The Honest Miller has been a pub for over 200 years
Please note - this information is kindly from the following website.
OUR HISTORY
In the hundred of Wye and ancient parish of Brook, situate and lying under the ridge of the Brabourne downs can be found this inn known by name and sign of the "Honest Miller".
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It was built in the 6th year of James I, in 1609. Brooke, called Brac or Brake as it is written in ancient records, was then in the possession of the dean and chapter of Canterbury and leased to one Richard Tidman of Gloucester. This house was one of just fifteen in the parish at the time. In 1638, one Cedric Smarte, miller of Braybourne lived here. He occupied the house with his wife and six children until his death in 1682.
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Following this period the house was occupied by a number of families, mostly farmers and millers. At the turn of the seventeenth century one Jonas Martyn resided here with his family. In 1712, Johnathan Greene and family. Greene is described as a corn miller and seed merchant. Others are described as corn growers. In 1756 one Thomas Sedge corn grower and farmer lived here.
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Toward the latter half of the eighteenth century changes began to take place in Brooke. There were now about twenty houses in the parish with two more in the eastern part called Cittle Bedlestun. One John Berry of Newbury in Berkshire was now the lease of Brooke. In 1789, there lived at this house one called Thomas Waite (Waile) hop grower and brewer of Stowting who sold the building to Richard and Martha Pepper in 1793 who turned it into a pub and became its first licensees they was granted a license to sell ales and ciders from these premises. Though a license had been granted to title was afforded to the property.
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In 1804, the house was given the title the "Honest Miller" the significance of which dates back to the Saxons when a miller cheated the Romans by giving them a short measure. His ears were cut off as a penance and warning to others. After which millers not wishing to fall into the same category as their luckless and earless colleague hung a sign stating they were "Honest Millers".
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Some years later, the Peppers sold to Stephen Andrews who, in 1841, sold the HM to George Ash, owner of the Dane John Brewery, Canterbury. The 1841 and 1851 Census returns list Richard Punyan as licensee (he was already 71 in 1841!) but he'd departed by 1861 as Thomas Rains is listed in that Census and he was still pulling pints in the 1901 Census. His son, William (or Billy) Rains ran the "Alma," Chilham. Henry Hayward ran the Honest Miller in the inter-war year but his exact dates aren't yet known.
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For Many years the "Honest Miller" was the meeting place of sportsmen. Those wishing to take part in a pigeon shoot would meet here before and after a particular shoot. This was also the home of Hare Coursing. According to a contemporary report, bare-knuckle boxing also formed part of the entertainment offered by the Honest Miller.
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Below stairs in the cellar a less legal but highly profitable sport took place, cock fighting. For this was the weekly venue where those wishing to could come to win or lose a days wages. For most of the nineteenth century the "Honest Miller" was kept by one family, the Punyers, first by Thomas Punyer then by his wife Ann, then down to son Thomas Jnr.
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The Honest Miller has seen and undergone many changes since first it was built, but its historic atmosphere remains unchanged. So stay, enjoy the fayre and reflect on those bygone days.