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Launched 09/04/2011

Latest update

09/10/2024 06:43

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c 1450 Grade II* Listed
Abbot's Fireside
High Street
Demography
12345678910...
YearNameAddressFlatRelationCM/FAgeOccupationPlace of birth 
1841Valentine LakerHigh Street1  M60 Kent
1841Ann LakerHigh Street1  F55 Kent
1841Caroline LakerHigh Street1  F20 Kent
1841Mary SpicerHigh Street3  F80 Kent
1841George GaleHigh Street3  M40 Kent
1841Ann GaleHigh Street3  F40 Kent
1841George GaleHigh Street3  M20 Kent
1841Mary GaleHigh Street3  F15 Kent
1841William GaleHigh Street3  M12 Kent
1851George Hogben1 High Street1HeadMM51Cordwainer JourneymanElham
1851Mary Hogben1 High Street1WifeMF50 Canterbury
1851Jane Hogben1 High Street1DaughterUF22DressmakerElham
1851Caroline Hogben1 High Street1Daughter F10ScholarElham
History
123
YearText Photos 
Elham Valley Stores Braeside Abbot's Fireside G. Hall 10257
1450 On the mantlepiece it says “Richard Hayes The Smithies Arms 1614”, and this date is consistent with the style of timberframing on the front, and the brickwork of the gable. The house was indeed a fine one when first built. It had four large windows on the first floor, of which three remain intact. These have transoms and mullions with the tvpical 'Ovolo' moulding of the period, and with small 'Frieze' windows on each side, under the eaves, and now blocked. The small leaded diamond panes still have some glass in them. The overhang of the first floor, and also the eaves are supported by a number of grotesquely carved brackets, one of which will be seen to be a mermaid.

The front of the ground floor has been somewhat altered, and here the two smaller bay windows on the right were inserted in the 18th century, the other two being modern. The attractive front door, and door just inside it are original. A wide stairway once went up in the centre of the house, and part of it may still be seen.

The upstairs rooms of the Abbot's Fireside were once decorated with a painted design of flowers and birds. Several pieces of this design could be seen until a few years ago, but now only one fragment is still preserved under glass.

The north end of the building, known as 'The Cottage', and now part of the restaurant, is a very interesting small house and shop of the 18th century. The shop front and doorway with fanlight is original, but the door has been replaced. It was formerly a baker's shop, and it still has the remains of two chimney breasts at the north end, one for a bread oven.

The handsome original door of the Abbot's Fireside. Note the carved fascia on the overhang, and the plaque issued by the Committee for the Preservation of Rural Kent and the Kent Archaeological Society, for a building of outstanding interest.

Edward Hayes (or Haies) took a mortgage for £100 with Edmund Chambers of Canterbury, milliner, 17 January 1660; £70 remaining transferred to Humphrey Bedingfeild of Elmsted, gent, 5 February 1663, to William Bedingfield of Elmsted, gent under his will. William Bedingfield to John Ashby (£81) 22 January 1669, Ashby to Benjamin Young (£90), 2 May 1670

 
1845 Tithe Apportionment: (1) 817 Cottage and Garden, 13 perch, Valentine Laker.  
Tithe Apportionment: (2) 818 Cottage and Garden, 11 perch, Joseph Ashley.  
Tithe Apportionment: (3) 819 Cottage and Garden, 17 perch, George Gale.  
Tithe Apportionment: (4) 820 Cottage and Garden, 20 perch, James Bragg.  
1902 The Abbot's Fireside Bryan Badham 10056
Ownership
 YearAddressHouse Name£ PricePurposeNotesOwner 
 1660 The Smithies Arms Ale House Edward Hayes
 1663 The Smithies Arms Ale House William Bedingfield
 1669 The Smithies Arms Ale House John Ashby
 1670 The Smithies Arms Ale House Benjamin Young
 1845     Annie Bailey
 1935High StreetKeeler's Mansion   Annie Bailey
 1936High StreetAbbot's Fireside Guest houseNamed by Mrs FarmerAnnie Bailey
 2010High StreetAbbot's Fireside   Annie Bailey