Much on begging and efforts to stamp it out in this post. Also a letter of complaint about the high cost of bathing machines.
1 April 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
John Mooney, late of the 36th Regiment, was brought up for begging.
Constable Barnes deposed that on the previous day he found prisoner in the back area of 38, Marina, St Leonards; he was soliciting alms, and had shown a begging letter to the lady of the house. On searching he found 17s 4 ¾ d, on prisoner.
Ordered to be imprisoned for 14 days and pay costs.
15 April 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
MAGISTRATES’ BENCH. CLERK’S OFFICE, Wednesday, April 9th. – Before F Ticehurst, Esq.
A Scotchman, who refused to give his name, was charged with begging.
Police-constable Fryman, deposed that about half-past eleven o’clock on the previous morning, he saw prisoner enter the area of some houses on the Maze-hill, St Leonards; on enquiry, he found prisoner had been begging.
Prisoner denied having begged, and in answer to the request from the clerk for his name, said as there was no charge against him he should not give his name, the clerk might as well ask any civilian in the streets of Hastings for his name, as to demand of him (prisoner) to give his.
Ten days’ imprisonment.
22 April 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
SPENCER. April 7th, after a protracted illness, the Countess Spencer [At Sussex House, now 110 Marina. The ancestor of Princess Diana].
6 May 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
ST LEONARDS ON SEA. ON THURSDAY evening a meeting of the ratepayers of the parish of St Mary Magdalen took place at the Coach and Horses Inn, for the purpose of making a borough rate. Mr G. Voysey occupied the chair. After some little discussion, the rate at 4d in the pound, as ordered by the Council, was agreed to [The Coach and Horses was in Harold Mews, between Stanhope Place and East Ascent. ‘4d in the pound’ meant that amount per pound of actual or notional rent value. For example, The Uplands would have been rated at about £160 annual rent, hence householders there paid £1 12s annually].
30 May 1851, Hastings & St Leonards News:
MR CHAMBERLIN. – It is with deep regret that we announce the approaching departure of Mr Chamberlin from the Victoria Hotel, which he has conducted with such credit to himself and advantage to the town for a series of years. Mr Chamberlin’s term expires at Midsummer. We trust, however, that he will not be entirely lost to the locality. Both Mr Chamberlin and his son rank high in the estimation of the inhabitants, and we feel confident that we are not alone in our feelings of regret on this occasion.
6 June 1851, Hastings & St Leonards News:
Page 1. SAINT LEONARDS COAL DUTIES
The Commissioners of St Leonards-on-Sea have instructed
MR WOMERSLEY
To offer by Auction, on Wednesday, the 18th June, 1851, at two for three o’clock punctually, at the Assembly Rooms,
THE TOLLS OR DUTIES arising from the Sale of Coals, &c., within the limits of the St Leonards Improvement Act, from Midsummer next.
Conditions of the letting may be obtained of the Auctioneer, Hastings, and a draft of the intended lease seen at his office.
THE ST LEONARDS COMMISSIONERS, aided by the active services of their Surveyor, Mr W.J. Gant, are making great improvements at the western extremity of the town. Messrs. Hughes and Hunter are rapidly executing their contract for extending the Esplanade by a length of 880 feet. In their zeal for the public good the contractors unwittingly made the Parade wall thirty feet longer than required. The perpendicular height of the wall is 11ft. 6in., upon two feet depth of concrete. The summit of the wall drops back nearly eight feet from the perpendicular, and the face is considerably curved. At the western extremity of the Parade the ground will have to be raised somewhat above the road, so as to preserve the level of the Parade, and enable to eye to have a fair view to the eastward. It is also contemplated to alter the direction of the road leading from the end of the Marina to the Fountain Inn, bringing it more seaward, so as to widen the building ground on the land side. The draining of this part of the town is also likely to undergo great improvements. At first the Commissioners of Levels were solicited to allow the drainage of all that block of buildings situated from Sussex House [now 110 Marina] westward to be carried into the haven, which would furnish an excellent fall. We understand, however, that the Commissioners of Levels intend doing away with the sluice at this spot, and removing it nearly a mile further to the westward, in which case the drainage of the houses will probably be carried off through the beach by means of a culvert… [much more, including accepting a tender from Mr Willard to lengthen six outlets to drain on the beach].
13 June 1851, Hastings & St Leonards News:
LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS. – It is reported that ground at the rear of the site for the new church [St Mary Magdalen] has lately been sold for building purposes.
CAUTION TO PUBLICANS. – Daniel Attree, of the Bull Inn, Bulverhithe, was convicted on the evidence of supernumerary-constable Chatfield, of having his house open on Sunday, June 1, before the legal time.
Fined 20s and costs.
AFFILIATION. – Rachel Stevens v Leonard Deer. – The girl lives at Bulverhithe, and the defendant at Brighton.
Defendant was adjudged to pay 1s 6d per week, 10s for midwife, and £1 15s costs.
Another case of a similar nature was adjourned till the following (this) morning, for further evidence [In the 1851 census, Rachel Stevens was at Road Side Cottage, next to the Bull Inn, daughter of a farm labourer and his wife. She was 20. A nine-month-old granddaughter, Mary Ann Stevens, was also in the household].
On Tuesday, the children attending the Sunday school in connection with St Andrew’s Church (Free Church of Scotland) on the West Hill, St Leonards, under the ministration of the Rev. A.L. Gordon, were regaled by the kind liberality of Mr and Mrs Gordon at their residence, Silver Hill, to and from which place the children were conveyed in vans. A select party of friends received and amused the children, who heartily enjoyed themselves… The happy party then started homewards as a beautiful fire-balloon ascended, and caused a parting burst of joy from merry hearts and smiling faces. We understand that Mrs Gordon intends opening a Girls’ School of Industry next week, in connection with Mr Gordon’s church and the neighbourhood generally; and that lady has spared neither labour nor expense in providing the means for carrying it on in an efficient manner.
20 June 1851, Hastings & St Leonards News:
MR CHAMBERLAIN will vacate the Victoria Hotel next Tuesday. We are happy to hear that he intends building a handsome hotel between the two towns, and, until its completion, will hold as a substitute two houses in Eversfield-place. Rumours have prevailed that an arrangement has been entered into between Mr Chamberlin and his landlord, Mr A. Burton, whereby his removal would be obviated; but we believe these reports had no adequate foundation, if any at all.
THREE HOUSES, of first-class character, are being built contiguous to 79, Marina. The buildings recently completed at this spot are freehold, and are built in a very handsome style. Most of the houses – and perhaps we might say all – now erecting in this neighbourhood, shew the rapid progress made in the style and comfort of our domestic architecture during the last few years.
11 July 1851, Hastings & St Leonards News:
ASSAULT. – James Evans, a foreman over some of the men employed at the new church of St Mary Magdalen, was summoned for assaulting Patrick Simon Curry, one of the workmen.
Defendant not appearing, Inspector Campbell deposed to the personal service of the summons.
Curry stated that he was employed at the building in sawing stone. One morning, the foreman (defendant) not being there till late, he looked out some work for himself – such as he thought just the thing. When defendant came, he swore at complainant violently, and struck him several times.
A witness had been subpoenaed; but he did not appear. Complainant supposed the lad had been intimidated by the foreman.
Fined 20s and costs; total £1 17s 5d.
DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE. – On Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Joseph Beck, carrying on the business of a baker in the London-road, was alarmed by a strong smell of fire. On a search being instituted, it was discovered that a bond-timber had caught fire in the chimney of Mr Stubberfield, who occupied an adjoining house. The fire had penetrated the wall into one of Mrs Beck’s bedrooms, and set fire to some bandboxes, in immediate contiguity to the bed furniture. Fortunately the mischief was discovered in time, or the consequences might have been serious [In the 1851 census, Harriet Beck, 51, widow [of Joseph Beck, baker], was living with three children, one son a baker, at 5 London Road next to, at no. 6, Stephen Stubberfield, grocer. The house numbers have since changed]
John Grant, a Scotchman, who has been working at St Leonards for a few weeks as a journeyman tailor, was brought up in custody, charged with stealing a coat on the previous day, the property of Robert Tapsell, fishmonger, residing at 10, Hill-street.
15 July 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
Marriages. BODMER-HICK. July 9 at St Leonards-on-Sea, by the Rev. John Frederick Pizey, Rudolph, only son of George Bodmer, Esq., of Zurich, to Helen Schwenck, third daughter of the late Benjamin Hick, Esq., of Highfield, Bolton-le-Moors [At St Leonards chapel. Rudolph was of Manchester, gentleman, son of an engineer; Helen Schwenck Hick was of St Leonards, also daughter of an engineer].
18 July 1851, Hastings & St Leonards News:
ST LEONARDS-ON-SEA. PETITION. – In the House of Lords, yesterday se’n-night, Lord Wharncliffe presented a petition from the inhabitants of this town, complaining of being included with the town of Hastings in the application of the Public Health Act [St Leonards did avoid most of the provisions. The objections were partly the fear of subsidizing what was considered to be a dirtier town, and partly because it was thought that having a Board of Health would make visitors fear that there were health concerns. The 25 July edition has much detail on what is titled ‘Final Settlement of the Public Health Act – Exclusion of St Leonards’].
22 July 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
[Account of thunderstorm]… The fluid also entered the chimney of 11, Grand Parade, and became communicated with the bell wires, breaking several, ringing bells, scorching the ceiling, and filling the room with soot. A partial shock was felt by our townsman M.J. Welstead, who was stupefied, but we rejoice to say not hurt…. [The bells of the electric telegraph were ringing across the town].8 August 1851, Hastings & St Leonards News:
BEGGING. – Owen Macarthy was brought up by police-constable Adams, charged with begging at 1, Seymour-place, St Leonards, on the previous day.
The prisoner admitted the charge, and said that he was seeking for work as a reaper; and would not again trouble the magistrates, if they would let him leave the town.
Discharged [Seymour Place was later incorporated into Grand Parade, and was to the east of London Road].
TRANSFER OF LICENSE. – The license of the Bull Inn, Bulverhythe, was transferred from Daniel Attree to Ann Sheather.
12 August 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
NEW STREETS.—At every point new houses are in course of erection, many being for dwellings for the middle and lower classes, as well as for the residence of the rich. In the neighbourhood of London Road a goodly number of new houses are being built: and many builders are showing a disposition to “go further north”, for cuttings are being made for new streets in the northern hemisphere of North Street itself. What names will the owners find for them ? To be descriptive they need to be christened Iceland Street, Greenland Street, Esquimaux Street, &c.
2 September 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
[Annual Licensing Day. Mr W. Chamberlin asked for a license for 6 and 7 Eversfield Place. He had for many years conducted the Victoria Hotel. Mr Langham, who spoke for him, said character was beyond reproach]…. Some difference has arisen between Mr Chamberlin and his landlord [Alfred Burton], which had ended in the former quitting the Victoria Hotel. The situation of the houses for which a license was asked was nearly midway between the South Saxon and Castle Hotels, and the spot was now being filled up with houses of a superior character, and his client desired to open a sort of boarding house for the nobility and gentry…. [Mr Briggs, opposing on behalf of the Victoria Hotel, said among other things that Chamberlin had made a fortune from the Royal Victoria. Langham in reply said that this was not true, “he brought a large capital which enabled him to carry it on and pay Mr Burton a heavy rent for 12 years.”].RAILWAY TAVERN. John Smith applied for a license for a new house in course of erection in London Roads, at the junction of the road leading to St Leonards station… [Chamberlin’s application was granted. Smith’s, which would in due course become the Old England, was refused; an earlier newspaper mention of Smith says that the house was at 23 London Road].
9 September 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
Bench. Two Irish lads, named John and Jeremiah Leary, and a woman and two children from the Emerald Isle, whose names did not transpire, were apprehended by Police-constable Waters, and placed in the dock on charges of begging.
It was proved that the prisoners and others had been very assiduous in plying their vocations, and that they were connected with a considerable number of the same class encamped on St Leonards Green.— Admonished and ordered to leave the town.
12 September 1851, Hastings & St Leonards News:
ASSAULT. – Daniel Newman alias Collins was convicted of having violently assaulted Richard Blake, on the Parade near St Leonards. Both parties are Bath-chairmen, and quarrelled about their trade.
Fined 20s including costs; or, a month’s imprisonment.
26 September 1851, Hastings & St Leonards News:
FIFTEENTH APPEARANCE. – Georgiana Stevens, 16, who has gained the unenviable notoriety of appearing before the Bench fifteen times, was charged with being found in the Warriors’ Gate Inn, St Leonards, for an unlawful purpose.
Harriet Cuthbert, landlady of the above house, stated that she found the prisoner in the bar of her house about seven o’clock on the previous evening in the act of abstracting the money from the till; but discovered her just in time to prevent a robbery.
It also appeared that she had visited the shop of Mr Harman, baker, in George street, in the early part of the same day, and succeeded in taking from the till three shillings, three four-penny pieces, and a twopenny piece. She tendered the latter coin for some article at the same shop, which led to the suspicion that that was not all she had taken. On instituting an enquiry the suspicion turned out to be well founded, and the money was subsequently disgorged from the prisoner’s mouth, when she was turned out of the shop.
The Mayor seemed quite at a loss how to deal with this abandoned young creature, but at length sentenced her to fourteen days’ hard labour in Hastings gaol [The Warriors’ Gate inn was at the site of the post office on London Road].
10 October 1851, Hastings & St Leonards News:
TO BE LET ON LEASES, FOR NINETY-FIVE YEARS, a most desirable PLOT OF GROUND between Verulam Place and Warrior Square, and midway between Hastings and St Leonards, having 170 feet frontage to the sea, and 135 feet depth, and without any building restrictions whatever.
Apply to Mr INSKIPP, 3, White Rock Place [This must be part of Eversfield Place].
WE REGRET to learn that Mr Chamberlin and his family are about to leave this neighbourhood. The services of the elder Mr Chamberlin in the Town Council, and of his son in connection with the two Mechanics’ Institutions in the borough, require no ordinary meed of praise. In the elder gentleman the Council will lose a warm advocate of local improvement and sanitary reform, and in the case of that gentleman’s son his absence will be felt by all parties connected with the operations of the institutions above mentioned. We understand that expression of feeling on this subject is contemplated; and we trust that such a mark of respect will not be wanting.
28 October 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
Quarter Sessions, Town Hall.
Margaret Fitzgerald, 66, on bail, was charged with stealing 16 lbs. of coal, the property of Mr Stephen Putland.
The facts of this case are briefly as follows:- a lump of coal was lying near the beach at St Leonards. On the 23rd of August police-constable Brazier was ordered to watch the lump. On the afternoon saw prisoner come down past the lump and look about; after that she went to the lump and then west towards her home. The constable followed and took her with 16 pounds of coal in her apron. When taken prisoner said it was the first time she had done it, and if the officer would let her go she would say nothing about it.
Mr Putland proved that on the 23rd of August he had two lumps of coal lying on a sort of wharf near the Fountain Inn; the coal was for brick-burning.
Prisoner said she picked the coals up on the beach. She called Mr Wakehurst, Mr W. Amoore, jun., and Elizabeth Crouch, who had all known prisoner for a number of years, and gave her a good character for honesty. Verdict – “Not guilty.”
The broad Irish tongue and quaint combinations of language used by Mrs Fitzgerald convulsed the court with laughter [The Fountain Inn is now the Marina Fountain. The original Bench case was reported on 29 August 1851, in the Hastings & St Leonards News. It is amazing that this went to the higher court. In the 1851 census Stephen Putland was at 4 London Road, a coal and timber merchant].
4 November 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
[Council meeting, Hastings. A letter from Mr Bennetts was read out, he had heard that the Directors of the South Coast Railway intended stopping the 9.50 mail train, and dispatch the bags of the morning mail at 8.30]… The effect of this would be as follows: – the letters for delivery in the morning did not leave the office, and before they arrived at their destination the bags for despatch would be closed, and the morning mail would be useless. He need not point out the probable injury this would cause to the town. No professional man would select a town to visit – which, in 1851, had only one post a day (hear, hear) and that at a period when Brighton had no less than five.11 November 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
The license of the Royal Victoria hotel was transferred from A. Burton, Esq. to Mr Starkie, and the license of the South Saxon Hotel from Mr S.A. Bacon, to Mr S. Bacon, and W. Vaughan [The South Saxon is now, in rebuilt premises, the site of the Bonjour cafe]
12 November 1851, Hastings & St Leonards News:
THE WORKMEN employed in the construction of the new church of St Mary Magdalen, struck last Monday week on a question of time. They continued to hold out to the end of the week. At length, an arrangement having been made, they resumed work last Monday. It is said that their employers required ten hours work per diem, which is one hour more than is generally required at this period of the year, wages per day remaining the same. The men thereupon struck, and, we are given to understand, only resumed on being allowed the short days.
9 December 1851, Sussex Advertiser:
The only business before the Bench was the signing of an order for the removal of Ann Farroll from the parish of St Mary Magdalen, to that of Rye.
19 December 1851, Hastings & St Leonards News:
AN ACCIDENT of a serious nature occurred on Wednesday afternoon to a young gentleman named Pepys, son of the Countess of Coltenham, while riding in horseback. The animal upon which he was mounted, when passing the Marina, suddenly dashed off in the direction of Hastings, and, on arriving opposite Warrior square, threw his rider with great violence, striking him with his hind hoofs while on the ground. The young gentleman was picked up insensible, with the blood flowing copiously from the back of his head, and carried into the Rev. G.S.G. Stonestreet’s… [he was later moved to his residence in the Marina].
9 January 1852, Hastings & St Leonards News:
THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT. – It is reported that the law expenses incurred in opposing the application of the Public Health Act to the town of St Leonards amount to upwards of £600, and that it is proposed to pay this by a voluntary rate of 1s in the pound on owners of property, and 6d in the pound on occupiers [one may wonder how many paid this voluntary tax].
30 January 1852, Hastings & St Leonards News:
FASHIONABLE ENTERTAINMENT. – Mr and Mrs R. Burnett Brander gave a ball and supper on Monday last, at their residence on Maze hill. Mr Elford’s band was in attendance [In the 1851 census Brander was at 11 Maze Hill, fundholder and land proprietor].
ACCIDENT. – On Saturday last, a lad named Hennessy, about 14 years of age, who was working with his father, a plasterer, at some buildings in the course of erection for Mr Beney, near the St Leonards railway station, was, during the high wind, blown from the scaffolding to the ground, a distance of forty-six feet. The poor fellow was picked up apparently much injured, and conveyed to the Infirmary. We are glad to say no bones were broken, and the sufferer was so far recovered on Tuesday from the effects of the fall, as to be enabled to leave the above institution.
17 February 1852, Sussex Advertiser:
Bench. Wm. Young was charged with begging.
Police Constable Waters deposed that he found prisoner at the area door of a house in St Leonards, begging. – Seven days’ imprisonment.
James Seymour was charged with a like offence.
Waters – On Thursday morning I found prisoner at St Leonards, in company with another man, prisoner was in the area of 36, Marina, begging. His companion ran away.
The Mayor sentenced him to seven days’ imprisonment, adding that it was the determination of the Bench as much as it was in their power to put a stop to street begging in the town.
20 February 1852, Hastings & St Leonards News:
[Saturday, February 14. Before the Mayor, Thomas Hickes] BEGGING. – William Winser, described as a sailor, was charged by police-constable Brazier with begging, at the back of the Marina, St Leonards.Seven days’ imprisonment.
[Monday, February 16. Before the Mayor] William Beckett, dressed in the garb of a sailor, was charged by police-constable Brazier with being drunk and begging at St Leonards.Mr Thomas Ross corroborated the evidence of the constable, and stated that he saw the prisoner exposing a bad leg, and using the most obscene language towards some ladies.
Fourteen days’ imprisonment.
John Wilson, another sailor, was also charged by the same constable with a like offence.
Seven days’ imprisonment.
Martha Crowley was charged by police constable Waters with begging, but it not being fully proved, the prisoner was discharged, with orders to leave the town.
James Maker was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment, also for begging.
The Mayor said that having received so many complaints of late of the annoyance of beggars, particularly from St Leonards, it was his determination to punish every one that was brought before him.
27 February 1852, Hastings & St Leonards News:
ST LEONARDS-ON-SEA.
TO LET, ON MODERATE TERMS, A FURNISHED HOUSE, No. 11, MAZE HILL, making up nine beds.
For particulars apply to R. GAUSDEN, House Agent, 48, Marina.
Furnished and unfurnished houses to let.