From the Kentish Gazette or Canterbury Chronicle, Saturday 27 May to Wednesday 31 May, 1769. Price 2½d.

NEW INN AND ASSEMBLY AT MARGATE

May 25, 1769.

John Mitchener begs Leave to acquaint the Public, that he has carried every Accommodation for bathing in the Sea to the highest Degree of Perfection; he has lately opened a Warm Salt-water Bath, for the Use of those to whom it might be inconvenient to venture into a Cold one; it may be bought in a few Minutes to any Degree of Heat which may be required, according to the Regulation of Farenheit's Thermometer, which has been provided for that Purpose; the same may be made use of as a Cold one, whenever the Sea may be so rough as to render bathing in the machines unpleasant. Every person that makes use of this Bath, has the Pleasure of clean, Salt-water each Time of bathing; he never did or ever will spare and Expenses to procure the best Provisions, Wines, Teas, &c. which can by any means be had, and has provided a good Man Cook from London.

The Number of Subscribers to his assembly amounted, in the last Year, to Five Hundred; and having received so great Encouragement from the Nobility and Gentry, he thinks it his Duty to acknowledge it with all Gratitude, and to assure then at the same time, that nothing in his Power shall ever be wanting which may merit their future Favours. He has also laid in a fresh Stock of good Wines, Brandy, Rum, Arrack, Cyder, Perry, &c. that can be had, which he feels wholesale and retail, on the most reasonable Terms by their most obedient humble Servant,

John Mitchener.

N.B. The Assemblies continued as usual.

From the Kentish Gazette, 4 May 1774.

NOTICE.

The Creditors who have proved their Debts under a Commission of Bankrupt against Richard Covell, late of Margate, in the Parish of St. John the Baptist, in the lsle of Thanet and County of Kent, Mariner, Dealer and Chapman, are requested to meet the Assignees of the said Bankrupt's Estate and Effects, on Wednesday the Eleventh Day of May instant, at Four o'clock in the afternoon at John Mitchener's, the "New Inn, in Margate aforesaid, to Assent to, or dissent from, the said Assignees commencing, prosecuting or defending any Action or Actions at Law, or Suit or Suits in Equity touching or concerning the said Bankrupts Eftate or Effects or the compounding, submitting to arbitration or otherwise agreeing any Matter or Dispute relating thereto; and on other special Affairs.

Kentish Gazette, 19 May, 1779.

Michener, at the "New Inn Tavern and Hotel," on the Parade front in the Sea, Margate.

Begs leave to acquaint the Nobility and Gentry resorting there, that he has, for their better Accommodation, enlarged his house with a number of additional lodging rooms, where those, who please to favour him, may be accommodated with neat and remote Apartments till they are provided with suitable lodgings.

Dinners, Wines and Spirits of all Sorts, sent out on the shortest Notice.

A neat Post Coach, Chaises, and a Diligence, to and from London every day.

Several Marble Hot salt-water Baths belong into the house.

He has erected a compact livery stable opposite his house for nearly 60 horses, which is so contrived, that he flatters himself will give Satisfaction; the Stalls are large and airy, and he has procured fine London Hay, Sainfoin ditto, with good Corn.

Gentleman who choice to turn their Horses an airing for a few hours in the Day to Grass, he hath provided a field for the same near the Stables, and those, who please to consider their Favours, May depend on the greatest attention to render the same agreeable.

Good Stands for the Carriages, and Lodging Rooms over the same for servants.

Kentish Gazette 8 June 1819.

On the 31st ultimo, a man of the name of Lawrence, undertook to walk blindfolded a mile and a half from the "New Inn," Margate, to the "Wheatsheaf" at Northdown for £50, in one hour and a half, which he completed in one hour.

Kentish Gazette, 6 July, 1821.

On Sunday afternoon just as the Steam packets had come into Margate Harbour, a son of Mr. Robinson, of the "New Inn," about six years of age, fell off the pier into the water, which being observed by Captain Large, of the Favourite, he run across three vessels, and leaping into the water rescued the child from drowning.

South Eastern Gazette, 21 February, 1860.

Petty Sessions, Tuesday.

(Before T. Blackburn and R. Jenkins, Esqrs.)

Sarah Ann Austen, of the "New Inn," Margate, was summoned by Superintendent Saunders for keeping her house open for the sale of liquors, on Sunday, the 5th inst., between the hours of three and four p.m.

Fined 10s., and 8s. 6d. costs.

Kentish Gazette, 11 January 1876.

SUSPECTED BRUTAL MURDER AT MARGATE.

Much excitement was occasioned on Sunday last in Margate and the neighbourhood, by the report that a woman had been most brutally murdered near the town on the previous night, by a man named Thomas Fordred, who has been leading a kind of vagabond life for some time past, often making his appearance before the magistrates on charges of violence and dishonesty. The victim of what there is too much reason to believe is a very shocking crime, was an unfortunate woman named Mary Ann Bridger, who has been living with Fordred for some time, holding to him in all the vicissitudes of his irregular life, and sharing his lot through good and evil report. She was 27 years of age, and her parents, who reside in Margate, are poor but respectable. The accused man is 41 years of age, and a very sullen and determined appearance. He is a native of Margate, and has formerly been in the army. The particulars of the sad occurrence, as far as they have at present been divulged will be found in the evidence, taken before the Cinque Ports magistrates at Margate, yesterday (Monday) morning.

The Magistrates upon the Bench were:- G. E. Hannam, Esq., (chairman), H. B. Sheridan, Esq. M.P., K. W. Wilkie, Esq., W. H. Thornton, Esq., Captain Swinford, and Captain Hatfield.

The prisoner, who had a very callous expression of countenance, was charged with the wilful murder of Mary Ann Bridger, in the parish of St. John, Margate. He was not professionally represented.

Superintendent Compton, of the Margate Borough police stated:- On Saturday night about twenty minutes past eleven, from what police-constable Stockbridge told me I came to the station. I found the prisoner there. At one o'clock in the morning of Sunday the prisoner made this statement to me voluntarily:- "I came into town at ten minutes past five. I met Mary Ann Bridger and gave her two half-crowns to pay Mr. Payn, and she had 4 1/2d change out. I took her to Mr. Austen's in the "New Inn" yard, and had a quart of beer. She went to Mr. Pamphlett's pork butcher, and bought three pounds of pork, and brought it to me at Mr. Jezzard's. There I had two 1/2 quarterns of rum and one glass. I went from there to Mr. Jarrett's the "Liverpool Arms." Mary Ann Bridger, her father and mother, were there. We had, say two 2 1/2 quarterns of rum. I went there to Mr. Payn's and got my grocery for the week. From there I was going to Salmstone. When I came to the bridge she fell down. I pulled her up and she fell down again. I went and called the waggoner. I told him I should go to the police and give information that she was dead." Compton continued:- I went to the barn shortly afterwards accompanied by Dr, Crawshaw. I found the body of Mary Ann Bridger, whom I know well, dead, covered with straw. When I took away the straw, she was naked, with the exception of her stockings. Her age is 27 years. I came back to the Police-station at five o'clock in the morning, and charged the prisoner with murdering Mary Ann Bridger. He said:- "I am not guilty." I took off his gabardine (produced) the front of which is covered with blood. His jacket was also covered with blood. I took his boots off, and the doctor will give evidence as to their state. I searched prisoner and found on him a razor, knife, and 9d. in money.

The prisoner said the Superintendent's statement was quite correct, and he had no questions to ask.

George Emptage, waggoner, said:- The prisoner came to me between ten and eleven o'clock on Saturday night. I went with him, and found the deceased Bridger lying on the bank, with her mouth open and her eyes half shut. I did not hear her speak. I did not see any blood. I helped to get her on to the back of the prisoner, who carried her. She was very near naked. I cannot swear whether she was dead or alive. When I went away from him the prisoner said he thought she was dead. When prisoner first came to me I noticed blood on his face and on his coat which he was then wearing.

In reply to the Bench, Mr. Treves, F.R.C.S., said he has seen the body of the deceased, and was of opinion that death resulted from violence, but could not tell the exact cause without a post-mortem examination. On the application of Superintendent Stokes, the Bench remanded the prisoner till Saturday.

W. H. Payn, Esq., coroner for Dover and its liberties opened an inquest upon the body of the unfortunate woman at three o'clock yesterday afternoon at Salmstone Grange and adjourned to Thursday.