DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, August, 2024.

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 20 August, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1821-

Royal Exchange

Latest 1859

(Name to)

Round Tower Street

Dover

 

William Dodd in 1823 but it closed for periods in 1842 and 1851 and was last seen in 1859. Licensee John Connor was moved here after the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway required him to frequent his previous public house, the "Phoenix," in 1859 for demolition, perhaps he took the name with him, as I do have a licensee list for the "Phoenix" after this date.

An "Exchange" at Charlton was reported in 1840 and 1851 but the renewal was refused that year. Another with the sign was said to be kept by Robert Birch in Beach Street in 1826.

Click here for photo of Round Tower Lane.

 

Kentish Gazette, 3 August, 1821.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, By CHARLES LAMB,

AT the "Royal Exchange," Round Tower-street, Dover, on THURSDAY, the 9th day of August, 1821, at six o'clock in the evening, all those TWO MESSUAGES or TENEMENTS, adjoining each other, with the Grounds and Appurtenances thereunto respectively belonging, situate lying and being in Harts Row at the back of the "Hovelling Boat," at the pier, in Dover, and now in the several occupations of Moses Blythin, and Stroud Baker.

These premises are held under the usual lease from the Honourable Warden and Assistants of Dover Harbour, for 61 years, from the 6th day of April, 1813.

For particulars apply to Mr. James Bell, Attorney at Law, Dover.

 

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 30 May, 1840.

DOVER POLICE REPORT

MONDAY - Richard Dixon, labourer, charged by police constable Lewis, with an assault. Complainant stated as follows: On Friday morning about 2 o'clock I was called by Mr. Barnes, landlord of the "Royal Exchange," to take the prisoner into custody, he having been making a disturbance, and endeavouring to gain admission to the house. I then took him in charge, and was in the act of conducting him to the station-house, when he ran away, and I did not overtake him till he reached the top of the Commercial-quay. I then caught hold of him, and he pushed me over the pent, where there was about ten feet of water. He then ran away and left me, and it was with great difficulty I got out of the water. Dixon, in his defence, said that he did not mean to push Lewis over - he only tried to get away.

Fined 40s.; and in default, committed to prison for 14 days.

 

From the Dover Telegraph,30 May 1840.

POLICE COURT.

On Saturday last Richard Dixon, of the parish of Charlton, labourer, was fined 40s, including costs, for resisting William Lewis, policeman, in the execution of his duty; and in default of payment committed for fourteen days. It appeared that between one and two o'clock in the morning the landlord of the "Royal Exchange" requested Lewis to take Dixon into custody, as he had previously been endeavouring to get into the house against his (the landlord's) wish, having taken a shutter down for the purpose. Lewis apprehended Dixon and was in the act of conducting him to the Station-house, when he (Dixon) ran away. Lewis followed him and caught him at the posts and chains on Commercial Quay, against which Dixon ran, and was thereby stopped. Lewes then endeavoured to lay hold of him, when he (Dixon) put out his hand and pushed him into the Pent. Lewis could not say whether Dixon intended to push him into the Pent: he might only intended to get from him.

 

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday, 6 February, 1847. Price 5d.

DOVER PETTY SESSIONS

George Johnson, landlord of the “Royal Exchange,” was charged with harbouring lewd and disorderly persons in his house. Betsey May, who when charged with an assault on Monday last said she could prove the house to be a brothel, was called a s a witness; but on being sworn said there were persons dancing, but did not know them to be prostitutes – whereupon the case was dismissed.

 

Dover Chronicles 6 March 1847.

5 March, George Johnson, landlord of the "Royal Exchange." public house, Round Tower Lane, Tower Street, was summoned, in pursuance of the intention expressed by the Bench on Monday, for allowing persons of notoriously bad character to frequent his house. The young woman Nash, who spontaneously offered (when before the Bench herself on Monday for an assault,) to give such evidence has would substantiate the present charge manifested so much reluctance to do so today, that the case had to be dismissed.

 

Dover Chronicles 6 March 1847.

Dover Petty Sessions. Monday.

Betsy Nash, an "unfortunate," was summoned by a man named Johnson, who is employed at the "Royal Exchange," Round Tower Street, for an assault.

Compliant stated that defendant created a disturbance at the "Exchange," on Friday night last. By his masters orders, he requested her to leave the house, when she refused, became enraged, and pulled his hair and scratch his face.

John Miller, who was called as a witness by the prosecutor, merely deposed that defendant resisted prosecutor after he attempted to put her out of the house.

Defendant denied the charge, and said it was because Johnson had long "owed her a grudge," that the he appeared against her now. The "Royal Exchange" she said, was the resort of prostitutes, and Johnson was paid to fiddle there to the company.

The Bench dismissed the case, declaring its intention to enquire into the character of the "Royal Exchange;" and take such steps against the landlord as the circumstances might warrant.

Johnson was called upon to pay 3s. costs; and left the Court, complaining that he should have been assaulted with impunity, and required to pay into the bargain.

 

From Aris's Birmingham Gazette 06 November 1848.

On Monday last, the woman who was found murdered on the 8th ult., in a field near Halstead, in Kent, was identified as Sarah Freeman, wife of Richard Freeman, who formerly kept the "Royal Exchange" public-house, at Dover, and was subsequently employed on the Eastern Counties Railway as a taskmaster, and at the Bank of England as a carpenter. The deceased had been separated from her husband several years, and during that time has travelled the country with a man with whom she cohabited.

 

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports Advertiser, 2 June, 1849.

Andrew Barnes, mariner, brought up on suspicion of felony.

Superintendent Laker stated that on Sunday morning a person named Walker slept at the "Royal Exchange," kept by the friends of Barnes. On retiring to bed Walter had a considerable sum of money about him, in the morning he discovered a loss of £2 10s. His bed companion was searched, but nothing found; and as the prisoner was reported to have gone into Walker's bed-room at an early hour in the morning, suspicion was attached to him as the perpetrator of the theft, and instructions were issued for his apprehension, but he was found to have taken a hasty departure to Canterbury, whither the Superintendent instructed a constable to follow in pursuit, but without success. - No direct evidence of the theft being, however, obtained. Barnes was released from custard, with an intimation from the Bench that, in case of additional evidence being procured by the police, he would be again brought up.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

FREEMAN William Dodd 1823 Pigot's Directory 1823

Last pub licensee had BARNES John 1826-28+ Next pub licensee had Pigot's Directory 1828-29

FREEMAN John 1832-39+ Pigot's Directory 1832-34Pigot's Directory 1839

BARNES John 1841 (age 40 in 1841Census)

BARNES Elias 1840-47 end

JOHNSON George Sept/1846-47 Deal MercuryBagshaw's Directory 1847

FREEMAN 1851

Last pub licensee had CONNOR John 1859

 

I know that 1859 was the last year the "Royal Exchange" was found, and I know that John Connor was forced to move from the "Phoenix" to here, but as I also have a list of licensees, including the Connor's after that date at a pub called the "Phoenix" I am inclined to think the "Royal Exchange" changed name to the "Phoenix" again. I am hoping to find further evidence to substantiate this statement, but it's the only thing that makes sense to me so far.

I have also found reference to another "Royal Exchange" found in Beach Street, 1826. Unless they are one and the same.

 

Pigot's Directory 1823From the Pigot's Directory 1823

Pigot's Directory 1828-29From the Pigot's Directory 1828-9

Pigot's Directory 1832-34From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

Pigot's Directory 1839From the Pigot's Directory 1839

Pigot's Directory 1840From the Pigot's Directory 1840

Bagshaw's Directory 1847From Bagshaw Directory 1847

 

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

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