9 February 1849, Hastings & St Leonards News:
FIRE. – At noon, on Wednesday, a fire broke out in the workshop of Mr J. Smith, cabinet-maker, Norman Road West, which was happily extinguished by the exertions of the neighbours, assisted by P.C. Jones, without the aid of the fire-engine, which arrived just as the danger had ceased. The damage done was rather considerable.
16 February 1849, Hastings & St Leonards News:
CHALYBEATE SPA. – We are assured that the chalybeate waters lately discovered at 2, West Hill Cottages, still retain their primitive mineral qualities; the owner, Mr Groslob, is actively engaged in making suitable arrangements for opening a spa for the accommodation of visitors early in April next.
22 February 1849, Brighton Gazette:
TOWN HALL, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15. Present – F. TICEHURST, F. SMITH, and G. SCRIVENS, Esqrs.
JAMES COOPER and JAMES WEST were charged with obtaining money under false pretences. It appeared that West had waited on several gentlemen of St Leonards with a begging petition, representing himself as James Cresford, of Catsfield, who had lost four horses from glanders in November. West was committed for one month’s hard labour; and Cooper was remanded till Saturday, when he was again brought up, and there being no fresh evidence against him, he was discharged.
23 February 1849, Hastings & St Leonards News:
PROJECTED WATERWORKS. – We understand that certain parties are endeavouring to discover a suitable site for the formation of a reservoir in the vicinity of St Leonards, in order to supply the inhabitants with an abundance of pure water, an object not accomplished by the means hitherto adopted. A steam-engine is employed at the westward of the town, which draws a supply from a subterranean pool, whose waters are sometimes brackish from the influx of the neighbouring sea. To be deficient in pure water is injurious not only to the comfort, but to the health of any community.
2 March 1849, Hastings & St Leonards News:
County Court. Richard Gausden v George Jackson. – This was a claim for £20, for work, journies, and commission. Mr Langham appeared on behalf of the plaintiff, and Mr Baker for defendant.
Plaintiff sworn – Am tailor and house agent at St Leonards. I sold a house for Mr Arthur Jackson, brother to the defendant, some time ago. In July of last year, I was spoken to by defendant to sell 28, Marina… [authority to sell it was written on a card, taken to Mr Adams the buyer and left with him. He had lost it. A copy read:] “Thomas Adams, Esq., I authorise Mr Richard Gausden to sell 28, Marina, for £900. Signed, George Jackson.” [Duly sold for £900, claim was for 2.25% commission. When he sold a house for £1200 for A. Jackson he was promised £20 but got £10. Judge found for the plaintiff].
16 March 1849, Hastings & St Leonards News:
ARISTOCRATIC AMUSEMENTS. – The inhabitants of Maze-hill, Norman-road West, and Shepherd-street, were on Tuesday morning last astonished to find sundry of their doors minus their knockers, and the scutcheons which usually cover the key-holes wrenched off and carried away. The principal characters in these nocturnal interludes are sustained, it is supposed, by a company of young gentlemen from Battle, who are at present out of more profitable employ.
30 March 1849, Hastings & St Leonards News:
THE CHALYBEATE SPA. – This additional attraction to these towns will shortly be open to the public. The owner, Mr Grosslob, has, at considerable expense and trouble, made great improvements to the grounds adjoining his house, by erecting a neat summer-house, and otherwise making the spot attractive to visitors. The situation is good, and forms a pleasant retreat for the invalid, affording a beautiful view of the sea from the midst of rural quietude, while the trees and shrubs of the beautiful Archery Grounds are in the rear of the premises, furnishing a retreat for the feathered tribes, whose matchless notes give vivacity to the scene. If, in addition to these attractions, the crystal stream imparts new health to the sick and careworn, the locality is associated with still greater pleasures [2 West Hill Road].
6 April 1849, Hastings & St Leonards News:
DISGRACEFUL PROCEEDINGS. – On Tuesday evening last, at about nine o’clock, the occupiers of houses on the Marina, east of the Victoria Hotel, were considerably annoyed by the shouts and obscene language of a mob of youngsters, armed with large sticks and engaged in the laudable custom of bullying a foreigner residing on the Marina, and who had, on the night previous, expostulated with some of them on being greeted en passant, with a coarse jest and a laugh. The actors are the sons and servants of several respectable tradesmen whose sole interest lies in the maintenance of quiet and order in the town.
ACCIDENT. – An accident of a serious nature befel Col. Austen on Wednesday last. It appeared that the gallant Col on the day in question, was proceeding to the office of Mr Chamberlin, Victoria Hotel, when the cellar trap on the way being open, the Col fell down a depth of ten feet. The porters in an adjoining room hearing groans, proceeded to the spot, and discovered the unfortunate gentleman lying stunned by the fall. He was immediately conveyed to his residence, 16, Grand-parade, and medical assistance called in. We believe the injuries received are sundry bruises about the head and shoulders, and that no bones are broken. The mouth of the cellar are guarded by several baskets [The 4 May issue states “Col. H. Austen left 16, Grand-parade on Tuesday, for 4, Percival-terrace, Brighton.”]
NEW WATERWORKS. – The new waterworks to which we alluded some weeks ago are in the course of construction, and will be available for both Hastings and St Leonards. Two large reservoirs are being excavated, to be supplied from the springs in Newgate, Thornden, and Ore Woods. Mr Eversfield is the proprietor of the new works, and Mr Charles Clark the engineer.
A RUNAWAY APPRENTICE. – A lad named Charles Jenner was brought up in custody on a warrant, charged with deserting his vessel while she was unloading at St Leonards, on the 26th ult., whereby his master, Mr C.T. How, coal merchant, was compelled to hire a substitute.
The charge being proved, the prisoner was sentenced to a fortnight’s imprisonment, with whipping [The 1851 census lists at 4 East Ascent Charles Thomas How, age 29, coal merchant, born London, with wife and children].
19 April 1849, Brighton Gazette:
The Easter Annual Ball took place at the Assembly Rooms on Tuesday, April 10th. The season for balls being over, it was not so well attended as many preceding balls have been this year. Never since St Leonards has been a town have so many balls, public and private, been given; but unfortunately, as a wind up, a strolling German military band was engaged. Owing to the effect of wind instruments in such a room, and to the men not being accustomed to quadrilles, things were not so pleasant as could have been wished.
20 April 1849, Hastings & St Leonards News:
SINGULAR DISCOVERY. — Within the last few days the workmen employed in the railway cuttings near Mr Deudney’s farm, dug up a cannon-ball about the size of a twelve-pounder, and a bar-shot, consisting of two sixteen-pound cannon-balls, joined together by a bar of iron a foot long and an inch and a half thick. These two relics were about four or five feet from the surface, a quarter of a mile apart, and at least half a mile from the sea. The iron was considerably rusted.
4 May 1849, Hastings & St Leonards News:
HASTINGS AND ASHFORD RAILWAY — PROGRESS OF THE WORKS.
Since we last noticed the progress made in the works of the above railway, about a month ago, the various cuttings, embankments, headings in tunnels, sinking of shafts, &c., have been steadily advancing in forwardness, although operations met with a temporary check during the late unfavourable weather, in consequence of which no work could be pursued for many days, several of the brick-yards having been under water, the result of which was that many stacks of bricks were rendered useless, and considerable loss was entailed upon the contractors thereby. This week has been very favourable for operations, and everything appears to indicate a “hearty” determination on the part of the contractors to complete the works as speedily as circumstances will permit. On Messrs. Newton, Smith, and Co.’s contract, commencing at Bo Peep, much energy is manifested. At the entrance of the tunnel to the westward, where a junction with the Brighton and South-Coast line takes place, a large number of hands, excavating and brickmaking, are scattered over the ground, presenting a most animated, beehive-like appearance, and is well worth a visit of inspection. Nearer Hastings, between the two tunnels, a no less busy scene presents itself; and here a considerable state of advancement has been reached — much of the earth to the tunnel-mouths having been removed; and we observed, in a visit of inspection the other day, that the first setting from open day was being fixed, so that driving will be commenced forthwith from the open end in a westerly direction. The excavations in the various shafts are in a state of greater or lesser forwardness, and we may expect, if matters progress as steadily as they hitherto have done, that junctions will be effected between the headings in shafts No. 6, 7, and 8, in the course of a month or five weeks. There is more of the blue hard ragstone kind of rock than we anticipated, the removal of which is an operation of no inconsiderable difficulty and labour, blasting with gunpowder having to be had recourse to. The deeply sounding subterraneous explosions may be heard very frequently, and to a considerable distance; resembling the booming of distance cannon. Vast quantities of the destructive combustible will have to be used by the contractors for the four tunnels in the immediate neighbourhood, no less than between four and five tons having been, we are informed, laid in at the commencement of the present week, by Messrs. Hoof and Sons alone, for the Ridge Hill tunnels…
12 June 1849, Sussex Advertiser:
SERIOUS ACCIDENT. – On Friday evening last, between seven and eight o’clock, a young man named Alfred Ruby met with a serious accident while engaged with others in playing at “four corners” at the Fountain Inn, St Leonards. The ball having been thrown by a person named Thomas Wallis while Ruby was in the act of setting up the pins, it came in contact with such force upon the back part of his head as to fracture his skull so severely, that his life was for a time despaired of. Medical advice, however, having been instantly obtained every effort was used for his recovery and we are glad to learn he is convalescent.
21 June 1849, Brighton Gazette:
The railway works on the Ashford line are progressing rapidly, the drift way of the tunnel from St Leonards to Bopeep is now completed, and the remainder towards Hastings is progressing rapidly.
10 July 1849, Sussex Advertiser:
Town Hall, Friday, July 5th. Before F. Ticehurst, Esq.
John Palmer, a railway labourer, was charged with stealing a shawl from the person of Sarah Rich.
Sarah Rich deposed – my husband is a labourer; we live in lodgings at St Leonards. Yesterday, I went to see the 8 o’clock train come in, accompanied by a female friend. We afterwards went to the Bopeep public-house, to get some refreshment. We there met a number of railway labourers, amongst whom was the prisoner; he asked me to drink with him – I did so; he had not taken any liberties with me then. When I left to go home, he followed me, and wished me to go along with him for an improper purpose. I refused, when he forcibly stopped me and said, if he did not get me, he should have my shawl; then then tore it off my shoulders in the presence of my husband, whom I sent for. The shawl now produced is the one so stolen; it is worth eight shillings.
Henry Rich sworn. – In consequence of a message from my wife, I went to the public house at Bopeep. Prisoner was detaining her in the road. He threatened to leather us both. He then took the shawl off my wife’s back, and after a scuffle, he got away with it. We searched for him, accompanied by the police, and found him asleep between two and three o’clock in the morning in a small shed cart in the yard of the Bopeep public house with the shawl under him.
William Brazier, police constable, produced the shawl, which he said he took from under the prisoner that morning.
Elias Wood, labourer, St Leonards, corroborated the evidence of the former witnesses without bringing out any new fact.
The prisoner was then committed to take his trial at the next General Quarter Sessions to be held in Hastings, on the 13th inst.
[The Sussex Advertiser, 17 July, has the following in its account of the Quarter Sessions: “Prisoner made a long statement decidedly irrelevant to the case, in which he charged the first witness (Mrs Rich) with having two husbands, although at another part of the story he stated that he had never seen her till the night in question. He farther stated that the woman was in a state of intoxication, and represented herself to him as a single woman. They were by agreement married, by leaping across a broom, and he (prisoner) had to seal the contract by paying for three quarts of porter, which was drunk by the company in the public house. She further promised to run off with him on the following morning, and he took the shawl as a pledge for his “bride’s” safe return.Two or three witnesses were produced, who proved the affair to be altogether a public house “spree”, and the jury, taking this view of the matter, interrupted the recorder when about to sum up the evidence, and gave a verdict of “Not guilty”; the prisoner was accordingly dismissed.”][Considering the fracas in the street and its cause many would consider the prisoner lucky to have got off. Henry Rich, sawyer, married, 23 Oct 1843, St Leonards chapel, Sarah Brook, both of St Mary Magdalen. In the 1851 census they were in Hailsham].
27 July 1849, Hastings & St Leonards News:
[After an editorial discussion of the need for more water supplies for the town]… A private speculation has been set on foot by Mr EVERSFIELD for supplying the houses along the St Leonards road with water from certain springs in Newgate Wood, and permission was obtained from our Commission a few months ago for laying down some of the pipes within the limits of the Local Act. This supply, it is expected, will be available for Hastings…THE EX-ROYAL FAMILY OF FRANCE take their departure from the Victoria Hotel for Claremont next Tuesday, after a sojourn of sixteen weeks. The illustrious party have expressed themselves highly gratified with their visit, and with the attention they have received from Mr Chamberlin, of the hotel [King Louis Philippe I (1773-1850), the last king of France, abdicated after an uprising in February 1848. Claremont was their Surrey home while in exile].
18 September 1849, Sussex Advertiser:
James Gold was fined 1s and costs for tying up a pair of goats on the railing within the archway at St Leonards, in contravention of the St Leonards Improvement Act.
18 December 1849, Sussex Advertiser:
MAGISTRATES BENCH. TOWN HALL, Thursday, Dec. 13. – Before: F.W. Staines, and F. Ticehurst, Esquires.
James Ryland from Tunbridge and Richard Williams, both vagrants were sent seven days to prison for begging at St Leonards.
George Bassett alias Prior and Frederick Lane, were summoned to appear before the Magistrates on a charge of wilful damage to the steam engine of the St Leonards waterworks.
Defendants did not appear.
A young man named Hyland was sworn and stated that he managed the said steam engine, which was the property of Mr Alfred Burton. On the 6th instant the defendants came towards the engine-house when witness acting according to his employers orders shut the door and endeavoured to keep the parties from lounging about the place, on perceiving which they threw sand in at the windows – broke a pane of glass and so damaged the engine as to render it necessary for an engineer to take it to pieces, in order to clean it.
The Magistrates fined both parties 2s 6d and costs or 14 days imprisonment [The waterworks mentioned is, I think, the site between the present nos. 48 and 50 West Hill Road].
12 March 1850, Sussex Advertiser:
HEALTH OF TOWNS BILL. During the past week a petition, signed by about 50 persons resident in St Leonards, has been forwarded to the Board of Health praying that the health of Towns Act might not be introduced to that part of the Borough known as St Leonards, i.e., beyond the archway, as they considered it uncalled for.
[Bench]. A boy, eleven years of age was charged with theft.Police-constable, Burgess, deposed – the prisoner is engaged on the [railway] tunnel. On Tuesday evening last I saw him take a piece of coal from the back of a cart, at St Leonards, the property of Mr Henry Tree.
The boy was sentenced to 7 days’ imprisonment, and to be flogged at the expiration of that period.
20 April 1850, The Catholic Standard:
[From the Poor-School Committee Report for 1849] … of the five female teachers in training at All Souls’ Convent, St Leonard’s on Sea, the Rev. Mother continues to report very favorably…