THE SIX POOR TRAVELLERS HOUSE

The Six Poor Travellers House

A part of the High Street since at least 1491, the ‘Poor Travellers’ became an overnight almshouse following the death of local success story, Richard Watts, in 1579. In his will, amongst many other bequests, he left money to buy the building and construct six rooms – very plush for their day – for mainly unemployed farm workers coming to Kent, The Garden of England, to find work. Only one night’s stay was allowed and when they departed in the morning, each man went on his way with what was a very generous package: a pound in weight of bread, half a pound of meat, a jug or flagon (two pints) of Ale – which was safer than water – and ... fourpence (about 1.5-2p today). That 4d would have been enough to provide the traveller with up to four more nights in a safe bed to continue their search for work.