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CHEQUERS NORWICH C index Chequer
St. Michael at Thorn
PUMP STREET
CASTLE DITCHES
St. MICHAEL AT THORN - CLOSED
WESTONS as given 1845
Licensees :
BENJAMIN HASTINGS 1810
JOHN HAGON 1822 - 1830
JOHN BOULTON
(John Bouton in 1834 Register of Electors & 1842 PO directory .  John Bowton according to Robson 1839
Boulton 1845 according to White)
1834 - 1845
HENRY GIRLING
according to Magistrates 1845
1845 - Sept 1847
THOMAS SELF *1850
CHARLES GOWING 1854
JOHN BETTS 1856 - 1859


Common Pump (street) 1810.

As the CHECKERS 1839, according to Robson.

On the evening of Saturday 20th March 1847, farmer Mr. Hammond from Hales had foolishly informed a stranger that he had hidden £5 in his boot for safety. Whilst in the porter-room of the CHEQUERS, the stranger and the licensee Mr. Girling, `got up a quarrel' with Mr. Hammond and he was knocked down. Whilst on the floor he was robbed of the money and struck on the head.
Reporting the matter to the police, Girling was apprehended that same night.

Spirit licence lost ** 7th September 1847 owing to disorderly manner in which the house had been conducted. Henry Girling then named as licensee. One of the magistrates, Mr. Willett said that he had made up his mind that he would sign no licence to a house that had been proved to be a common brothel. The 10 magistrates agreed that the decision to withdraw the licence would stand.

Continued operating as a beerhouse.

John Hicks of the Castle Ditches had been in custody twelve times between September 1843 and March 1849. He was a constant frequenter of public-houses and when in liquor, was usually violent. On the morning of Monday 22nd April 1850 he was drinking at the SHOULDER OF MUTTON , when he used threatening language against landlady Rose Sawyer and struck her. In the evening he went on to the CHEQUERS  and in a drunken state knocked furniture over. Licensee Self endeavoured to protect his property and received a black eye. Mrs Self interposed and she was kicked. A young woman was struck on the head with a poker and nearly killed. Mr. Self, with marvellous forbearance, said he did not want the prisoner punished, but kept away from his house. At the hearing Tuesday 23rd April 1850 the prisoner was ordered to pay 8s 6d for the assault on Mrs. Sawyer, with no further charges or fines being recorded.


At the Annual licensing Meeting, Tuesday 30th August 1859, the licence was renewed on condition that the character of the house be immediately improved.

Mr. Weston said a new tenant would be found or the house closed if no amendment could be effected.

** One sessions report gives the date of sitting as Tuesday 7th September, but a second report gives Wednesday 8th September 1847.

House no. 61 in on 1845 Magistrates list