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 built from Ashford, Kent to St Leonards. The cost of the Rye to St Leonards section was projected at £252000.
In its 18 February 1851 issue, the same newspaper reported on the opening of the Ashford, Rye, and Hastings Railway. At 7.10 Thursday morning the first train left Gensing station [now Warrior Square], arriving at Hastings 5 minutes later. It carried on to Ashford. There were three services daily.
There was an argument between the South Coast Railway and the South Eastern Company about shared track. Between 1 and 2 Monday morning 20 or 30 navvies accompanied by several horses blocked the Bopeep end of the St Leonards tunnel and took up the rails on both lines. Stone and a luggage truck filled with coals and two empty wagons left to block the up line and a cattle truck and two other wagons blocked the down line. An omnibus drawn by four fleet horses was temporarily commissioned to ferry passengers. Not surprisingly, there was “Considerable commotion in the town.”
The Brighton Gazette in its 20 February 1851 edition described the scene at the tunnel to the west of the station at St Leonards, beginning with the Bopeep end:
From the mouth of the tunnel the line is scattered, in picturesque confusion, with the usual debris of the almost finished works of a new line. Clumps of bricks, heaps of mould and clay, a “setting-out” observatory built for use and not for ornament, as evidenced by its rude and shapeless buttresses, broken wheels, the huge drum used in raising the soil up the tunnel shafts, dilapidated mud huts formerly inhabited by the “navvies”, are a few of the objects that meet the eye. From the top of the hill there is a beautiful view of St Leonards. Descending, we pass between a cottage occupied by Lady Dinely [Dyneley] and a farm-house of Mr Dudeney, and crossing a road leading through the North Lodge from Tunbridge Wells to Battle come to a valley into which the tunnel opens. For about 100 yards the line is again in daylight, intended for the St Leonards traffic on the South-Eastern Railway only. Another tunnel about a quarter of a mile in length runs under the grounds of the Roman Catholic Establishment and those in front of the villa of Mr Brisco, M.P. [to Priory Meadow station, later renamed Hastings].
The reason for obstructing the line was said to be the feeling by the South-Eastern Company that they were missing traffic, and that they wanted the Priory Meadow station to prevail over the more distant Bopeep station. Litigation was expected !
20 June 1850, Brighton Gazette:
The ex-King and Queen of the French remain at the Royal Victoria Hotel, St Leonards. Louis-Philippe’s health is decidedly improved during the last week; and he is now able to take daily carriage exercise. Dr de Nuzzy is in constant attendance. The dinner party on Monday consisted of 41 individuals, including Mr Guizot, M. Duchatel, and M. Duzon [In 1848 the King had abdicated and then fled Paris amidst riots, arriving in England on a packet boat. He died on the 26 August 1850 at his house, Claremont, Surrey].
17 July 1850, The Morning Post:
[As part of the proceedings of a meeting of the Incorporated Society for Promoting the Enlargement, Building, and Repairing of Churches and Chapels:] The parishes of St Leonard and St Mary Magdalen in the year 1828, when the town of St Leonard’s on Sea was commenced, were almost without inhabitants. The original parish churches had been very many years before destroyed by the sea. The rapidly increasing population, consequent upon building the new town, renders an increase of church accommodation absolutely necessary. It is considered that there are from 1,800 to 2,000 poor persons, for whose accommodation there are only 200 seats in the existing chapel, very inconveniently placed [Many seats were reserved for subscribers].6 August 1850, Sussex Advertiser:
Martha Sabina Veness v Henry Veness. This was a charge of assault made against the husband by the wife. Their cases having come before the Bench so repeatedly, and the present being one of many similar charges, it is needless again to report it.
The Magistrates dismissed the case, after hearing the evidence on both sides.
The Mayor said he should not, in future, listen to such trumpery cases.
The Complainant left the Hall, “holding forth” against the decision of the bench.
[They had married 13 Nov 1842, Udimore, he as a labourer, she as Tolhurst, both of the parish, both fathers being labourers].
29 August 1850, Brighton Gazette:
Mr Grosslob, the proprietor of the St Leonards Spa, has been recently honoured by the presentation to him of a small box of jewellery from the Duchess of Orleans. The gift was accompanied by some very flattering encomiums on both the proprietor and his Spa.
3 December 1850, Sussex Advertiser:
[In the discussion in the Council of a local Parliamentary bill for widening the road between St Leonards and Hastings]… Mr Howell – The notice of the bill professed for its object the making roads, lighting, &c.; but I have no hesitation in saying that if Mr Eversfield can get this bill passed, he would be empowered to come down upon the ratepayers for something like £9000, and that for monies expended to improve his own building land…Mr Howell – The Commissioners make Bye Laws, and the Parishioners choose them. Look at the Hastings and St Leonards Acts – who appoints Commissioners under them ?
The Chairman – At St Leonards, Mr [Alfred] Burton.
Mr Ross – Evidently, not the Parishioners, as Mr Chamberlain, the greatest ratepayer, was prevented by a special clause in the Act from having a voice even in choosing a commissioner, or sitting as one [William Chamberlain ran the Royal Victoria Hotel].
17 December 1850, Sussex Advertiser:
PAUPER REMOVAL. Samuel Bundy and his wife and family were ordered to be removed from the parish of St Leonards to that of Downton, Wiltshire.
24 December 1850, Sussex Advertiser:
PAY OR PLAY – Cornelius Buckley, a navvy, was brought up on a charge of begging at St Leonards.
Police-Constable Jones, proved the offence.
Prisoner stated that he had been working at Battle, for 2s a day, those who were employed with him got 2s 9d, he therefore took umbrage and quitted, “I couldn’t,” said the prisoner, “support myself on 2s.” The Mayor sentenced prisoner to seven days’ imprisonment telling him that he had better take 2s a day than resort to the practice of begging.
7 January 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
[County bench before Earl Waldegrave and F. North, Esq. James Richardson was charged with assaulting James Fleming at Guestling] The parties entered, then the following exchange: ‘Earl Waldegrave asked whether prosecutor [Fleming] was a Roman Catholic, to which prosecutor replied he was. Earl Waldegrave – Do you believe the oath taken on a Protestant Testament to be binding ? Prosecutor – I don’t know; I am going to tell the truth.’ [Bench] Richard Hinds, a Lancashire blacksmith, aged 61, was next introduced. P.C. Fryman, detected him in an area, at St Leonards, begging.Discharged, with an injunction to leave the town.
Cornelius Buckley, the man who refused to work at Battle for 2s a day, and who had been twice before convicted of begging, was brought up as a rogue and vagabond.
P.C. Fryman, deposed that on the previous afternoon he saw prisoner go to the house occupied by Mrs Deudney, at St Leonards. The boy came out and stated that prisoner had been begging; he had been to the house several times, and they could not get rid of him. Prisoner “bolted”, but witness overtook him; he had six-pennyworth of halfpence; he put 6d in his mouth, and told witness to get it out.
The Mayor reminded prisoner that he was ordered to leave the town on Monday last.
Prisoner said he could not go hungry.
The Mayor – we must take more decisive steps with you – it is no use trifling. You are sentenced to one month’s hard labour, at Lewes gaol.
Prisoner – I thanks yer honor for that same; I’ll tak’ that same.
4 February 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
THE PARCELS DELIVERY DODGE. St Leonards appears to have been more successfully plied than [the] neighbouring town of Hastings. It is said that Mr Bacon, of the Saxon Hotel, received one of the parcels, in trust for some person who, it was stated, would call for it. Five shillings and sixpence was paid in this instance for the carriage. Mr Peerless was also favoured with a letter, signed “Geo. Thomas, Rye,” containing the same request as in the Hastings attempts. On the succeeding day, the daughter of Mr Geo. Gain, of this town, waited on Mr Peerless, enquired if Mr G. Thomas was there, as a gentleman was at her father’s house and had a parcel for him. The “gentleman” was requested to take it to Mr Peerless. He did so, and received as the lawyers have it, “the usual costs”, 5s 6d. He, of course departed. It was discovered that Mr Thomas did not expect a parcel, it was therefore, doubtless, amid profound anxiety, opened, and found to contain some turnips ! It is to be wished that the fellow had been detained in lieu of his packet. He is described as being rather under the middle height, sharp, short-speaking, and has an air of “business” about him. On his visit to Mr Peerless he was respectably dressed [The Saxon Hotel was located in the since rebuilt location of the Bonjour café, Grand Parade].
The HIGH WIND on Thursday evening last blew down a tube attached to a chimney of a building at the rear of 15, Grand-parade. The only damage which resulted from the circumstance was a hole in the roof on which the tube fell.
ON WEDNESDAY LAST as a lady was crossing the road from the Colonnade, a youth, who was riding in a pony-chaise, with great carelessness, drove the wheels over her foot, fortunately, however without inflicting any serious damage.
18 February 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
A sturdy beggar, whose name did not transpire, was brought up in custody of police-constable Jones.
Mr G.H.M. Wagner, of 77, Marina, St Leonards, attended, and stated that on the previous day he was walking in front of the Marina, in company with some ladies, when prisoner came up and begged of him. Prisoner was very troublesome.
Police-constable Jones deposed that he saw prisoner go up Maze Hill and beg of several persons; he took him into custody.
It appeared from the police-book that prisoner had been twice before convicted for vagrancy.
The Mayor sentenced prisoner to 14 days’ imprisonment.
ACCIDENT TO MR TREE. Some few evenings since as Mr Tree was riding in a phaeton driven by a lad, the wheel passed over a large piece of timber, lying in the road between Eversfield-place and Verulam-place. Mr Tree was thrown from his seat to the ground, with such great violence, alighting on his head and receiving considerable injury. He was conveyed home, and is now, we are happy to add, progressing favorably.
7 March 1851, Hastings and St Leonards News:
Page 2. BUILDERS’ ESTIMATES. – An instance, not unfrequent in these days, of how widely different parties may vary in their estimates for the performance of the same work, occurred at the meeting of the St Leonards Commissioners this week, when tenders were received for the erection of the proposed sea-wall at the west end of the town. The requisite quantities were furnished by the Commissioners’ Surveyor, Mr W.J. Gant, so that all parties had the same data to go upon. Four tenders were received, being as follows: — Messrs. Hemmings and Foster (of London), £2020; Messrs. Newton, Smith and Co., £1328 10s 2d; Messrs. Hughes and Hunter, £1160; Mr Jonas Gregson (of London), £1150. The tender of Messrs. Hughes and Hunter was accepted. It will be seen that the highest tender was accepted. It will be seen that the highest tender was nearly double the lowest. This is decidedly a case for “The Builder.” [Newto
11 March 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
St Leonards on Sea. THE COMMISSIONERS for the improvement of the Town of St Leonards are desirous of receiving tenders for the taking up the present brick pavement at the back of the Marina, from No. 44, to No. 22, both inclusive, and relaying the same with 2 ½ York stone.
The specification may be seen at the office of Mr GANT, No. 10, High-street, Hastings, Surveyor to the Commissioners, to whom tenders must be delivered to on or before Saturday, the 22nd instant, sealed and endorsed ‘Tenders for York-paving.”
The Commissioners do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender.
DURING THE PAST WEEK several men have been employed in getting out the earth for the foundation of the new St Mary Magdalen church. It is expected that the foundation stone will be laid in a few weeks, and we understand that the committee will endeavour to prevail upon the Countess Waldegrave to perform this interesting ceremony.
25 March 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
AS A GRATIFYING PROOF that the towns of Hastings and St Leonards are not yet over-built, we rejoice to notice that nearly the whole of the fine houses erected by the Messrs. Free, and known as Eversfield Place, are taken and made ready for occupation.
28 March 1851, Hastings and St Leonards News:
THE CENSUS OF 1851
The following persons have been appointed by Mr J. Bayley, jun., Registrar of the St Mary in the Castle District, Hastings, as enumerators for taking the census on Monday next… for the parish of St Mary Magdalen: — Mr Charles T. How, 4, East Ascent, St Leonards. Mr Charles Neve, 9, Undercliff, St Leonards. For the parishes of St Leonards and St Mary Bulverhithe: — Mr William Noon, 12, Norman-road-west. Mr William Payne, Terminus Inn, St Leonards… It is greatly to be hoped that all parties who can fill up the forms themselves will do so, otherwise the enumerators may experience much inconvenience and delay.
The population of the borough of Hastings, when the census was last taken, in 1841, was 11,607.