It is unusual for an Anglican minister to be a hotel keeper. Thanks to his going bankrupt there are many details of this man’s finances, which is unusual, both as a bankrupt and, especially, as a clergyman. He was later imprisoned for assaulting a French footman at Folkestone ! Robert Richard Duke was baptised at […]
Monthly Archives: April 2026
This post is about the delicate matter of the master’s son taking advantage of a household servant, and his attempt to wriggle out of paying for his behaviour. If you are easily shocked, please read no further. The Sussex Advertiser of the 24 March 1863 has a detailed account of the proceedings before the Bench. […]
The talk will begin at 3pm sharp on Sunday 3rd May, 2026, in the Burton Room of the Royal Victoria Hotel, TN38 0BD. Members free, non members £5. Doors open 2.30pm. No reservations. A talk given by Hastings historian Ken Brooks, entitled ‘The White Rock Story’ This illustrated talk will follow the history of a […]
An acquaintance of mine bought a year ago six property deeds on eBay which were for 75 and 76 Marina, covering the years 1850 to 1895. These terrace houses are located on the seafront between St Leonards Church and Sussex Road, and are mirror images of each other, with adjoining tunnelbacks (rear extensions). They continue […]
In my monthly list of newspaper extracts I normally simply give them in date order. In 1850-51 there were numerous lengthy accounts of railway building, the AI sensation of its time. So I’m giving, first, summaries of a few railway mentions. The Sussex Advertiser, 29 October 1850, had a lengthy account of the railway being […]