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.

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Whilst the above-mentioned books and supplements represent an enormous amount of research over many years, it is almost inevitable that further research will throw up some differences to the published works. Where these have been found, I have noted them. This is not intended to detract in any way from previous research, but merely to indicate that (possible) new information is available.

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Thursday, 28 October 2021

Bricklayers` Arms 1870s



Folkestone Observer 14-7-1870

Saturday, July 9th: Before Captain Kennicott R.N. and J. Clarke Esq.

Alice Bevan, a middle aged woman, was charged with stealing two sheets and two blankets, the property of William Peel, lodging house keeper, Fancy Street.

The complainant deposed that he lived at the Bricklayer`s Arms, Fancy Street. The prisoner had lodged in his house for two months. Last Thursday morning he missed the property produced, and on going to Mrs. Godden`s in High Street, he found the two sheets and one blanket, which he identified as his property. Mrs. Godden sent them to his house. The next day morning he went to Mrs. Hughes` house in High Street, and asked if she had bought anything.  She showed him the other blanket, which he identified. He spoke to the prisoner the previous day, and she said she was guilty. He gave information to the police on Friday morning. About eleven o`clock P.C. Ovenden came to the Bricklayer`s Arms, and he went with him to the Dew Drop, where they found the prisoner, who was apprehended.

By the Bench: All the sheets were marked. He gave them up to P.C. Ovenden. The value of the property was 16s.

Mrs. Charlotte Andrews corroborated the last witness`s (her father`s) evidence.

Mrs. Harriett Godden said that she kept a second hand clothes shop in High Street. The prisoner came to her shop on Wednesday afternoon about two o`clock and offered two duplicates for sale. Witness asked her if they were her own. She said they were, and were for a blanket and two sheets. She (prisoner) went across and fetched them. The two sheets were pawned for 2s., and the blanket for the same amount. Witness gave her the money to get them, and 1s. 4d. in addition. On Thursday morning Mrs. Andrews came and identified the sheets. Her father came afterwards.

Mrs. Jane Hughes said that nearly a fortnight since the prisoner came to her shop with two duplicates of blankets. Witness gave her the money to fetch them, and 9d. for the duplicate, and 1d. for her trouble. Last Thursday she came again about ten or eleven, and brought another duplicate of a blanket which was pledged for 1s. 6d. Witness gave her 1s. 6d. for the blanket, 9d. for herself, 1d. for the trouble and ½d. interest. On Friday morning she gave the blanket up to Mr. Peel. The other two she had sold.

P.C. Ovenden deposed to apprehending the prisoner at the Dew Drop, Fancy Street. When h charged her the reply she made was “I shall say nothing at present”. After bringing her to the station he went and received two sheets and two blankets produced from Mr. Peel.

The prisoner pleaded guilty, and said she was sorry.

The Bench committed her for two months.

Folkestone Chronicle 16-7-1870

Saturday July 9th: Before Captain Kennicott R.N. and J. Clark Esq.

Stealing from her lodgings.

Alice Bevan was charged with this offence by William Peel, lodging house keeper, Fancy Street. It appears that prisoner had lodged in complainant`s house two months, and on Thursday week two sheets and two blankets were missed. He made search for his lost property, and found the sheets and one blanket at Mrs. Godden`s, High Street, and the other blanket at Mrs. Hughes`, High Street.

P.C. Ovenden apprehended prisoner at the Dew Drop Inn.

Mrs. Godden said she gave 4s. for the sheets and blanket, and in answer to a question, prisoner said they were her own property.

Mrs. Hughes deposed to buying three duplicates of prisoner, and in answer to the Bench, prisoner pleaded Guilty and was sent to gaol for two months.

Folkestone Express 16-7-1870

Saturday, July 9th: Before Captain Kennicott R.N. and J. Clark Esqs.

Alice Bevan, a dissipated looking woman, was charged with stealing two blankets and two sheets from a lodging house in Fancy Street, known as the Bricklayers` Arms.

William Peel, proprietor of the lodging house, said: The prisoner has lodged at my house for two months. I missed the things produced on Thursday morning. Found some of the property at Mrs. Godden`s, High Street, consisting of two sheets and a blanket. She showed them to me directly I asked her, and I identified them as my property, and she sent them to my house. I then went to Mrs. Hughes, who lives in High Street, just above Mrs. Godden`s. She keeps a second hand shop; she showed me a blanket and I identified it as my property. She gave me the blanket and I took it away with me. Mrs. Hughes has two other blankets which she has sold, and I can`t get them. I spoke to her yesterday at the Dew Drop. I had found her out on Thursday night. I gave information to the police yesterday morning. P,C, Ovenden came to me about eleven o`clock, and I went to the Dew Drop along with him and found the prisoner in front of the bar. The things are all marked with my name or the name of Cook. The things produced I believe to be my property. The value of the blankets is 10s., and the sheets 7s.

Mrs. Charlotte Andrews, the daughter of Mr. Peel, was called, and identified the property.

Mrs. Harriett Godden, second-hand clothes dealer, High Street, said: The prisoner came to my shop on Wednesday at two o`clock in the afternoon; she offered two duplicates for sale. I asked if they were her own, and she said “Yes”, and that they were on a blanket and two sheets. I gave her the money and told her to go and fetch them. The two sheets were pledged for 2s. and the blanket for 2s.’ the interest was 2d. I gave her 16d. in addition to the 4s. 2d. She has been here several times before.

Mrs. Jane Hughes, another dealer, in High Street, said: The prisoner came to my house nearly a fortnight ago with two duplicates of blankets pledged at Mr. Joseph`s; 1s. 6d. each they were pledged for. I gave her the money to fetch the things. I gave her 10d. in addition for the things. She told me her husband was very ill and she wanted the money to buy medicine. She had a medicine bottle in her hand at the time. I bought another one of her on Thursday in a similar way to the above; it was pledged at Mr. Joseph`s for 1s. 6d. and I gave her 10½d. in addition for the blanket. I sold the first two blankets, but the last I gave up to Mr. Peel.

P.C. Ovenden deposed to taking the prisoner into custody at the Dew Drop. On being charged she said “I shall say nothing at present”.

The prisoner pleaded Guilty and was sorry for what she had done.

The Bench sentenced her to two months` imprisonment with hard labour.

Southeastern Gazette 18-7-1870

Local News

At the Police Court, on Saturday, Alice Bevan was charged with stealing two blankets and two sheets, the property of William Peel, a lodging-house keeper. The prosecutor stated that on the previous Thursday he missed the articles, and on going to Mrs. Godden’s and Mrs. Hughes, in High Street, to whom prisoner had sold them, he found them there. He gave her into custody.

Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was committed for three months’ hard labour.

Folkestone Chronicle 2-9-1871

Annual Licensing Day

Wednesday last was the Annual Licensing Day. The Magistrates on the Bench were The Mayor, J. Tolputt and J. Gambrill Esqs.

Mr. Minter said he had come to apply for a spirit license on behalf of the Bricklayer`s Arms, but after the ruling of the Bench with respect to the Eagle, he should refrain from making the application.

Folkestone Express 28-10-1871

Inquest

On Wednesday morning an inquest was held at the Town Hall before J. Minter Esq., touching on the death of an infant child, the son of John Thomas Allen, a sweep, which took place under the following circumstances early on Sunday morning.

According to the evidence of the child`s parents, they lodged at the Bricklayer`s Arms, a lodging house in Fancy Street. On Saturday night they retired to rest, taking their child, two months old, to bed with them, and were soon both asleep. The mother fell asleep with the child lying upon her right arm, close to the breast, and she slept upon her right side. Mr. Allen rose early, without disturbing either his wife or child, and at half past six the mother awakened and found the child in the same position as when she went to sleep, but it was dead. It had not been unwell. According to the evidence of Dr. Tyson, he was called to see the body of the child at eleven o`clock on Sunday morning. It had evidently been dead several hours. There was not the slightest appearance of violence upon it. A mark or indentation was visible between the under lip and the chin, and the whole of the scalp was congested. The latter appearance, which showed death to have been sudden, disappeared in 24 hours. Not being able to account for the mark on the chin, he examined the breast of the mother, which was large, and found an appearance which corresponded with and accounted for the mark, and which showed the child to have been pressed to the breast. He believed the child died from suffocation, and the evidence of the mother confirmed his belief. He believed the child had been dead an hour or two hours before the mother awoke. It was a most imprudent thing of any mother to go to sleep with a child at the breast.

The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death by Suffocation.

Folkestone Express 5-4-1873

Tuesday, April 1st: Before The Mayor, J. Gambrill, J. Kelcey and R.W. Boarer Esqs.

James Mills, who said he was a blacksmith from Lambeth, was charged with being drunk and disorderly.

Superintendent Wishire said that about twelve o`clock on Monday night he saw prisoner in High Street, very drunk and shouting. He told him to be quiet, and asked him where he lived, to which prisoner replied “At the Bricklayers Arms”. On taking him there the landlord refused to take him in. Prisoner again commenced shouting and using bad language, and said his woman had been locked up. After he was placed in the cell he continued kicking at the door and swearing for an hour.

Prisoner muttered something about being employed at Sandgate Regatta, and maintained that he ought to be allowed to pass along the street, although drunk and making a disturbance, at the “bewitching hour”.

P.C. Keeler said he had taken prisoner to the old station several times.

Fined 7s. and 3s. 6d. costs, or seven days` hard labour. Locked up in default.

Kentish Gazette 29-8-1876 

On Wednesday last, the licensing day, the proceedings before the magistrates were of considerable interest. There was a full Bench, consisting of W. Bateman Esq. (chairman), T. Caister, J. Clark, J. Tolputt and J. Kelcey Esqs., and Capt. Crow and Gen. Cannon.

The Bricklayer`s Arms case was heard at great length, as it appeared that the former licence had lapsed through no complaint against the house. A new licence was ultimately granted.

Folkestone Chronicle 16-6-1877

Saturday, June 9th: Before The Mayor and Alderman Caister.

Maria Ostenia, 7, Angelion Don, 8, Antonio Stavon, 13, and Antonio Ostenia, 13, were charged with begging in the Sandgate Road on the 8th inst.

The prisoners stated they were sent out by an Italian, to whom they gave the proceeds of their begging.

They were remanded until Monday.

Monday, June 11th: Before The Mayor, R.W. Boarer Esq., and Alderman Caister.

Louie Suave, an Italian, was charged with having on the 8th inst. caused a child named Antonio Ostenia, 13 years of age, to beg in the Sandgate Road.

Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Louis Lyons acted as an interpreter.

Supt. Wilshere stated that he saw the boy Antonio playing a musical instrument, accompanied by the girl, Maria Ostenia, in the upper Sandgate Road. The children both solicited for money, which they received. He took the children to a police station and sent for an interpreter, and from the statement they made he obtained a warrant against prisoner. He apprehended him at Dover. He told him that the boy, Antonio, was accompanied by three younger children, and he replied “Yes, and they ought to be here before”. He found on him different sums of money, amounting in all to £30.

In answer to the Bench, Supt. Wilshere said that 6s. 7 1/2d. was found on the children.

Anne Whiting, landlady of the Bricklayers Arms, Fancy Street, said prisoner came to her house on Wednesday last for two beds, with another man and woman, and two children. They slept there on Wednesday and Thursday nights. On Friday morning when she came downstairs, the children in Court were seated round the table with the two men and women, and the other children. The prisoner was serving them with some bread and treacle. After breakfast he said he wanted to leave the children for one night while he went to Dover. She objected, but he said “They will be no trouble to you. They will come on to Dover to me tomorrow morning, and I will pay you their lodgings”, and he gave her 10d. They all went out together about half past eight o`clock.

John Salvator said prisoner had told him he came from Italy, and brought nine children with him.

The prisoner said he came from the same village as the children, and accompanied them to England to speak English for them.

Mr. Lyons, interpreter, instructed by the Magistrates, asked the prisoner if he wanted to call the father of the two children who were in Court, but he declined to do so.

The Mayor said it was against the law to send children out to beg. Children, it was well known, were farmed out from prisoner`s country for begging, and for playing musical instruments for the benefit of such persons as prisoner. Prisoner would be sentenced to 21 days` imprisonment with hard labour, and the expenses of his apprehension, conveyance to Dover, maintenance, and expenses of conviction would be paid out of the money found upon him.

Folkestone Express 16-6-1877

Monday, June 11th: Before The Mayor, R.W. Boarer, and Alderman Caister.

Louie Suave, an Italian, respectably attired, was brought up in custody charged with having on the 8th inst. caused a child named Antonia Ostenia, of the age of thirteen years, to beg alms in the Upper Sandgate Road. He pleaded Not Guilty.

Mr. Louis Lyons was sworn as interpreter.

The four little children who were before the magistrates on Saturday were seated in front of the dock.

Superintendent Wilshere deposed: On Friday last I saw the boy, Antonia Ostenia, and the girl, Mira Ostenia, in the Upper Sandgate Road, the former playing a musical instrument, and the girl dancing around him. The boy touched his cap and held out his hand to passers-by, and the girl held out her hand and said something which I could not understand. Shortly after I saw the other boy, accompanied by the little boy, Angelion Don. The eldest boy was playing the accordion on the pavement and accosting passengers, and the little boy was going from shop to shop. I saw a lady give the eldest something, and then pass to the little one. I took them down to the police station and sent for an interpreter. From the statement they made I brought them before the Magistrates and obtained a warrant against Suave. I went to Dover and found that he had lodgings at the Red Lion Inn, that he had been in all day, but he had just gone out. When I apprehended him at the police station I asked him if he could speak English and he replied “Yes”. I read the warrant to him and told him that the boy Antonia was accompanied by three younger children. He said “Yes, and they ought to have been on before”. I told him they would not “be on” because they were detained at Folkestone, and he would have to go to them. I assisted in searching him, and found in a satchel 1s. 11¼d. and 4s., and in the belt which was around his waist next to his skin I found different sums of money packed up as they are now, altogether twelve parcels, and they amounted to about £30, 16 sovereigns, 20 francs and 10 half francs. I then told him he would have to come to Folkestone and answer to the charge of having sent them out to beg. He said “No, I pay for them”. In the train, after a conversation in some foreign language with a man I had with me, he said he did not want to be locked up, and he would give me a pound not to do so. I told him that was not enough, and he replied “You can keep all the money. I do not want to go to prison”.

The prisoner said that everything which the Superintendent had said was the truth.

Mr. Boarer: Does that amount include the money found on the children?

Superintendent Wilshere: No; 6s. 7½d. in bronze was found upon the children, and then they had only been working two hours.

Ann Whiting deposed: I am the landlady of the Bricklayer`s Arms, Dover Street (sic). On Wednesday the prisoner came to my house and asked for two beds. There was another man, a woman, and two children with him. They all slept at my house on Wednesday and Thursday nights. On Friday morning when I came downstairs, the children now in Court were seated round the table with the two men and woman and the other children. Their breakfast things were on the table, and the prisoner was serving them with some bread and treacle. I believe I asked him where all the children came from, and he replied that they came in that morning and he was giving them their breakfast. After breakfast he said he wanted to leave the children for one night, while he went to Dover. I said I could not have the children left without anyone to take care of them. He said “They will be no trouble to you. They will come on to Dover to me tomorrow morning, and I will pay you their lodgings”, and he gave me 10d. They all went out together about half past eight o`clock, and I did not see anything more of them.

The prisoner had no question to ask the witness, but stated that the children came into the town on Thursday evening, and as neither of them could speak English, he acted for them and their parents in exchanging the money.

John Salvator stated that he had some conversation with the prisoner on Saturday, and Suave told him that he came from Italy, and that he brought nine children over to England with him.

The prisoner said he came from the same village in Italy as the children, and he accompanied the children because they could not speak English and he could a little.

Mr. Lyons, by the instruction of the Magistrates` Clerk, asked the prisoner if he wished to call the father of two of the children, who was in court. He declined to do so.

The Mayor said it was against the law for children to be sent out to beg, as it had been proved the prisoner had done. It was a well known fact that people of the prisoner`s country farmed children, and bring them to England for the purpose of begging, and to play musical instruments for the purpose of collecting money for such persons as the prisoner. And the Bench had no doubt that was the prisoner`s object in bringing the children to this country. The prisoner had had an opportunity of calling a witness to prove that he was not answerable in that case, but he had not done so. The Bench had decided to sentence the prisoner to twenty one days` imprisonment with hard labour, and the expenses of his apprehension, conveyance to Folkestone, maintenance and expenses of conviction would be paid out of the money found upon him.

Folkestone Express 23-11-1878

Monday, November 18th: Before Captain Carter, Alderman Caister, and Col. De Crespigny.

James Harmer was charged with being found drunk in Fenchurch Street, and also with refusing to quit the Bricklayers` Arms.

P.S. Smith said on Saturday night, between 10 and 11 he found the prisoner drunk and bleeding from the arm, which he had thrust through a window.

Prisoner pleaded Not Guilty to refusing to quit, as he was a lodger in the house.

He was fined 5s. and 4s. 6d. costs, or seven days.

Folkestone Express 11-1-1879

Saturday, January 4th: Before The Mayor, Alderman Caister, General Armstrong, R.W. Boarer and W.J. Jeffreason Esqs.

Henry Gatehouse, charged with being drunk and disorderly in Fenchurch Street, pleaded Guilty. P.C. Knowles said defendant was at the Bricklayers` Arms.

Defendant said himself and two others drank three pints of rum and two gallons of ale, and after that he could not recollect anything until he woke up and found his shirt tied round his neck.

He was fined 10s. and 8s. costs, or 14 days` hard labour.

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