DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Thursday, 03 November, 2022.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1841-

Victorian Hotel

Closed 1919

High Street

New Romney

Victoria Hotel 1900

Above photo, circa 1900.

Victoria Hotel 1900

Above photo circa 1900, taken from https://theromneymarsh.net/ accessed March 2021.

Victoria Hotel 2016

Above Google image, August 2016.

Victoria Hotel soup bowl 1900Victoria soup bowl 1900

Above showing some soup bowls, circa 1900 that were once used at the hotel.

Victoria plate mark

Kindly supplied by Francis Royston.

 

The "Victoria Hotel" was a also a posting house and closed at the end of 1919. Situated in the south end of the High Street. It became a restaurant in the 1930s and is now (2019) operating as a Chinese Restaurant.

 

Dover Telegraph, 23 May 1844.

‘Lot 3. A MESSUAGE or Tenement, known by the sign of the Victoria, connected Brewery, fitted up with every convenience for trade, Stable, Outbuildings, large Garden, and other Premises, in the occupation of Edwin Masey. The house has for some years been Licensed for the sale of Beer by Retail, and Business to a considerable extent carried on therein, and the Premises, from their locality, afford an opportunity rarely to be met with of carrying on the Licensed Retail Trade, with that of a Common Brewer, either combined or separate.’

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 7 January 1845.

Farewell Dinner.

Mr. Edwin Masey, of the "Victoria Inn," being about to relinquish the occupancy of his house to Mr. Butler, a numerous and respectable party assembled on Tuesday last for the purpose of showing that respect to their worthy host which, by his attention, he had so deservedly merited. A most excellent dinner was provided on the occasion. Mr. Parton filled the office of chairman, and the proceedings of the day were conducted with the greatest propriety, harmony, and good feeling. Numerous were the patriotic toasts and sentiments given and responded to, interspersed with some excellent singing, enlivened at intervals by the town band. At ten o'clock, the National Anthem being sung in full chorus, the party separated, hoping their new landlord would, by his attention, command the respect obtained by his predecessor.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 11 February 1845.

NEW ROMNEY.

Mr. Thomas King Butler having succeeded Mr. Masey, the landlord of the "Victoria," a numerous and respectable party assembled on Tuesday evening to drink the health of their new host and hostess, and to partake of the festal cake. The chair was ably filled by Mr. Alfred Mann, supported by Mr. F. Butler as vice-president. Song, toast, and sentiment went quickly round, enlivened by some beautiful airs from the excellent little town band. At ten the national anthem was given in full chorus, and the party retired highly gratified with their evening’s amusement, and wishing prosperity to their new landlord.

 

Kentish Gazette, 9 November 1847.

NEW ROMNEY.

Licensed House for the sale of Beer, Brewery, &c., and Two New Houses.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, By Mr. JOHN HUMPHERY, AT the "New Inn," NEW ROMNEY, on MONDAY; 15th NOVEMBER, 1847, at Three o’clock in the Afternoon, (if not previously disposed of by Private Contract), the following FREEHOLD ESTATES, situate in the Town and Port of New Romney, in the County of Kent, in two lots:—

Lot 1:— A MESSUAGE or TENEMENT, known by the sign of the "Victoria," connected Brewery, with every convenience for Trade, Stable, Outbuildings, large Garden, and other Premises, in the occupation of Mr. Thomas King Butler.

The House has for some years been Licensed for the Sale of Beer by Retail, and business to a considerable extent carried on therein; and the Premises, from their locality, afford an opportunity rarely to be met with, of carrying on the Licensed Retail Trade, with that of a Common Brewer, either combined or separate.

Lot 2:— Two New substantial-built MESSUAGES or TENEMENTS, Outbuildings, Gardens and Premises, in the respective occupations of Mr. Edwin Masey and Mr. William Hodges.

The Estates may be viewed on application to the Tenants, and further Particulars known by enquiry of Mr. Edwin Masey, Bricklayer, or Mr. Stringer, Solicitor, New Romney.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 11 July 1848.

NEW ROMNEY.

On Monday last Mr. Thomas King Butler, of the "Victoria" beer-house, was fined by the magistrates in the mitigated sum of £1, and 16s. costs, for suffering beer to be drunk upon his premises during Divine service. This was done on the information of the policeman (A. Wilkinson), who detected the parties in the house, and the landlord pleaded guilty. The magistrates ordered the half part of the fine should be given to the National School, and the informer did the same with his half part.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 26 December 1848.

NEW ROMNEY.

Licensed House for the Sale of Beer, Brewery, &c. and Two New Houses.

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE CONTRACT,

THE following FREEHOLD ESTATE, situate in the Town and Port of New Romney, in the County of Kent, consisting of a MESSUAGE or TENEMENT known by the sign of the "Victoria," connected BREWERY, with every convenience for trade, stable, outbuildings, large garden, and other premises, in the occupation of Mr. Thomas King Butler. And TWO new substantial-built MESSUAGES or TENEMENTS, outbuildings, gardens, and premises, in the respective occupations of Mr. Edwin Masey and Mr. William Hodges.

The Messuage or Tenement known by the sign of the "Victoria" has for some years been licensed for the sale of beer by retail, and business to a considerable extent carried on therein; and the premises, from their locality, afford an opportunity rarely to be met with of carrying on the licensed retail trade with that of a common brewer, either combined or separate.

One half of the purchase money, if required, may remain on mortgage.

The Estate may he viewed on application to the Tenants, and further particulars known by inquiry of Mr. Stringer, Solicitor, New Romney.

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 29 November 1919.

COMPENSATION FOR EXTINGUISHED EAST KENT LICENCES.

At the supplemental meeting of East Kent Compensation Authority held at Canterbury last week, under the presidency of Lord Harris, the amounts awarded by the Committee's valuer (Mr. Cobb) were apportioned among owner and tenants, as follows:—

"Victoria," New Romney, £1,639 10s. (Messrs. E. Finn and Sons, £1,432 10s.; H. A. Pitts, £261).

 

From an Email from Peter Mooynihan 3 November 2022.

ANOTHER KENT HOME-BREW PUB.

Edwin Masey, Victoria Inn, High Street, New Romney.

This home-brew pub was offered for sale by auction under the terms of the Will of the Freeholder, Thomas Newman, deceased, in June 1844.

Edwin Masey was a builder, having been listed as such in the 1841 census, and he relinquished the licence of the Victoria to Thomas King Butler in January 1845 (Kentish Gazette, 7th January 1845)

Thomas K. Butler, Victoria Inn, High Street.

Another auction sale notice appeared, substantially the same as that quoted above, in the Kentish Gazette of 9th November 1847, indicating that brewing was still taking place at this time. Those requiring further particulars were asked to enquire of ‘Mr. Edwin Masey, Bricklayer.’ The same properties were offered for sale again, this time by private contract, in December 1848. (Kentish Gazette, 26th December 1848) Edwin Masey died on 19th March 1867, aged 49 years. (Kentish Gazette, 26th March 1869)

By 1858, Thomas K. Butler was an insolvent Plumber and Glazier. (Dover Telegraph, 16th January 1858) However, he seems to have survived his financial difficulties and was still trading in New Romney in 1870, having added painting and paperhanging to his repertoire. (Kentish Express, 18th June 1870) Butler died on 10th October 1894.
In common with so many known home-brew pubs, it is not known when brewing ceased at the Victoria Inn. Fifty-four-year-old Alfred Mann was described as the ‘Innkeeper’ in the 1861 census although this is in no way indicative of whether brewing was taking place at this time. Ten years previously Mann had been listed as a ‘Hairdresser and retailer of beer’, although for some reason the latter entry has been scored out in the census enumerator’s book. Mann did long survive the 1861 census, dying in the third quarter of the same year.

The next recorded licensee was James John Moody, who had been a ‘Horsekeeper’ in 1871 but by 1881 was a Licensed Victualler. Under Moody’s auspices the Victoria became a ‘Hotel and Posting House’, and he was succeeded upon his death on 17th November 1902 by his son Edward Smith Moody (born 1868) who had already been managing the Victoria Hotel for some years, having previously been a Draper’s assistant in Ashford. Edward’s entry in the 1911 census has been mis-transcribed as Edward Quick Moody. (If my memory serves me correctly, some of this work was carried out by inmates in UK prisons, the rest was sub-contracted to India.)

The licence of the Victoria hotel was extinguished in November 1919 under the Compensation Act; the payments made were £1639 10s to E. Finn & Sons and £261 to Mr. H. A. Pitts (Whitstable Times & Herne Bay Herald, 29th November 1919.) Pitts was therefore the last licensee and Finns the last owners. It is not known when the Victoria Hotel became a part of the Lydd Brewery’s estate, but if brewing had not already ceased, then it would certainly have done so at that time. The Victoria Hotel stood, indeed the building still stands, on the south side of the High Street, on the corner of Victoria Street. Now known as Victoria House, it was a restaurant in the 1930s and has latterly housed a Chinese take-away food business.

 

LICENSEE LIST

MACEY/MASEY Edwin 1841-Jan/45 (builder age 40 in 1841Census)

BUTLER Thomas King Jan/1845-48+

MANN Alfred 1861+ (age 54 in 1861Census)

MOODY James John 1881-1901+ (also job master age 65 in 1901Census)

MOODY Edward Quick 1911+ 9age 41 in 1911Census)

PITTS H A Mr to 1919

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

 

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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