Originally a Free House known as THE BEER SHOP.
First supplied by Steward & Patteson during the year commencing November 1838.

Mr. Stephen Mills lately erected a new sign `the Hospital Boy' as reported 14th December 1839. In order to celebrate the event he regaled 67 boys and 50 girls with plum cake and strong ale.

Named the HOSPITAL BOY 1839
also referenced as the HOSPITAL SCHOOL BOY

On Wednesday 18th August 1852, landlord Henry Dade was charged with keeping his house open beyond eleven o'clock on the previous Saturday night. Police-sergeant Fransham had visited the house owing to previous complaints from neighbours about late night disturbances. Upon entering at ten minutes before twelve o'clock, several people were seen in the back room, smoking and finishing off their beers.
There was no proof that any beer had been sold at illegal hours.
The question was to if persons were obliged to finish their beer by eleven o'clock.
It was pointed out that within the tenancy there was a clause expressly prohibiting the house being kept open after eleven o'clock.
Mr. Dade was fined the mitigated penalty of 10s and 11s 6d costs, which was paid.

In March 1861, Richard Wigger, an ill-looking, red-headed youth, well known to the police, was charged with picking the pocket of Christopher Gibbs who had fallen asleep on a bench.  Earler Gibbs had drawn his wages of 14s 6d and when he awoke, only coppers remained near his purse which lay open on the table. Witness Edward Morter gave evidence, but not voluntary. The landlady spoke of the prisoner as `Richard' or respectfully `Mr. Wigger' and gave evidence in an unsatisfactory manner. The Mayor and the Bench concluded that Wigger had stolen the money, but the witnesses were utterly unworthy of belief. They believed that Morter, the landlady, Mrs. Waites and her husband were cognisant of the theft. They were warned to be careful, or they might find themselves placed in a very awkward position.
The 1861 census shows 71 year old Charles Waites as a Chelsea Pensioner and Publican, who is deaf. Hannah Waites is his 33 year old wife. Daughter Hannah M E Waites is age 10 and an invalid.