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153 (7 to 1867) High Street
Ramsgate
Also known under the sign of the "Eagle"
from around 1850. Newly built in 1726. It has been said that in the winter 1809, an exceptionally cold one, a large flight of cranes and
eagles passed over the Isle of Thanet. An eagle was shot down by licensee
William Tomson, who took it into the inn, quite dead and obviously without
its wings spread, and the pub was known simply as the "Eagle"
from that day on. However, that story has not been substantiated as being
true but is probably another one of those folk stories that have been made
up over a few pints of beer and believed to be true over time.
Barry J White suggests this has connections with the "Crystal
Palace."
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From an email received, 19 March 2022.
My research as always
delves as far back in history as can be achieved, and in regard to
‘Spread Eagle’, my finding a Kentish Post-Canterbury News Letter
article dated September 1726 revealed all in regard to the pub’s
close-to-exact opening date and its given name. It’s always
satisfying to find something like this that surely cannot be
challenged in any way.
In regard to the name and its signage emanating from the coach
travel industry that thrived during its 200 years lifespan mid-1600s
through to c1830. Ending of course with the advent of railways to
‘kill-off’ the coach travel business. The biggest name in the
coach-house and coach travel business was William James Chaplin
1787-1859 whose three coach-houses in London included one in
Gracechurch Street that since 1637 was called ‘Spread Eagle’. As a
consequence, many pubs along a coach route that had residential,
refreshment, and especially stabling facilities cashed-in on the
name for their pubs. Very good business for both pubs and Chaplin,
with no copyright infringement clause to worry about!
Above picture showing the Spread Eagle Coaching stop at Graceland
Street, London EC3.
Regarding the name of the pub, it already had a name
going back to 1726 and it wasn’t Eagle but Spread Eagle. Eagle
became the name of the pub when the coach travel business ceased
c1850. As was the case with Blazing Donkey and "Alexandra Arms" in
Ramsgate, there were some publicans and patrons etc. post 1850 who
couldn’t come to grips with its new name and persisted with not
dropping Spread from its name. Publican George Mussared did the
right thing as is seen in the 1851 census, but others who followed
him turned a blind eye on its newly acquired name.
Above painting showing Ramsgate Chaplins J & W Dover-London Stage by
John Cordrey in 1814. The 1809 Cock and Bull story should be labelled as
such. Footnote: you are probably aware that the old term ‘cock and bull story’ emanated from two separate
pubs in London way back in history, one named The Cock, the other
The Bull, where ‘tall’ tales were often told by some of their
patrons that were proven over time to be mere myths. Thanks and Regards, Bob Lee. |
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The Kentish Post or Canterbury Newsletter, Saturday September 10th,
to Wednesday September 14th, 1726.
To be Lett at Michaelmas next, at a very reasonable rent.
The "Spread Eagle Tavern" at Ramsgate in the Isle of Thanet, being a
handsome new built house with Sash'd Windows, and well accustom'd;
with a Garden, very good Stabling, and all other Conveniences.
Enquire of Mr. Thomas Tenson at Ramsgate aforesaid.
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Kentish Gazette, 20 April, 1774.
To be sold to the highest bidder.
On Saturday, the 30th day of this instant April, about 17, at the
"Spread Eagle" in Ramsgate, the following
freehold premises, vis.
Lot 1. A Dwelling-house, with an old accustomed Bakehouse and Bakers
shop, Yard, Garden and Appurtenances
thereunto belonging, now in the occupation of William Hales.
Lot 2. A Dwelling-house, with the appurtenances, now or late in the
Occupation of the Widow Hardy.
Lot 3. A Dwelling-house will the appurtenances, in the occupation of
Robert Stock. All which premises are
adjoined together, and situate in the New End, near the Harbour in
Ramsgate.
Inquire of Mr. Fagg, Attorney at Ramsgate.
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Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, Friday 6 January 1797.
To be Sold by Auction.
At the "Spread Eagle" in Ramsgate, on Friday the 13th day of January
next, about 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
A piece of Freehold arable last (late pasture) containing by estimation
one acre and a half, more or less, situate in Ramsgate, nearly opposite
to the Work-house there; now in the occupation of Mr. Joseph Elson, of
or his assignees.
For particulars, enquire, Mr. Sawkins, Margate.
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Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal 11 November 1803.
On Friday was married at St. Laurence in Thanet, Mr. R. Dyason, to Miss
Smith, daughter of Mr. John Smith, of the "Spread Eagle Inn," Ramsgate.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 17 January 1804. Price 6d.
RAMSGATE
TO be Sold by Auction, at the “Spread Eagle,” in Ramsgate, on Tuesday
the 24th day of January instant, about six o'clock in the evening. A Freehold Dwelling house with the appurtenances; situate in the
principal street of the Town of Ramsgate; formerly in the occupation of
Mr. John Gray, and since of Mr. William Caister. For particulars enquire of Mr. Sawkins, Cecil-square, or of Mr. Boys,
attorney at law, Margate. |
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Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal 13 June 1806.
By Virtue of Commissions of Appraisement and Sale from the High Court of
Admiralty.
To be Sold by Auction, by Mr. Lara.
On Monday the 16th June, 1806, at the "Spread Eagle Inn," Ramsgate, at
eleven o'clock.
About 14,000 Round and Flat Cheeses, being part of the cargo of the
Prussian Galliot Anna Margaretha, J. R. Klinkamer, master, detained by
his Majesty's ship Ariadne, the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Falkland,
commander, and his Majesty's gun-brig Bold, Lieut. William Chivers,
commander.
Also about 2,600 Flat Dutch Cheeses, being part of a cargo of the
Prussian Galliot Vrow Cornelia, R. R. Krugenga, master, detained by his
Majesty's ship Musquito, Samuel Jackson, esq., commander.
May be viewed two days prior to and on the morning of sale, when
catalogues and particulars may be had, by application to John Jackson,
esq., No. 8, New Bond-street, London; at the offices of Messrs. Goodwin,
Curling, Friend, and Co. Agents, Ramsgate, Deal, and No. 3,
Castle-court, Birchin-lane, London; and of Mr. Lara, broker, Ramsgate.
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Kentish Gazette 22 March 1811.
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, By R. COLLARD.
At the "Spread Eagle," Ramsgate, at six o'clock in the evening, on
Wednesday the 27th of March, 1811.
A New Brick-built Freehold House called "Bellevue Cottage," with a piece
of Freehold Land (eighty-six feet by seventy) - situate near Bellevue
Place, Ramsgate, in a very genteel and improving neighbourhood.
For further particulars apply to the Auctioneers, or Mr. Woolterton,
carpenter, Ramsgate.
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Kentish Gazette 1 December 1840.
TO BE SOLD, A STRONG POWERFUL HORSE.
With good action. He has been accustomed to harness, and is perfectly
safe and quiet. The animal is Eight years old, and well adapted for a
four wheel chaise.
For particulars apply to Mr. Terry, "Spread Eagle Inn," Ramsgate.
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Southeastern Gazette, 13 September 1853.
Nicholls v. Merryweather, proprietor of the "Royal Albion Hotel,"
for selling wines. The same witnesses proved the case. The defence
in this case was that the party who was supplied with the wine went
into a private room, and the waiter supplied the wine thinking they
were guests of the occupants of the rooms.
Fined 15s. and 14s. costs.
At this stage of the proceedings Mr. Child suggested that as they
did not press for penalties, they were willing to withdraw the
informations upon the several defendants paying the costs incurred.
The following persons were then mulcted in 5s. 6d. each:—
Wm. Hudson, "Bull and George Hotel;" James Corben, "Royal Oak;"
Thomas Parnell, "Admiral Harvey;" Charles Brittain, the "Mitre;"
Charles Page, the "Woodman;" George Holmes, "Trafalgar Hotel;" Henry
Simmons, "Lord Nelson;" George Mussared, "Spread Eagle;" Richard Butler, "Cinque Ports Arms."
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Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 9 December 1871.
FELONY.
Ellen Miller, a married woman, and Eliza Straus, a character well known
to the police, were charged with having stolen a boy's cloth coat, of
the value of 10s., the property of Mr. Thomas Wootton, of the "Spread
Eagle Inn," High Street.
It appeared that the prisoner Straus was drinking in a room in the
house, and that after she left, the coat which had been placed on one of
the chairs in the room, was missed. P.C. Petley called at Miller's
house, in which Straus lodged, and, on searching it, found the coat
hidden in the coal-cellar. Miller thereupon admitted having received it
from Straus after she left the "Spread Eagle," and having carried it
home.
The prisoners both pleaded guilty, Miller asking the Bench to deal
leniently with her, as she was the mother of five children, and her
husband was at work away from home.
Mrs. Wotton, the wife of the prosecutor, also recommended Miller to
Mercy.
The Bench, after some consideration, sentenced each of the prisoners to
three weeks' hard labour.
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From the Kentish Chronicle, 27 October, 1860.
Tuesday.
James Legge, a tailor of Ramsgate was charged with maliciously breaking
a pane of glass, at the house of Mr. John Cosgrave, "Spread Engle Inn,"
of the value of 4s. 6d. From the evidence of Mr. Cosgrave it appeared
defendant came there on the 22nd intoxicated; he refused to serve him,
when the prisoner began annoying every one that came to his house, and
came in front of the bar, when he was obliged to put him out, and he
afterwards broke a pane of glass in his door.
Convicted in the damage, 4s. 6d., and costs 7s., in default seven days.
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East Kent Times 8 October 1864.
WANTED - NURSEMAID.
Wanted, a Nursemaid, age from 16 to 17, with good character.
Apply to J. Wotton, "Spread Eagle," High Street, Ramsgate.
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Thanet Advertiser 9 March 1872.
Transfer of License.
Before the Sandwich Bench of Magistrates, on
Monday, when there were present R. Harrison, sen, J. L. Drayson, J.
Dorman, and R. L. Harrison, Esqs., an application was made by William
Kennett for the transfer of the license of the "Sandwich Arms,"
Princes-street, Ramsgate, to William Thompson.
The license of the "Spread
Eagle," High street, Ramsgate, was transferred from Thomas Wotton to
John William Godfrey.
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LICENSEE LIST
SMITH John 1803-26+
TOMSON William 1809+
SMITH John 1828+
TERRY William 1839-47+ (age 50 in 1841 )
MUSSARED George 1851-53+
COSGRAVE John 1860+
WOTTON Thomas 1861-71+ (also inland revenue office age 37 in 1871)
GODFREY John William Mar/1872-74+
KNIGHT William Main A 1881-91+ (age 40 in 1881)
BUSHELL John 1901-03+ (age 42 in 1901)
https://pubwiki.co.uk/SpreadEagle.shtml
From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29
Census
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