13 June 1856, Hastings & St Leonards News:
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. – John and Henry Perfitt, donkey-boys, were summoned, under Martin’s Act, for beating a donkey near Warrior Square.
The prisoners were dismissed with a caution [Martin’s Act refers to the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822, the first animal welfare legislation in the world. It was named for Irish MP Richard Martin (1754-1834), nicknamed ‘Humanity Dick’].
15 July 1856, Sussex Advertiser:
[Summary only:] Two leasehold residences, 32 and 33 Marina. Immediate possession. 71 years unexpired of lease. Ground rent of £30 each. Together value [in rent] of £200 p.a.25 July 1856, Hastings & St Leonards News:
TO LET,
THE WHEATSHEAF INN, about one mile from Hastings, on the Tivoli road. Incoming about £150.
Apply to Mr J. DAVIS, on the premises; or to Messrs. BURFIELD and Co., Hastings. Possession on the 28th September [172 Bohemia Road].
22 August 1856, Hastings & St Leonards News:
[Description of a fierce gale on Wednesday night]… Among the boats in front of White Rock place, the only loss was a few oars; and Mr. Oliver, who has boats and [bathing] machines in front of the middle of Eversfield place, sustained no loss, though the machines would have been washed away had it not been for the opportune assistance of the preventive men. At the west end of Eversfield place, Mr. C. Wratting’s boat, the “Victoria,” was washed away, and entirely broken up. The only remains that lay on the parade were a small part of her stem and a few splinters, and that, said the unfortunate owner, he had brought from Hastings. All along the parade, both here and elsewhere, might be seen the traces of the high tide in the beach thrown up, the loosened stones, and the fragments of timber. At one place we saw the iron keel-plate of a little boat, entirely wrenched off from the wood, and bent into snake-like contortions.The scene of the greatest mischief appears to have been opposite the Victoria Hotel, St. Leonards. “The Queen,” Mr. A. Taylor, a sailing boat, had its side knocked in, and its masts, outrigger, and bowsprit broken. It is doubtful whether she will pay for repairing. The same man lost a little skiff altogether. Mr. H. French lost his rowing boat, the “Bethel,” and with difficulty saved his machines. The capstans, oars, cushions, and almost all the gear belonging to the boats on that spot were washed away. The men say they never saw anything like it before in their lives. Some of them attribute it in a great measure to the bank of earth which some builders had thrown out near the west end of the Marina, and which, the boatmen say, caused the sea to run in with extra violence at the spot where these boats were lying. A seine boat, belonging to Mr. W. Burt, and which generally lies opposite the Saxon Hotel, happened to be lying opposite the Victoria Hotel, and was entirely lost, with the seine net and everything that it contained… [the boats were not insured. The Saxon Hotel was located at what, in rebuilt premises, is now the Bonjour café].
12 September 1856, Hastings & St Leonards News:
IT IS RUMOURED that Viscount Palmerston intends staying at 22, Eversfield place, during the absence of Lady Jocelyn [This was Henry John Temple (1784-1865), 3rd Viscount Palmerston, who was the Liberal Prime Minister from 1859 until his death. Lady Jocelyn was both his stepdaughter and his rumoured daughter, born to his wife from her first marriage].
26 September 1856, Hastings & St Leonards News:
BELGRAVIA, WARRIOR SQUARE.
The first stone of this new undertaking was laid on Monday last, at two o’clock, by Miss Baynes, of London, in the presence of many visitors and the architects to the estate.
In a recess in the stone was deposited a medal, having on one side engraved the Lord’s Prayer, and on the other the Apostle’s Creed.
The young lady having pronounced the words, “I here lay the first stone of Belgravia; and may God prosper the undertaking,” three hearty cheers were given by the men assembled in honour of the occasion; and three more in honour of Charles Moreing, Esq., the proprietor of the estate.
The workmen (about forty in number) were then regaled with refreshments. The healths of Mr Cooper and Mr Kenwood, the spirited undertakers of this new enterprise, were then drunk by all present; and the ceremony terminated by reiterated cheers for the success of the undertaking.
Although St Leonards has been increasing so much of late, and so many houses of a first-class character have been erected; yet there is still a great want of mansions extensive enough for the accommodation of the large establishments of our nobility. We have heard of some of our nobles who have been obliged to leave for the lack of such accommodation.
It is intended now to meet this want by the erection of dwellings of a superior character, containing every requisite accommodation for the residence of wealthy families. The spot selected is one of the most lovely on the coast, and will always command an extensive view of the sea; while in front are the beautiful gardens of the Square, to which visitors occupying these houses will always have access.
Taking these things into consideration, we cannot have a doubt of the desirability of the undertaking, and we most cordially wish every success to it [In August 1857 a license was successfully requested for 1, Belgravia, the Queen’s Hotel, by Joseph Sidney Cooper, which was being built on the east side].
30 September 1856, Sussex Advertiser:
[Revision of the East Sussex voters’ list for Hasting district] On Thursday last, Samuel Richard Bosanquet, Esq., the barrister appointed to revise the list of voters for the Eastern Division of the County, held his court for the Hastings district at the Town Hall.Mr A.R. Briggs, of Lewes, appeared for the liberals, and Mr Langham supported the conservative cause.
ST LEONARDS. The claim of Mr Charles Clark, of near Shornden Wood, was objected to by Mr Langham…
ST MARY MAGDALEN. Mr Joseph Brown, of 87, High Street, made a new claim for a freehold house, 9, Warrior Square, and was opposed by Mr Langham.
Claimant stated – I was the owner of the property before the beginning of this year. It was conveyed to me in September last. I gave £300 for the land. I have been in the actual use and occupation ever since.
[Questioned] By Mr Langham – This is a new house. I built it, and commenced doing so in the beginning of last September. It was habitable last June. I will not swear that the whole of the doors and windows were in six months previous to the 31st of July last.Mr Langham: Is it now let ?
Mr Brown: No. I wish it was. It is worth £100 a year.
Mr Langham: Is it mortgaged ?
Mr Brown: Yes.
Mr Langham: How much for ?
Mr Brown: You have not got the deeds or else you would know, perhaps.
Mr Langham: I ask you how much it is mortgaged for ?
Mr Brown: And I shan’t tell you.
Mr Briggs: Is there any actual mortgage executed ?
Mr Brown: Yes.
Mr Briggs: Is it mortgaged to its full value ?
Mr Brown: No, and not even half.
Mr Briggs: That is quite sufficient evidence…. [Value of property was now £1500. Despite not been usable for six months prior to the 31 July, the vote was allowed].
James Knight, of 35, London Road, claimed a vote for three freehold houses in Cross Street, St Leonards, and was objected to by Mr Briggs.
Claimant examined – I have had the houses three years. I derive £20 a year net rent from them. The gross rental is about £65. Mr Beecham has £800 mortgage on the property… claimant complains of “cheek” when asked if he got the rent. Says he doesn’t care about a vote, no more than the fifth wheel of a coach. Allowed vote.
10 October 1856, Hastings & St Leonards News:
APPLICATION FOR TRAMWAY. The Roads Committee reported that Mr J. Oliver, who had two bathing machines on the beach in front of Eversfield place, applied for a large wooden tramway from the parade to the beach, offering to pay 5 per cent of the expense, if the Committee would put it down. The Committee recommended that the application be not granted. – Report adopted.
ADDITIONAL LAMPS. The Roads Committee recommended that in compliance with the wishes expressed in a memorial, three additional lamps be placed near St Mary Magdalen’s Church. – Carried.
PAVING. The Roads Committee recommended that Mr Austin be required to put down a pavement in front of his coal warehouse in Norman road. – Carried.
25 Nov 1856 Sussex Advertiser:
[Summary only. William Barden was to show cause why he should not contribute to support of the illegitimate female child of Mary Ann Ranger, born May 18th 1856, of whom she alleged he was the father. The public were allowed to remain. “The principal details of the case were unfit for publication.” She was a single woman, had a child about three years ago, and “at the time she alleged she became improperly acquainted with defendant she was employed as servant to Mrs White, lodging house keeper, 9, Eversfield Place.” Cross examination elicted facts “which reflected much disgrace on the conduct and habits of the complainant.” Fellow servant Mary Ann Lancaster was called to strengthen complainant’s case, but “her own morals were none of the purest”. Dismissed. The birth of a female named Ranger was not registered. In the 1851 census, 23 Shepherd Street, William Barden was almost certainly the 15-year-old, born St Leonards, son to Thomas Barden, carpenter. William married in 1859, St Leonards church, as a carpenter, Harriet Dicks. Mary Ann Lancaster was probably the lady’s maid in the 1861 census at 27 White Rock Place, age 31, born Tisbury, Gloucestershire].
3 January 1857, St Leonards & Hastings Gazette:
Gossip. At about 8 o’clock this (Saturday) morning, nearly the entire end and front of a house, in course of erection for Mr Cooper, in Warrior Square, fell to the ground with a fearful crash, in consequence of the high wind which prevailed during the night.
On Thursday morning, at an hour before daylight the streets of St Leonards resounded with the unmelodious shout of “bundle ‘em out, rout ‘em out, turn ‘em out” – an annual custom peculiar to the neighbourhood of Hastings, which at one time, we presume, was intended as a symbol of turning out the old year and bringing in the new; but which now means turn out your money & anything else you have to dispose of, and see how we’ll scramble for it.
[Council meeting proceedings]… Two foot-paths or crossings to be laid down on the East and West sides of Warrior Square, at an estimated cost of £44.NOTICE !
ALL PERSONS INDEBTED TO MR ROBERT MARK, Draper, 1, London road, St Leonards, are requested to pay the same to Mr Charles Duke, 37, Norman Road West. Any outstanding claim on Robert Mark, to be forwarded to his residence, 17, Queen Street, Portsea, or to Mr C. Duke.
3 January 1857, Sussex Express:
REMOVALS. – Orders for the removal of FRANCIS SAWYERS and her child from the parish of St Mary Magdalen, to the parish of Wilmington, Eastbourne union, and for the removal of JOSEPH THORNE, his wife, and two children, from the parish of St Mary Magdalen, to the parish of Sturminster Newton, Dorsetshire.
17 January 1857, St Leonards and Hastings Gazette:
Accident. On Thursday morning, a man of the name of Gain, one of the workmen engaged in the erection of some houses on the West Marina, fell from the scaffolding, a distance of about 40 feet from the ground. Fortunately, the ground round about the buildings consisted of soft clay or marl, and the only apparent external injury was a bruised nose; which member together with the rest of his face and some other parts of his body was imbedded in the clay in such manner as to leave no doubt of the velocity and weight of his fall. Doubtless he was a good deal shaken, although he was enabled to walk home.
24 January 1857, Sussex Express:
POLICE INTELLIGENCE. – STEALING TURNIP GREENS. – On Monday last, HENRY HYLAND, a notorious bad character, better known as “Turf Hyland”, was committed to Lewes House of Correction for one month, for stealing turnip greens, the property of Mr Robt. Deudney, of Gensing [Farm].
SURETIES OF THE PEACE. –A labourer, named THOS. TUTT, was ordered to enter into a recognizance with two sureties, to keep the peace for six months, for having threatened the life of John Sargent, a marine store dealer residing at St Leonards.
24 January 1857, Hastings & St Leonards Gazette:
Two soirées in connection with the Unity of Oddfellows have taken place this week; the first on Tuesday night, at the Warrior’s Gate Inn, St Leonards; and the second on the following night, at the George street Assembly Room, Hastings. The one at St Leonards, being that of the Adelaide Lodge, was very fully and respectably attended – the number far exceeding the expectations of the committee. At seven o’clock the tea was served up, and over which the company, with animated countenances and agreeable conversation, sat till about nine o’clock, when the room was cleared, and dancing commenced. This was pursued with a spirit of gaiety, equal to the occasion until half-past Five in the morning, when the party broke up, each and all expressing their enjoyment, and their approval of the exertions of the host, the committee, the band, and indeed, all who had catered for their amusement. Barnett’s Quadrille Band was in attendance, whose performance gave the greatest satisfaction. The number of persons present amounted to 140… [a description of the similar Hastings event followed, with 250 members of the Victoria Lodge. The Warrior Gate Inn was located at what is now the post office on London Road].
27 January 1857, Sussex Advertiser:
Plots of freehold land. Several plots of Norman Road East, each frontage of 20 feet, depth of 79 feet, opposite church of St Mary Magdalen, and to St Margaret’s Terrace, and lying at the back of Eversfield Place. A freehold stable, yard and premises in Norman Road West, 131 feet fronting Shepherd Street, 60 feet in depth. 3 cottages, 10 coachhouses, stabling and corn room, rental of £70 p.a. George Voysey [estate agent].
30 January 1857, Hastings & St Leonards News:
BEGGING. – John Owen, an elderly rough-looking, charged-of-begging-hardened, Irish vagrant, was brought up, charged with begging at Gensing.
The prisoner, who was said to be an “old stager,” had been very annoying about the town with his importunate begging.
7 February 1857, Sussex Express:
THE FIRST MONUMENTAL STONE in the new Cemetery was erected last week. It is to the memory of Major-General Cox, who died recently at St Leonards. The sculptor is Mr Henry Vennall [Hastings Cemetery had opened 28 November 1856. William Cox of 7 Maze Hill had died 13 January 1857].
14 February 1857, Hastings & St Leonards Gazette:
Ellen Cruse, a married woman of St Leonards having used abusive language towards Elizabeth Meek of the same town, the husband of the former has become surety for his wife’s future good behaviour in such matter.
28 March 1857, The Hastings & St Leonards Gazette:
Miscellaneous Gossip. “The light of other days has faded” before the new yet “time honoured” luminary which has made its appearance in the “western hemisphere” of the borough. We allude, of course, to the illuminated clock of Mr Sellman, in Norman Road West, which was lighted up for the first time on Wednesday evening last. It is gratifying to find that while the united efforts of the East-enders have hitherto failed to obtain a public monitor of the night, the West-enders have been more successful, through the instrumentality of an enterprising tradesman.
Miss Poole’s Reading of Sir Walter Scott’s Marmion took place in the St Leonards Assembly Room, on Tuesday to a rather small auditory, there being only 40 present [‘Marmion’ is a long poem].
A vessel of a novel description, and drawn by a horse, passed through St Leonards, on Thursday. It had all the appearance of a “light spring cart,” and, but for the announcement on the stern, “for sail” no one would have discovered anything nautical about it.
Sir Woodbine Parish entertained a select evening party of about twenty on Monday last, at his residence, Quarry House [Parish was a former diplomat].
4 April 1857, The Hastings & St Leonards Gazette:
The recommendation of the Stone-beach Committee to place the capstans belonging to Messrs. How and Putland under the same control as the others was acceded to.
While discussing the subject of capstans, it occurred to Mr Bromley that the one in the slip way at Eversfield place was very inconvenient, and he would ask the Pierwarden if it could not be placed lower down ? A conversation followed, and it was ultimately agreed to refer the question to the Stone-beach Committee [The capstans were used to draw colliers up the beach by being worked by men, later by horses; the main slipway was opposite London Road].
Accidents. On Saturday last, James Cruttenden, while larking with some other men, in the London Road, St Leonards, fell on the pavement and broke both bones of his left leg.
On the same morning [Wednesday] another lad, (David Oakman), while employed in doing something to an engine at the Bopeep Station, got his hand drawn into the machinery, and thereby lacerated his fingers as to render amputation of one or two of them necessary.
4 April 1857, Sussex Express:
On the 30th ult., at Grand-parade, St Leonards, Mr Ulric Bazzigher, aged 58 [Buried St Leonards church, 2 Apr 1857, aged 58, in a purchased grave. He was of Coire [Chur], Switzerland, many years confidential manager to Theophilus Richards and Co., of Birmingham].
10 April 1857, Hastings & St Leonards News:
CAPSTANS NEAR THE SAXON HOTEL. The Stone Beach Committee reported that there were three capstans opposite the Saxon Hotel, one belonging to Mr Putland, another to Mr How, and the third belonging to the Board. They recommended that the Board purchase the former two, so that they may all be under one control. The committee at the same time observed that they had, under the purchase from Mr Eversfield, the full control over such capstans, which strictly ought to be on the beach, and not on the parade… [The Saxon Hotel’s site is now the Bonjour café in rebuilt premises. A toll was paid by coal merchants for the Council capstan but not the others. Mr How stated that his capstan had been there 21 years by permission of the Eversfield Estate. Motion carried].
11 April 1857, The Hastings & St Leonards Gazette:
A lady and gentleman narrowly escaped serious injury while walking along Eversfield place, on Sunday last, a large piece of coping cement, weighing from 20 to 30 pounds having fallen from the top of a house on to the very spot which they had but that instant passed.
East-Sussex Fox Hounds. On Friday week, the admirers of the chase, to the number of about 200, assembled on St Leonards Green, the appointed place of rendezvous, some to engage in, and others to witness, the excitement of a fox-hunt. After considerable coursing, the object of their pursuit turned up in Battle Wood, and afforded them a brilliant run of an hour’s duration, at the expiration of which, poor Renard was caught and killed.