY D 1868+
KEMPTON Richard Kempton 1871+ (also Professor of Music age 31 in 1871)
MAJOR Henry 1874-82+ (age 52 in 1881)
MILLER John 1891+
KEMPTON Richard date unknown
(professor of music and victualler.)
BUSHELL William S 1901-03+ (age 47 in 1901)
BEECH Alfred 1913+
MILES W J 1922+
BOISSON Sidney 1930+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/KingsArms.shtml
http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/kingsarms.html
From the Pigot's Directory 1824
From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29
From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
Stapleton's
Guide 1838
From the Pigot's Directory 1840
From Bagshaw Directory 1847
From Melville's Directory 1858
From the Post Office Directory 1862
Greens
Canterbury Directory 1868
From the Post Office Directory 1874
Census
Kentish
Chronicle
From the Post Office Directory 1882
From the Post Office Directory 1891
From the Post Office Directory 1903
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
From the Post Office Directory 1913
From the Post Office Directory 1922
From the Post Office Directory 1930
Historic
Canterbury web site www.machadoink.com
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