![100_9465[1]](https://medwaytownsheritage.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/100_94651.jpg)
The Troy Town Brewery.
The Troy Town Brewery in Victoria Street, Rochester, was founded in 1750 and run by Henry Shepherd until the mid 1800s, when Shepherd went into partnership with one Mr Tomlyn.
Under Tomlyn, Shepherd the brewery was modernised about 1860 after which, it traded in 1861 as the Troy Town Steam Brewery.
A barge called Fanny, registered to the Woodhams and Levy brewers, competed in the 1874 Medway sailing match.
After 1865 the brewery changed hands several times between the woodhams and Levy families before becoming a private limited company in 1895, as Woodhams and Co Ltd.
In 1913 the Brewery was updated with the introduction of electric power, but even at its height only employed 25 people.
The Frindsbury Brewery of Henry Ludwell Dampier was acquired in April 1906, but Woodhams themselves only managed to last another 12 years. Style and Winch of Maidstone brought the buisness and the brewery closed in 1918.
Mr Stephen Averling Esq, owner of Restoration House reported in April 1893, of a ghostly fright at the house.
Strange noises late at night, which after great exploration turned out to be a water tank long since disused. The previous owner of the house also owned the Troy Town Brewery, and for many years the house was supplied with water from the brewery. under the staircase was a large tank, this was filled each night when the pumping in the brewery took place, even though the water supply was no longer in use, the pumping in the brewery could still be heard through the pipes causing the ghostly noises.
medway towns heritage 
I note that the Pigot’s Directory of 1840 for Rochester names two brewers, Daniel Coulter of Pump Lane, and Henry Shepherd, Troy Town Brewery. Daniel Coulter went out of business and ended up in the Debtor’s Prison, but I wonder if Henry Shepherd had bought him out: -The Gazette of 1852 says “Daniel Coulter, late of Kings street, Troy Town, Rochester, Kent, Brewer, out of business.—In the Debtors’ Prison for London and Middlesex. If there is anyone who knows more about this please leave further comments?
Not sure if anyone has noticed but the North Forlands pub in Rochester has the woodhams and Co logo above one of its doors (w and Co Ltd ltd 1750). I’m wondering if they owned this pub?
Yes it was theres it has a great sign also the man of kent. Theres is style and winch. The next owners of the brewery
Another pub to have a look at is the “who,d have thought it,” in Baker street Rochester. You can still see the tiled Woodhams signage.