Even More Tales From The Tap Room: Mariner`s Home, Radnor Street 1851

Thanks And Acknowledgements

My thanks go to Kent Libraries and Archives - Folkestone Library and also to the archive of the Folkestone Herald. For articles from the Folkestone Observer, my thanks go to the Kent Messenger Group. Southeastern Gazette articles are from UKPress Online, and Kentish Gazette articles are from the British Newspaper Archive. See links below.

Paul Skelton`s great site for research on pubs in Kent is also linked

Other sites which may be of interest are the Folkestone and District Local History Society, the Kent History Forum, Christine Warren`s fascinating site, Folkestone Then And Now, and Step Short, where I originally found the photo of the bomb-damaged former Langton`s Brewery, links also below.

Welcome

Welcome to Even More Tales From The Tap Room.

Core dates and information on licensees tenure are taken from Martin Easdown and Eamonn Rooney`s two fine books on the pubs of Folkestone, Tales From The Tap Room and More Tales From The Tap Room - unfortunately now out of print. Dates for the tenure of licensees are taken from the very limited editions called Bastions Of The Bar and More Bastions Of The Bar, which were given free to very early purchasers of the books.

Easiest navigation of the site is by clicking on the PAGE of the pub you are looking for and following the links to the different sub-pages. Using the LABELS is, I`m afraid, not at all user-friendly.

Sunday 20 October 2024

Mariner`s Home, Radnor Street 1851 - 1872

Licensees
(William Hall) Thomas Hall c1851 1854

Richard Ovenden 1854 1855
John Taylor 1855 1857 Perhaps later Eagle
David Stone 1859 1859
John Milton 1859 1861
Ann Tong 1861 1862
Richard Bailey 1862 1862 From Queens Head
Sarah Anne Bailey 1862 1862
Henry Bazle 1862 1862
H. J. Richardson 1862 1870
George Greenland 1870 1872 Renamed Marquis Of Lorne

Dover Chronicle 12-2-1853

Dover Police, Monday: Before R. Sibbitt & C.B. Wilkins Esqs.

Francis Wm. Fame, a young man belonging to the Royal Artillery, Dover, was charged with stealing a watch. Prisoner had delivered himself up, and confessed the offence to Mr. Superintendent Coram. It appeared that on the night of the Thursday previous, Fame had slept at the Princess Royal, a public house and eating house, in the Market Place, kept by the prosecutor, Jabez Vinall, and that the watch was in a stand in his bedroom. After having stolen it, the prisoner took it to Folkestone, where he pawned it. It was subsequently taken out of pawn by a fisherman named Richard Abbott, at the request of the prisoner, the money required for the redemption (4s. 1d.) being advanced by the proprietor of the Mariners Home (Thomas Hall), where the prisoner was staying. Hall afterwards advanced to the prisoner 5s. more, the watch being left in his possession with a view to its being sold. On the information of the prisoner Superintendent Coram proceeded to Folkestone, where he found the watch in the possession of Hall, as above described. Committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.

Dover Telegraph 12-2-1853

Dover Petty Sessions, Monday: Before E. Sibbitt and C.B. Wilkins Esqs.

Francis William Fone, a gunner in the Royal Artillery, was charged with stealing a watch, value 5s.

Jabez Vinall, eating house keeper, Market Place:- The prisoner slept at my house on Thursday night, and left about ten minutes after six on Friday morning, after having a cup of coffee. The watch produced was in a stand on drawers in the bedroom. Prisoner slept alone, and no-one but myself entered the room while he was there. I missed the watch about two hours after he went away; it is a silver one, and I bought it with another of a Jew at Hartlepool.

Superintendent Coram:- Yesterday the prisoner came to the station house, and confessed that he had stolen a watch from the house of the last witness on Friday morning. I took the charge and detained the prisoner, who also told me that he had sold the watch at Folkestone, to a fisherman, whose name he thought was Tom. I went to Folkestone, and found the watch now produced in the possession of the landlord of the Mariners Home, who stated that he obtained it of an artilleryman, and advanced money and refreshments to the amount of 9s.

Thomas Hall, fisherman and landlord of the Mariners Home, Radnor Street:- The prisoner came to my house on Friday, and offered the duplicate of a watch for sale. The watch was pledged for 4s., and he wanted 6s. for the ticket. I advanced 4s. 1d. to take the watch out of pledge, and prisoner had refreshments to the amount of 5s. He wanted another shilling. He left the watch with me before he went away.

Richard Abbott, fisherman, deposed to receiving 4s. 1d. from the witness Hall, and the duplicate of a watch from the prisoner, and redeemed therewith the watch now produced.

The prisoner made no defence, and was committed for trial.

Dover Telegraph 30-12-1854

Petty Sessions, Dec. 27: Before W. Major and J. Kelcey Esqs.

The following licenses were transferred: The Red Cow, Foord, from John Goodburn to William Prebble; the Mariners Arms, Radnor Street, from Thomas Hall to Richard Ovenden; the Royal Oak, North Street, from Thomas Saunders to Richard Hills, of Sandgate.

Note: For Mariners Arms read Mariners Home. Red Cow and Royal Oak transfers are earlier date

Southeastern Gazette 2-1-1855

Local News

The following licenses were transferred. The Red Cow from John Goodban to William Prebble; Mariner’s Arms from Thos. Hale to Richard Ovenden; the Royal Oak, North-street, from Thos. Saunders to Richard Hills.

Notes: For Mariners Arms read Mariners Home. No record of Ovenden. Royal Oak; Hills not listed in More Bastions.

Dover Chronicle 6-1-1855

Petty Sessions: Before the Mayor, W. Major and J. Kelcey Esqs.

The following licenses were transferred: The Red Cow, from John Goodban to William Prebble; the Mariners Arms, from Thos. Hall to Richard Ovenden; the Royal Oak, North Street, from Thos. Saunders to Richard Hills.

Note: For Mariners Arms read Mariners Home

Southeastern Gazette 1-1-1856

Petty Sessions, Wednesday.—(Before J. Tolputt, Esq., Mayor, W. Major and J. Kelcey, Esqrs.)

James Taylor, of the Darlington Arms, was fined £2, including costs, for having his house open at a quarter past 12 o’clock on Sunday morning last.

See report from 8-1-1856

Southeastern Gazette 8-1-1856

In our police report last week we incorrectly stated that Mr. Taylor, of the Darlington Arms, was fined £2 for keeping his house open after 12 o`clock on Saturday night. It was a person named Taylor, at the lower end of the town, and not the one we stated.

Note: The only other Taylor who was a publican at that time was John Taylor, who was at the Mariners Home.

Southeastern Gazette 3-4-1855

Notice: In the county of Kent at Folkestone.

Whereas a petition of Thomas Hall, residing at East Street, in the town of Folkestone, in the county of Kent, labourer and boatman; formerly of the Mariners Home, Radnor Street, beer-shop keeper and boatman; then of the same place, innkeeper and boatman, an insolvent debtor, having been filed in the County Court of Kent, at Folkestone, and an interim order for protection from process having been given to the said Thomas Hall under the provisions of the statutes in that case made and provided, the said Thomas Hall is hereby required to appear at the next Court, to be holden at the Guildhall, at Folkestone aforesaid, on the 14^th day of April next, at ten o`clock in the forenoon precisely, for his first examination touching his debts, estate, and effects, and to be further dealt with according to the provisions of the said statutes. And notice is hereby given that the choice of assignees is to take place at the time so appointed.

All persons indebted to the said Thomas Hall, or who have any of his effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to Mr. Ralph Thomas Brockman, the Clerk of the Court, at Folkestone, the official assignee acting in the matter of the said petition.

Thos. Harris, High Bailiff, Messenger of the said Court.

Note: More Bastions lists a William Hall at the Mariners Home.

Southeastern Gazette 17-4-1855

County Court; before C. Harwood Esq.

In the matter of Thomas Hall, bankrupt: The insolvent was opposed by Messrs. Baldwin, Godden, and Holmes, brewers, Maidstone, through Mr. Hart. Mr. Minter supported the insolvent.

From the examination it appeared that the insolvent had borrowed money of the brewers to purchase boats, which he had since sold; he had an interest in a Russian prize, which he had assigned to a Mr. Davis, a Jew, for £32. Upon the brewers pressing the insolvent for money, he assigned to them his interest in the prize, and did not mention that he had previously done so to Mr. Davis. The insolvent underwent a long examination as to the sale of the boats, which he said he had sold to Thomas Warman, but Mr. Hart said he believed that if His Honour dismissed the petition the money would be forthcoming.

His Honour said that the insolvent had been guilty of fraud in selling the boats, which were not his own; he would not name a day for the final order. He appointed Mr. Holmes, one of the Medway brewery firm, assignee, and directed notice of such appointment to be given to Mr. Davis, who had bought the interest of the insolvent in the prize.

Mr. Epps said he believed there was nothing to come for the prize, although the insolvent had represented that a large sum was still expected.

Mr. Minter said he believed there would be sufficient to pay all the debts.

Mr. Epps said that on behalf of the brewers (Messrs. Baldwin and Co.) he wished to say that they had shown the insolvent every possible lenity, and would have further assisted him had he been honest in his dealings; they had advanced £42 to him to purchase boats, which he said would enable him to earn money, and he had sold them, or pretended that he had. The matter then dropped.

Southeastern Gazette 18-9-1855

Local News

Annual Licensing Day

Monday: Before the Mayor and a full bench.

All the licenses were granted except those of the Radnor Inn and Mariners’ Home, which were reported by Superintendent Steer as disorderly and harbouring bad characters. New licenses were applied for the Belle Vue Tavern, Mechanics’ Arms, and Wheatsheaf, all of which were refused, the magistrates considering that there were sufficient licensed, houses already in the town.

Folkestone Chronicle 29-9-1855

Wednesday September 26^th :- Before W. Major Esq.

Leopold Waelkens and Joseph Comoot were charged by police constable Barry with deserting from the German Legion. The officer found Waelkens in the Mariner`s Home, Radnor Street, and as he found he had left a bundle, containing soldier`s clothes, in the bar, he apprehended him as a deserter. It turned out however that he did not belong to the service, and was therefore discharged. The soldier`s clothes in the bundle turned out to belong to the other prisoner, Comoot, whom Barry found in the tap room, with no jacket nor cap on, but was wearing a pair of military trousers, which, however, were concealed from view, by his wearing a pair of plain trousers over them, and as he had been absent for some days from the camp, he was committed to Gaol as a deserter, and reported to the War Office.

Folkestone Chronicle 13-10-1855

Tuesday October 9^th :- Present W. Major Esq., G. Kennicott Esq., and J. Kelcey Esq.

The Adjourned General Licencing Meeting was held this day, when the following licences were granted to William Franks, Swan; Thomas Eves, Black Bull; William Samuel How, Cooper`s Arms; Henry Wraith, Radnor Inn; Henry Parks, Cherry Garden Tavern; and John Taylor, Mariner`s Home.

Folkestone Chronicle 3-11-1855

Wednesday October 31^st :- Before G. Kennicott esq., W. Major Esq., J. Kelcey esq., and S. Godden esq.

John Taylor, a licensed victualler, appeared to answer the charge of keeping a disorderly house, the Mariner`s Home, in Radnor Street. Fined 20s. and costs.

Kentish Gazette 6-11-1855

At the meeting of the Magistrates last week, John Taylor, landlord of the Mariners Home, in Radnor

Street, was fined 20s. and costs for keeping a disorderly house.

Southeastern Gazette 6-11-1855

Local News

Monday: Before J. Kelcey, and G. Kennicott, Esqs.

John Taylor, a licensed victualler, was fined 20s. and costs for keeping a disorderly house in Radnor Street, known as the Mariners Home.

Folkestone Chronicle 29-12-1855

Wednesday December 26^th :- Before James Tolputt esq., Mayor, William Major esq., and James Kelcey esq.

John Taylor, licensed victualler, was charged with having his house open at a quarter past 12 on Sunday morning last. The case having been proved by police constable Charles Ovenden, defendant was convicted in the penalty of £2, including the costs.

Note: John Taylor was licensee of the Mariner`s Home

Folkestone Chronicle 13-9-1856

Monday September 8^th: - Special sessions were holden for the purpose of renewing licences, and granting new ones. Present, the Mayor, and G. Kennicott, S. Godden, W. Major, J. Kelcey, W. Bateman, S. Mackie, and J. Kinsford esqs.

The licences of 45 houses were renewed. The licence of the Mariner`s Home was refused, the landlord having been twice summoned, and twice cautioned, during the year, continual complaints having been made respecting it.

Southeastern Gazette 16-9-1856

Special Sessions, Monday: Before the Mayor, T Golder, W. Major, W. Bateman, G. Kennicott, J. Kingsnorth, J. Kelcey, and S. Mackie, Esqs.

This being licensing day, 45 licenses were renewed, and one refused.

Superintendent Steer reported that the Mariners’ Home, in Radnor Street, kept by John Taylor, was radically bad. The landlord had been twice fined, and he was not a fit man to keep it. Mr. Bateman (one of the magistrates) said it was no better than a common brothel. The magistrates refused the license.

Kentish Gazette 16-9-1856

At a special sessions, on Monday, the licenses of 45 houses were renewed—the Mariners' Home refused, and two or three others deferred.

Folkestone Chronicle 20-9-1856

Tuesday September 16^th. Present – The Mayor, W. Major, W. Bateman, S. Mackie and J. Kelcey esqrs.

John Taylor, landlord of the Mariner`s Home, Radnor Street, was charged with being drunk and disorderly. Mr. Lyddon appeared for defendant.

Police Constable Hawkes said that on Friday night, being on duty in Radnor Street, he heard fighting in the Mariner`s Home. He opened the door, and went into the tap room where he found six soldiers of the Swiss Legion and two of the 44th foot. The defendant was also there fighting with one of the Swiss soldiers. Witness endeavoured to part them, which he did with some difficulty. Defendant insisted upon fighting again and threatened to punch witness` head. Defendant`s face was covered with blood. Witness got all the soldiers out, but about three quarters of an hour later found them there again.

Mr. Lyddon, addressing the bench, said he was instructed that the party in the house were some of the Swiss Legion who had forced their way into the defendant`s house and insisted upon being served with beer. The scuffle deposed to by the policeman arose in consequence of his endeavours to clear his house. He called Sarah Pilcher, who however did nothing to improve his case.

The Mayor, addressing the defendant, said he was sorry to see him before the bench again. He had already lost his licence, and the house being the property of a poor widow made the case worse. In answer to which the defendant said he had no protection from the police.

The magistrates retired to consider the case, and upon their return the Mayor said this was the third time defendant had been before the bench in 12 months; but in consequence of losing his licence they had mitigated his fine to 5s, and 8s 6d costs.

Folkestone Chronicle 20-9-1856

ADJOURNED SPECIAL SESSIONS – Wed. Sept. 17^th

The business was the renewal of licences of public houses to those persons who did not attend the previous sessions. That of the Mariner`s Home was granted on the condition that the owner of the premises got another tenant in the place of the present occupier, whose conduct has been anything but satisfactory during the past year, continual complaints having been made respecting it.

Southeastern Gazette 23-9-1856

Petty Sessions: Before The Mayor, W. Major, W. Bateman, S. Mackie, and J. Kelcey, Esqs.

John Taylor, landlord of the Mariners’ Home, was summoned bv police-constable Hawkes for an assault.

It appeared that the defendant was intoxicated, and was quarrelling and fighting with some Swiss soldiers. The police were sent for, and the defendant struck Hawkes.

Defendant, in answer to the charge, said the police picked him out from others who were doing worse. He endeavoured to keep the soldiers out, when they broke into his house and would have beer. Defendant called his servant to prove his assertions, but she added that her master m his passion assaulted the policeman.

Superintendent Steer, in answer to a question from the Mayor, said that as long as the defendant kept girls in his house, it would never be better; he could not keep a policeman in defendant’s house to preserve order which the defendant expected him to do.

The magistrates having consulted, the Mayor said that as the license of the house had been taken away by them, they would not fine him heavily, but he must pay a fine of 6s., costs 8s. 6d.

Southeastern Gazette 4-8-1857

Wednesday: Before The Mayor, and T. Golder, Esq.

John Taylor was summoned for for keeping his house open after 11 o’ clock on Sunday morning.

Fined 20s. and 13s. costs.

Southeastern Gazette 22-2-1859

Local News

A licence was granted to David Stone, for the Mariners’ Home, Radnor Street.

Folkestone Chronicle 3-11-1860

Petty Sessions, Wednesday, October 31^st:- Before the Mayor, James Tolputt and William Major Esqs.

John Milton, landlord of the Mariner`s Home, Radnor Street, appeared to answer two informations laid against him by the Superintendent of Police, charging him with keeping a disorderly house, and harbouring improper persons. Mr. Minter appeared to support defendant. The evidence having been heard, and also Mr. Minter in defence, the magistrates consulted, and ultimately fined the defendant £2, with 23s. costs, in all £3 3s.

Folkestone Chronicle 9-2-1861

Wednesday February 6^th:- Before the Mayor, R.W. Boarer and W.F. Browell Esqs.

Two privates in the Royal Artillery, and who gave the names of Thomas Williams and William Mansfield, were brought up charged on suspicion of being deserters from Dover.

John Reynolds P.C. deposed that on information received from Dover by telegraph that two of the Artillery had deserted, he kept a look out, and yesterday afternoon being in Shellons Lane saw the prisoners coming down the lane; witness then went for assistance and after a long search found them at the Mariner`s Home, Radnor Street, took them into custody, and brought them to the station; searched them, and found that the number of the brigade was cut off the shoulder strap of their jackets; asked them where they came from and they said Shorncliffe; none of their clothing was marked except Mansfield`s, in the sleeve of whose jacket the name of “Harder” was written, and this corresponded with the name in the telegraphic message received.

The superintendent said he had made enquiries and found that none of the Artillery were missing yesterday from Shorncliffe: he had also telegraphed to Dover and expected an answer from them before now. In answer to a question from the Bench, Williams said he was not a deserter; he belonged to the 4^th Brigade at Shorncliffe. The prisoner Mansfield whose hair had unmistakeable signs of a military prison crop, said he belonged to the 2^nd Brigade, and that Harder was the name under which he had enlisted; and that he was a deserter from the 6^th Dragoon Guards, and wanted to give himself up, and for that reason left Dover, as they would not allow him to go to his own Regiment from Dover. The magistrates decided to remand Williams, and send Mansfield to Dover, and just as the court was breaking up a corporal and four gunners of the 2^nd Brigade came into court from Dover, and the corporal at once identified both prisoners, giving their names, Williams as James Jenkins, and Mansfield as Thomas Harder, they having come from Dover to convey the prisoners there. The prisoners were immediately handcuffed together, and taken to Dover by the 2 p.m.

Folkestone Observer 9-2-1861

Wednesday February 6^th: Before the Mayor, R.W. Boarer, R.F. Browell, James Tolputt and James Kelcey Esqs.

Deserters

On Monday afternoon Superintendent Martin received a telegram from Dover, giving information respecting two men of the Royal Artillery stationed there, having broken out of guard. Information of the matter was given to the constables, and about 5 o`clock P.C. Reynolds reported that men, answering the description, had been seen in Shellons Lane. Search was made on the public houses of the town, and after a lapse of an hour or two the men were again discovered in the Mariner`s Home, Dover Street. One of the constables who made the discovery went up to the station to report, while the other remained to watch the movements of the suspected men, who, seeing the notice taken of them, came out of the house and walked away, re-entering, however, unobserved by the back door. Superintendent Martin brought down from the battery a corporal`s picket, and on going into the house to search, found one of the men in a bedroom, behind a bed, and the other covered up in the bed, dressed in his clothes, and still wearing his spurs, &c. Calling Jenkins by name, he ordered him out of bed, when he saw that his regimental number had been cut off his shoulder strap. Then making the other take off his coat, he observed on the lining the name Harder, which was the second name given in the telegram, his regimental number was also cut off the shoulder strap. The men declared they were from Shorncliffe, but the Superintendent ordered them below. They came down, and proceeding through the passage, just as Jenkins came to the door, and observed the corporal and his guard awaiting them, he turned about, and fetched P.C. Reynolds a severe blow on the cheek. The picket immediately seized him; and Harder proving restive, he was thrown on the ground and handcuffed. After they were lodged in the station, the landlady of the Mariner`s Home brought up two stout, knobbly, ash bludgeons; carefully cut; about eighteen inches in length, which had been found in the room they had occupied. Jenkins now denied his identity, and was remanded. Before the case of Harder was disposed of, a non-commissioned officer and a number of men appeared in court from Dover, to receive the prisoners into custody. They were fully identified, but were ordered by the magistrates to be sent in civil custody to the headquarters in Dover.

Folkestone Chronicle 22-6-1861

Saturday July 15^th:- Before the Mayor, Captain Kennicott R.N., W. Major. W.F. Browell and A.M. Leith Esqs.

Ann Tong applied for a temporary authority for selling beer at the Mariner`s Home, Radnor Street, till the next licence day. Application allowed

Folkestone Observer, Kentish Express 16-11-1861

Saturday November 9^th:- Before Silvester Eastes, W.F. Browell, and A.M. Leith esqs.

Drunkenness In A Public House

Ann Tong, landlady of the Mariner`s Home, was charged with permitting drunkenness on the premises.

Mr. Minter appeared for the defendant.

P.C. Reynolds, about 20 minutes past 11 o`clock, on Wednesday night, was on duty at the further end of Radnor Street. Hearing a great disturbance in the Mariner`s Home, which is kept by the defendant, he stood opposite the front door and saw down the passage into the back room. He saw parties there quarrelling, and using foul language; two sailors there commenced fighting, and knocked each other down. Witness then went in and parted them, when he saw a man named Filmer with blood running down his face. The two men who were fighting, as well as Filmer, were drunk. The landlady was in the bar, clearing away some things the men had knocked over; she could see what was going on.

Mr. Minter called Filmer, who lodges in the house, and Carter, a sailor who also lodges there, to show that the quarrel between the fishermen was a sudden one and that the landlady promptly sent for the aid of the police.

The magistrates dismissed the case.

Folkestone Observer 15-3-1862

Monday March 10^th:- Before Captain Kennicott R.N., and James Tolputt esq.

Soldiers On The Spree

Eli Pape, 21^st Fusiliers, was charged with maliciously injuring and breaking glass. On Saturday night, about half past 11, the prisoner and two other drunken soldiers came out of the Mariner`s Home public house, Radnor Street, with their belts twisted round their hands, and shouting “Let them come out”, and the prisoner struck the door window with his belt five times, breaking as many panes of glass, value 4s. 8d.. He was then taken into custody. Richard Bailey, landlord, said the soldiers had nothing to drink in his house. Prisoner was sent to Dover jail for seven days` hard labour.

Folkestone Chronicle 12-4-1862

Petty Sessions, Wednesday, 9^th April: Before Capt. G. Kennicott R.N. and James Tolputt Esq.

The license of the Mariners Home, Radnor Street, was transferred from Ann Tong to Richard Bailey, late landlord of the Queen`s Head. The license of the West Cliff Hotel transferred to Joseph Horwood from G. Giovannini. The license of the South Foreland to Charles Edward Jordan from H. Robinson.

Southeastern Gazette 15-4-1862

Local News

Transfer of Licence: At the petty sessions, on Wednesday, the following transfer was made: The Mariner’s Home, Radnor Street, from Ann Tong to Richd. Bailey

Folkestone Chronicle 10-5-1862

Saturday May 3^rd:- Before the Mayor, W.F. Browell and James Kelcey esqs.

Richard Bailey was brought up on summons charged with permitting drunkenness and other disorderly conduct in his house, the Mariner`s Home, Radnor Street.

Ingram Swain, a police constable, being sworn, proved that on Tuesday last, at several hours during the night, he found persons in the premises drunk, and making a disturbance; two sailors had also been fighting; the defendant was drunk.

Police Sergeant Newman corroborated the evidence of P.C. Swain.

Defendant was convicted in the penalty of 20s. and 16s. costs, or imprisonment for ten days.

Monday May 5^th:- Before Gilbert Kennicott and James Tolputt esqs.

Mary Ward was brought up, charged with stealing two sovereigns, three half crowns and 1 shilling from the person of William Pearce. He was in the Mariner`s Home and fell asleep on the sofa about 1 o`clock in the afternoon; about 10 minutes after he woke, put his hand in his pocket, and found his money gone. Prisoner, it appeared, had stolen the money and hid it in an upstairs room, and confessed where it was. Prisoner pleaded Guilty and was sentenced to two months` hard labour.

Folkestone Observer 10-5-1862

Saturday May 3^rd:- Before the Mayor, W.F. Browell and J. Kelcey esqs.

Richard Bailey, landlord of the Mariner`s Home, Radnor Street, was charged with permitting drunkenness and other disorderly conduct.

P.C. Swain, at 10 o`clock on Tuesday night, heard several people singing, shouting, and making a great noise at the Mariner`s Home. About half past eleven he visited the house and saw 7 or 8 soldiers in the front room, some drunk and shouting, and sailors and a prostitute in a back room – some of the sailors being drunk.

The defendant appeared to be the worse for liquor. At a quarter past 12 o`clock the defendant called for the police, and witness and P.C. Hills went to his house, in the front room of which he found one man down on the floor bleeding from the face, and another standing near him, stripped to his shirt. Bailey desired the people present to go out, and some went. In the back room were two soldiers, stripped to their shirts, covered with blood, and with black eyes. Blood was on the floor and on the table. Witness cautioned defendant, and persuaded several of the men to go away; and several did go. He reported the state of the house to P.S. Newman, and at half past 12 the sergeant and himself visited the house together, when they found it much quieter. He had cautioned the defendant that the woman was a prostitute.

Sergeant Newman also gave evidence as to the state of the house and of Bailey himself.

The magistrates sentenced the defendant to pay a fine of 20s. and 10s. costs, or imprisonment for 10 days.

Stealing From The Person

Mary Ward was charged with stealing from William Pearce, at the Mariner`s Home, several sums of money.

William Pearce, bricklayer, came to the town on Saturday and put up at the Mariner`s Home, in Radnor Street, having two sovereigns, three half crowns, and a shilling in his trousers pocket. About eleven o`clock on Sunday morning, he laid down on a sofa in the club room, and on awaking from his sleep, about one o`clock he went to the front door and stood there for 10 minutes, when putting his hand into his trousers pocket, he found that all the money he had had there was gone. He then went indoors and accused the prisoner of having taken the money, which she denied. Witness then applied to the police, who searched her, but without success.

Sarah Bailey, wife of Richard Bailey, landlord of the Mariner`s home, said the prisoner had been living with them a month, and when she (witness) found the money was gone she persuaded her to give it up. Prisoner denied having taken it; but going upstairs with witness and P.C. Smith, she took two sovereigns from under the paper on the wall, and gave them to Smith. She made no statement but cried. Prisoner was brought in a vessel from Shields a month since; having no place to go to, witness had taken her in as an act of charity. She was about the house as a servant, though not receiving wages.

Sarah Ann Bailey, 12 years old, daughter of last witness, found on Sunday morning a half crown, a shilling, and a sixpence, between the blankets of prisoner`s bed.

P.C. Smith, with prosecutor and Mr. Bailey, searched several rooms in the house, but without success; Mrs. Bailey then told the prisoner she must know what had become of the money, and at last she gave two sovereigns in the manner already described. After the charge was read to her at the station she said she had taken the two sovereigns, but no more.

Prisoner on now being cautioned, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to two months` imprisonment with hard labour.

Dover Chronicle 17-5-1862

Mary Ward, a “help” at the Mariners Home, was committed for two months for robbing a lodger at the house of £2 8s. 6d.

Folkestone Observer 17-5-1862

Saturday May 10^th:- Before Captain Kennicott R.N. and James Tolputt esq.

Drunk And Riotous

Edward Jordan, labourer, was charged with being drunk and riotous, and with resisting the police. About 20 minutes past 11 the previous night P.C. Reynolds saw the prisoner and his wife in the Mariner`s Home, Radnor Street, fighting.The man put his wife into the street, where they renewed the fight. Witness parted them, but they refused to go home, and so he took the prisoner into custody, and though much resistance was shown, he brought him to the station.

Sarah Jordan, wife of the prisoner in the last case, was next put at the bar charged with similar offences. When P.C. Reynolds was taking Jordan to the station, prisoner ran up, and seizing her husband endeavoured to release him. P.C. Reynolds called on Mr. John Banks for aid; but when he laid hold of her she bit his hand, and he let her go. On her promise to go home she was allowed to go away; but she made her appearance again at the top of the High Street, and was arrested and locked up.

The magistrates now sentenced Jordan to pay a fine of 1s. with 4s. 6d. costs, or in default, 5 days` imprisonment; and the wife to a fine of 1s. with 5s 6d. costs, or 5 days` imprisonment.

Folkestone Chronicle 6-9-1862

Wednesday September 3^rd:- Before Captain Gilbert Kennicott R.N., W.F. Browell, James Tolputt, A.M. Leith and W. Wightwick esqs.

Henry Hazle, landlord of the Mariner`s Home, transferred the licence of that house to Henry Richardson.

Folkestone Observer 24-1-1863

Tuesday January 24^th:- Before Captain Kennicott R.N., A.M. Leith and James Tolputt Esqs.

Drunk And Resisting

James Betts, 23, was charged with being drunk and riotous at the Mariner`s Home, and with resisting P.C. Reynolds.

The landlord of the Mariner`s Home said that prisoner came to the house at eleven the night before, rather fresh, and commenced dancing on the chairs &c. He did not wish to press the charge, only he wished it to be understood that people could not come into his house and do as they liked.

P.C. Reynolds said that when the prisoner was given into custody he would not come along, and resisted, but did not strike him.

Prisoner said, in reply to Captain Kennicott, that he had been seven years a man-of-war`s man, but he had had enough of that. The only cause of resisting the officer was the loss of his cap, which he wanted to go back for. If he had been allowed his cap he should not have resisted.

Superintendent Martin said as prisoner had not struck the officer with his hand he would not press that charge.

Prisoner was then discharged on payment of costs.

Folkestone Chronicle 14-3-1863

Petty Sessions, Saturday, March 7^th: Before W.F. Browell, R.W. Boarer, S. Eastes and A.M. Leith Esqs.

John Brown and Robert Cunningham, two drivers of the 9^th Brigade, Royal Artillery, E & H Batteries, stationed at Shorncliffe, and who were very bad looking types of the 3^rd class of soldiers, with the short crop of the military prison, were placed at the bar, charged with wilfully and maliciously setting fire to a certain stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsnorth Esq., of Ingles Farm, on the same morning, at half past 12 o`clock.

John Kingsnorth: I am residing at Ingles Farm. Yesterday afternoon, about 1 o`clock, witness saw said stacks of corn standing on his farm at Ingles. This morning, about half past 12, witness was awoke by a policeman and was told a stack was on fire. Witness went to the place and found the two prisoners in the custody of the police. The stack was completely burnt. The value of the stack was from £100 to £150. The stacks were all safe at 10 p.m. last night. The prisoner Brown in his hearing said that he would have burnt the whole ---- place down.

In answer to a question about how he came to do it, Brown said it was on fire when we came to it, and he lighted his pipe by it.

The prisoner Cunningham said nothing.

In answer to a question by the prisoner Brown, the witness said “It was you that spoke.”

The witness, after some consideration, said he wished to alter his evidence. It was one of the two prisoners that he had the conversation with. The stack was about 250 yards from his dwelling house.

P.C. Charles Ovenden, sworn: I was on duty in Bouverie Square about 12.20 a.m., and saw that one of the stacks at Mr. Kingsnorth`s farm was on fire. Witness immediately crossed a ploughed field at the back of Mr. Kingsnorth`s house, and there met P.C. Sharp. When witness got to the field where the stacks were on fire, he saw the two prisoners sitting down about 12 yards from the burning stack. P.C. Sharp asked them how long they had been there, when Cunningham said “We have been here half an hour.” Brown said “No, we have not been here more than a few minutes.” The stack was then on fire. Cunningham was smoking a pipe, and said he had lit his pipe at the stack, seeing it was on fire. Witness took them into custody, and charged them with wilfully setting the stack on fire. Cunningham said “I set the stack on fire, and I wish I had set the ---- lot on fire, for I like to see a ---- good blaze.” Brown said “Hold your tongue. You have said too much now.” Mr. Kingsnorth then came up, and the prisoners were then removed from there to the station. On the road to the station prisoner repeated his language about the fire; he also said he wished he had set fire to the town of Folkestone, and the ---- Camp. Witness secured Brown, but found nothing on him except his stock and gloves. Both men were intoxicated, No-one else was near the fire except the prisoners and P.C. Sharp. It was a moonlight, and in an open field, so that witness might have seen anyone if they had run away from the stack. A little before 12 on the same night witness saw two soldiers at the Bouverie Arms like the prisoners.

By the Bench: From the time when witness first saw the stack till he got to it at least 10 minutes had elapsed.

P.C. R. Sharp, sworn, deposed and corroborated the whole of Ovenden`s evidence.

Police Constable Woodland, sworn, deposed he came on duty to the station this morning at 8 o`clock. About 9 o`clock witness visited the cells. Cunningham said he was all right. Witness then went to Brown`s cell, and asked him if he was all right. He said “Now about the fire. I am innocent of all that.” Witness told him to be careful what he was speaking about, as he might hear of it again. He said “It`s the truth what I am going to say. We went into the Bouverie Arms about 12 o`clock, and Cunningham asked the landlady to give him some lucifers, as he wanted to light his pipe on the way home. She did so.” Prisoner added “When we got across the field, we saw some stacks.” After they got some distance Cunningham looked at Brown and said “I shall go and light my pipe.” After that he went to a corner stack and lit his pipe, and put the other part of the Lucifer under the stack. He then took a handful of straw that was alight and set the other side alight. They then sat down on the side of the road, till the two policemen came up. That is all that prisoner said, that he belonged to the E Battery, and Cunningham to the H Battery of the 9^th Brigade.

Mr. Browell, chairman of the Bench, then gave the prisoners the usual caution. The prisoner Brown said they had been drinking at the Bouverie Arms. “We had four or five pots of ale, and two glasses of punch.” It was getting well on for twelve o`clock when they left the house. After asking for some matches, as they crossed the fields, Cunningham said he would go and light his pipe. He did so at the side of the stack, and it caught fire. The prisoner Cunningham said he had nothing to say at present.

The prisoners were then formally committed to take their trial for the offence at the next assizes at Maidstone, and the witnesses bound over to prosecute.

Canterbury Weekly Journal 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman

John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, soldiers, were charged with having wilfully set fire to a stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsnorth, at Folkestone, on the 7^th of March. Mr. Biron was for the prosecution.

The prosecutor deposed: I am the occupier, in the borough of Folkestone. On the 6^th of this month I had some stacks of wheat standing in my homestead. At about half past twelve on the night in question I was aroused from sleep. I went into the yard and found the stack alight. It was worth £150. I saw both prisoners there in the custody of the police. One of them, with an oath, said the stack was on fire when he got there, and that he lighted his pipe there. I do not know which said that. The other must have heard it, as they were handcuffed together. Afterwards, when I requested one of the police to take them away, one of them said he wished he had set the ---- lot on fire. I do not know which one it was said that. There were several other stacks near.

P.C. Charles Ovenden said: I am a police constable of the Borough of Folkestone. At 12.20 I went towards Mr. Kingsnorth`s farm. Noticed one of the stacks was on fire. Called Mr. Kingsnorth up as soon as I got to the house. I then went towards the stack. When I got to the stack I saw the two prisoners sitting down about ten or twelve yards from the stack. Another constable was with me, who said to the prisoners “How long have you been here?” Cunningham said they had been there half an hour. Brown said they had only been there a few minutes. I told them I should take them into custody for setting the stack on fire. Cunningham said he saw the stack on fire and lit his pipe by it. He afterwards said “I set the stack on fire, and wish I had set all the ---- lot on fire.” Brown said “Hold your tongue. You have said too much already.” On the way to the station Cunningham said “I set the stack on fire. I wish I had set Folkestone on fire, and the ---- Camp.” The stack was in a field. There is a footpath about ten or twelve yards from the stack. I did not see anyone by the stack when I got there but the two prisoners. The prisoners were both intoxicated – Cunningham worse than Brown. The stack was totally destroyed.

P.C. Sharp corroborated.

P.C. Woodland deposed that he was on duty at the police station on the morning of the 7^th inst. He visited the cells at about 9 o`clock. Brown volunteered the statement that he was innocent of the fire. Witness cautioned him. Prisoner afterwards said “I was drinking at the Bouverie Arms, at Folkestone. We left at about a quarter before twelve. As we left the public house Cunningham asked the landlady for some lucifers to light his pipe as we went home to the Camp. She gave him some lucifers, and as we were going across the fields we passed some corn stacks. Cunningham said to me “I shall light my pipe here”, and went across to the stack and lit his pipe with a Lucifer. After he had lit his pipe he put the other part of the lucifers under the stack and set it on fire, then took a handful of straw from where it was alight, and put it on the other side of the stack and set that on fire. After that he came across the road and sat beside me.

Catherine Richardson said: I am the landlady of the Mariners Home public house, Folkestone. The prisoners came in about eight o`clock. They came in together and left together about half past eleven. As they left, Cunningham asked for some lucifers, saying they were to light a fire on board of his cousin`s smack, where he was going to sleep. She gave him some lucifers. They then went away in the direction of Mr. Kingsnorth`s farm.

Brown`s statement before the magistrates was read, and was similar to that made to the constable, and already in print. Brown had nothing to say in his defence.

Cunningham said he was in liquor on the night in question and did not know what he was about. All he could remember was seeing the stack on fire. He pleaded Guilty to the charge, but begged for mercy.

Catherine Richardson, re-called, said the prisoners had been drinking at her house, but were sober when they left the house.

Brown was acquitted, Cunningham found Guilty, and sentenced to ten years` penal servitude.

Chatham News 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday; before Mr. Justice Wightman

John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, two smart-looking young fellows, privates in the Royal Artillery, stationed at Shorncliffe, were charged with having wilfully and feloniously set fire to a stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsnorth. The jury acquitted Brown and found Cunningham Guilty. Sentence: Ten years` penal servitude.

Dover Chronicle 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman.

The prosecutor deposed: I am the occupier, in the borough of Folkestone. On the 6^th instant I had some stacks of wheat standing in my homestead. At about half past twelve on the night in question I was aroused from sleep. I went into the yard and found the stack alight. It was worth £150. I saw both prisoners there in the custody of the police. One of them, with an oath, said the stack was on fire when he got there, and that he lighted his pipe there. I do not know which said that. The other must have heard it, as they were handcuffed together. Afterwards, when I requested one of the police to take them away, one of them said he wished he had set the ---- lot on fire. I do not know which one it was said that. There were several other stacks near.

P.C. Charles Ovenden said: I was on duty on the night of the 6^th. About 12.20 I went towards Mr. Kingsnorth`s farm. Noticed one of the stacks on fire. Called Mr. Kingsnorth up as soon as I got to the house. I then went towards the stack, and saw the two prisoners sitting about 10 or 12 yards off. Another constable was with me, who said to the prisoners “How long have you been here?” Cunningham said they had been there half an hour. Brown said they had only been there a few minutes. I told them I should take them into custody for setting the stack on fire. Cunningham said he saw the stack on fire and lit his pipe by it. He afterwards said “I set the stack on fire, and wish I had set all the ---- lot on fire.” Brown said “Hold your tongue. You have said too much already.” On the way to the station Cunningham said “I set the stack on fire. I wish I had set Folkestone on fire, and the ---- Camp.” The stack was in a field. There is a footpath about ten or twelve yards from the stack. I did not see anyone by the stack when I got there but the two prisoners. The prisoners were both intoxicated – Cunningham worse than Brown. The stack was totally destroyed.

P.C. Sharp corroborated.

P.C. Woodland deposed that he was on duty at the police station on the morning of the 7^th inst. He visited the cells at about nine o`clock. Brown volunteered the statement that he was innocent of the fire. Witness cautioned him. Prisoner afterwards said “I was drinking at the Bouverie Arms, at Folkestone. We left at about a quarter before twelve. As we left the public house Cunningham asked the landlady for some lucifers to light his pipe as we went home to the Camp. She gave him some lucifers, and as we were going across the fields we passed some corn stacks. Cunningham said to me “I shall light my pipe here”, and went across to the stack and lit his pipe with a Lucifer. After he had lit his pipe he put the other part of the lucifers under the stack and set it on fire, then took a handful of straw from where it was alight, and put it on the other side of the stack and set that on fire. After that he came across the road and sat beside me.

Brown`s statement before the magistrates was read, and was similar to that made to the constable. Brown had nothing to say in his defence.

Catherine Richardson, re-called, said the prisoners had been drinking at her house, but were sober when they left the house.

Brown was acquitted, Cunningham found Guilty, and sentenced to ten years` penal servitude.

Dover Express 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman

The prisoners, it appeared, were drinking at a public house at Folkestone on the night of the 6^th of March, and left about twelve o`clock, both of them being at the time the worse for liquor; and before they went away, Cunningham asked the landlady to give him a few lucifers to light his pipe with, and she did so. Very soon afterwards one of the stacks of wheat belonging to the prosecutor, who is a farmer on Sandgate Road, was discovered to be on fire, and upon two constables of the Borough of Folkestone, named Ovenden and Sharp, going to the spot, they found the prisoners sitting down close to the stack. The officers asked how long they had been there, and Cunningham replied “About half an hour”, but Brown interposed and said they had only been there a few minutes. The prisoners were then told that they would be charged with setting the stack on fire, upon which Cunningham said that the stack was alight when he came there, but immediately afterwards he said that he had set it on fire, and added that he liked to see a good blaze, and he wished that he had set the whole lot on fire, and he wished that he could set the town of Folkestone on fire, and the ---- Camp too. He added that he should also have liked to have seen the two constables on the top of the fire. The other prisoner, Brown, told him to hold his tongue, and that he had said a great deal too much already, but he continued to make use of violent expressions, and repeated that he was the man who had set fire to the stack. On the following morning, when the prisoners had become sober, Brown said that he was innocent of the fire, and he stated that he and his companion had been drinking at a public house at Folkestone, and were very drunk when they left, and they went across the fields, and upon their arrival at the prosecutor`s stack-yard Cunningham said that he should light his pipe, and went up to the stack in question, and he saw him strike a match and light his pipe, and he then put the remainder of the match in the stack, and it blazed up. He went on to say that he took out a handful of the burning straw, and went round to the opposite side of the stack and set fire to it, and when he had done so he came and sat down by him, and they remained there until the police came up. The prisoner repeated the above statement when he was examined before the magistrate, but Cunningham merely stated that he had nothing to say at present. The prosecutor, too, was an entire stranger to the prisoners, and there did not appear to be the slightest motive for the commission of the diabolical act. The stack of wheat, which was worth £140, was entirely destroyed.

The prisoner Brown, when called upon for his defence, made the same statement he had done before; and Cunningham said he was so drunk at the time that he knew nothing about the affair, and all he recollected was that the stack was on fire when he arrived at the spot.

The Jury, after some deliberation, acquitted Brown, and found Cunningham Guilty. He begged the Court to deal mercifully with him.

The learned Judge, in passing sentence, said that he had always regarded the offence of arson as one of the most serious character, and denoting the greatest malignity of mind on the part of the prisoner committing it. It did him no good, and the result was merely to cause mischief and injury; and he was sorry to see a man in the position of the prisoner disgrace the service in which he was engaged by committing such an offence. He then ordered him to be kept in penal servitude for ten years, and the prisoner left the dock laughing.

Dover Telegraph 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman.

John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, privates in the Royal Artillery, stationed at Shorncliffe, were charged with having wilfully and feloniously set fire to a stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsnorth. Mr. Biron conducted the prosecution.

The prisoners, it appeared, were drinking at a public house at Folkestone on the night of the 6^th of March, and left about twelve o`clock, both of them being the worse for liquor. Before they went away, Cunningham asked the landlady to give him a few lucifers to light his pipe with, and she did so. Soon afterwards a stack of wheat belonging to the prosecutor, who is a farmer on the Sandgate Road, was discovered to be on fire, and the prisoners sitting close to the stack, Cunningham smoking a pipe. The prisoners were then told that they would be charged with setting the stack on fire, upon which Cunningham said that the stack was alight when he came there, but afterwards he said that he had set it on fire. Brown told him to hold his tongue, but he repeated that he was the man who had set fire to the stack. When the prisoners had become sober, Brown said that he was innocent of the fire, and he stated that he and his companion were very drunk, and they went across the fields, and upon their arrival at the prosecutor`s stack-yard Cunningham said that he should light his pipe, and went up to the stack, and he saw him strike a match and light his pipe, and he then put the remainder of the match in the stack, and it blazed up. This prisoner repeated the statement before the magistrate, but Cunningham had nothing to say. The prosecutor was a stranger to the prisoners, and there did not appear to be the slightest motive for the commission of the diabolical act. The stack of wheat, worth £140, was destroyed.

Brown, in defence, made the statement he had done before; and Cunningham said he was so drunk at the time that he knew nothing about the affair.

The Jury, acquitted Brown, and found Cunningham Guilty.

East Kent Times 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday; before Mr. Justice Wightman

The jury, after some deliberation, acquitted Brown and found Cunningham Guilty. He begged the Court to deal mercifully with him.

The learned Judge ordered the prisoner to be kept in penal servitude for ten years, and the prisoner left the dock laughing.

Faversham Mercury 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman.

John Jones (sic), 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, two privates in the Royal Artillery, were charged with firing a stack, at Dover (sic), on the 7^th of March, the property of Mr. John Kingsnorth. Mr. Biron appeared for the prosecution.

The prosecutor said he had a number of corn stacks standing near his homestead, and on the morning of the 7^th was aroused by an alarm of fire. On going to see what was the matter, he found a large wheat stack, worth probably about £50, was alight. Both the prisoners were then in custody of the police, and one of them said he wished they had set the whole lot on fire.

Ovenden and Smart, two of the Folkestone police, on the night in question noticed one of Mr. Kingsnorth`s stacks on fire. Gave an alarm, and then went towards one of the stacks, and about a dozen yards off found the prisoners sitting on the roadside. On questioning them, Cunningham said they had been there half an hour, but Brown said “No, only a few minutes.” On being taken into custody Cunningham said “I saw the stack on fire, and lit my pipe at it.” He added “I have set a stack on fire, and I wished I had set the whole lot of them alight.” Brown said “Hold your tongue. You`ve said too much already.” No person was near the stacks when the police first went up. Both the prisoners were intoxicated. The stack was totally destroyed.

Catherine Richardson, landlady of the Mariners Arms, Folkestone, said the prisoners came in about half past eleven and had some drink, and as they left they asked for some lucifers. He said he was going on board his cousin`s smack to sleep, and she gave him about a dozen matches. They went off in the direction of Dover.

In defence the prisoners said Cunningham went to light his pipe to the leeward of the stack, and it was accidentally fired. They were in a state of drunkenness, and did not know what they said to the police afterwards.

The Jury, after some deliberation acquitted Brown, but found Cunningham guilty. A former conviction was proved and he was sentenced to ten years` penal servitude.

Folkestone Chronicle 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday, March 17^th: Before Mr. Justice Wightman.

John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, two privates in the Royal Artillery, stationed at Shorncliffe, were indicted for arson. The cas was curious.

They had gone out together about a week ago, after having had beer and rum together at a public house, and got some lucifers from the landlady. They admitted that one of them, going aside to the stack to light his pipe (why he should have gone there for that purpose he could not explain), had by an accident set it on fire, but they both denied any intent to do it.

Mr. Biron was for the prosecution. The prisoners were undefended.

One of the prisoners (Cunningham), who had actually set the stack on fire, was proved to have used certain expressions indicating reckless malice. He now said he was drunk at the time, and did not know what he said or did.

The learned Judge summed up the case with great care. The jury, after some consideration, found Cunningham Guilty. The other prisoner they acquitted. The learned Judge, after some strong observations on the atrocity of the offence, sentenced the convicted prisoner to ten years` penal servitude.

Kentish Chronicle 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman

The jury, after some deliberation, acquitted Brown and found Cunningham Guilty. He begged the Court to deal mercifully with him.

The learned Judge ordered the prisoner to be kept in penal servitude for ten years, and the prisoner left the dock laughing.

Kentish Express 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman

The prisoners, it appeared, were drinking at a public house at Folkestone on the night of the 6^th of March, and left about twelve o`clock, both of them being at the time the worse for liquor; and before they went away, Cunningham asked the landlady to give him a few lucifers to light his pipe with, and she did so. Very soon afterwards one of the stacks of wheat belonging to the prosecutor, who is a farmer on Sandgate Road, was discovered to be on fire, and upon two constables of the Borough of Folkestone, named Ovenden and Sharp, going to the spot, they found the prisoners sitting down close to the stack, Cunningham smoking a pipe. The officers asked how long they had been there, and Cunningham replied “About half an hour”, but Brown interposed and said they had only been there a few minutes. The prisoners were then told that they would be charged with setting the stack on fire, upon which Cunningham said that the stack was alight when he came there, but immediately afterwards he said that he had set it on fire, and added that he liked to see a good blaze, and he wished that he had set the whole lot on fire, and he wished that he could set the town of Folkestone on fire, and the ---- Camp too. He added that he should also have liked to have seen the two constables on the top of the fire. The other prisoner, Brown, told him to hold his tongue, and that he had said a great deal too much already, but he continued to make use of violent expressions, and repeated that he was the man who had set fire to the stack. On the following morning, when the prisoners had become sober, Brown said that he was innocent of the fire, and he stated that he and his companion had been drinking at a public house at Folkestone, and were very drunk when they left, and they went across the fields, and upon their arrival at the prosecutor`s stack-yard Cunningham said that he should light his pipe, and went up to the stack in question, and he saw him strike a match and light his pipe, and he then put the remainder of the match in the stack, and it blazed up. He went on to say that he took out a handful of the burning straw, and went round to the opposite side of the stack and set fire to it, and when he had done so he came and sat down by him, and they remained there until the police came up. The prisoner repeated the above statement when he was examined before the magistrate, but Cunningham merely stated that he had nothing to say at present. The prosecutor, too, was an entire stranger to the prisoners, and there did not appear to be the slightest motive for the commission of the diabolical act. The stack of wheat, which was worth £140, was entirely destroyed.

The Jury, after some deliberation, acquitted Brown, and found Cunningham Guilty. He begged the Court to deal mercifully with him.

Kentish Mercury 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman

The prisoners, it appeared, were drinking at a public house at Folkestone on the night of the 6^th of March, and left about twelve o`clock, both of them being at the time the worse for liquor; and before they went away, Cunningham asked the landlady to give him a few lucifers to light his pipe with, and she did so. Very soon afterwards one of the stacks of wheat belonging to the prosecutor, who is a farmer on the Sandgate Road, was discovered to be on fire, and upon two constables of the Borough of Folkestone, named Ovenden and Sharp, going to the spot, they found the prisoners sitting down close to the stack, Cunningham smoking a pipe. The officers asked how long they had been there, and Cunningham replied “About half an hour”, but Brown interposed and said they had only been there a few minutes. The prisoners were then told that they would be charged with setting the stack on fire, upon which Cunningham said that the stack was alight when he came there, but immediately afterwards he said that he had set it on fire, and added that he liked to see a good blaze, and he wished that he had set the whole lot on fire, and he wished that he could set the town of Folkestone on fire, and the ---- Camp too. He added that he should also have liked to have seen the two constables on the top of the fire. The other prisoner, Brown, told him to hold his tongue, and that he had said a great deal too much already, but he continued to make use of violent expressions, and repeated that he was the man who had set fire to the stack. On the following morning, when the prisoners had become sober, Brown said that he was innocent of the fire, and he stated that he and his companion had been drinking at a public house at Folkestone, and were very drunk when they left, and they went across the fields, and upon their arrival at the prosecutor`s stack-yard Cunningham said that he should light his pipe, and went up to the stack in question, and he saw him strike a match and light his pipe, and he then put the remainder of the match in the stack, and it blazed up. He went on to say that he took out a handful of the burning straw, and went round to the opposite side of the stack and set fire to it, and when he had done so he came and sat down by him, and they remained there until the police came up. The prisoner repeated the above statement when he was examined before the magistrate, but Cunningham merely stated that he had nothing to say at present. The prosecutor, too, was an entire stranger to the prisoners, and there did not appear to be the slightest motive for the commission of the diabolical act. The stack of wheat, which was worth £140, was entirely destroyed.

The Jury, after some deliberation, acquitted Brown, and found Cunningham Guilty. He begged the Court to deal mercifully with him.

Maidstone Telegraph 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman.

W. Brown, 25, soldier, and Robert Cunningham, 23, soldier, for setting fire to a stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsworth, at Folkestone, on the 7^th of March, 1863.

John Kingsworth, owner of the stack, deposed to seeing the two prisoners in custody of a policeman on the night in question. On his interrogating one of the prisoners he said the stack was on fire when they went to it, and he lit his pipe at the stack. One of the prisoners afterwards said he wished he had set the ----lot on fire.

P.C. Havenden stated he was on duty at Bouverie Square on the morning of the 7^th inst. About 20 minutes after 12 he went in the direction of Mr. Kingsworth`s farm, when he observed one of the stacks on fire. He then called Mr. Kingsworth up. When near the stack he saw the two prisoners sitting down about 10 yards from the stack. Another constable that was there with him asked them how long they had been there, when Cunningham replied “Half an hour”; the prisoner Brown replied “Only a few minutes.” He then told them he should take them into custody, when Cunningham said he saw the stack on fire and he lit his pipe by it, and he wished he had set the lot on fire. Brown said “Hold your tongue. You have said too much already.” When he was taking them into custody Cunningham said “I set the ---- stack on fire.” Both prisoners were intoxicated at the time, Cunningham the worst of the two.

P.C. Sharpe corroborated the above, and said that Cunningham stated he should like to see both the constables on the top of the fire.

P.C. Woodland deposed he was on duty at the station on the night in question. On going his usual rounds of the cells he saw Cunningham, who said “All right, about the fire. I am innocent of that. We had been drinking in a public house in Folkestone and we left a little before twelve; as we were coming out we asked the landlady for some lucifers, and then we started to go to the Camp. As we went across the fields to the camp we passed a corn stack. I went to the stack to light my pipe with a Lucifer. Having done so I threw the remainder of the light into the stack, took a handful of lighted straw, and set fire to the other side of the stack. I then went across to the other side of the road and sat down. Two constables came up shortly afterwards.”

Catherine Richardson, landlady of the Mariners Home public house deposed that the prisoners left her house about half past eleven. Previous to leaving Cunningham asked for a few lucifers, which he stated were to set a fire in his cousin`s smack.

The prisoner Cunningham, in defence, stated that he was so intoxicated at the time that he had no recollection of the matter whatever.

Catherine Richardson, having been recalled, said the prisoners were perfectly sober at the time of leaving.

Brown was acquitted, and Cunningham sentenced to ten years` penal servitude.

Thanet Advertiser 21-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman

The prisoners, it appeared, were drinking at a public house at Folkestone on the night of the 6^th of March, and left about twelve o`clock, both of them being at the time the worse for liquor; and before they went away, Cunningham asked the landlady to give him a few lucifers to light his pipe with, and she did so. Very soon afterwards one of the stacks of wheat belonging to the prosecutor, who is a farmer on the Sandgate Road, was discovered to be on fire, and upon two constables of the Borough of Folkestone, named Ovenden and Sharp, going to the spot, they found the prisoners sitting down close to the stack, Cunningham smoking a pipe. The officers asked how long they had been there, and Cunningham replied “About half an hour”, but Brown interposed and said they had only been there a few minutes. The prisoners were then told that they would be charged with setting the stack on fire, upon which Cunningham said that the stack was alight when he came there, but immediately afterwards he said that he had set it on fire, and added that he liked to see a good blaze, and he wished that he had set the whole lot on fire, and he wished that he could set the town of Folkestone on fire, and the ---- Camp too. He added that he should also have liked to have seen the two constables on the top of the fire. The other prisoner, Brown, told him to hold his tongue, and that he had said a great deal too much already, but he continued to make use of violent expressions, and repeated that he was the man who had set fire to the stack. On the following morning, when the prisoners had become sober, Brown said he was innocent of the fire, and he stated that he and his companion had been drinking at a public house at Folkestone, and were very drunk when they left, and they went across the fields, and upon their arrival at the prosecutor`s stack-yard Cunningham said that he should light his pipe, and went up to the stack in question, and he saw him strike a match and light his pipe, and he then put the remainder of the match in the stack, and it blazed up. He went on to say that he took out a handful of the burning straw, and went round to the opposite side of the stack and set fire to it, and when he had done so he came and sat down by him, and they remained there until the police came up. This prisoner repeated the above statement when he was examined before the magistrate, but Cunningham merely stated that he had nothing to say at present. The prosecutor, too, was an entire stranger to the prisoners, and there did not appear to be the slightest motive for the commission of the diabolical act. The stack of wheat, which was worth £140, was entirely destroyed.

The Jury, after some deliberation, acquitted Brown, and found Cunningham Guilty. He begged the Court to deal mercifully with him.

Kentish Gazette 24-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman

The prisoners, it appeared, were drinking at a public house at Folkestone on the night of the 6^th of March, and left about twelve o`clock, both of them being at the time the worse for liquor; and before they went away, Cunningham asked the landlady to give him a few lucifers to light his pipe with, and she did so. Very soon afterwards one of the stacks of wheat belonging to the prosecutor, who is a farmer on the Sandgate Road, was discovered to be on fire, and upon two constables of the Borough of Folkestone, named Ovenden and Sharp, going to the spot, they found the prisoners sitting down close to the stack, Cunningham smoking a pipe. The officers asked how long they had been there, and Cunningham replied “About half an hour”, but Brown interposed and said they had only been there a few minutes. The prisoners were then told that they would be charged with setting the stack on fire, upon which Cunningham said that the stack was alight when he came there, but immediately afterwards he said that he had set it on fire, and added that he liked to see a good blaze, and he wished that he had set the whole lot on fire, and he wished that he could set the town of Folkestone on fire, and the ---- Camp too. He added that he should also have liked to have seen the two constables on the top of the fire. The other prisoner, Brown, told him to hold his tongue, and that he had said a great deal too much already, but he continued to make use of violent expressions, and repeated that he was the man who had set fire to the stack. On the following morning, when the prisoners had become sober, Brown said that he was innocent of the fire, and he stated that he and his companion had been drinking at a public house at Folkestone, and were very drunk when they left. They went across the fields, and upon their arrival at the prosecutor`s stack-yard Cunningham said that he should light his pipe, and went up to the stack in question. He saw him strike a match and light his pipe, and he then put the remainder of the match in the stack, and it blazed up. He went on to say that he took out a handful of the burning straw, and went round to the opposite side of the stack and set fire to it, and when he had done so he came and sat down by him, and they remained there until the police came up. This prisoner repeated the above statement when he was examined before the magistrate, but Cunningham merely stated that he had nothing to say at present. The prosecutor, too, was an entire stranger to the prisoners, and there did not appear to be the slightest motive for the commission of the diabolical act. The stack of wheat, which was worth £140, was entirely destroyed.

The Jury, after some deliberation, acquitted Brown, and found Cunningham Guilty.

The learned Judge sentenced the prisoner to 10 years` penal servitude.

Maidstone Journal 24-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman.

The Jury, after some deliberation acquitted Brown, but found Cunningham guilty. A former conviction was proved and he was sentenced to ten years` penal servitude.

Southeastern Gazette 24-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman

John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, soldiers, were indicted for setting fire to a stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsnorth, at Folkestone, on the 7^th of March. Mr. Biron was for the prosecution.

Mr. John Kingsnorth deposed: I have a homestead in the borough of Folkestone, and on the night in question, at about half past 12 o`clock, I was aroused, and saw one of my stacks, worth about £150, on fire in my yard, and on going to it saw the prisoners there. I asked them how they came to do it, and one of them with an oath replied “It was alight when we got here.” Both the prisoners were in custody and handcuffed at the time. When I requested the police to take them away, one of them said “I wish I had seth the ---- lot on fire.” There were several more stacks a little distance off.

Police constable Ovenden, of the borough of Folkestone, deposed: I was on duty on the night of the 6^th inst., at Folkestone, and noticed one of Mr. Kingsnorth`s stacks on fire. I called Mr. Kingsnorth up, and then went towards the stack, and upon getting there I saw the two prisoners sitting down, about ten or twelve yards from the stack. Another constable, who was with me, said “How long have you been here?2, to which Cunningham replied “We have been here half an hour”, but Brown said “We have only been here a few minutes.” I told them I should take them into custody for setting the stack on fire, when Cunningham said “I saw the stack on fire and lit my pipe by it. I set the stack on fire, and I wish I had set the lot on fire.” Brown then said to Cunningham “Hold your tongue. You have said too much already.” On the road towards the station Cunningham repeated what he had before said, adding “I wish I had set the town of Folkestone on fire, and the ---- Camp too.” The stack was in an open field, with a footpath within ten or twelve yards. There was no-one near the stack besides the prisoners. Both prisoners were intoxicated, Cunningham being worse than Brown. The stack was totally destroyed.

P.C. Sharp corroborated the last witness`s evidence.

P.C. Woodland, one of the Folkestone force, deposed: I was on duty at the police station on the morning of the 7^th inst., and when I went to Brown, he said “All right. How`s the fire?” and, after cautioning him, prisoner continued, “I am innocent of all that. We were drinking at the Bouverie Arms, and we left a little before 12 o`clock. As we were coming out Cunningham asked the landlady for some lucifers to light his pipe with as we went home. She did so, and as we were going across the fields to the Camp we passed some corn stacks, and Cunningham said to me “I shall light my pipe here,” and he went across to the corn stack and lighted his pipe with a lucifer, and then put the other part of the lucifer under the stack, and set it on fire. He took a handful of straw from where it was alight, and went to the other side of the stack and set it on fire. He then came to the other side of the road and sat down beside me.”

Catherine Richardson, landlady of the Mariners Home public house, Folkestone, deposed: On the night of the 6^th inst., the prisoners came into my house together, and left about half past 11 o`clock. As they were going out, Cunningham asked me for some lucifers, saying he was going on board his brother`s smack. I gave him some, and then the prisoners went away, going in the direction of prosecutor`s farm.

Brown`s statement before the magistrates was read, in which he said the other prisoner fired the stack when lighting his pipe, and that they had both been drinking excessively during the evening. Cunningham now said that he was very drunk on the night in question, and all he could recollect was seeing the stack on fire. His comrade was with him at the time.

Mrs. Richardson was re-called by the Judge and stated that the prisoners were perfectly sober when the left her house, although they had been drinking brandy and water during the evening.

The jury acquitted Brown, and Cunningham was sentenced to ten years` penal servitude.

Tunbridge Wells Weekly Express 24-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday: Before Mr. Justice Wightman

John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, soldiers, were charged with having set fire to a stack of wheat, value about £150, the property of John Kingsnorth, farmer, Folkestone, on the 7^th of March. Mr. Biron prosecuted. The prisoner Brown was acquitted; Cunningham was convicted and sentenced to 10 years` penal servitude.

East Kent Gazette 28-3-1863

Assizes, Tuesday; before Mr. Justice Wightman

John Brown, 25, and Robert Cunningham, 23, soldiers, were indicted for setting fire to a stack of wheat, the property of John Kingsnorth, at Folkestone, on the 7^th March. The jury acquitted Brown and Cunningham was sentenced to ten years` penal servitude.

Folkestone Observer 26-8-1865

It was licensing day on Tuesday, when the magistrates suspended the license for the Mariner`s Home, Radnor Street for harbouring prostitutes

Folkestone Observer 12-10-1866

Saturday October 6^th:- Before the Mayor and J. Tolputt Esq.

Henry John Richardson was charged with assaulting Richard Mercer on the 3^rd instant.

Richard Mercer, carpenter, Harvey Road, said, on the 3^rd instant, about eleven o`clock, he went into the Mariners` Arms (sic), kept by the defendant. He had a friend with him, and called for a pint of beer. They had the beer, and witness sat on the form and went to sleep. He slipped off the form on to the floor. Mr. Richardson came and pulled him out from under the form, and gave him a kick in the side, and said “Get up, you ----“. Before witness could get up, defendant kicked him in the eye. Asked defendant to let him get up, and on getting up he rushed to the door to get out, and defendant ran after him and struck him on the face. Then struck in return. Had not struck defendant before. Before witness got out of the door, defendant pulled him back into the tap room, and threw him down on the floor and kicked him and jumped on him. Got up again, and then defendant allowed him to go out. The jumping and kicking lasted a quarter of an hour. Defendant`s wife held witness down while defendant was kicking him. The right eye (swollen and very black) was occasioned by a kick. The left eye (also blacked) he believed was struck with defendant`s fist. Is bruised on the body. Had not had a word of quarrel before this took place, nor said anything to him. Witness`s friend was with him all this time, but did not attempt to assist.

Cross-examined: Did not strike the first blow. If he had come on purpose for a row, would not have gone asleep.

William Iverson, omnibus conductor, living on The Narrows, said he was with Mercer about half past eleven on Wednesday evening and went into the Mariner`s Home with him. Witness called for a pint of beer. One of the common prostitutes served him. Mercer sat on one form ant witness on another. Mercer was playing with a dog of witness`s and fell off a form, and then he lay there and went asleep. Five or six minutes after, defendant said to him “Dick, get up”. Mercer was fast asleep and made no reply. Defendant said “Get out here, and go home. Get up, you ----, or else I`ll kill you”. He then ordered his common prostitutes out of the house, and Burvill, who had been there, also went out. There were then left in the room defendant, defendant`s wife`s brother, Mercer and witness. Witness stopped behind to see the game. Went to the door to see for complainant`s brother, who had gone by just before. Was gone about a minute and a half. When he went in again, Mercer was on his left side on the floor. Saw defendant kick him in the eye. Had his boots on. No doubt Mercer was kicked quite silly. Said to defendant “What are you going to do? Are you going to kill the chap or let him go home? Your conduct is most silly”. Defendant said “You go home, or I`ll serve you the same”. Just before the Kick, Mercer got up and went to the door to go out, and defendant pulled him back. Mercer took his own part, or they might have killed him. They threatened to take his life two or three times. Defendant, his wife, and wife`s brother all pulled Mercer back. When witness came in and asked if they were going to kill Mercer, he himself was knocked down with a stick or poker, and was insensible five or six minutes. When he came to his senses, defendant and his party helped to get Mercer up, and they went away. They knocked Mercer over the table while striking him.

Cross-examined: Defendant`s wife struck witness. Took the silter away from the wife. Still had the mark on his head where he was struck.

This was Mercer`s case, and there being a cross-summons Mercer now took his place as defendant.

Henry John Richardson, as complainant, now said that on the 3^rd instant Richard Mercer and William Iverson came in and ordered a pint of beer. Witness served it in the tap room, and Iverson paid for it. Witness went to them at a quarter to twelve and too Mercer by the arm, and said “Hello, Dick. What`s the matter, Dick? Come, it is time to shut up.” He got up, and as soon as he did so he struck witness with his fist a blow on both eyes. Immediately returned the blow. Had not struck him before. Did not hit him again, but shook him, and he said “If you will let me go, I will go out”. As soon as he let him go he struck witness in the face again. Witness stryck him again and Iverson came back. Witness`s brother-in-law came to his assistance, and then Mercer, striking at witness, hit the door post. They then went away. It did not last five minutes altogether. Did not believe he kicked Mercer at all. Did not pull Mercer back at all. Believed the marks on Mercer`s face were caused by witness`s blow. There was no disturbance calling for a clearing of the house. It was shutting up time, and Mercer was lying about, pretending to be asleep.

Richard Burvill, labourer, living in Shellons Lane, went into Richardson`s house on Wednesday evening about a quarter to eleven. Mercer and Iverson came in, and Mercer sat down beside witness on a form. They had a pint of beer. Mercer had a dog in his arms, playing with it, and he fell down on the floor and rolled under the form. Could not say whether Mercer was asleep or not. He might have been lying there a quarter of an hour, when Richardson came to him and said “Now, Dick, get up. It is time to get up”. Mercer made no answer. Richardson then took hold of his arm and shook him. He let him get up, and as soon as he got up, he struck Richardson in the face. Richardson returned the blow. Then witness left the room. He came in again after. Richardson took hold of Mercer by the left arm and shook him, and helped him, and Mercer struck out with his right hand. Is quite certain that Mercer struck the first blow.

Richard Jerrard, brother-in-law of Richardson, and living at the Mariner`s Arms, was upstairs in bed. Hearing a noise he came down. Saw Richardson bleeding over the eye. Mercer was down on the floor calling out “Let me get up and I`ll go”. As soon as he got up he hit Richardson in the mouth. As soon as he hit Richardson, Richardson collared him, and held him over the table. Richardson did not hit him then. Did not see the commencement. Did not see who struck the first blow. Iverson, who had been out, came in and said “I`ll kill some of you”.

The bench, after a long consultation, dismissed both cases, being unable to say who struck the first blow.

Folkestone Express 9-1-1869

Monday, January 4^th: Before The Mayor

Phoebe Andrews, a woman apparently about fifty years of age, was charged with being drunk and behaving indecently.

P.C. Swain deposed that about twenty minutes past twelve on Saturday night last he visited a passage at the back of the Mariner`s Home in Radnor Street and saw the prisoner in company with a soldier. It was a public thoroughfare. The soldier ran away.

The prisoner, in answer to the charge, said she and her husband was nearly starving and, having a little drink, it overcame her. She was very sorry and hoped the Bench would deal leniently with her.

The Bench said it was disgraceful to see a woman, the mother of a family, in such a position, and hoped the punishment would act as a caution. They fined her 10s. and costs, a total of 13s. 6d., or seven days` imprisonment.

Folkestone Chronicle 15-6-1872

Thursday, June 13^th: Before The Mayor, J. Tolputt and T. Caister Esqs.

Grace Holloway applied for temporary authority to sell excisable liquor at the Mariner`s Home under the license granted to George Greenland at the last general licensing meeting. Granted.

Note: More Bastions lists George Holloway

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Mariner`s Home, Radnor Street 1851 - 1872

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