TWO BREWERS Pubs of Canterbury

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Canterbury, September, 2024.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 04 September, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton & Rory Kehoe

Earliest 1741-

(Name from)

Two Brewers

Latest 8 Aug 1965

26 Stour Street

St. Mildred's

Canterbury

Above photo, circa 1935, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, circa 1956, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, 1961, kindly sent by Tim Timpson.

The above sign, wasn't actually designed and released by Whitbread, but has been designed by Robert Greenham in the same style as the card sets they distributed as a representation of what the sign looked like. Robert says:- The designs used were identical to those used for the Two Brewers pub at Yalding, in West Kent, and so I used the metal cards in the 1st series of 50 as my basis for the two cards for the Canterbury pub.

The above metal map, kindly sent by Robert Greenham was released, in 1950 and painted by D. W. Burley, and was titled Inn-Signia of Whitbread Houses in East Kent, Whitbread & Co Ltd. The Inn Signs designed by:- M. C. Balston, Vena Chalker, Kathleen M Claxton, K. M. Doyle, Ralph Ellis, Marjorie Hutton, Harvey James, Prudence Rae-Martin, Violet Rutter, L. Toynbee and Kit Watson.

Above map 1874 identified by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, date unknown by Darkstar.

Above photo, August 2017, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. The house is now called Concorde House.

It is suggested by Rory Kehoe that this was built on or near to a pub called the "Queen's Arms" or perhaps change name from that prior to 1779.

Owned by the Mackeson Brewery of Hythe and closed on the 8th August 1965.

Stour Street used to be the home Flints Stour Street Brewery and just along the road, was W.E. & J. Rigden. However that isn't how pub got its name! This pub was originally owned by Ash & Co's Dane John Brewery and the two brewers were George Ash and his son George, who ran the brewery in the early 19th century.

From the Kentish Weekly Post, 17 May 1741.

Wednesday May 20.

To the worthy FREEMEN of the City of Canterbury who are Interest if Sir THOMAS HALES.

Gentlemen,

You are desired to meet the Friends of Sir Thomas, tomorrow Morning, being the Day of Election, at either of the following Houses, viz.

The "King's Head," in High Street,

The "Fountain," St. Margarets,

The "Dolphin," Burgate,

The "Rose," St. Georges,

The "Black Boy," Burgate,

The "Flying Horse," Dover Lane,

The "Three Compasses," St. Peter's,

The "Golden Lyon," St. Peter's,

The "Mitre," High Street,

The "Rising Sun," St. Dunstan's,

The "Black Swan," North Gate,

The "White Swan," North Gate,

The "Tolerated Soldier," North Gate,

The "Fox and Seven Stars," St. Alphage,

The "Saracen's Head," St. Pauls,

The "Maiden Head," Wincheap,

The "Two Brewers," St. Mildred's,

The "Seven Stars," St. Alphage,

The "Three Tuns," St. Margaret's.

Kentish Gazette, 24 February, 1779.

W. Fenner, acquaints his friends, and the public in general, that he has opened a warehouse next t

he "Two Brewers" in Stour Street, and intends to carry the Tallow Chandlery Business, by making the best of goods.

He hopes to give satisfaction, and partake of a share of their favours, which shall be ever gratefully acknowledge.

Canterbury, February 27, 1779.

From Perry's Bankrupt Gazette 20 February 1830.

INSOLVENTS APPLYING TO BE DISCHARGED.

JENNINGS, William, of the "Two Brewers" public-house, Stour-street, Canterbury, Kent, publican and bricklayer.

From the Historic Canterbury web site.

Insolvent Debtors - 1830 - William Jennings, late of the "Two Brewers" public house, Stour Street, Canterbury, Kent, publican and bricklayer. (Wednesday, Feb 24 at 9)

From Perry's Bankrupt and Insolvent Gazette (London, England,) Saturday, February 20, 1830; pg. 117.

INSOLVENTS APPLYING TO BE DISCHARGED.

Gazette - February 2, 1830.

Jennings, William, of the "Two Brewers" public-house, Stour Street. Canterbury, Kent, publican and bricklayer.

From the Kentish Gazette, 2 June 1840.

June 1.

Yesterday morning a man named James Cranston, a journeyman basket maker, was found dead in his bed at the "Two Brewers" public-house, where he had been lodging. It appears that on Friday last he had been drinking with some shop-mates and fellow tradesmen, and the party being somewhat intoxicated, were what is called "larking" with each other in the street, a little before nine o'clock in the evening, when one or them, named Edwin Willy, held his hat towards Cranston, who attempted to kick it, and repeating the attempt, Willy seized the deceased by the collar with both his hands, and, at the same time tripping up his heels, threw him with great violence, his head striking the rough stones, and Willy falling on him. The deceased appeared stunned by the fall, but after a little time his companions led him to his lodgings; he complained much of his head, and was in bed nearly the whole of Saturday, but did not have any medical assistance. Edwin Willy, who gave the deceased the fall, left the town on Saturday, and was apprehended on Sunday morning at Sittingbourne, by Mr. Orpin, superintendent of police at Faversham, who went in pursuit of him by direction of the coroner, J. G. Shepherd, esq. The coroner's inquest is now sitting.

From the Kentish Gazette 19 June 1838.

Also, yesterday, before the same gentleman, as coroner for this city, at the Two "Brewers," St. Mildred, on the body of James Horton, who was, on the preceding evening, found drowned at Bingley, in the river Stour. No evidence being adduced to show how he came in the water, the jury returned a verdict of "Found drowned." The deceased was a poor man, and has left a widow and five children.

From the Canterbury Journal, 16 March, 1844.

March 15, at the "Bricklayer's Arms," Stone-street, Canterbury, Mrs S Jennings, widow of the late W Jennings, formerly of the "Two Brewers," in this city, aged 57".

Kentish Gazette, 19 March 1844.

DEATH.

March 15, at the "Bricklayers' Arms," Stour street, Canterbury, Mrs. S. Jennings, widow of Mr. W. Jennings, formerly of the "Two Brewers," in this city, aged 57.

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Tuesday 12 June 1849.

Canterbury.

Important sale of the extensive Brewery of Messr's Flint, including 30 old established Inns and Public Houses, and other valuable property.

Mr. V. J., has received instructions to sell by auction, at the "Fountain Hotel," Canterbury, on Tuesday and Wednesday, 26th and 27th of June, at 12 o'clock each day, (in consequence of the death of the senior acting partner and the retirement of the surviving partners,) the valuable property known as Messrs. Flint's Brewery, in Stour Street, Canterbury, and the Inns, Public Houses, and other valuable property connected with theirwith. The first day sale on Tuesday, 26th June, 1849, will comprise the following property in and near the city.

Public houses.

Lot 1. The "City of Canterbury," situate on the road to Whitstable. Freehold.

Lot 2. The "George and Dragon," Westgate without, leasehold under Hind's charity for 17 years unexpired.

Lot 3. The "Three Compasses," Westgate within. Freehold.

Lot 4. The "Bell Inn" and Coach Office, in the High Street. Freehold.

Lot 5. The "Prince of Wales," St. Alphege Lane,. Freehold.

Lot 6. The "Weavers Arms," Broad Street, freehold and partly leasehold.

Lot 7. The "White Swan," Northgate. Leasehold under St. John's Hospital for a short term, at a ground rent.

Lot 8. The "Kings Head," Northgate. Freehold.

Lot 9. The "Swan Inn," at Sturry (close to the railway station). Freehold.

Lot 10. The "Ship," St. Martins Hill, freehold.

Lots 12. The "Star Commercial Inn and Tap," St George's, close to the Cattle market and Dane John. Freehold.

Lot 13. The "Blue Anchor," Old Dover Lane, near the Cattle market. Freehold.

Lot 14. The "Fleece Inn," High Street, opposite to the Corn market. Freehold.

Lot 28. Three neat Cottages opposite the Brewery, with large gardens extending to the river.

Lot 29. The "Two Brewers" public house and Spirit Warehouse, adjoining the last lot.

Lot 31. The "Black Dog" public house, Castle Street.

Lot 34. The "Duke's Head" Public House, Wincheap Street.

Lot 35. The "King's Head," Public House, Wincheap Street.

Lot 37. The "Royal Exchange," public house, Stour Street.

Lot 38. The "Kentish Arms," public house, and 5 cottages in Jewry Lane. Leasehold for a short term at a low rent.

Lot 40. The "Duke William," at Ickham, abiout five miles from Canterbury. Freehold.

Lot 41. The "Royal Oak Inn," at Deal. Freehold except a small portion.

Lot 42. The "King's Arms," Beach Street, Deal, and Cottage in the rear. leasehold for a short term, at a Ground rent.

Lot 43. The "Fleur De Lis," near the Railway Station, Dover. Leasehold for a term of 6 years, at a Ground rent of £3.

Lot 44. The "Two Brewers," Limekiln Street, Dover. leasehold for a term of 46 years, at a ground rent of £3.

Lot 45. The "Fountain Inn, adjoining the Market place at Dover. Freehold.

Lot 46. The "Lord Nelson," Radnor Street, near the harbour, Folkestone. Freehold.

Lot 47. The "Bricklayers Arms," Fancy Street, Folkestone. Freehold.

Lot 48. The "Castle Inn," at Sandgate. Leasehold for a short term, at a ground rent of 7s. 6d.

Lot 49. The "King's Head Hotel and Tap," at Margate. Freehold.

Lot 50. The "New Inn," at Elham, on the road to Hythe. Freehold.

Lot 51. The "King's Arms," at Milton near Sittingbourne. Freehold.

The Public Houses are for the most part in the occupation of unexceptionable tenants, and the majority of them are doing trades, both in beer and spirits, considerably above the average run of Country houses. (None of them have been beer shops; they're all old Licence Houses, with connections of long standing, thereby affording ample security for the permanency of the trade). The Premises generally are in a superior state of repair.

Particulars and Plans, price 1s. each, may be had of Messr's. Furleys and Mercer, Solicitors, Canterbury; at the "Fountain Hotel;" and of Mr. V. J. Collins, 3, Moorgate Street, London.

Kentish Gazette, 29 July 1851.

William Gillis, landlord of the "Two Brewers," Stour Street, was charged with having company in his house during divine worship on a Sunday. The fact of company being present in the house was clearly proved, but the object of their attendance was questionable. The case was therefore dismissed, the Bench caution the defendants to be more careful for the future.

From the Kentish Chronicle 8 October 1859. Price 1½d.

SUDDEN DEATH.

An inquest was held on Saturday, before C. J. Fox, Esq., Deputy Coroner, at the "Two Brewers," in this city, on the body of Frederick Hirst, a lad eight years old, who met his death under the following circumstances:—

The deceased and another boy were in the employ of Mr. Beasley, dyer, of Stone-street, to carry out parcels, and on Thursday evening, between seven and eight o'clock, were waiting about in the dye-house, when the deceased seeing a bottle upon a shelf, containing what he supposed to be water, took it down and drank some of its contents; it was soon discovered to be vitriol. (Sulphuric acid). Mr. Shepherd, the surgeon, was sent for immediately, who did all that could be done to counteract the effect of the poison, but after lingering until the following morning the poor boy died. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," caused by the deceased swallowing a quantity of vitriol in a pure state.

South Eastern Gazette, 19 June, 1860.

The next case was that of Wm. Bromley, who was charged with robbing the till of Wm. Gillis, landlord of the "Two Brewers" public-house, in Stone-street.

The prosecutor deposed:— The accused was billeted on me on Friday afternoon. I had stepped outside to get a little wood for the fire. As I returned I saw the prisoner in my bar, with a fork and spoon in his hand. I took hold of the spoon and fork, and said to him "You are robbing me." My till was also drawn out, and all the contents gone, excepting a few halfpence and farthings - 14s. or 15s. had been taken. We had a tussle together, and the money all rolled about the passage from the prisoner’s pocket. I held him down till the police came and took him. Several of the coins produced (and which Inspector Dodd picked up from the floor) I identify as my property.

The prisoner was then remanded till Monday.

South Eastern Gazette, 19 June, 1860.

The Robbery from the "Two Brewers."

Yesterday William Charles Bromley, one of the East Kent Militia, was brought up on remand, charged with a robbery at the "Two Brewers" as reported in another column. He was sentenced to six weeks’ imprisonment.

From the Kentish Chronicle, 23 June, 1860.

SATURDAY.

(Before William Brock, Esq., Captain Love, and Peter Martin, Esq.)

There were six prisoners for examination this morning belonging to the East Kent Militia.

William Bromley, E.K.M., was charged with stealing a fork, a spoon, and about 14s. or 15s, in money, the property of Mr. Gillis, landlord of the "Two Brewers" public-house, where the prisoner was billeted. On Friday afternoon the landlord had occasion to leave for a few minutes, and on his return he found the prisoner in the bar with the fork and spoon in his hand. The till was drawn out and the money gone. He seized hold of the prisoner and they had a struggle, during which some money was dropped by the prisoner and rolled about on the floor. He gave the prisoner into custody.

The bench remanded the case till Monday.

From the Kentish Chronicle, 23 June, 1860.

MONDAY.

(Before the Mayor, T. Philpott & W. H. Trimnell, Esqs.)

William Charles Bromley, E.K.M., was brought up in custody on remand from Saturday, charged with stealing a fork, spoon, and 14s. or 15s. in money, the property of Mr. Gillis, landlord of the "Two Brewers" public house. The particulars are given above, in our Saturday's police report.

The bench sentenced the prisoner to six weeks' imprisonment with hard labour.

Dover Express, Saturday 13 January 1866.

Canterbury. Suicide by soldier.

On Saturday last an inquest was held at the "Two Brewers," Canterbury, on the body of a soldier named Henry Woodsell who had committed suicide that morning by cutting his throat.

It appeared from the evidence that the prisoner was brought to the police station at Canterbury on Tuesday as a deserter, and afterwards sent to the garrison. He was observed to be in a low, melancholy state, and on Friday afternoon he made an attempt to write a letter, but could not finish it.

A comrade named Thomas Bradley seeing that he was very strange in his manner, asked him what was the matter with him, when he said he was suffering from the "blue devils."

On Saturday morning he got up before any of his comrades, and having made his bed he left the room. Shortly afterwards Sergeant Sharp was looking out of his bedroom window, when he saw something lying on the grass beneath, and on going down he found the body of the deceased with his face lying in a pool of blood. His throat was cut, and near his feet he found a razor stained with blood. A surgeon was sent for, but of course his services were of no avail.

The jury returned a verdict that deceased cut his throat while in a state of temporary insanity.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 14 February 1903.

CANTERBURY BREWSTER SESSIONS.

CHIEF CONSTABLE’S REPORT.

I have given notice of objection to the following houses:-

"Two Brewers," Stour Street:— That the house is not structurally adapted for the use of the public and not in a fit and proper state of repair to be kept open as a public house, and that the house is not required to meet the wants of the neighbourhood.

Since these notices of objection have been served, I have observed that at some of the houses repairs and alterations have been commenced. At the "Two Brewers" part of the back premises have been removed.

THE TWO BREWERS, STOUR STREET.

Mr. G. T. Drury appeared for the brewers.

The Surveyor stated that in his opinion the house ought to be re-built.

Mr. Drury pointed out that vast alterations had been made to the house since the Superintendent of Police paid a visit, and expressed a hope that the Bench would renew the licence, seeing that no complaint had been made against the conduct of the tenant.

Mr. Gerald Adams and Mr. P. T. Gentry were called, and stated that they saw no reason why the house should be pulled down and re-built.

THE DECISIONS. SIX RENEWALS REFUSED

The Magistrates retired for the purpose of considering the cases. On their return into Court the Chairman said the Magistrates had given a great deal of consideration to the cases having regard to the consequences of their decisions.

The "Two Brewers" was not structurally adapted for the use of a public-house and was not in a proper state of repair. The house was not required, and the licence would therefore be refused.

The Sessions were then adjourned until February 25th.

From a book titled Quaint Signs of Olde Inns, by G. J. Monson-Fitzjohn, B.Sc. 1926.

TWO BREWERS. Canterbury, Whitstable, Bromley, Maidstone, Sandwich, Faversham, Dartford, Rochester, etc.

See "Jolly Brewers," which has been the original title and sign.

JOLLY BREWERS. Many towns.

The name has often been changed to the "Two Brewers," the latter title being more in keeping with the sign, which shows two men carrying a barrel slung from a pole, the end of which rests on their shoulders. It is difficult to see why they should be termed "jolly" unless it was anticipation prior to realisation!

From an email received 2 March, 2013.

My great great great great great grandparents Rest Fenner and Elizabeth Kingsford bought the Stour Street brewery in 1719 it was previously owned by Alderman Stanley.

I think the "Two Brewers" pub at 26 Stour Street was probably named after them as it is documented they owned it. I was amazed to see that their house and a lot of the brewery buildings are still standing along with 26 Stour St opposite the brewery.

Their son Rest Fenner the 4th took over the brewery in about 1745 and in 1783 his son took it over in partnership with his son in law Thomas Flint. It was then known as Fenner and Flint and later just Flint and Co. It was a large operation they brewed about 3500000 pints in 1810 and also ran a distillery producing gin and cognac on the opposite side of Stour St. Your website is very interesting its really important to try and keep pubs going particularly the historical ones.

Cheers,

Roger Allen.

LICENSEE LIST

JENNINGS William 1824-Feb/30 (bankrupt)