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41 Biggin Street
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LEFEVRE'S Temperance Hotel and Coffee Tavern (left) faced public houses
across two streets - the Wellington (right) and the Rose Inn on the
opposite corner of New Street - when this picture of Biggin Street was
taken in 1894, shortly before the road, only 18ft. wide, was widened.
According to Kelley's Directory 1899 , number 42 Biggin Street housed
Rutley and Co. wine and spirit mers. which was being run by Edward
Mowll. |
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Wellington Hotel 1960. By king permission of Dover Library ILL/990.
Photo taken by Lambert Weston & Sons Ltd. |
The site of the Wellington Hotel, photo taken in December 1991. |
I have read that this was first built when Biggin Gate was removed in
1762.
I believe John Lyon says 1752. Whatever, other writers opine that other
inns stood here previous to this one. I am personally drawn to the account
which suggests a large house, occupied by a manufacturer, who had his wool
factory in the rear, that being reached by a side alley. Part of those
premises were then said to become the "Wellington Hotel".
My own searches went to 1863 when your host was Matthew Sharp. It was an
outlet of Evenden and Leney, later passing to Fremlin. Being an honest man I
have to inform that I did not see this on maps of 1871 and further to that,
Mr. Rubies wine and spirit licence for 41 and 42 Biggin Street was not
renewed in 1877. One certainty is the 14 year lease granted to Leney on 6
April 1892. According to the Post Office Directory of 1882 and Kelley's Directory 1899 the Wellington was
addressed as 40½ Biggin Street and was also known as the
Wellington Hotel and Bowling Green.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 29 September 1939.
William Charles Roberts, "Wellington" Inn, Biggin Street was fined
10s. on 3rd September for letting a light show. P.C. Page said that the
light showed when the doors were open and defendant said that h had not
had time to screen the lights properly.
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Leaving all that confusion behind, let us move ahead to June 1949, the
year that war damage was made good for £510.
Negotiations for the sale of this began in May 1970 but it was 21 July
1971 before the pub closed. It was demolished in September the same year so
that the Tesco store could expand but later, in 1989, that property was
subdivided to provide two other retail premises.
It is now a clothes shop called "Dorothy Perkins". (April 2007).
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From the Dover Telegraph, 11 January 1834.
MELANCHOLY SUICIDE
An inquest was held by J W Pilcher, Esq. Mayor and Coroner, at the
Wellington Inn, on Thursday evening, on the body of Mr Kennett Spicer,
master of the Dove, London hoy, who was discovered in the laundry of his
own house that morning, by his daughter, with his throat cut in a most
shocking manner. Mr Philpott Elsted, Surgeon, who attended the deceased
immediately on receiving notice of his rash act, stated that he found
him sitting in a chair, with a very large wound in the throat, extending
from ear to ear, dividing the trachea and the right carotid artery.
There was not less than three pints of arterial blood on the floor. The
wound being more than eight inches long, and two and a half deep, was
evidently the cause of death. It appeared by the evidence of Mr H Byng,
a neighbour, of the deceased, and also that of a mate of the Dove, that
he had laboured for some time under a depression of spirits, frequently
complaining of violent pains in his head, and calling himself a lost
man. There was no reason to suppose that he was in embarrassed
circumstances.
VERDICT.-
Died by cutting his throat while in a temporary state of derangement.
After the verdict was given, enquiry being made as to the fee for
surgical attendance, the Mayor directed application to the parish
officers, one of whom, being present said, if an account were presented,
it should be submitted to the Select Vestry. Mr Elsted then signified
that on any future occurrence, nothing less than the Coroner's Warrant
could induce his attendance. The subject, we believe, has been agitated
at other places, insuring to medical gentlemen, a proper numeration for
their attendance on such melancholy occasions.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 28
August, 1953.
The "Wellington" Changes Hands
After 31 years
Licensee of the Wellington public house in Biggin Street for 31 years
Mr. William J Roberts has left Dover for Gillingham, following his
retirement. The new licensee is Mr. John MacPhee.
Granting a temporary transfer of licence at Dover Magistrates' Court
on Monday, the Chairman of the Magistrates (Mr. G. Golding) wished Mr.
Roberts every happiness in his retirement.
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LICENSEE LIST
CULMER John 1858
CULMER T 1862
SHARP Matthew 1863
PAIN Charles 1867
MACKEY Owen Griggs 1871-74+
RELF 1879
LEWIS W G 1882
RALPH John 1882-99
  
SOUTH Alfred 1898 ?
RALPH Mrs 1901
SAUNDERS J S 1903
DANE Alfred T 1903 end
RYDER Frederick R 1907-08 end
FILDEW W J 1908
HAWKINS W H. 1910-13+
ROUSE F 1917
CASPELL J F 1919 end
DUNN William or Wilfred 1919-21 end
DUFFELL Albert Edward 1921 end 1922
ROBERTS W C 1923-32+
   
MILLINGTON William Charles 1921-34? and 1935?
WHITE John Harrison 1934-35 end?
ROBERTS William Charles 1938-Aug/53
  
(Dover Express)
MACPHEE Johnathan Aug/1953-34 end (Dover Express)
GRIFFITHS Henry 1954-56+
CLARK J 1964
RICH Kenneth J 1969-71 end
From Melville's Directory 1858
From the Post Office Directory 1862
From the Post Office Directory 1874
From the Post Office Directory 1882
From the Post Office Directory 1891
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1895
From the Kelley's Directory 1899
From the Post Office Directory 1903
From the Post Office Directory 1913
From the Post Office Directory 1922
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1923
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1924
From the Post Office Directory 1930
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33
From the Post Office Directory 1938
From the Kelley's Directory 1950
From the Kelley's Directory 1953
From the Kelley's Directory 1956
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