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15 Radnor Street
Folkestone
Opened by retired seaman William Hall in 1851. However, he left in 1855.
A succession of licensees tried in vane to keep a reputable house but
by 1872 there had been no less than 9 licensees, including one retired
policeman called David Stone who claimed the house was beyond redemption. In
1872 new licensee George Holloway changed the name to the "Marquis
of Lorne."
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Dover Telegraph 12 February 1853.
Dover Petty Sessions, Monday: Before E. Sibbitt and C.B. Wilkins
Esqs.
Francis William Fone, a gunner in the Royal Artillery, was charged
with stealing a watch, value 5s.
Jabez Vinall, eating house keeper, Market Place
("Princess Royal, Dover"):- The prisoner slept
at my house on Thursday night, and left about ten minutes after six
on Friday morning, after having a cup of coffee. The watch produced
was in a stand on drawers in the bedroom. Prisoner slept alone, and
no-one but myself entered the room while he was there. I missed the
watch about two hours after he went away; it is a silver one, and I
bought it with another of a Jew at Hartlepool.
Superintendent Coram:- Yesterday the prisoner came to the station
house, and confessed that he had stolen a watch from the house of
the last witness on Friday morning. I took the charge and detained
the prisoner, who also told me that he had sold the watch at
Folkestone, to a fisherman, whose name he thought was Tom. I went to
Folkestone, and found the watch now produced in the possession of
the landlord of the "Mariners Home," who stated that he obtained it of
an artilleryman, and advanced money and refreshments to the amount
of 9s.
Thomas Hall, fisherman and landlord of the "Mariners Home," Radnor
Street:- The prisoner came to my house on Friday, and offered the
duplicate of a watch for sale. The watch was pledged for 4s., and he
wanted 6s. for the ticket. I advanced 4s. 1d. to take the watch out
of pledge, and prisoner had refreshments to the amount of 5s. He
wanted another shilling. He left the watch with me before he went
away.
Richard Abbott, fisherman, deposed to receiving 4s. 1d. from the
witness Hall, and the duplicate of a watch from the prisoner, and
redeemed therewith the watch now produced.
The prisoner made no defence, and was committed for trial.
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Dover Telegraph 30 December 1854.
Petty Sessions, Dec. 27: Before W. Major and J. Kelcey Esqs.
The following licenses were transferred: The "Red
Cow," Foord, from John Goodburn to William Prebble; the "Mariners
Arms," Radnor Street, from Thomas Hall to Richard Ovenden;
the "Royal Oak,"
North Street, from Thomas Saunders to Richard Hills, of Sandgate.
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Southeastern Gazette 2 January 1855.
Local News.
The following licence was transferred. The Mariner’s Arms from Thos.
Hale to Richard Ovenden.
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Southeastern Gazette 3 April 1855.
Notice: In the county of Kent at Folkestone.
Whereas a petition of Thomas Hall, residing at East Street, in the
town of Folkestone, in the county of Kent, labourer and boatman;
formerly of the "Mariners Home," Radnor Street, beer-shop keeper and
boatman; then of the same place, innkeeper and boatman, an insolvent
debtor, having been filed in the County Court of Kent, at
Folkestone, and an interim order for protection from process having
been given to the said Thomas Hall under the provisions of the
statutes in that case made and provided, the said Thomas Hall is
hereby required to appear at the next Court, to be holden at the
Guildhall, at Folkestone aforesaid, on the 14th day of April next,
at ten o'clock in the forenoon precisely, for his first examination
touching his debts, estate, and effects, and to be further dealt
with according to the provisions of the said statutes. And notice is
hereby given that the choice of assignees is to take place at the
time so appointed.
All persons indebted to the said Thomas Hall, or who have any of his
effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to Mr. Ralph Thomas
Brockman, the Clerk of the Court, at Folkestone, the official
assignee acting in the matter of the said petition.
Thos. Harris, High Bailiff, Messenger of the said Court.
Note: More Bastions lists a William Hall at the Mariners Home.
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Southeastern Gazette 18 September 1855.
Local News.
Annual Licensing Day.
Monday: Before the Mayor and a full bench.
All the licenses were granted except those of the Radnor Inn and
Mariners’ Home, which were reported by Superintendent Steer as
disorderly and harbouring bad characters.
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Folkestone Chronicle 29 September 1855.
Wednesday September 26th :- Before W. Major Esq.
Leopold Waelkens and Joseph Comoot were charged by police constable
Barry with deserting from the German Legion. The officer found Waelkens
in the Mariner's Home, Radnor Street, and as he found he had left a
bundle, containing soldier's clothes, in the bar, he apprehended him as
a deserter. It turned out however that he did not belong to the service,
and was therefore discharged. The soldier's clothes in the bundle turned
out to belong to the other prisoner, Comoot, whom Barry found in the tap
room, with no jacket nor cap on, but was wearing a pair of military
trousers, which, however, were concealed from view, by his wearing a
pair of plain trousers over them, and as he had been absent for some
days from the camp, he was committed to Gaol as a deserter, and reported
to the War Office.
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Folkestone Chronicle 13 October 1855.
Tuesday October 9th :- Present W. Major Esq., G. Kennicott Esq., and J.
Kelcey Esq.
The Adjourned General Licensing Meeting was held this day, when the
following licence was granted: John Taylor, Mariner's Home.
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Folkestone Chronicle 3 November 1855.
Wednesday October 31st :- Before G. Kennicott esq., W. Major Esq., J.
Kelcey esq., and S. Godden esq.
John Taylor, a licensed victualler, appeared to answer the charge of
keeping a disorderly house, the Mariner's Home, in Radnor Street. Fined
20s. and costs.
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Kentish Gazette 6 November 1855.
At the meeting of the Magistrates last week, John Taylor, landlord of
the Mariners Home, in Radnor Street, was fined 20s. and costs for
keeping a disorderly house.
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Southeastern Gazette 6 November 1855.
Local News.
Monday: Before J. Kelcey, and G. Kennicott, Esqs.
John Taylor, a licensed victualler, was fined 20s. and costs for keeping
a disorderly house in Radnor Street, known as the Mariners Home.
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Folkestone Chronicle 29 December 1855.
Wednesday December 26th :- Before James Tolputt esq., Mayor, William
Major esq., and James Kelcey esq.
John Taylor, licenced victualler, was charged with having his house open
at a quarter past 12 on Sunday morning last. The case having been proved
by police constable Charles Ovenden, defendant was convicted in the
penalty of £2, including the costs.
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Folkestone Chronicle 13 September 1856.
Monday September 8th: - Special sessions were holden for the purpose of
renewing licences, and granting new ones. Present, the Mayor, and G.
Kennicott, S. Godden, W. Major, J. Kelcey, W. Bateman, S. Mackie, and J.
Kinsford esqs.
The licences of 45 houses were renewed. The licence of the Mariner's
Home was refused, the landlord having been twice summoned, and twice
cautioned, during the year, continual complaints having been made
respecting it.
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Southeastern Gazette 16 September 1856.
Special Sessions, Monday: Before the Mayor, T Golder, W. Major, W.
Bateman, G. Kennicott, J. Kingsnorth, J. Kelcey, and S. Mackie, Esqs.
This being licensing day, 55 licenses were renewed, and one refused.
Superintendent Steer reported that the Mariners’ Home, in Radnor-street,
kept by John Taylor, was radically bad. The landlord had been twice
fined, and he was not a fit man to keep it. Mr. Bateman (one of the
magistrates) said it was no better than a common brothel. The
magistrates refused the license.
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Folkestone Chronicle 20 September 1856.
Tuesday September 16th. Present – The Mayor, W. Major, W. Bateman, S.
Mackie and J. Kelcey esqrs.
John Taylor, landlord of the Mariner's Home, Radnor Street, was charged
with being drunk and disorderly. Mr. Lyddon appeared for defendant.
Police Constable Hawkes said that on Friday night, being on duty in
Radnor Street, he heard fighting in the Mariner's Home. He opened the
door, and went into the tap room where he found six soldiers of the
Swiss Legion and two of the 44th foot. The defendant was also there
fighting with one of the Swiss soldiers. Witness endeavoured to part
them, which he did with some difficulty. Defendant insisted upon
fighting again and threatened to punch witness' head. Defendant's face
was covered with blood. Witness got all the soldiers out, but about
three quarters of an hour later found them there again.
Mr. Lyddon, addressing the bench, said he was instructed that the party
in the house were some of the Swiss Legion who had forced their way into
the defendant's house and insisted upon being served with beer. The
scuffle deposed to by the policeman arose in consequence of his
endeavours to clear his house. He called Sarah Pilcher, who however did
nothing to improve his case.
The Mayor, addressing the defendant, said he was sorry to see him before
the bench again. He had already lost his licence, and the house being
the property of a poor widow made the case worse. In answer to which the
defendant said he had no protection from the police.
The magistrates retired to consider the case, and upon their return the
Mayor said this was the third time defendant had been before the bench
in 12 months; but in consequence of losing his licence they had
mitigated his fine to 5s, and 8s 6d costs.
ADJOURNED SPECIAL SESSIONS – Wed. Sept. 17th
The business was the renewal of licences of public houses to those
persons who did not attend the previous sessions. That of the Mariner's
Home was granted on the condition that the owner of the premises got
another tenant in the place of the present occupier, whose conduct has
been anything but satisfactory during the past year, continual
complaints having been made respecting it.
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Southeastern Gazette 23 September 1856.
Petty Sessions: Before The Mayor, W. Major, W. Bateman, S. Mackie, and
J. Kelcey, Esqs.
John Taylor, landlord of the Mariners’ Home, was summoned bv
police-constable Hawkes for an assault.
It appeared that the defendant was intoxicated, and was quarrelling and
fighting with some Swiss soldiers. The police were sent for, and the
defendant struck Hawkes.
Defendant, in answer to the charge, said the police picked him out from
others who were doing worse. He endeavoured to keep the soldiers out,
when they broke into his house and would have beer. Defendant called his
servant to prove his assertions, but she added that her master m his
passion assaulted the policeman.
Superintendent Steer, in answer to a question from the Mayor, said that
as long as the defendant kept girls in his house, it would never be
better; he could not keep a policeman in defendant’s house to preserve
order which the defendant expected him to do.
The magistrates having consulted, the Mayor said that as the license of
the house had been taken away by them, they would not fine him heavily,
but he must pay a fine of 6s., costs 8s. 6d.
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Southeastern Gazette 4 August 1857.
Wednesday: Before The Mayor, and T. Golder, Esq.
John Taylor was summoned for for keeping his house open after 11 o’
clock on Sunday morning.
Fined 20s. and 13s. costs.
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Southeastern Gazette 22 February 1859.
Local News.
At the Petty Sessions on Wednesday, a licence was granted to David
Stone, for the Mariners’ Home, Radnor Street.
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Folkestone Chronicle 3 November 1860.
Wednesday October 31st:- Before the Mayor, James Tolputt and William
Major esqs.
John Milton, landlord of the Mariner's Home, Radnor Street, appeared to
answer two informations laid against him by the Superintendent of
Police, charging him with keeping a disorderly house, and harbouring
improper persons. Mr. Minter appeared to support defendant. The evidence
having been heard, and also Mr. Minter in defence, the magistrates
consulted, and ultimately fined the defendant £2, with 23s. costs, in
all £3 3s.
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From the Folkestone Chronicle 9 February, 1861.
DESERTERS
Wednesday February 6th:- Before the Mayor, R.W. Boarer and W.f.
Browell, Esqs.
Two privates in the Royal Artillery, and who gave the names of Thomas
Williams and William Mansfield, were brought up charged on suspicion of
being deserters from Dover.
John Reynolds P.C. deposed that on information received from Dover by
telegraph that two of the Artillery had deserted, he kept a look out,
and yesterday afternoon being in Shellons Lane saw the prisoners coming
down the lane; witness then went for assistance and after a long search
found them at the "Mariner's Home," Radnor Street, took them into
custody, and brought them to the station; searched them, and found that
the number of the brigade was cut off the shoulder strap of their
jackets; asked them where they came from and they said Shorncliffe; none
of their clothing was marked except Mansfield's, in the sleeve of whose
jacket the name of “Harder” was written, and this corresponded with the
name in the telegraphic message received.
The superintendent said he had made enquiries and found that none of
the Artillery were missing yesterday from Shorncliffe: he had also
telegraphed to Dover and expected an answer from them before now. In
answer to a question from the Bench, Williams said he was not a
deserter; he belonged to the 4th Brigade at Shorncliffe. The prisoner
Mansfield whose hair had unmistakeable signs of a military prison crop,
said he belonged to the 2nd Brigade, and that Harder was the name under
which he had enlisted; and that he was a deserter from the 6th Dragoon
Guards, and wanted to give himself up, and for that reason left Dover,
as they would not allow him to go to his own Regiment from Dover. The
magistrates decided to remand Williams, and send Mansfield to Dover, and
just as the court was breaking up a corporal and four gunners of the 2nd
Brigade came into court from Dover, and the corporal at once identified
both prisoners, giving their names, Williams as James Jenkins, and
Mansfield as Thomas Harder, they having come from Dover to convey the
prisoners there. The prisoners were immediately handcuffed together, and
taken to Dover by the 2 p.m.
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Folkestone Observer 9 February 1861.
Wednesday February 6th: Before the Mayor, R.W. Boarer, R.F. Browell,
James Tolputt and James Kelcey Esqs.
Deserters.
On Monday afternoon Superintendent Martin received a telegram from
Dover, giving information respecting two men of the Royal Artillery
stationed there, having broken out of guard. Information of the matter
was given to the constables, and about 5 o'clock P.C. Reynolds reported
that men, answering the description, had been seen in Shellons Lane.
Search was made on the public houses of the town, and after a lapse of
an hour or two the men were again discovered in the Mariner's Home,
Dover Street. One of the constables who made the discovery went up to
the station to report, while the other remained to watch the movements
of the suspected men, who, seeing the notice taken of them, came out of
the house and walked away, re-entering, however, unobserved by the back
door. Superintendent Martin brought down from the battery a corporal's
picket, and on going into the house to search, found one of the men in a
bedroom, behind a bed, and the other covered up in the bed, dressed in
his clothes, and still wearing his spurs, &c. Calling Jenkins by name,
he ordered him out of bed, when he saw that his regimental number had
been cut off his shoulder strap. Then making the other take off his
coat, he observed on the lining the name Harder, which was the second
name given in the telegram, his regimental number was also cut off the
shoulder strap. The men declared they were from Shorncliffe, but the
Superintendent ordered them below. They came down, and proceeding
through the passage, just as Jenkins came to the door, and observed the
corporal and his guard awaiting them, he turned about, and fetched P.C.
Reynolds a severe blow on the cheek. The picket immediately seized him;
and Harder proving restive, he was thrown on the ground and handcuffed.
After they were lodged in the station, the landlady of the Mariner's
Home brought up two stout, knobbly, ash bludgeons; carefully cut; about
eighteen inches in length, which had been found in the room they had
occupied. Jenkins now denied his identity, and was remanded. Before the
case of Harder was disposed of, a non-commissioned officer and a number
of men appeared in court from Dover, to receive the prisoners into
custody. They were fully identified, but were ordered by the magistrates
to be sent in civil custody to the headquarters in Dover.
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Folkestone Chronicle 22 June 1861.
Saturday July 15th:- Before the Mayor, Captain Kennicott R.N., W. Major.
W.F. Browell and A.M. Leith Esqs.
Ann Tong applied for a temporary authority for selling beer at the
Mariner's Home, Radnor Street, till the next licence day. Application
allowed.
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Folkestone Observer 16 November 1861.
Saturday November 9th:- Before Silvester Eastes, W.F. Browell, and A.M.
Leith esqs.
Drunkenness In A Public House.
Ann Tong, landlady of the Mariner's Home, was charged with permitting
drunkenness on the premises.
Mr. Minter appeared for the defendant.
P.C. Reynolds, about 20 minutes past 11 o'clock, on Wednesday night, was
on duty at the further end of Radnor Street. Hearing a great disturbance
in the Mariner's Home, which is kept by the defendant, he stood opposite
the front door and saw down the passage into the back room. He saw
parties there quarrelling, and using foul language; two sailors there
commenced fighting, and knocked each other down. Witness then went in
and parted them, when he saw a man named Filmer with blood running down
his face. The two men who were fighting, as well as Filmer, were drunk.
The landlady was in the bar, clearing away some things the men had
knocked over; she could see what was going on.
Mr. Minter called Filmer, who lodges in the house, and Carter, a sailor
who also lodges there, to show that the quarrel between the fishermen
was a sudden one and that the landlady promptly sent for the aid of the
police.
The magistrates dismissed the case.
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Kentish Express 16 November 1861.
Saturday November 9th:- Before Silvester Eastes, W.F. Browell, and
A.M. Leith esqs.
Drunkenness In A Public House.
Ann Tong, landlady of the "Mariner's Home," was charged with
permitting drunkenness on the premises.
Mr. Minter appeared for the defendant.
P.C. Reynolds, about 20 minutes past 11 o'clock, on Wednesday night,
was on duty at the further end of Radnor Street. Hearing a great
disturbance in the Mariner's Home, which is kept by the defendant,
he stood opposite the front door and saw down the passage into the
back room. He saw parties there quarrelling, and using foul
language; two sailors there commenced fighting, and knocked each
other down. Witness then went in and parted them, when he saw a man
named Filmer with blood running down his face. The two men who were
fighting, as well as Filmer, were drunk. The landlady was in the
bar, clearing away some things the men had knocked over; she could
see what was going on.
Mr. Minter called Filmer, who lodges in the house, and Carter, a
sailor who also lodges there, to show that the quarrel between the
fishermen was a sudden one and that the landlady promptly sent for
the aid of the police.
The magistrates dismissed the case.
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Folkestone Observer 15 March 1862.
Monday March 10th:- Before Captain Kennicott R.N., and James Tolputt esq.
Soldiers On The Spree.
Eli Pape, 21st Fusiliers, was charged with maliciously injuring and
breaking glass. On Saturday night, about half past 11, the prisoner and
two other drunken soldiers came out of the Mariner's Home public house,
Radnor Street, with their belts twisted round their hands, and shouting
“Let them come out”, and the prisoner struck the door window with his
belt five times, breaking as many panes of glass, value 4s. 8d.. He was
then taken into custody. Richard Bailey, landlord, said the soldiers had
nothing to drink in his house. Prisoner was sent to Dover jail for seven
days' hard labour.
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Folkestone Chronicle 12 April 1862.
Petty Sessions, Wednesday, 9th April: Before Capt. G. Kennicott R.N.
and James Tolputt Esq.
The license of the Mariners Home, Radnor Street, was transferred
from Ann Tong to Richard Bailey, late landlord of the Queen's Head.
The license of the West Cliff Hotel transferred to Joseph Horwood
from G. Giovannini. The license of the South Foreland to Charles
Edward Jordan from H. Robinson.
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Southeastern Gazette 15 April 1862.
Local News.
Transfer of Licence: At the petty sessions, on Wednesday, the following
transfer was made: The Mariner’s Home, Radnor Street, from Ann Tong to
Richd. Bailey.
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From the Folkestone Chronicle 10 May, 1862.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
Saturday May 3rd:- Before the Mayor, W.F. Browell and James Kelcey,
Esqs.
Richard Bailey was brought up on summons charged with permitting
drunkenness and other disorderly conduct in his house, the "Mariner's
Home," Radnor Street.
Ingram Swain, a police constable, being sworn, proved that on Tuesday
last, at several hours during the night, he found persons in the
premises drunk, and making a disturbance; two sailors had also been
fighting; the defendant was drunk.
Police Sergeant Newman corroborated the evidence of P.C. Swain.
Defendant was convicted in the penalty of 20s. and 16s. costs, or
imprisonment for ten days.
THEFT
Monday May 5th:- Before Gilbert Kennicott and James Tolputt, Esqs.
Mary Ward was brought up, charged with stealing two sovereigns, three
half crowns and 1 shilling from the person of William Pearce. He was in
the "Mariner's Home" and fell asleep on the sofa about 1 o'clock in the
afternoon; about 10 minutes after he woke, put his hand in his pocket,
and found his money gone.
Prisoner, it appeared, had stolen the money and hid it in an upstairs
room, and confessed where it was. Prisoner pleaded Guilty and was
sentenced to two months' hard labour.
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From the Folkestone Observer 10 May, 1862.
PERMITTING DRUNK AND DISORDERLIES
Saturday May 3rd:- Before the Mayor, W.F. Browell and J. Kelcey, Esqs.
Richard Bailey, landlord of the "Mariner's Home," Radnor Street, was
charged with permitting drunkenness and other disorderly conduct.
P.C. Swain, at 10 o'clock on Tuesday night, heard several people
singing, shouting, and making a great noise at the "Mariner's Home."
About half past eleven he visited the house and saw 7 or 8 soldiers in
the front room, some drunk and shouting, and sailors and a prostitute in
a back room – some of the sailors being drunk.
The defendant appeared to be the worse for liquor. At a quarter past
12 o'clock the defendant called for the police, and witness and P.C.
Hills went to his house, in the front room of which he found one man
down on the floor bleeding from the face, and another standing near him,
stripped to his shirt. Bailey desired the people present to go out, and
some went. In the back room were two soldiers, stripped to their shirts,
covered with blood, and with black eyes. Blood was on the floor and on
the table. Witness cautioned defendant, and persuaded several of the men
to go away; and several did go. He reported the state of the house to
P.S. Newman, and at half past 12 the sergeant and himself visited the
house together, when they found it much quieter. He had cautioned the
defendant that the woman was a prostitute.
Sergeant Newman also gave evidence as to the state of the house and
of Bailey himself.
The magistrates sentenced the defendant to pay a fine of 20s. and
10s. costs, or imprisonment for 10 days.
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Dover Chronicle 17 May 1862.
Mary Ward, a “help” at the Mariners Home, was committed for two
months for robbing a lodger at the house of £2 8s. 6d.
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Folkestone Observer 17 May 1862.
Drunk And Riotous.
Saturday May 10th:- Before Captain Kennicott R.N. and James Tolputt esq.
Edward Jordan, labourer, was charged with being drunk and riotous, and
with resisting the police. About 20 minutes past 11 the previous night
P.C. Reynolds saw the prisoner and his wife in the Mariner's Home,
Radnor Street, fighting.The man put his wife into the street, where they
renewed the fight. Witness parted them, but they refused to go home, and
so he took the prisoner into custody, and though much resistance was
shown, he brought him to the station.
Sarah Jordan, wife of the prisoner in the last case, was next put at the
bar charged with similar offences. When P.C. Reynolds was taking Jordan
to the station, prisoner ran up, and seizing her husband endeavoured to
release him. P.C. Reynolds called on Mr. John Banks for aid; but when he
laid hold of her she bit his hand, and he let her go. On her promise to
go home she was allowed to go away; but she made her appearance again at
the top of the High Street, and was arrested and locked up.
The magistrates now sentenced Jordan to pay a fine of 1s. with 4s. 6d.
costs, or in default, 5 days' imprisonment; and the wife to a fine of
1s. with 5s 6d. costs, or 5 days' imprisonment.
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Folkestone Chronicle 6 September 1862.
Wednesday September 3rd:- Before Captain Gilbert Kennicott R.N., W.F.
Browell, James Tolputt, A.M. Leith and W. Wightwick esqs.
Henry Hazle, landlord of the Mariner's Home, transferred the licence of
that house to Henry Richardson.
Note: More Bastions lists him as Bazle.
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Folkestone Observer 24 January 1863.
Drunk And Resisting.
Tuesday January 24th:- Before Captain Kennicott R.N., A.M. Leith and
James Tolputt Esqs.
James Betts, 23, was charged with being drunk and riotous at the
Mariner's Home, and with resisting P.C. Reynolds.
The landlord of the Mariner's Home said that prisoner came to the house
at eleven the night before, rather fresh, and commenced dancing on the
chairs &c. He did not wish to press the charge, only he wished it to be
understood that people could not come into his house and do as they
liked.
P.C. Reynolds said that when the prisoner was given into custody he
would not come along, and resisted, but did not strike him.
Prisoner said, in reply to Captain Kennicott, that he had been seven
years a man-of-war's man, but he had had enough of that. The only cause
of resisting the officer was the loss of his cap, which he wanted to go
back for. If he had been allowed his cap he should not have resisted.
Superintendent Martin said as prisoner had not struck the officer with
his hand he would not press that charge.
Prisoner was then discharged on payment of costs.
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Canterbury Weekly Journal 21 March 1863
Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman
John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, soldiers, were charged
with having wilfully set fire to a stack of wheat, the property of
John Kingsnorth, at Folkestone, on the 7th of March. Mr. Biron was
for the prosecution.
The prosecutor deposed: I am the occupier, in the borough of
Folkestone. On the 6th of this month I had some stacks of wheat
standing in my homestead. At about half past twelve on the night in
question I was aroused from sleep. I went into the yard and found
the stack alight. It was worth £150. I saw both prisoners there in
the custody of the police. One of them, with an oath, said the stack
was on fire when he got there, and that he lighted his pipe there. I
do not know which said that. The other must have heard it, as they
were handcuffed together. Afterwards, when I requested one of the
police to take them away, one of them said he wished he had set the
---- lot on fire. I do not know which one it was said that. There
were several other stacks near.
P.C. Charles Ovenden said: I am a police constable of the Borough of
Folkestone. At 12.20 I went towards Mr. Kingsnorth's farm. Noticed
one of the stacks was on fire. Called Mr. Kingsnorth up as soon as I
got to the house. I then went towards the stack. When I got to the
stack I saw the two prisoners sitting down about ten or twelve yards
from the stack. Another constable was with me, who said to the
prisoners “How long have you been here?” Cunningham said they had
been there half an hour. Brown said they had only been there a few
minutes. I told them I should take them into custody for setting the
stack on fire. Cunningham said he saw the stack on fire and lit his
pipe by it. He afterwards said “I set the stack on fire, and wish I
had set all the ---- lot on fire.” Brown said “Hold your tongue. You
have said too much already.” On the way to the station Cunningham
said “I set the stack on fire. I wish I had set Folkestone on fire,
and the ---- Camp.” The stack was in a field. There is a footpath
about ten or twelve yards from the stack. I did not see anyone by
the stack when I got there but the two prisoners. The prisoners were
both intoxicated – Cunningham worse than Brown. The stack was
totally destroyed.
P.C. Sharp corroborated.
P.C. Woodland deposed that he was on duty at the police station on
the morning of the 7th inst. He visited the cells at about 9 o'clock.
Brown volunteered the statement that he was innocent of the fire.
Witness cautioned him. Prisoner afterwards said “I was drinking at
the Bouverie Arms, at Folkestone. We left at about a quarter before
twelve. As we left the public house Cunningham asked the landlady
for some lucifers to light his pipe as we went home to the Camp. She
gave him some lucifers, and as we were going across the fields we
passed some corn stacks. Cunningham said to me “I shall light my
pipe here”, and went across to the stack and lit his pipe with a
Lucifer. After he had lit his pipe he put the other part of the
lucifers under the stack and set it on fire, then took a handful of
straw from where it was alight, and put it on the other side of the
stack and set that on fire. After that he came across the road and
sat beside me.
Catherine Richardson said: I am the landlady of the
Mariners Home
public house, Folkestone. The prisoners came in about eight o'clock.
They came in together and left together about half past eleven. As
they left, Cunningham asked for some lucifers, saying they were to
light a fire on board of his cousin's smack, where he was going to
sleep. She gave him some lucifers. They then went away in the
direction of Mr. Kingsnorth's farm.
Brown's statement before the magistrates was read, and was similar
to that made to the constable, and already in print. Brown had
nothing to say in his defence.
Cunningham said he was in liquor on the night in question and did
not know what he was about. All he could remember was seeing the
stack on fire. He pleaded Guilty to the charge, but begged for
mercy.
Catherine Richardson, re-called, said the prisoners had been
drinking at her house, but were sober when they left the house.
Brown was acquitted, Cunningham found Guilty, and sentenced to ten
years' penal servitude.
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Dover Chronicle 21 March 1863
Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman.
John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, soldiers, were charged
with having wilfully set fire to a stack of wheat, the property of
John Kingsnorth, at Folkestone, on the 7th of March. Mr. Biron was
for the prosecution.
The prosecutor deposed: I am the occupier, in the borough of
Folkestone. On the 6th instant I had some stacks of wheat standing
in my homestead. At about half past twelve on the night in question
I was aroused from sleep. I went into the yard and found the stack
alight. It was worth £150. I saw both prisoners there in the custody
of the police. One of them, with an oath, said the stack was on fire
when he got there, and that he lighted his pipe there. I do not know
which said that. The other must have heard it, as they were
handcuffed together. Afterwards, when I requested one of the police
to take them away, one of them said he wished he had set the ----
lot on fire. I do not know which one it was said that. There were
several other stacks near.
P.C. Charles Ovenden said: I was on duty on the night of the 6th.
About 12.20 I went towards Mr. Kingsnorth's farm. Noticed one of the
stacks on fire. Called Mr. Kingsnorth up as soon as I got to the
house. I then went towards the stack, and saw the two prisoners
sitting about 10 or 12 yards off. Another constable was with me, who
said to the prisoners “How long have you been here?” Cunningham said
they had been there half an hour. Brown said they had only been
there a few minutes. I told them I should take them into custody for
setting the stack on fire. Cunningham said he saw the stack on fire
and lit his pipe by it. He afterwards said “I set the stack on fire,
and wish I had set all the ---- lot on fire.” Brown said “Hold your
tongue. You have said too much already.” On the way to the station
Cunningham said “I set the stack on fire. I wish I had set
Folkestone on fire, and the ---- Camp.” The stack was in a field.
There is a footpath about ten or twelve yards from the stack. I did
not see anyone by the stack when I got there but the two prisoners.
The prisoners were both intoxicated – Cunningham worse than Brown.
The stack was totally destroyed.
P.C. Sharp corroborated.
P.C. Woodland deposed that he was on duty at the police station on
the morning of the 7th inst. He visited the cells at about nine
o'clock. Brown volunteered the statement that he was innocent of the
fire. Witness cautioned him. Prisoner afterwards said “I was
drinking at the Bouverie Arms, at Folkestone. We left at about a
quarter before twelve. As we left the public house Cunningham asked
the landlady for some lucifers to light his pipe as we went home to
the Camp. She gave him some lucifers, and as we were going across
the fields we passed some corn stacks. Cunningham said to me “I
shall light my pipe here”, and went across to the stack and lit his
pipe with a Lucifer. After he had lit his pipe he put the other part
of the lucifers under the stack and set it on fire, then took a
handful of straw from where it was alight, and put it on the other
side of the stack and set that on fire. After that he came across
the road and sat beside me.
Catherine Richardson said: I am the landlady of the
Mariners Home
public house, Folkestone. The prisoners came in about eight o'clock.
They came in together and left together about half past eleven. As
they left, Cunningham asked for some lucifers, saying they were to
light a fire on board of his cousin's smack, where he was going to
sleep. She gave him some lucifers. They then went away in the
direction of Mr. Kingsnorth's farm.
Brown's statement before the magistrates was read, and was similar
to that made to the constable. Brown had nothing to say in his
defence.
Cunningham said he was in liquor on the night in question and did
not know what he was about. All he could remember was seeing the
stack on fire. He pleaded Guilty to the charge, but begged for
mercy.
Catherine Richardson, re-called, said the prisoners had been
drinking at her house, but were sober when they left the house.
Brown was acquitted, Cunningham found Guilty, and sentenced to ten
years' penal servitude.
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Dover Express 21 March 1863
Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman
John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, two smart-looking young
fellows, privates in the Royal Artillery, stationed at Shorncliffe,
were charged with having wilfully and feloniously set fire to a
stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsnorth. Mr. Biron conducted
the prosecution.
The prisoners, it appeared, were drinking at a public house at
Folkestone on the night of the 6th of March, and left about twelve
o'clock, both of them being at the time the worse for liquor; and
before they went away, Cunningham asked the landlady to give him a
few lucifers to light his pipe with, and she did so. Very soon
afterwards one of the stacks of wheat belonging to the prosecutor,
who is a farmer on Sandgate Road, was discovered to be on fire, and
upon two constables of the Borough of Folkestone, named Ovenden and
Sharp, going to the spot, they found the prisoners sitting down
close to the stack. The officers asked how long they had been there,
and Cunningham replied “About half an hour”, but Brown interposed
and said they had only been there a few minutes. The prisoners were
then told that they would be charged with setting the stack on fire,
upon which Cunningham said that the stack was alight when he came
there, but immediately afterwards he said that he had set it on
fire, and added that he liked to see a good blaze, and he wished
that he had set the whole lot on fire, and he wished that he could
set the town of Folkestone on fire, and the ---- Camp too. He added
that he should also have liked to have seen the two constables on
the top of the fire. The other prisoner, Brown, told him to hold his
tongue, and that he had said a great deal too much already, but he
continued to make use of violent expressions, and repeated that he
was the man who had set fire to the stack. On the following morning,
when the prisoners had become sober, Brown said that he was innocent
of the fire, and he stated that he and his companion had been
drinking at a public house at Folkestone, and were very drunk when
they left, and they went across the fields, and upon their arrival
at the prosecutor's stack-yard Cunningham said that he should light
his pipe, and went up to the stack in question, and he saw him
strike a match and light his pipe, and he then put the remainder of
the match in the stack, and it blazed up. He went on to say that he
took out a handful of the burning straw, and went round to the
opposite side of the stack and set fire to it, and when he had done
so he came and sat down by him, and they remained there until the
police came up. The prisoner repeated the above statement when he
was examined before the magistrate, but Cunningham merely stated
that he had nothing to say at present. The prosecutor, too, was an
entire stranger to the prisoners, and there did not appear to be the
slightest motive for the commission of the diabolical act. The stack
of wheat, which was worth £140, was entirely destroyed.
The prisoner Brown, when called upon for his defence, made the same
statement he had done before; and Cunningham said he was so drunk at
the time that he knew nothing about the affair, and all he
recollected was that the stack was on fire when he arrived at the
spot.
The Jury, after some deliberation, acquitted Brown, and found
Cunningham Guilty. He begged the Court to deal mercifully with him.
The learned Judge, in passing sentence, said that he had always
regarded the offence of arson as one of the most serious character,
and denoting the greatest malignity of mind on the part of the
prisoner committing it. It did him no good, and the result was
merely to cause mischief and injury; and he was sorry to see a man
in the position of the prisoner disgrace the service in which he was
engaged by committing such an offence. He then ordered him to be
kept in penal servitude for ten years, and the prisoner left the
dock laughing.
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Dover Telegraph 21 March 1863
Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman.
John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, privates in the Royal
Artillery, stationed at Shorncliffe, were charged with having
wilfully and feloniously set fire to a stack of wheat, the property
of John Kingsnorth. Mr. Biron conducted the prosecution.
The prisoners, it appeared, were drinking at a public house at
Folkestone on the night of the 6th of March, and left about twelve
o'clock, both of them being the worse for liquor. Before they went
away, Cunningham asked the landlady to give him a few lucifers to
light his pipe with, and she did so. Soon afterwards a stack of
wheat belonging to the prosecutor, who is a farmer on the Sandgate
Road, was discovered to be on fire, and the prisoners sitting close
to the stack, Cunningham smoking a pipe. The prisoners were then
told that they would be charged with setting the stack on fire, upon
which Cunningham said that the stack was alight when he came there,
but afterwards he said that he had set it on fire. Brown told him to
hold his tongue, but he repeated that he was the man who had set
fire to the stack. When the prisoners had become sober, Brown said
that he was innocent of the fire, and he stated that he and his
companion were very drunk, and they went across the fields, and upon
their arrival at the prosecutor's stack-yard Cunningham said that he
should light his pipe, and went up to the stack, and he saw him
strike a match and light his pipe, and he then put the remainder of
the match in the stack, and it blazed up. This prisoner repeated the
statement before the magistrate, but Cunningham had nothing to say.
The prosecutor was a stranger to the prisoners, and there did not
appear to be the slightest motive for the commission of the
diabolical act. The stack of wheat, worth £140, was destroyed.
Brown, in defence, made the statement he had done before; and
Cunningham said he was so drunk at the time that he knew nothing
about the affair.
The Jury, acquitted Brown, and found Cunningham Guilty.
The learned Judge, in passing sentence, said that he had always
regarded the offence of arson as one of the most serious character,
and denoting the greatest malignity of mind on the part of the
prisoner committing it. It did him no good, and the result was
merely to cause mischief and injury; and he was sorry to see a man
in the position of the prisoner disgrace the service in which he was
engaged by committing such an offence. He then ordered him to be
kept in penal servitude for ten years.
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Faversham Mercury 21 March 1863
Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman.
John Jones (sic), 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, two privates in the
Royal Artillery, were charged with firing a stack, at Dover (sic),
on the 7th of March, the property of Mr. John Kingsnorth. Mr. Biron
appeared for the prosecution.
The prosecutor said he had a number of corn stacks standing near his
homestead, and on the morning of the 7th was aroused by an alarm of
fire. On going to see what was the matter, he found a large wheat
stack, worth probably about £50, was alight. Both the prisoners were
then in custody of the police, and one of them said he wished they
had set the whole lot on fire.
Ovenden and Smart, two of the Folkestone police, on the night in
question noticed one of Mr. Kingsnorth's stacks on fire. Gave an
alarm, and then went towards one of the stacks, and about a dozen
yards off found the prisoners sitting on the roadside. On
questioning them, Cunningham said they had been there half an hour,
but Brown said “No, only a few minutes.” On being taken into custody
Cunningham said “I saw the stack on fire, and lit my pipe at it.” He
added “I have set a stack on fire, and I wished I had set the whole
lot of them alight.” Brown said “Hold your tongue. You've said too
much already.” No person was near the stacks when the police first
went up. Both the prisoners were intoxicated. The stack was totally
destroyed.
Catherine Richardson, landlady of the
Mariners Arms, Folkestone,
said the prisoners came in about half past eleven and had some
drink, and as they left they asked for some lucifers. He said he was
going on board his cousin's smack to sleep, and she gave him about a
dozen matches. They went off in the direction of Dover.
In defence the prisoners said Cunningham went to light his pipe to
the leeward of the stack, and it was accidentally fired. They were
in a state of drunkenness, and did not know what they said to the
police afterwards.
The Jury, after some deliberation acquitted Brown, but found
Cunningham guilty. A former conviction was proved and he was
sentenced to ten years' penal servitude.
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Kentish Express 21 March 1863
Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman
John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, two smart-looking young
fellows, privates in the Royal Artillery, stationed at Shorncliffe,
were charged with having wilfully and feloniously set fire to a
stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsnorth. Mr. Biron conducted
the prosecution.
The prisoners, it appeared, were drinking at a public house at
Folkestone on the night of the 6th of March, and left about twelve
o'clock, both of them being at the time the worse for liquor; and
before they went away, Cunningham asked the landlady to give him a
few lucifers to light his pipe with, and she did so. Very soon
afterwards one of the stacks of wheat belonging to the prosecutor,
who is a farmer on Sandgate Road, was discovered to be on fire, and
upon two constables of the Borough of Folkestone, named Ovenden and
Sharp, going to the spot, they found the prisoners sitting down
close to the stack, Cunningham smoking a pipe. The officers asked
how long they had been there, and Cunningham replied “About half an
hour”, but Brown interposed and said they had only been there a few
minutes. The prisoners were then told that they would be charged
with setting the stack on fire, upon which Cunningham said that the
stack was alight when he came there, but immediately afterwards he
said that he had set it on fire, and added that he liked to see a
good blaze, and he wished that he had set the whole lot on fire, and
he wished that he could set the town of Folkestone on fire, and the
---- Camp too. He added that he should also have liked to have seen
the two constables on the top of the fire. The other prisoner,
Brown, told him to hold his tongue, and that he had said a great
deal too much already, but he continued to make use of violent
expressions, and repeated that he was the man who had set fire to
the stack. On the following morning, when the prisoners had become
sober, Brown said that he was innocent of the fire, and he stated
that he and his companion had been drinking at a public house at
Folkestone, and were very drunk when they left, and they went across
the fields, and upon their arrival at the prosecutor's stack-yard
Cunningham said that he should light his pipe, and went up to the
stack in question, and he saw him strike a match and light his pipe,
and he then put the remainder of the match in the stack, and it
blazed up. He went on to say that he took out a handful of the
burning straw, and went round to the opposite side of the stack and
set fire to it, and when he had done so he came and sat down by him,
and they remained there until the police came up. The prisoner
repeated the above statement when he was examined before the
magistrate, but Cunningham merely stated that he had nothing to say
at present. The prosecutor, too, was an entire stranger to the
prisoners, and there did not appear to be the slightest motive for
the commission of the diabolical act. The stack of wheat, which was
worth £140, was entirely destroyed.
The prisoner Brown, when called upon for his defence, made the same
statement he had done before; and Cunningham said he was so drunk at
the time that he knew nothing about the affair, and all he
recollected was that the stack was on fire when he arrived at the
spot.
The Jury, after some deliberation, acquitted Brown, and found
Cunningham Guilty. He begged the Court to deal mercifully with him.
The learned Judge, in passing sentence, said that he had always
regarded the offence of arson as one of the most serious character,
and denoting the greatest malignity of mind on the part of the
prisoner committing it. It did him no good, and the result was
merely to cause mischief and injury; and he was sorry to see a man
in the position of the prisoner disgrace the service in which he was
engaged by committing such an offence. He then ordered him to be
kept in penal servitude for ten years, and the prisoner left the
dock laughing.
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Kentish Mercury 21 March 1863
Hythe County Sessions, Monday: Before the Rev. E. Biron, G. Gidley
and W.F. Browell Esqs.
Rhoda Ann Morford and Edward Thomas Hammon were charged by Supt.
English, K.C.C., with committing wilful and corrupt perjury on
giving their evidence as witnesses, on the 1st January last, on the
hearing of an information laid by P.C. Stephen Stanley against James
Mitchell, of Cheriton, alehouse keeper, for having his house open
for the sale of beer after 11 o'clock on the evening of Christmas
Day. Mr. Creery, of Ashford, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr.
Minter for the defence.
Supt. English and Sergeant Smith proved that they were present at
the Petty Sessions on the 1st Jan. Police Constable Stanley then
stated that he entered the Lion public house at Cheriton, kept by
Mitchell, about a quarter to twelve on the evening of Christmas day;
that when he went in he saw six soldiers standing in the passage
opposite the bar, and three civilians; that one of those soldiers
was a provost.
Rhoda Ann Morford and Edward Thomas Hammon were on that occasion
called as witnesses for the defence, and said that when Police
Constable Stanley went in there were no soldiers in the passage;
that there were only two in the house; that they were in a private
room, and that there was no provost there.
Joseph Rushworth, a soldier, was now called, and said that he was a
provost on Christmas Day, and was standing in the passage of the
Lion when Police Constable Stanley went in. There were also in the
passage, standing by him, two men of the 9th Lancers and an
Artilleryman.
Four privates of the 9th Lancers also stated they were in the house
when Stanley went in.
Committed for trial at the Assizes, but admitted to bail.
Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman
John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, two smart-looking young
fellows, privates in the Royal Artillery, stationed at Shorncliffe,
were charged with having wilfully and feloniously set fire to a
stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsnorth. Mr. Biron conducted
the prosecution.
The prisoners, it appeared, were drinking at a public house at
Folkestone on the night of the 6th of March, and left about twelve
o'clock, both of them being at the time the worse for liquor; and
before they went away, Cunningham asked the landlady to give him a
few lucifers to light his pipe with, and she did so. Very soon
afterwards one of the stacks of wheat belonging to the prosecutor,
who is a farmer on the Sandgate Road, was discovered to be on fire,
and upon two constables of the Borough of Folkestone, named Ovenden
and Sharp, going to the spot, they found the prisoners sitting down
close to the stack, Cunningham smoking a pipe. The officers asked
how long they had been there, and Cunningham replied “About half an
hour”, but Brown interposed and said they had only been there a few
minutes. The prisoners were then told that they would be charged
with setting the stack on fire, upon which Cunningham said that the
stack was alight when he came there, but immediately afterwards he
said that he had set it on fire, and added that he liked to see a
good blaze, and he wished that he had set the whole lot on fire, and
he wished that he could set the town of Folkestone on fire, and the
---- Camp too. He added that he should also have liked to have seen
the two constables on the top of the fire. The other prisoner,
Brown, told him to hold his tongue, and that he had said a great
deal too much already, but he continued to make use of violent
expressions, and repeated that he was the man who had set fire to
the stack. On the following morning, when the prisoners had become
sober, Brown said that he was innocent of the fire, and he stated
that he and his companion had been drinking at a public house at
Folkestone, and were very drunk when they left, and they went across
the fields, and upon their arrival at the prosecutor's stack-yard
Cunningham said that he should light his pipe, and went up to the
stack in question, and he saw him strike a match and light his pipe,
and he then put the remainder of the match in the stack, and it
blazed up. He went on to say that he took out a handful of the
burning straw, and went round to the opposite side of the stack and
set fire to it, and when he had done so he came and sat down by him,
and they remained there until the police came up. The prisoner
repeated the above statement when he was examined before the
magistrate, but Cunningham merely stated that he had nothing to say
at present. The prosecutor, too, was an entire stranger to the
prisoners, and there did not appear to be the slightest motive for
the commission of the diabolical act. The stack of wheat, which was
worth £140, was entirely destroyed.
The prisoner Brown, when called upon for his defence, made the same
statement he had done before; and Cunningham said he was so drunk at
the time that he knew nothing about the affair, and all he
recollected was that the stack was on fire when he arrived at the
spot.
The Jury, after some deliberation, acquitted Brown, and found
Cunningham Guilty. He begged the Court to deal mercifully with him.
The learned Judge, in passing sentence, said that he had always
regarded the offence of arson as one of the most serious character,
and denoting the greatest malignity of mind on the part of the
prisoner committing it. It did him no good, and the result was
merely to cause mischief and injury; and he was sorry to see a man
in the position of the prisoner disgrace the service in which he was
engaged by committing such an offence. He then ordered him to be
kept in penal servitude for ten years, and the prisoner left the
dock laughing.
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Maidstone Telegraph 21 March 1863
Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman.
W. Brown, 25, soldier, and Robert Cunningham, 23, soldier, for
setting fire to a stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsworth,
at Folkestone, on the 7th of March, 1863.
John Kingsworth, owner of the stack, deposed to seeing the two
prisoners in custody of a policeman on the night in question. On his
interrogating one of the prisoners he said the stack was on fire
when they went to it, and he lit his pipe at the stack. One of the
prisoners afterwards said he wished he had set the ----lot on fire.
P.C. Havenden stated he was on duty at Bouverie Square on the
morning of the 7th inst. About 20 minutes after 12 he went in the
direction of Mr. Kingsworth's farm, when he observed one of the
stacks on fire. He then called Mr. Kingsworth up. When near the
stack he saw the two prisoners sitting down about 10 yards from the
stack. Another constable that was there with him asked them how long
they had been there, when Cunningham replied “Half an hour”; the
prisoner Brown replied “Only a few minutes.” He then told them he
should take them into custody, when Cunningham said he saw the stack
on fire and he lit his pipe by it, and he wished he had set the lot
on fire. Brown said “Hold your tongue. You have said too much
already.” When he was taking them into custody Cunningham said “I
set the ---- stack on fire.” Both prisoners were intoxicated at the
time, Cunningham the worst of the two.
P.C. Sharpe corroborated the above, and said that Cunningham stated
he should like to see both the constables on the top of the fire.
P.C. Woodland deposed he was on duty at the station on the night in
question. On going his usual rounds of the cells he saw Cunningham,
who said “All right, about the fire. I am innocent of that. We had
been drinking in a public house in Folkestone and we left a little
before twelve; as we were coming out we asked the landlady for some
lucifers, and then we started to go to the Camp. As we went across
the fields to the camp we passed a corn stack. I went to the stack
to light my pipe with a Lucifer. Having done so I threw the
remainder of the light into the stack, took a handful of lighted
straw, and set fire to the other side of the stack. I then went
across to the other side of the road and sat down. Two constables
came up shortly afterwards.”
Catherine Richardson, landlady of the Mariners Home public house
deposed that the prisoners left her house about half past eleven.
Previous to leaving Cunningham asked for a few lucifers, which he
stated were to set a fire in his cousin's smack.
The prisoner Cunningham, in defence, stated that he was so
intoxicated at the time that he had no recollection of the matter
whatever.
Catherine Richardson, having been recalled, said the prisoners were
perfectly sober at the time of leaving.
Brown was acquitted, and Cunningham sentenced to ten years' penal
servitude.
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Thanet Advertiser 21 March 1863
Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman
John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, two smart-looking young
fellows, privates in the Royal Artillery, stationed at Shorncliffe,
were charged with having wilfully and feloniously set fire to a
stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsnorth. Mr. Biron conducted
the prosecution.
The prisoners, it appeared, were drinking at a public house at
Folkestone on the night of the 6th of March, and left about twelve
o'clock, both of them being at the time the worse for liquor; and
before they went away, Cunningham asked the landlady to give him a
few lucifers to light his pipe with, and she did so. Very soon
afterwards one of the stacks of wheat belonging to the prosecutor,
who is a farmer on the Sandgate Road, was discovered to be on fire,
and upon two constables of the Borough of Folkestone, named Ovenden
and Sharp, going to the spot, they found the prisoners sitting down
close to the stack, Cunningham smoking a pipe. The officers asked
how long they had been there, and Cunningham replied “About half an
hour”, but Brown interposed and said they had only been there a few
minutes. The prisoners were then told that they would be charged
with setting the stack on fire, upon which Cunningham said that the
stack was alight when he came there, but immediately afterwards he
said that he had set it on fire, and added that he liked to see a
good blaze, and he wished that he had set the whole lot on fire, and
he wished that he could set the town of Folkestone on fire, and the
---- Camp too. He added that he should also have liked to have seen
the two constables on the top of the fire. The other prisoner,
Brown, told him to hold his tongue, and that he had said a great
deal too much already, but he continued to make use of violent
expressions, and repeated that he was the man who had set fire to
the stack. On the following morning, when the prisoners had become
sober, Brown said he was innocent of the fire, and he stated that he
and his companion had been drinking at a public house at Folkestone,
and were very drunk when they left, and they went across the fields,
and upon their arrival at the prosecutor's stack-yard Cunningham
said that he should light his pipe, and went up to the stack in
question, and he saw him strike a match and light his pipe, and he
then put the remainder of the match in the stack, and it blazed up.
He went on to say that he took out a handful of the burning straw,
and went round to the opposite side of the stack and set fire to it,
and when he had done so he came and sat down by him, and they
remained there until the police came up. This prisoner repeated the
above statement when he was examined before the magistrate, but
Cunningham merely stated that he had nothing to say at present. The
prosecutor, too, was an entire stranger to the prisoners, and there
did not appear to be the slightest motive for the commission of the
diabolical act. The stack of wheat, which was worth £140, was
entirely destroyed.
The prisoner Brown, when called upon for his defence, made the same
statement he had done before; and Cunningham said he was so drunk at
the time that he knew nothing about the affair, and all he
recollected was that the stack was on fire when he arrived at the
spot.
The Jury, after some deliberation, acquitted Brown, and found
Cunningham Guilty. He begged the Court to deal mercifully with him.
The learned Judge, in passing sentence, said that he had always
regarded the offence of arson as one of the most serious character,
and denoting the greatest malignity of mind on the part of the
prisoner committing it. It did him no good, and the result was
merely to cause mischief and injury; and he was sorry to see a man
in the position of the prisoner disgrace the service in which he was
engaged by committing such an offence. He then ordered him to be
kept in penal servitude for ten years, and the prisoner left the
dock laughing.
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Kentish Gazette 24 March 1863
Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman
John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, two smart-looking young
fellows, privates in the Royal Artillery, stationed at Shorncliffe,
were charged with having wilfully and feloniously set fire to a
stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsnorth. Mr. Biron conducted
the prosecution.
The prisoners, it appeared, were drinking at a public house at
Folkestone on the night of the 6th of March, and left about twelve
o'clock, both of them being at the time the worse for liquor; and
before they went away, Cunningham asked the landlady to give him a
few lucifers to light his pipe with, and she did so. Very soon
afterwards one of the stacks of wheat belonging to the prosecutor,
who is a farmer on the Sandgate Road, was discovered to be on fire,
and upon two constables of the Borough of Folkestone, named Ovenden
and Sharp, going to the spot, they found the prisoners sitting down
close to the stack, Cunningham smoking a pipe. The officers asked
how long they had been there, and Cunningham replied “About half an
hour”, but Brown interposed and said they had only been there a few
minutes. The prisoners were then told that they would be charged
with setting the stack on fire, upon which Cunningham said that the
stack was alight when he came there, but immediately afterwards he
said that he had set it on fire, and added that he liked to see a
good blaze, and he wished that he had set the whole lot on fire, and
he wished that he could set the town of Folkestone on fire, and the
---- Camp too. He added that he should also have liked to have seen
the two constables on the top of the fire. The other prisoner,
Brown, told him to hold his tongue, and that he had said a great
deal too much already, but he continued to make use of violent
expressions, and repeated that he was the man who had set fire to
the stack. On the following morning, when the prisoners had become
sober, Brown said that he was innocent of the fire, and he stated
that he and his companion had been drinking at a public house at
Folkestone, and were very drunk when they left. They went across the
fields, and upon their arrival at the prosecutor's stack-yard
Cunningham said that he should light his pipe, and went up to the
stack in question. He saw him strike a match and light his pipe, and
he then put the remainder of the match in the stack, and it blazed
up. He went on to say that he took out a handful of the burning
straw, and went round to the opposite side of the stack and set fire
to it, and when he had done so he came and sat down by him, and they
remained there until the police came up. This prisoner repeated the
above statement when he was examined before the magistrate, but
Cunningham merely stated that he had nothing to say at present. The
prosecutor, too, was an entire stranger to the prisoners, and there
did not appear to be the slightest motive for the commission of the
diabolical act. The stack of wheat, which was worth £140, was
entirely destroyed.
The prisoner Brown, when called upon for his defence, made the same
statement he had done before; and Cunningham said he was so drunk at
the time that he knew nothing about the affair, and all he
recollected was that the stack was on fire when he arrived at the
spot.
The Jury, after some deliberation, acquitted Brown, and found
Cunningham Guilty.
The learned Judge sentenced the prisoner to 10 years' penal
servitude.
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Maidstone Journal 24 March 1863
Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman.
John Jones (sic), 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, two privates in the
Royal Artillery, were charged with firing a stack, at Dover (sic),
on the 7th of March, the property of Mr. John Kingsnorth. Mr. Biron
appeared for the prosecution.
The prosecutor said he had a number of corn stacks standing near his
homestead, and on the morning of the 7th was aroused by an alarm of
fire. On going to see what was the matter, he found a large wheat
stack, worth probably about £50, was alight. Both the prisoners were
then in custody of the police, and one of them said he wished they
had set the whole lot on fire.
Ovenden and Smart, two of the Folkestone police, on the night in
question noticed one of Mr. Kingsnorth's stacks on fire. Gave an
alarm, and then went towards one of the stacks, and about a dozen
yards off found the prisoners sitting on the roadside. On
questioning them, Cunningham said they had been there half an hour,
but Brown said “No, only a few minutes.” On being taken into custody
Cunningham said “I saw the stack on fire, and lit my pipe at it.” He
added “I have set a stack on fire, and I wished I had set the whole
lot of them alight.” Brown said “Hold your tongue. You've said too
much already.” No person was near the stacks when the police first
went up. Both the prisoners were intoxicated. The stack was totally
destroyed.
Catherine Richardson, landlady of the
Mariners Arms, Folkestone,
said the prisoners came in about half past eleven and had some
drink, and as they left they asked for some lucifers. He said he was
going on board his cousin's smack to sleep, and she gave him about a
dozen matches. They went off in the direction of Dover.
In defence the prisoners said Cunningham went to light his pipe to
the leeward of the stack, and it was accidentally fired. They were
in a state of drunkenness, and did not know what they said to the
police afterwards.
The Jury, after some deliberation acquitted Brown, but found
Cunningham guilty. A former conviction was proved and he was
sentenced to ten years' penal servitude.
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Southeastern Gazette 24 March 1863
Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman
John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, soldiers, were indicted
for setting fire to a stack of wheat, the property of John
Kingsnorth, at Folkestone, on the 7th of March. Mr. Biron was for
the prosecution.
Mr. John Kingsnorth deposed: I have a homestead in the borough of
Folkestone, and on the night in question, at about half past 12
o'clock, I was aroused, and saw one of my stacks, worth about £150,
on fire in my yard, and on going to it saw the prisoners there. I
asked them how they came to do it, and one of them with an oath
replied “It was alight when we got here.” Both the prisoners were in
custody and handcuffed at the time. When I requested the police to
take them away, one of them said “I wish I had seth the ---- lot on
fire.” There were several more stacks a little distance off.
Police constable Ovenden, of the borough of Folkestone, deposed: I
was on duty on the night of the 6th inst., at Folkestone, and
noticed one of Mr. Kingsnorth's stacks on fire. I called Mr.
Kingsnorth up, and then went towards the stack, and upon getting
there I saw the two prisoners sitting down, about ten or twelve
yards from the stack. Another constable, who was with me, said “How
long have you been here?2, to which Cunningham replied “We have been
here half an hour”, but Brown said “We have only been here a few
minutes.” I told them I should take them into custody for setting
the stack on fire, when Cunningham said “I saw the stack on fire and
lit my pipe by it. I set the stack on fire, and I wish I had set the
lot on fire.” Brown then said to Cunningham “Hold your tongue. You
have said too much already.” On the road towards the station
Cunningham repeated what he had before said, adding “I wish I had
set the town of Folkestone on fire, and the ---- Camp too.” The
stack was in an open field, with a footpath within ten or twelve
yards. There was no-one near the stack besides the prisoners. Both
prisoners were intoxicated, Cunningham being worse than Brown. The
stack was totally destroyed.
P.C. Sharp corroborated the last witness's evidence.
P.C. Woodland, one of the Folkestone force, deposed: I was on duty
at the police station on the morning of the 7th inst., and when I
went to Brown, he said “All right. How's the fire?” and, after
cautioning him, prisoner continued, “I am innocent of all that. We
were drinking at the Bouverie Arms, and we left a little before 12
o'clock. As we were coming out Cunningham asked the landlady for
some lucifers to light his pipe with as we went home. She did so,
and as we were going across the fields to the Camp we passed some
corn stacks, and Cunningham said to me “I shall light my pipe here,”
and he went across to the corn stack and lighted his pipe with a
lucifer, and then put the other part of the lucifer under the stack,
and set it on fire. He took a handful of straw from where it was
alight, and went to the other side of the stack and set it on fire.
He then came to the other side of the road and sat down beside me.”
Catherine Richardson, landlady of the
Mariners Home public house,
Folkestone, deposed: On the night of the 6th inst., the prisoners
came into my house together, and left about half past 11 o'clock. As
they were going out, Cunningham asked me for some lucifers, saying
he was going on board his brother's smack. I gave him some, and then
the prisoners went away, going in the direction of prosecutor's
farm.
Brown's statement before the magistrates was read, in which he said
the other prisoner fired the stack when lighting his pipe, and that
they had both been drinking excessively during the evening.
Cunningham now said that he was very drunk on the night in question,
and all he could recollect was seeing the stack on fire. His comrade
was with him at the time.
Mrs. Richardson was re-called by the Judge and stated that the
prisoners were perfectly sober when the left her house, although
they had been drinking brandy and water during the evening.
The jury acquitted Brown, and Cunningham was sentenced to ten years'
penal servitude.
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East Kent Gazette 28 March 1863
Assizes, Tuesday; before Mr. Justice Wightman
John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, soldiers, were indicted
for setting fire to a stack of wheat, the property of John
Kingsnorth, at Folkestone, on the 7th March. The jury acquitted
Brown and Cunningham was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude.
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Folkestone Chronicle 1 April 1865.
Saturday March 25th:- Before the Mayor, J. Kelcey and R.W. Boarer Esqs.
Henry Richardson appeared on a summons, charged with having six ounces
of Cavendish. Pleaded Guilty. Convicted in a similar penalty.
Defendant was convicted, and fined £20, but the bench recommended the
Board to mitigate the penalty. Six months imprisonment in default.
The penalty, mitigated by the board to £5, was paid by the defendant,
and he was discharged.
Note: Henry Richardson is a mystery as such. Records suggest that there
was a Henry Richardson was at the Chequers in 1868, but nowhere before.
A John Richardson was at the Crown and Anchor at the time of the case,
but it is much more likely to have been H.J. Richardson, who had the
Mariner's Home.
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Folkestone Observer 26 August 1865.
It was licensing day on Tuesday, when the magistrates suspended the
license for the Mariner's Home, Radnor Street, for harbouring
prostitutes.
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Folkestone Observer 12 October 1866.
Saturday October 6th:- Before the Mayor and J. Tolputt Esq.
Henry John Richardson was charged with assaulting Richard Mercer on the
3rd instant.
Richard Mercer, carpenter, Harvey Road, said, on the 3rd instant, about
eleven o'clock, he went into the Mariners' Arms (sic), kept by the
defendant. He had a friend with him, and called for a pint of beer. They
had the beer, and witness sat on the form and went to sleep. He slipped
off the form on to the floor. Mr. Richardson came and pulled him out
from under the form, and gave him a kick in the side, and said “Get up,
you ----“. Before witness could get up, defendant kicked him in the eye.
Asked defendant to let him get up, and on getting up he rushed to the
door to get out, and defendant ran after him and struck him on the face.
Then struck in return. Had not struck defendant before. Before witness
got out of the door, defendant pulled him back into the tap room, and
threw him down on the floor and kicked him and jumped on him. Got up
again, and then defendant allowed him to go out. The jumping and kicking
lasted a quarter of an hour. Defendant's wife held witness down while
defendant was kicking him. The right eye (swollen and very black) was
occasioned by a kick. The left eye (also blacked) he believed was struck
with defendant's fist. Is bruised on the body. Had not had a word of
quarrel before this took place, nor said anything to him. Witness's
friend was with him all this time, but did not attempt to assist.
Cross-examined: Did not strike the first blow. If he had come on purpose
for a row, would not have gone asleep.
William Iverson, omnibus conductor, living on The Narrows, said he was
with Mercer about half past eleven on Wednesday evening and went into
the Mariner's Home with him. Witness called for a pint of beer. One of
the common prostitutes served him. Mercer sat on one form ant witness on
another. Mercer was playing with a dog of witness's and fell off a form,
and then he lay there and went asleep. Five or six minutes after,
defendant said to him “Dick, get up”. Mercer was fast asleep and made no
reply. Defendant said “Get out here, and go home. Get up, you ----, or
else I'll kill you”. He then ordered his common prostitutes out of the
house, and Burvill, who had been there, also went out. There were then
left in the room defendant, defendant's wife's brother, Mercer and
witness. Witness stopped behind to see the game. Went to the door to see
for complainant's brother, who had gone by just before. Was gone about a
minute and a half. When he went in again, Mercer was on his left side on
the floor. Saw defendant kick him in the eye. Had his boots on. No doubt
Mercer was kicked quite silly. Said to defendant “What are you going to
do? Are you going to kill the chap or let him go home? Your conduct is
most silly”. Defendant said “You go home, or I'll serve you the same”.
Just before the Kick, Mercer got up and went to the door to go out, and
defendant pulled him back. Mercer took his own part, or they might have
killed him. They threatened to take his life two or three times.
Defendant, his wife, and wife's brother all pulled Mercer back. When
witness came in and asked if they were going to kill Mercer, he himself
was knocked down with a stick or poker, and was insensible five or six
minutes. When he came to his senses, defendant and his party helped to
get Mercer up, and they went away. They knocked Mercer over the table
while striking him.
Cross-examined: Defendant's wife struck witness. Took the silter away
from the wife. Still had the mark on his head where he was struck.
This was Mercer's case, and there being a cross-summons Mercer now took
his place as defendant.
Henry John Richardson, as complainant, now said that on the 3rd instant
Richard Mercer and William Iverson came in and ordered a pint of beer.
Witness served it in the tap room, and Iverson paid for it. Witness went
to them at a quarter to twelve and too Mercer by the arm, and said
“Hello, Dick. What's the matter, Dick? Come, it is time to shut up.” He
got up, and as soon as he did so he struck witness with his fist a blow
on both eyes. Immediately returned the blow. Had not struck him before.
Did not hit him again, but shook him, and he said “If you will let me
go, I will go out”. As soon as he let him go he struck witness in the
face again. Witness stryck him again and Iverson came back. Witness's
brother-in-law came to his assistance, and then Mercer, striking at
witness, hit the door post. They then went away. It did not last five
minutes altogether. Did not believe he kicked Mercer at all. Did not
pull Mercer back at all. Believed the marks on Mercer's face were caused
by witness's blow. There was no disturbance calling for a clearing of
the house. It was shutting up time, and Mercer was lying about,
pretending to be asleep.
Richard Burvill, labourer, living in Shellons Lane, went into
Richardson's house on Wednesday evening about a quarter to eleven.
Mercer and Iverson came in, and Mercer sat down beside witness on a
form. They had a pint of beer. Mercer had a dog in his arms, playing
with it, and he fell down on the floor and rolled under the form. Could
not say whether Mercer was asleep or not. He might have been lying there
a quarter of an hour, when Richardson came to him and said “Now, Dick,
get up. It is time to get up”. Mercer made no answer. Richardson then
took hold of his arm and shook him. He let him get up, and as soon as he
got up, he struck Richardson in the face. Richardson returned the blow.
Then witness left the room. He came in again after. Richardson took hold
of Mercer by the left arm and shook him, and helped him, and Mercer
struck out with his right hand. Is quite certain that Mercer struck the
first blow.
Richard Jerrard, brother-in-law of Richardson, and living at the
Mariner's Arms, was upstairs in bed. Hearing a noise he came down. Saw
Richardson bleeding over the eye. Mercer was down on the floor calling
out “Let me get up and I'll go”. As soon as he got up he hit Richardson
in the mouth. As soon as he hit Richardson, Richardson collared him, and
held him over the table. Richardson did not hit him then. Did not see
the commencement. Did not see who struck the first blow. Iverson, who
had been out, came in and said “I'll kill some of you”.
The bench, after a long consultation, dismissed both cases, being unable
to say who struck the first blow.
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Folkestone Express 9 January 1869.
Monday, January 4th: Before The Mayor.
Phoebe Andrews, a woman apparently about fifty years of age, was charged
with being drunk and behaving indecently.
P.C. Swain deposed that about twenty minutes past twelve on Saturday
night last he visited a passage at the back of the Mariner's Home in
Radnor Street and saw the prisoner in company with a soldier. It was a
public thoroughfare. The soldier ran away.
The prisoner, in answer to the charge, said she and her husband was
nearly starving and, having a little drink, it overcame her. She was
very sorry and hoped the Bench would deal leniently with her.
The Bench said it was disgraceful to see a woman, the mother of a
family, in such a position, and hoped the punishment would act as a
caution. They fined her 10s. and costs, a total of 13s. 6d., or seven
days' imprisonment.
Folkestone.
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Chronicle 15 June 1872.
Thursday, June 13th: Before The Mayor, J. Tolputt and T. Caister Esqs.
Grace Holloway applied for temporary authority to sell excisable liquor
at the Mariner's Home under the license granted to George Greenland at
the last general licensing meeting. Granted.
Note: More Bastions lists George Holloway. It also appears that the
reporter has used the former name of the house.
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LICENSEE LIST
HALL Thomas 1851 (also Mariner age 39 in 1851 )
HALL William c1851-55
HALE/HALL
Thomas to Dec/1854
OVENDEN
Richard Dec/1854+
TAYLOR John Oct/1855-57+
STONE David 1859
MILTON John 1859-June/61
(age 43 in 1861)
TONG Ann June/1861-Mar/62
BAILEY Richard Mar/1862
BAILEY Sarah Anne 1862
BAZLE/HAZEL Henry Sep/1862
RICHARDSON Henry J Sap/1862-70
GREENLAND George 1870-72
Renamed "Marquis of Lorne"
From the Folkestone Chronicle
From More Bastions of the Bar by Easdown and Rooney
From the Folkestone Observer
Census
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