The Man in Green (Quill-Pen Ghost)

Another distinct ghostly figure at The Chequers Inn is that of a distinguished gentleman dressed in 18th-century attire. He is most notably characterised by his green velvet frock coat, ruffled cravat, and a tri-corner hat, sometimes described with a feather plume. This ‘Man in Green’ is typically seen engaged in writing at a desk in the inn’s lounge or occasionally lounging by the fireplace as though he were a patron from a bygone era. If the legends connecting him to the highwayman Dick Turpin are to be believed, his flamboyant style would fit, though Turpin’s presence at Smarden is not historically confirmed. More likely, he could be the residual presence of a former wealthy guest or even a past owner from the Georgian period who favored fine attire. He never interacts directly with witnesses, simply fading away if approached or spoken to, suggesting his appearances are a form of residual haunting, replaying a moment from his life.