18 August 1846, Sussex Advertiser:
Samuel Brown, of St Leonards, was committed for three months, in default of payment, under an order of affiliation made by the bench towards the maintenance of an illegitimate child.
Defendant, who is apprenticed to a bricklayer, said he was not in receipt of any wages, and consequently was unable to pay [In the 1851 census, Norman Cottage, Norman Passage — between 3 and 5 Market Passage, to the south of Norman Road — was occupied by Samuel M. Brown, 23, bricklayer, born Owber, married to Mary, 24, born Fairlight, but their children were only aged 3 and 1].
17 September 1846, Brighton Gazette:
ROSETTA MEYTHER, a “visitor,” was charged with having been found late at night in a house, for an unlawful purpose; but it not appearing very clearly that she had not been “invited” thither, the case was dismissed. Poor Rosetta’s problems did not end thus easily, as she was further charged with breaking a pane of glass, on the 29th August, at the Fountain Inn, St Leonards, and with being drunk and using abusive language. Mrs Eleanor Shorter, wife of the landlord of the Fountain, proved the offence, and defendant was committed for one week [The Fountain is now the Marina Fountain].
29 September 1846, Sussex Advertiser:
William Payne, late of the New England Bank Inn, applied for a transfer of his license, (his old house having been removed for the purposes of the railway) to a small house situated on the spot where he intended building a new one. The Town Clerk said the present house for which application has been made, stood on the ground where the intended new house was to be built, and within the same curtilage. The application was granted.
29 October 1846, Brighton Gazette:
Our readers will be pleased to learn that the railway trains will in a few days run into Bopeep, where there are already a temporary station and engine shed erected. A Government inspector came down on Tuesday se’nnight to inspect the works, but he would not consent to the train running into Bopeep on that day (as had been intended), in consequence of there not being sufficient accommodation for the passengers. The permanent station and other works are proceeding; but in consequence of the late wet weather, the men have not made much progress. The platform will be 185 yards in length; and the greatest convenience will in every respect be afforded to the public. A double line of rails is laid down a considerable distance, and will be completed as early as possible. This will be a great means of preventing accidents, and also of promoting greater punctuality in the arrival of the trains. Add to this the Keymer branch, which we observed last week was proceeding rapidly, and the Hastings and St Leonards inhabitants will have excellent railway accommodation to the metropolis. It has been frequently asked when the line will be brought into the Priory Meadows, and as often it has been answered that the South-Eastern Company have to make the continuation, it being a part of their Ashford scheme, and that consequently there is not much probability of their ever carrying it out at all. By this time the inhabitants are fully convinced as to which Company was the most honest in carrying their railway promises into effect [The London and South Coast Railway was responsible for the works to the west of Bopeep, while the South-Eastern Company dealt with the railway to the east of Hastings. They were to divide the running of the new railway the same way. This sort of demarcation was to cause problems !].
3 November 1846, Sussex Advertiser:
Bench. David Laurence was indicted for stealing two cast iron caps, belonging to the gas lamp posts, the property of Mr A. Burton, of St Leonards.
12 November 1846, Brighton Gazette:
We are glad to state that the Railway is now opened to Bopeep. The great inconvenience hitherto experienced by the passengers in reaching Bulverhythe is now at an end.
26 November 1846, Brighton Gazette:
VICE-CHANCELLOR’S COURT, Nov. 23. Eversfield v Troup was a suit for the specific performance of a contract for sale of land at St Leonards, made in June 1835, for the purposes of building. The defendant had been in possession of the land ever since the contract, but had not paid the purchase-money; and the case he now made was that an undertaking on the part of the plaintiff to remove some brick-kilns on adjoining land had not been performed, whereby the defendant had sustained very great damage. Sir J.B. Bruce decreed a specific performance, but sent a reference to the Master to enquire as to the undertaking and the alleged damage sustained by the defendant by its non-performance [The brick kilns were on or close to what is now Warrior Square. Troup was the early developer of Warrior Square. More detail in other newspapers; Morning Herald, 5 June 1847, concerning appeal, says purchase was for seven acres. Brickfield was in operation for 18 months but had not been in operation for two years].
10 December 1846, Brighton Gazette:
TO INVALIDS. – MARINE RESIDENCES, SAINT LEONARDS ON SEA. – TO BE LET, FURNISHED, TWO SUBSTANTIAL AND WELL-BUILT MANSIONS, each containing a good dining and drawing room, and nine good bed rooms, with suitable offices. The Houses are situate on the sea side, facing the sea on the south, and are well sheltered from the north, east, and westerly winds; and are well adapted for the residence of invalids. Rent by the week, Five Guineas; by the month, Four Guineas a week; for a quarter of a year or longer, Three Guineas a week. – Apply to Mr Voysey, Estate Agent, St Leonards on Sea. – N.B. No objection to let Unfurnished [Actual advert given below].
7 January 1847, Brighton Gazette:
THOMAS CATT, labourer, was charged with having, on the 25th November, at St Leonards, ridden upon a waggon without any one to guide the horses.
Defendant, on being called upon to plead, said “he merely got into the waggon for a small piece of victuals.”
Inspector Campbell stated that on the day in question he saw defendant ride “some little” distance, and told him that it was wrong. Defendant said he was very sorry, and that he was not aware that he was doing wrong… [He was fined 1s, but also 16s 9d in costs].
21 January 1847, Brighton Gazette:
ST LEONARDS. The buildings between the Archway and Hastings are fast progressing; and we hear that early in February still more of this beautiful line is to be filled up with houses of good accommodation. A great number of houses and cottages have been lately built in St Leonards and St Mary Magdalen, owing to the great demand last season occasioned by the Railway.
18 February 1847, Brighton Gazette:
The subscription list towards the new National Schools at St Leonards, lying at Mr Southall’s library, already amounts to £725 19s 8d [Built at what is now the mosque, and designed by Decimus Burton].
William Smith was appointed coal-meter for St Leonards [by the Hastings magistrates].
Mrs W. Tower gave a dinner party and ball at 62, Marina, on Tuesday se’nnight. Elford and Wood’s band attended.
After several years of discord respecting the legitimate claim to the title of “The St Leonards Band,” we hear that Mr Elford, from pressure of other business, has resigned the contest, and that a new band has been formed of young men living in the place, who intend to play every fine night during the season. The unavoidable expense of forming and keeping up a band calls for the undivided support of every well-wisher to St Leonards.
8 April 1847, Brighton Gazette:
Charles Carter, an impertinent beggar, was brought to the Town Clerk’s Office last week by Policeman Duly, charged with begging and using abusive language to Mr Croft, 1, Warriors Square, St Leonards. The Mayor committed the prisoner for one month to hard labour, and expressed regret that he could not inflict a more severe punishment [Longer sentences could only be imposed by the Quarter Sessions].