London 1746 Rocques map

Wates Tap, Whitehall Place, Milton, Gravesend

Gravesend pub history index

Directory of Pubs in the UK, historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Gravesend, Kent . The Gravesend, Kent listing uses information from census, Trade Directories and History to add licensees, bar staff, Lodgers and Visitors.

Residents at this address

Considerable history on the Wates family can be found here ; and also in relation to the Rosherville Hotel, in Northfleet:

“ James Wates, 1804/5, Erith - d. 2.9.1872 at Rosherville Hotel, Parish of Northfleet (67). He seems to have moved to Gravesend before 1830 and was a carpenter and builder in 1832; also being a licensee of a Commercial Tavern or Public House near the Garrison. In 1839 it was known as Wates Hotel, and he seems to have ceased to work as a builder. In 1847 he had moved to Commercial Place and in 1858 he had a "Family Hotel", Whitehall Place. There is an old advertisement in existence, which shows James' business ability, it is headed by a very good woodcut of the hotel from the river, with lively river scene with river boats of the period. *

WATES'S TAVERN and HOTEL adjoining the Custom House and Royal Terrace Pier and Gardens, GRAVESEND

JAMES WATES has the honour to announce that he has recently enlarged and embellished at very great expense this old established Hotel which from its retirement and convenience is equally calculated for Private Families and for Gentlemen who may occasionally visit this increasingly attractive Watering Place. The House is most favourably situated on the Banks of the Thames and commands unrivalled views of the changing scenery of the River and of the interesting Counties of Essex and Kent. The accommodations are very extensive, including Fifty Beds, an excellent Coffee Room and numerous Sitting Rooms, so that Gentlemen may here combine the advantages and comforts of a Private House with those of a Tavern.
All the articles supplied are of a superior quality, and the charges are admitted to be on the most moderate and economical scale.

JAMES WATES has the privilege of referring to Families of high respectability, as well as to some of the first Merchants and Captains who favour him with their patronage. "In the 1845 P.O. Trade Directory, the Hotel is listed as "Wate's Hotel and Tavern", it was mentioned in "Vanity Fair" by Thackeray, publish 1847, but the name was spelt "Waites".

There is a little book "A month in Gravesend" by E.J. Brabazon, published 1863. She writes "Wates's Hotel is a handsome establishment of long standing, situated on the edge of the "Silver Thames", it looks out on a scene continually animated, and to it's external advantages are added those of excellent indoor accommodation. (The building still looks very much as it did in the picture but is a school for merchant seaman)

The hotel is mentioned in a report by the Royal Thames Yacht Club in The Sportsman of 1936 on page 272:- “In the afternoon, the Commodore and a number of gentlemen repaired to Wates' Hotel, where they sat down to an excellent dinner. The wines were also first rate, and we must do the proprietor the justice to state, that he left nothing undone on his part to render this first visit of the members of the club as pleasant as possible.” [1]

On 24.7. 1830 James m. Mary Tomlin at St.Peter and St Paul, Milton next Gravesend (She b.1797 - d. 1855 Gravesend). 1 Ch. His mother Esther died on 19.6.1850 at Wates's Hotel, (76) from "Natural Decay", James was present at her death.

The 1851 Census returns have a number of inaccuracies about "Wates's Hotel" listing Edward as nephew (son) and Thomas as brother (nephew). Esther Bone, niece, was barmaid and seems to have been James' faithful helper for many years. The hotel had 22 guests.

On 27.7.1858 the Hotel was sold, there was a 75 page catalogue of the superior household goods, furniture for 60 bedrooms; Mahogany and japanned 4 posterbeds and other bedsteads, suites for 12 sitting rooms, a celebrated cellar with old wines, etc. etc.

The death of his wife may have influenced his decision to sell the hotel, and he may not have been able to run such a big place without her help. *

He died at Rosherville Hotel, so it seems that he took over another licence, of possibly a smaller and more "modern" place, which was not so influenced by the fall in river traffic. When James died, he left his niece Esther Bone everything in his Will, dated 12.8.1872 and proved on 10.10.1872 (under £2,000) thus cutting out his son and granddaughters. It could have been "undue influence", but Esther depended on him and Edward was a prosperous man. “ *

1858/James Wates/Wates Family Hotel/../../Melvilles Directory

1861/John Wates/Victualler/62/Erith, Kent/Census *
1861/Mary E Wates/Wife/61/Sheerness, Kent/Census
1861/Mary Wates/Daughter/29/Bexley, Kent/Census
1861/Joseph Wates/Son, Cabinet Maker/26/Wilmington, Kent/Census
1861/Annabella Wates/Daughter/23/Dartford, Kent/Census
1861/William Wates/Son, Ap to Builder/19/Camberwell, Surrey/Census


* Provided By Brian Wates

And Last updated on: Wednesday, 02-Oct-2024 14:05:51 BST