I find the first newspaper extract full of pathos.
19 Apr 1837, True Sun
INSOLVENT DEBTOR’S COURT, APRIL 18. A DISAPPOINTED IMMIGRANT. James Ballard applied on his petition to be discharged, and was unopposed.
The insolvent, who had been a baker at St Leonard’s, Sussex, resolved, at the beginning of the present year, to emigrate to that land of promise, America, in the hope of retrieving his circumstances, having determined to leave his creditors and his country “for his country’s good.” He sold some articles of furniture in January, gathered together a few pounds, and suddenly quitted St Leonard’s. He came to London with his wife and child, and took a lodging at Cambridge-heath, Hackney to arrange the preliminaries for the intended voyage. He took a berth with all possible speed in the ship Westminster, bound for New York, where he meant to try his fortune, and to think of his creditors. He paid the captain 10l. 9s for himself, wife, and child, purchased the necessary provisions for the passage, at an outlay of 3l. 17s, and was in anxious expectation of setting sail February 8. He removed some articles on board ship; his wife and child took their berths, but he was doomed to disappointment, for, unfortunately to state, one of his creditors had caused pursuit to be made, and he was arrested at the instance of Mr Hilder, flour factor, at Battle, on the day on which the vessel sailed. He was conveyed to Whitecross-street prison; his wife and child proceeded on the voyage, and to obtain his liberty to follow them, he had recourse, as a dernier resort, to petition the court. It appeared that, some time before his departure from his place of business, he had given his book debts, amounting to about 80l., to one of his creditors, as security, and it was stated that an application had been made to the creditor to render an account to file with the proceedings, but no notice had been taken of the letter… [He had booked passage but was unable to board because of his insolvency. The Westminster, from London and Portsmouth, arrived at New York on the 22nd March. Phoebe Ballard, 26, was on board. It is pleasing to be able to say that the same ship arrived there four months later, on the 22nd July, with passenger James Ballard, 26, baker. James Ballard had married Phoebe Bassett on the 30 August 1829, at St Clement Hastings, both of the parish. He signed, she scrawled an X. Pigot’s 1832-34 Sussex Directory lists James Ballard at 73 High Street, among 17 bakers. He was a burgess of St Leonards, 1836/37, as of East Ascent, baker. I was unable to identify their fate in America].
1 June 1837, Brighton Gazette
ST LEONARDS ON SEA. The usual celebration of the birth-day of Her Royal Highness the Princess Victoria having been, with her sanction and that of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, postponed this year, an entertainment was given to the children of the National School [on Mercatoria]; it being considered, from the benevolence of their Royal Patronesses, that this would be a manner most gratifying to them of testifying respect. The children, more than 160 in number, first paraded with flags and music, and then were regaled with a dinner at the Assembly Rooms, after which they were allowed to dance and amuse themselves in the Archery Ground, where prizes were given and buns distributed, and a handsome donation was made to each of them from the Ladies Turnour, and in order to impress upon their minds the anniversary they were celebrating, a toy was presented, bearing the inscription “Victoria, 24th May, 1837.” A public dinner was held at Edlin’s Royal St Leonard’s Hotel [now the Royal Victoria Hotel] and at the Conqueror, and there were illuminations in the evening [It was the Princess’ 18th birthday on the 24 May. Her uncle King William IV was very ill and died on the 20 June. He had stated that he wanted to live until his niece turned 18 to avoid Victoria’s mother becoming Regent; this was announced at a banquet, with both his niece and her mother present !].
20 June 1837, The Globe
SAINT LEONARD’S ON SEA, SUSSEX.
HOUSES facing the Sea, well Furnished, making up from Five to Nine Beds, and others from Ten to Twenty, may be had at the following reduced terms:-
February, March, April, May, June, and July – from Two to Six Guineas per week.
August, September, October, and November – From Three to Twelve Guineas per week.
December and January – From Three to Ten Guineas per week.
Families desirous of hiring Linen, Plate, &c. can be accommodated in the Town at most moderate charges. Private Coach-houses and Stables may be engaged, if required, at the weekly rent of 2s 6d for each Stall and for each Coach-house. Stages daily, at half-past eight, nine, ten, eleven, and twelve o’clock, to and from London. Also Mail and Night Coaches. There are likewise Coaches to and from Brighton, Dover, and Tunbridge Wells, daily. Letters directed to Mr F. GAUSDEN, at Mr Burton’s Office, South Lodge, St Leonard’s on Sea, will meet with immediate attention.
26 June 1837, Sussex Advertiser
Notice to creditors. Stephen Milstead of St Mary Magdalen, plumber and glazier, has transferred his estate and effects to Robert Deudney of the same place, gentleman, and James Breeds, of Hastings, merchant, in trust for his creditors.
29 June 1837, Brighton Gazette
ST. LEONARDS ON SEA. Detached Villa Residence, with Coach House, Stabling, Pleasure Grounds and Garden. MESSRS. WINSTANLEY are directed by the Executors to Sell by Auction, at The Mart, London, on Tuesday, 4th July, the FREEHOLD VILLA, known as The Allegria, at St Leonards, near Hastings, late in the occupation of James Burton, Esq., deceased, founder of the town. — The residence contains accommodation for a family of the first respectability, including a suite of Drawing Rooms, 90 feet long, Dining Room, 27 feet by 18 feet, Study, 20 feet by 16 feet. Nine Bed Chambers with Dressing Rooms, excellent Kitchen, and Offices of every description; double Coach-House, four-stall stable, picturesque Pleasure-Grounds, with Conservatory, Kitchen Garden, &c.
To be viewed by tickets, which, with printed particulars, may be had of Messrs. Burton and Fraser, Solicitors, Lincoln’s Inn; at the Mart; and of Messrs. Winstanley, Paternoster-row, London [immediately below is an advert for an auction on the same occasion of the leasehold estates of the late James Burton, Esq., “held under the Crown for long terms, at ground rents, and underlet to responsible tenants partly on lease for various periods, at rents producing altogether upwards of £1400 per annum net”, with eleven London properties named. The newspaper clipping below is, like the rest of the newspaper, bordered in black because of the King’s death].
14 August 1837, Sussex Advertiser
Hastings and St Leonards on Sea.
THE SALES BY AUCTION, by Mr HENRY WINGFIELD, by the direction of the assignees under Breeds and Burfield’s, Bankruptcy, at Nos. 27 and 28 Marina, St Leonards on Sea; advertised, to take place the 14th and 15th of August, inst., are POSTPONED till Thursday, the 17th and Monday, the 28th days of this inst., August, viz., on Thursday the 17th instant, at the Town House, High-street, Hastings. All the very splendid costly and valuable furniture and effects taken from No. 27, Marina; and on Monday, the 28th inst., at No. 9, York Buildings. All the very splendid costly and valuable furniture and effects taken from No. 28, Marina; the whole of which will be sold without the least reserve.
10 October 1837, Brighton Patriot
The Queen Dowager Adelaide and her suite intend to leave the Royal Lodge in Bushy Park for the marine residence near St Leonard’s-by-Sea on Thursday next, a few days later than was originally intended, in consequence of some unavoidable delay in the completion of the various apartments and offices which it was necessary to enlarge for the accommodation of the Queen Dowager’s domestics at St Leonard’s [Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen (1792-1849) was the widow of the late King William IV].
25 October 1837, Morning Herald
ST LEONARDS ON-SEA. – The arrivals at this fashionable place are incessant; as soon as a house or apartments become vacant, they are eagerly sought after, and immediately occupied. The Princess Augusta of Saxony and suite are occupying a range of apartments at Edlin’s Royal Hotel [now the Royal Victoria Hotel]. The Marquis of Lothian, Lord Moray, Lord de Saumarez, and Lady C. Somerset have engaged houses within these last few days; and the Hon. William Dundas has taken possession of his residence, Quarry House, which he has just completed [The 27 October issue says Lord Moray and Lord and Lady de Saumarez had arrived from Cheltenham].
26 October 1837, Brighton Gazette
[Lewes Michaelmas [Quarter] Sessions, before Lord Chichester] CHARLES QUINN, labourer, 43, was charged with stealing at St Leonards, one watch, the property of Joseph Drew, and ANN JOHNSON, married woman, 37, with receiving the same, knowing it to have been stolen. – Johnson acquitted. – Quinn, Four months’ imprisonment, the last fortnight in solitary confinement, the remainder of the term to hard labour.
ST LEONARDS ON SEA. It affords us the greatest pleasure to state that Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen Dowager, and H.R.H. the Princess Augusta, with their suite, are highly pleased with the town, and that we have daily proof of such being the case, as Her Majesty, although last Monday was, in the morning, rather dull and cloudy, walked on the Parade from her residence, westward and back, for upwards of two hours, occasionally stopping to view the buildings and the passing vessels at sea. On Tuesday Her Majesty did the same. On Friday, the day being unusually fine, Her Majesty took and aquatic excursion with Captain Peat, R.N., attended by two galleys, in each of which was a Lieutenant of the navy. Her Majesty embarked about eleven o’clock, proceeding eastward towards Fairlight, where the Royal family landed and walked some distance, exploring the country. They were received on landing by the Right Hon. Joseph Planta, our much respected M.P., who pointed out every thing worthy of notice during the time Her Majesty was walking. At one o’clock the party entered their several carriages, which were in attendance, and drove to their residence…
On Monday arrived at the St Leonards Hotel [now the Royal Victoria Hotel], H.R.H. the Princess Augusta of Saxony, in company with the Baron De Reitzenstein and Baron Gersdorff. At two o’clock the party sat down to an elegant dejeuner, which had been ordered previously to their arrival. A Royal salute of 21 guns was fired on H.R. Highness’s arrival.
4 November 1837, Evening Standard
ST LEONARDS, Nov. 2. From the extremely boisterous nature of the weather yesterday, the Queen Dowager was precluded from taking her usual exercise.
Several windows were blown in at the house occupied by Her Majesty; and the sea did a little damage to our sea-wall, and carried away the steps leading from Southall’s Library to the beach [Southall’s Library was in front of what is now the Royal Victoria Hotel].
3 January 1838, Morning Herald
(COURT CIRCULAR) The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and the Princesses Augusta and Mary of Cambridge, attended by Miss Kerr, left Cambridge House, Piccadilly, at half-past nine o’clock yesterday morning, with their suite, in three carriages and four, for St Leonards-on-Sea.
9 January 1838, Morning Chronicle
ST LEONARD’S ON SEA. This fashionable watering-place has never been fuller of winter company than it is at present, and, as the favoured abode of royalty, seems as much loved as was Brighton in the days of his late Majesty.
The Queen Dowager, who daily walks on the esplanade for nearly two hours, and generally rides out after luncheon accompanied by the Princess Augusta, has experienced much benefit from the mildness and salubrity of the coast. The weather has been exceedingly propitious, and even on those days when London has been completely enveloped in fog the sun has been brightly shining during the whole day.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with Prince George and the Princesses their daughters, occupy a large suite of apartments at the Royal Victoria Hotel, and are to be seen constantly riding and driving in the old and new town.
Her Majesty occasionally receives two or three of the nobility to dine at the royal table, but with this exception lives exceedingly quiet.
On Friday evening the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge patronised a ball at the assembly rooms, which was most respectably, though not numerously attended. His Royal Highness, accompanied by Prince George and suite, entered the rooms at eleven o’clock, and did not leave until nearly one. During their stay Prince George joined in the several dances… [The Duke of Cambridge was Prince Adolphus (1774-1850), of the House of Hanover, tenth child of King George III. He was uncle to Queen Victoria. His wife was his second cousin, Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel (1797-1889). Their son Prince George (1819-1904) became Commander in Chief of the Forces, 1856-95].
The Right Hon. Joseph Planta, M.P., is staying at his marine villa at Fairlight; and Robert Hollond, Esq., our other representative, has just taken possession of the Allegria being the mansion and grounds lately owned by Mr Burton.