History of the Honest Miller

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".

It was built in the 6th year of James I, in 1609. Brooke, called Broc or Broke 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.

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, Jonathan 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.

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 Little Bedleston. One John Berry of Newbury in Berkshire was now the leasee of Brooke. In 1789, there lived at this house one called Thomas Waite hop grower and brewer of Stowting. In 1793 he was granted a licence to sell ales and ciders from these premises. Though a licence had been granted no title was afforded to the property.

In 1804, the house was given the title of 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 colleagues hung a sign stating that they were "Honest Millers".

For many years the "Honest Miller" was the meeting house for 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. 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 Punyers then by his wife Ann, then down to son Thomas Jnr.

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.