Although this pub is considered to be very ancient, I have only found one definite record so far: at 2 & 3 Short Hill in 1881 census **
Dartford pub history index
Directory of Pubs in the UK, historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Dartford, Kent . The Dartford, Kent listing uses information from census, Trade Directories and History to add licensees, bar staff, Lodgers and Visitors.
Malt Shovel, 2/3 Darenth Road, Dartford - in September 2009
Kindly provided by Stephen Harris
Residents at this address
1874/Stephen Harber /Beer Retailer /../../Kelly’s Directory
1881/Stephen Harber/Beerhouse Keeper/49/Sutton At Hone, Kent/Census
1881/Emma Harber/Wife/44/Darenth, Kent/Census
1882/Stephen Harber /Beer Retailer /../../Kelly’s Directory
1891/Stephen Harber – Beer Retailer -/../../../Kelly’s Directory **
1903/A W Durling/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
1913/Harry B Harvey/Beer Retailer & Shopkeeper/../../Post Office Directory
1918/Reave Dean/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
1922/Reave Dean/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
1930/Reave Dean/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
1938/Reave Dean/../../../Post Office Directory
** Provided By Stephen Harris