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
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