South Eastern Gazette, 9 September, 1862.

Licences.

This was the annual licensing day.

The following spirit licenses were granted to beer houses. For the "Black Dog," Wye, kept by William Haycock.

The "Locomotive," Beaver, kept by Edward Quested.

The "Old Flying Horse," kept by John Alan.

The "Foresters Arms," kept by Edward Marshall.

The "South Eastern Railway Tavern," kept by William Thursday.

The "Olive Branch," Westwell, kept by Thomas Highsted.

The "British Flag," on the old British school ground; prospect place, Ashford, kept by William James Terry.

The "Eight Bells," New Rents, Ashford, kept by Richard James.

The "Alma," Chilham, kept by William Miller.

Mr. Tassel, solicitor, supported the applications for the "Black Dog," the "Foresters Arms," the "British Flag," the "Olive Branch," and opposed those for the "Old Flying Horse" and the "Locomotive."

Mr. Carnell supported the applications on behalf of the "Locomotive," the "Old Flying Horse," the "South Eastern Tavern," and the "Eight Bells."

Mr. Fraser, Ashford, supported the application for the "Alma," Chillham.

From the Kentish Gazette, 26 September 1865.

Sudden Death under Suspicious Circumstances.

An inquest was held on Tuesday at the "Foresters’ Arms," by the Deputy County Coroner (W. P. Callaway, Esq.), upon the body of James Hills, who died under very suspicious circumstances. The following are the details of the evidence at the investigation:—

William Wilkins, of Ashford, surgeon, assistant to Messrs. Wilks and Shepherd, of Ashford, surgeons, said:- On Sunday morning, at 6 a.m., I was called upon by a man named Scott, to go to 67, Goldmead-street, South Ashford. I came over and saw the deceased; he was in the back room of his house, on his back, and perfectly unconscious, undressed except his shirt. Upon examination I found a severe blow upon the left temple, fracturing the skull and pressing it on the brain; no other injuries on the head. On the left knee there was a cut and a bruise. There were no other marks of violence. I had a lotion applied to his head. On Monday morning I saw him about half-past ten; he was in the same state, and sinking fast. I was told in the afternoon he was dead. The injuries are such as might arise from a heavy fall or from a blunt instrument. The blow on the temple was sufficient to cause death.]

Jeremiah Scott, No. 6, Goldmead-street, South Ashford, cordwainer, said:- My house is opposite deceased’s. I have known Hills five or six months; he resided at No. 67 in the same street. He had a wife and four children, who were all out hopping last week. Last Sunday week I went to Mr. Day’s, at Chilham, where my wife and deceased were hopping, and I saw deceased there. At nine o'clock last Saturday night I was with deceased in my house. He asked me what time we should start for Chilham on the next day. There was another man going with us. We arranged whichever of the three awoke first was to call the others. About eleven o’clock on the same night I saw him in the "Foresters’ Arms" he was then quite sober. I left the " Foresters’ Arms" at twelve o’clock, and the deceased left a minute or two before to fetch a jug to get some beer. I met him returning with his jug, and I spoke to him at his door. I stayed only two minutes. There was no one in his in his house that I know of. He was then quite sober. I left him at his door. A man named Eldridge left with me. I awoke up a little before 5. I went round to the back of deceased’s house, and I found a man laying on the path under the back bedroom window of deceased’s house, his feet nearest the house. The window was open. I did not touch him, but went to Eldridge, and he came with me. Eldridge moved him, and we identified the deceased. He had only a shirt on, which was quite over his head. He was then alive, and breathing very heavily.

I saw his head was knocked about. I tried the doors, and they were fastened. I get in at the window, and with Eldridge carried him in. I went to Mr. Wilks. I was sitting with him several times before death, and he was quite unconscious. We had no mis-words. He died on Monday afternoon.

John Eldridge, of 12, Goldmead-street, labourer, said:- I have known the deceased the last month or two. Last Saturday evening, at about 12, I saw deceased; the last witness was with him. I had been at the "Foresters’ Arms" in the evening with them. When I saw him at 12 he was not drunk. He and Scott were talking very quietly, and not by any means appeared to be quarrelling. I was called at five on Sunday morning by Scott. He called to me to put my clothes on, and I went with him to the back of Hills' house, and there found deceased on his bellv, his face close to the washhouse wall, and feet towards the house. He was quite naked but his shirt. The bedroom window was open; the doors of the house were locked. The deceased’s clothes were on a chair in the front downstairs room.

Mary Snelling, the wife of James Snelling, 69, Goldmead-street, Ashford, labourer, said:- My house is next but one to deceased's. I knew him as a neighbour. On Sunday morning, at 1 a.m., he came to my door without his boots, and asked for the loan of a candle. He was then quite sober and in good sprits. He went to his front door, and I took him the candle I did not hear him lock the door. I heard several people passing during the night. I took him an ordinary sized cotton candle.

John Stuteley, of 55, Goldmead-street, Ashford, labourer, said:- On Saturday night I went to bed about eleven. About a quarter before twelve I heard some people talking outside. I looked out from the front of the house. A man was standing on the opposite side of the road, and a man with a white smock crowed over to him. They did not talk long, and I heard the man in the white smock say "I gave him two, and I must have given you one." They then made a move, and did not seem to be quarrelling. I was going to bed afterwards, and got to the top of the stairs, and saw a light shine on the wall at the bottom. My blinds were down back and front. I got up and lit a candle, and heard two women talking at the back of the house. They were not quarrelling, but talking in a low tone. As soon as they saw my candle one said something, and they ran away fast, one one way and the other the different. I went out at the back, but could not see or hear any one.

Lucy Reeve, wife of James Reeve, 56, Goldtmead-street, next door to deceased, said:- I knew Hills, he was alone last week in the house. About nine o’clock on Saturday I went to bed. I sleep in the front room. About two or three o’clock on Sunday morning I heard a crash, which I took for a house falling. I took no notice of it to my husband, as all was quiet afterwards. Hills has slept in the back room during his wife’s absence. When I went into the house I looked into the back bedroom, and saw the candle out, and only a little piece burnt. There was no chair near the window, and it was open. There was a blind to the window, and the line was not broken.

James Keeve. 56, Goldmead-street,:- I did not see deceased on Saturday. I was in bed about nine on Saturday. I heard no noises during the night nor any people about. I went upstairs into the back room of deceased's house, which I believe was his bedroom. There was a chair in the room, I believe. A candle was near the head of the bed, and burnt down about an inch, having the appearance of having been properly put out. During the inquiry a brother-in-law of the deceased wished to make a statement to the jury that deceased had been discovered on one or two occasions in a state of somnambulism, but as it could not be admitted in evidence the coroner would not allow him to be heard.

Verdict:— "Deceased was found at the back of his house with fractured skull and other injuries, from which he died, but how he came there and bow the injury was sustained there is no evidence to prove."