DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Ashford, October, 2021.

Page Updated Ashford:- Monday, 18 October, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1874-

(Name from)

Freedom of Opinion

Latest 1917-

Gravel Walk / Barrow Hill / Engineer Place

Ashford

Former Engineer Inn 1980s

Above photo, circa 1980s, taken and sent by Chris Excell.

The building has since been demolished and it is suggested that this used to be the "Engineer Inn."

Just out of shot in the photo are what is believed to be a cellar hatch to the right of the doorway.

 

It has been suggested that the "Freedom of Opinion" and the "Engineer Inn" are one and the same building. Also Richard Ticknall says he thinks the name was actually the "Freedom of Opening."

Further information from Paul Pease of Australia says the "Freedom of Opinion" was still operating under that name in the early 1900s. I assume it change name some time after 1874.

 

Albert and Alice Post

Above photo showing Albert "Garg" Post and his wife Alice. Kindly sent by Paul Pease.

Albert and Alice Post

Above photo showing Albert "Garg" Post and his wife Alice. Kindly sent by Paul Pease.

Albert and Alice Post

Above photo showing Albert "Garg" Post and his wife Alice. Kindly sent by Paul Pease. The baby is Paul's mother.

Albert Post

Above photo showing Albert "Garg" Post. Kindly sent by Paul Pease. The baby is Paul's mother.

 

Richard Ticknall tells me that the pub probably closed in the 1950s but was demolished in the 1990s for the enlargement of the Gravel Walk car park. Further information from Sally Wehham says that her grandfather, David Keefe in 1917 and had already closed by that time.

 

Kentish Gazette,25 January 1876.

PETTY SESSIONS, TUESDAY.

Before W. D. Walker and W. W. Knight, Esqrs.

Thomas Else, a wandering musician, was charged with stealing a money box, containing about 3s., from the "Freedom of Opinion Inn," Ashford, on the 17th instant.

Sarah Ann Harris, wife of George Harris, landlord of the "Freedom of Opinion," deposed that on the 17th, at about three or four o'clock in the afternoon, she went upstairs, leaving the prisoner, with others, in the taproom. She was called down for something, when she saw the prisoner coming down stairs, and witness, with her servant, went upstairs, and missed the box, which she saw about five minutes before. The prisoner came back about a quarter of an hour afterwards, and witness accused him of the theft, upon which he threatened to strike her. Prisoner had formerly lodged in the house.

Rona Goldsmith, domestic servant, said she heard someone come down stairs, and money rattle, and afterwards saw prisoner run out of the yard gate. It was about half-past three o'clock.

Walter Linkins said that prisoner left him in the tap room at about half-past three, and he shortly afterwards heard some one come down stairs.

Prisoner, who asserted his innocence, was sentenced to one month's hard labour.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

HARRIS George 1874-76+

CAREY Thomas 1891+ (age 46 in 1891Census)

MACKLIN Richard 1901 Census

EMERY Arthur J 1903+ Kelly's 1903

POST Albert Thomas 1911+ (also Railway Carriage builder in 1911Census)

 

https://pubwiki.co.uk/FreedomofOpinion.shtml

 

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

CensusCensus

 

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

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