Looking east towards town with Crown Hotel on the right opposite the Station. Notice the sign warning motorists they are approaching a School
Reference: 0006
This section of the 1891 O.S. map shows the North Lodge, Dunsdale Farm and the Victorian gothic mansion itself, built for and occupied by a wealthy industrialist Joseph Kitchin in 1858. In 1880 the estate was sold to William Bryant, but by 1885 had been resold and purchased piece by piece over then next four ...
Reference: WH1045
1897 was the year that Ben Bushell bought and closed the Swan Brewery at the bottom of Hosey Hill, so this compliment slip will date from before that time. At that point the Black Eagle Brewery took on the trading style of Bushell, Watkins and Co., though William Watkins did not stay very long. On ...
Reference: WH0242
This photograph taken circa 1891 shows the two ‘Darenth Cottages’ attached to the Old House Inn on the edge of Quebec Square. Photographic evidence has these cottages still extant after the first World War, but gone by the early 1930s when the resultant vacant land was absorbed by Harry Langridge’s ‘Darenth Nursery’
Reference: WH0098
It is interesting to note that even in 1890, local nurseryman Arthur Jeffkins was claiming Darenth Nursery to be the oldest in the district, being over 100 years old then!
Reference: WH0420
Black Eagle Brewery Tap publican John Francis and friends outside The General Wolfe Inn 1898, on their way to the races on Derby day. Note the company trading title above the window as Ben Bushell had yet to clinch the deal of takeover of Smiths brewery at Blighs in Sevenoaks. In 1904 the Company would ...
Reference: WH0064
Photographed behind the Warde Arms in the High Street, John and Mary Townsend were owners of the ‘Pride of Westerham’ a much coveted coach-and-four. The date is 1891 and the photograph was taken by Arthur Thomas Deane, who had his photographic studio at the top of London Road. John Townsend was a highly respected Gentleman ...
Reference: WH0121
One of two beerhouses in town, these had a restricted license only allowing the sale of ale and porter as alcoholic beverages, as against a full-license public house or hotel that could sell spirits alongside beer. It is not known whether the Crown beerhouse was tied to a brewery or was independent, and it is ...
Reference: WH0074
Odd fellows and Foresters were two ‘Friendly Societies’ workers could save with. By joining a Friendly Society, workers could protect themselves and their families against financial ruin and destitution brought about by illness, injury or death. The government initially declared Friendly Societies to be illegal organisations. They went ‘underground’ but continued to grow and offer the provision ...
Reference: 0069