18 April 1857, Hastings & St Leonards Gazette:
John Peters, of St Leonards, was, on Monday last, bound over in his own recognizance of £20 and a surety of £10 to keep the peace towards his wife, for six months. On the same day last year, the said John Peters was bound in the chains of Hymen. Such is Life [John Albert Peters, 24, carpenter, married, 14 April 1857, Hollington, Eliza Rose Waters, 22. In the 7 April 1861 census, at 18 Norman Road West, he was single, born Ore, living with his widowed mother. In fact he was still married, as he only filed for a divorce on the 9 May 1861. The divorce papers state that he went to America on the 20 May 1857 with his wife’s agreement, she to be a milliner and dressmaker until he could provide funds for her to join him; she ceased corresponding with him in November 1857, she was a prostitute in London, and gave birth to a child].
21 April 1857, London Gazette:
Insolvent debtor. George William Phillimore Stevens, commonly known as George Stevens, formerly of the Anchor Inn, East Ascent, innkeeper, then of the Thurlow Arms Inn, 161 Edward Street, Brighton, innkeeper and licensed victualler, and now of 9 South Street, Brighton, out of business.
2 May 1857, Hastings & St Leonards Gazette:
On Thursday afternoon, as a fly belonging to Mr Starkey was proceeding at a slow pace towards the Bopeep Railway Station, one of the shafts became detached, which frightened the horse and caused it to gallop off at full speed. Fortunately, the road being clear, the animal dashed along with the vehicle at a furious pace without coming into collision with anything until it arrived at the station yard, where it was arrested. The damage sustained was of a trifling nature.
A providential escape was effected on Wednesday morning by some excavators who had just gone home to breakfast, when some overhanging mass of cliff, at the west of St Leonards, fell with a fearful crash, depositing at and around the spot the workmen had just quitted, tons upon tons of sand-stone, clay and loose earth, and which, had it occurred a few minutes earlier or later, must have completely buried them, without, apparently, any chance of escape.
16 May 1857, Hastings & St Leonards Gazette:
A Running Match, between Henry Talbott, a butcher of St Leonards, and — Kinson, a shoemaker of Hastings, came off, at 7 o’clock on Monday evening last, on a piece of road at the back of Eversfield place; to witness which, about 200 persons had assembled. From his previous exploits, Talbott was the favourite, and justly so, as his success on this occasion gave proof; he having given his competitor five yards to start with, and, after overtaking him about half the distance, arrived at the end of the 100 yards two yards ahead. The distance was accomplished in twelve seconds. This match was succeeded by one or two minor races, which were well contested, and in which the on-lookers evinced a lively interest.
23 May 1857, Leonards and Hastings Gazette:
On Wednesday, operations were commenced at the western extremity of the district, for the purpose of connecting Gensing road and other places with an excellent duct in Norman road west, which was constructed a few years ago.
6 June 1857, Sussex Agricultural Express:
On the 26th ult., at St Leonards, the Marchioness of Queensberry, prematurely, of twin daughters, stillborn.
20 June 1857, Hastings & St Leonards Gazette:
Miscellaneous Gossip. The Subscription Bands for the parades will shortly commence their duties for the season. The party of Germans under the direction of Herr Klee who have had the engagement at St Leonards on two previous occasions will again cater for the amusement of that town…
27 June 1857, Hastings & St Leonards Gazette
Yester evening the whole of the workmen employed by Messrs. Hughes and Hunter, the contractors for the new drainage works, were treated by their employers to a substantial repast, in consideration of their general good conduct, and the zeal and alacrity displayed by them in the execution of that important undertaking. About 125 sat down to supper, eighty-one of whom were provided for by Mr Rice, of the Norman Hotel, and the remainder by Mr Potten, of the Horse and Groom Inn. The arrangements at each house were all that could be desired, and the viands were of first-rate excellence. After the removal of the cloth, the remainder of the evening was devoted to speechifying, singing and general conviality, during which some hearty cheers were given in token of the liberality of the donors and the excellent catering of the purveyors [The Norman Hotel is now the Piper, on Norman Road].
Accidents. Several accidents have occurred in St Leonards during the week, the consequences of which, we are happy to say, are not of a serious nature.
The first occurred to a waggon, which had its locomotion suddenly arrested by the giving way of one of its axles.
The next was the falling down of a rather valuable horse, and his getting up with broken knees.
The third, was the falling from his horse of Mr Lulham, the dwarf, known as “Little Jerry,” who suffered contusion of the head, and was otherwise pretty much shaken. He was taken into the shop of Mr Hempsted, chemist, where he was promptly attended to, and afterwards sent home in a fly. We understand that Mr Lulham has suffered but very slight inconvenience from his fall [Hempsted’s shop was at the corner of London Road and Grand Parade, opposite Bonjour. The 4 July issue reports that there were complaints about Jeremiah Lulham being described as a dwarf. A sarcastic reply by the newspaper pointed out that he was just over three feet high]
The fourth accident was similar to the first, and like the first, was promptly repaired. It was the upsetting of a cart, in consequence of a derangement of one of its wheels or axles.
4 July 1857, St Leonards and Hastings Gazette:
Miscellaneous Gossip… A fracas occurred at St Leonards, on Thursday evening, in consequence, as we understand, of something going wrong between a couple of grocers assistants while following their honourable calling of “touting”. Now, as touting has become such a respectable (?) business, we cannot refrain from an expression of regret that it should have been brought into temporary disrepute by such an untoward accident.
A workman, in the employ of Messrs. Hughes and Hunter, while engaged in the excavations near the Grand Parade, was on Thursday morning severely struck by a heavy piece of timber twice falling on his head. The poor fellow was at first thought to be dead, but after a few minutes he sufficiently revived to be able to walk with assistance to the shop of Mr Hempsted, where he remained till the arrival of Dr Marks. A draught was administered to the man, and he was led home to his lodgings. We are happy to find that beyond a death-like palor [sic] and the staggering effects of literally a stunning blow, no other harm has resulted, and the man is again at work [Hempsted’s shop was at the bottom of London Road, opposite what is now Bonjour].
4 July 1857, Sussex Express:
His Excellency the French Ambassador and the Countess Peringny have left town for St Leonard’s on Sea. His excellency and the Countess are occupying apartments at Starkey’s Royal Victoria Hotel, on the Esplanade.
1 August 1857, Hastings & St Leonards Gazette:
CORRESPONDENCE. SEA BATHING.
To the Editor of the Hastings & St Leonards Gazette.
Sir, — Permit me, through the medium of your useful Paper, to call the attention of our local Authorities to the necessity that exists for some better arrangement in regard to bathing and bathing machines. I know not what the provisions of our Bye Laws are, but it appears to me that they must be morally defective, or that they are not properly enforced. But from whatever cause, certain it is that there are many immoral exhibitions daily taking place, which for the credit of these towns require to be prohibited. Not only are the machines totally unprovided with awnings such as are used at other watering places, but are so arranged as frequently to place the two sexes in unseemly proximity. Another evil is that of men and youths bathing not from a machine, but from a boat, or from the beach, and frequently running of walking a considerable distance over the sands and shingle in a state of nudity. I am told that this is permitted up to a certain hour in the morning. If so, methinks that hour should be a very early one, as I humbly conceive that neither residents or visitors, who may be disposed to promenade our beautiful sea front on a summer’s morning – and there are many who do – ought to be subjected to annoyance of that kind.
Trusting that the importance of this matter may be deemed a sufficient justification for trespassing on your columns, I remain, yours &c., A RESIDENT.
A poor rate of 3d in the £, for the parish of St Leonard, received the necessary signature.
St Leonards Band.
The place and hours of performance of Herr Klee’s German band are as follow: —
| Mornings 11 to 1 | Evenings 7 till 9 | |
| MONDAY | Marina | Eversfield Place |
| TUESDAY | Grand Parade | Marina |
| WEDNESDAY | Marina | Grand Parade |
| THURSDAY | Eversfield Place | Marina |
| FRIDAY | Marina | Warrior Square |
| SATURDAY | Eversfield Place | Marina |
And Archery Ground at 2 ½ o’clock
8 August 1857, St Leonards & Hastings Gazette:
The plan of the proposed new streets, contiguous to Church road and Magdalen road, was referred back to have the drainage marked out.
21 August 1857, Hastings & St Leonards News:
ST LEONARDS-ON-SEA. ARRIVALS.
The Turkish Ambassador, Musuras Bey, and family, 46, Eversfield place [He was the ambassador from 1851 to 1885, and came from a wealthy Greek family in Constantinople].
28 August 1857, Hastings & St Leonards News:
Charles Cooke, a travelling tinker, was brought up by Sergeant Jones charged with begging the previous evening near Warrior square.
The prisoner had been a great annoyance by his importunate begging, and there were many complaints against him.
Committed to Lewes Gaol for a month.
REMOVAL. – An order was made for the removal of Ann Tester from the parish of St Mary Magdalen to East Grinstead.
17 October 1857, Sussex Express:
[Summary only. Letter by Wastel Brisco of Bohemia House concerning remarks made about the inquest into the death of Mr Stevens his bailiff, denying that there was any ill feeling by Brisco. Written to Ann Stevens. Richard Stevens had committed suicide after leaving Brisco’s employ a few days before by hanging himself in Newgate Wood. He left a widow and four children. The widow ran the dairy for Brisco].31 October 1857, Hastings and St Leonards Gazette:
The magistrates ordered parochial removal of Richard Willard and family from St Mary Magdalen to Salehurst.
7 November 1857, Sussex Advertiser:
VIOLENT ASSAULT. – JOHN DOREHAM, a rough-looking customer, was brought up on Wednesday, before the Mayor, charged with a violent assault on police-constable Thomas Brazier. The police-constable stated that on Saturday night, just before eleven, I was at Warrior-square, and hearing some one kicking or knocking a door in Norman-road, I went and found the prisoner kicking and knocking at the door of a coffee shop in Norman-road, East. Asking what he made that noise for, he said he wanted to get in, and would get in. I cautioned him against making such a noise, and he left. I had, however, to caution him again and again, and being swore at the last time, I took him into custody…. [Doreham then assaulted Brazier and attempted to strangle him. Doreham had been lodging at the same coffee shop where he was attempting to gain entry. He was sentenced to two months at Lewes].
7 November 1857, Hastings and St Leonards Gazette:
The taken [sic] of Delhi celebrated in St Leonards by a bonfire, and by parading a monster effigy of Nena Sahib, in lieu of the usual Guy Fawkes [Nana Sahib was one of the Indian leaders in the Indian Mutiny].
21 November 1857, Sussex Agricultural Express:
On the 8th inst., at St Leonards, after a long illness, Mr Wm. Smith, aged 60, job-master. The deceased was much respected, and first brought himself in to notice by excavating the St Leonards Caves, as a dwelling for himself and family [A jobmaster hired out horses].
8 December 1857, Sussex Advertiser:
[Summary only. Long discussion in Council about “distinguishing the western portion of Hastings from the township of St Leonards, from the point of view of postal services and visitors.” Included Putland speaking up for St Leonards having its own post office; he also said he had lived in St Leonards for 25 years, that a few years ago it was decided to number London Road even numbers on one side, odd on the other, “of course the numbers had to be altered, and so inconvenient did he find it that he now had no number at all”].12 December 1857, Sussex Express:
REMOVALS. Orders were made for the removal of EDWARD BAKER and two children from St Leonards to Hollington; and of JAMES FOSTER, from St Mary Magdalen to Chute, Hants. Inability to work was the cause of chargeability in both cases.
18 December 1857, Hastings & St Leonards Times:
Adverts below for Mlle Agnes Zimmermann (1847-1925), the ‘infant pianiste’, and for the St Leonards Christmas Ball, both to be at the Assembly Rooms. Sr Gugliemo had an advert on same page as a singing master, soon to be at new residence Cambridge House, St Leonards.
29 December 1857, Sussex Advertiser:
Henry alias “Turf” Hyland, the prisoner on remand on a charge of stealing a tobacco box, value 6d, the property of his cousin, Henry Hyland, was again brought up.
The evidence given on the former occasion (which appeared in our last), was confirmed, and the prisoner, who preferred to be dealt with summarily by the magistrates, was sentenced to three weeks’ imprisonment.
Lazarus Monville, an itinerant musician, who has for several days been parading the streets with his worn-out organ and a performing dog and monkey, was charged with cruelly ill using his dog.
Mr J. Campbell deposed to seeing the prisoner throw his stick and hit the dog on the leg in Warrior Square. The dog was lame after he received the blow and appeared very much hurt. It appeared, however, that the prisoner was not in the habit of ill-treating his dumb servants, upon whom, as he said, he depended for a livelihood. He expressed his regret for what had occurred, and upon promising to leave the town, he was discharged.
1 January 1858, Hastings & St Leonards News:
DISPUTE ABOUT CAB FARE. – Marian Emerson, a lady in lodgings at Eversfield place, was summoned by Stephen Everst, driver of a third-class cab, for refusing to pay the full fare for the hire of his cab.
The defendant paid 1s 6d to the complainant for taking her from St Mary Magdalen Church to Eversfield place and back again, with a half-hour’s drive intermediate, occupying upwards of an hour.
The complainant demanded 2s.
The defendant refused to pay, and was willing to abide the decision of the Magistrates.
The Bye Laws of the borough stipulate that 2s is the fare for a third-class cab for an hour, or any time less than an hour.
The Magistrates decided in favour of the complainant [In the 1861 census, at 2 Alfred Street, Stephen Everest was 37, cab proprietor, born Battle. All this over a sixpence !].
2 March 1858, Sussex Advertiser:
BLAKISTON. Feb. 23, at St Leonards on Sea, Frances, wife of Peyton Blakiston, MD, FRS, aged 55 [The couple were at 3 Warrior Square in the 1851 census].
9 March 1858, Sussex Advertiser:
Bench. An order was made for the removal of Jane Knott, widow, and her family, from the parish of St Mary Magdalen to the parish of Penton, near Newton Bushel, Devonshire.
1 April 1858, Brighton Gazette:
On the 21st ult, at No. 8, Warrior Square, St Leonard’s-on-Sea, Anna Pleasance, the infant daughter of Capt. G.F. Elkington, H.M.’s 35th Regt., aged two days [She was buried at Hollington, 22 March. The birth had been announced in the 25th March issue. His initials were reversed – he was Frederick George Elkington. He died on the 29th August 1858 at Arrah in the Indian Mutiny].
7 May 1858, Hastings & St Leonards News:
April 20, at Canterbury, Mr George Boorman, station-master at Gensing station, Hastings, to Miss Maria Longley, of Canterbury.
11 May 1858, Sussex Advertiser:
[Summary only. Auction by Voysey, 19 May, at the Warrior’s Gate Inn. 2 Alfred Street, in occupation of William Strickland, £15 p.a. 13 Alfred Street, in occupation of William Bashford, weekly tenant, £15 12s. 14 Alfred Street, in occupation of William Pearson, weekly tenant, £15 12s. 15 Alfred Street, in occupation of John Wright, weekly tenant, £15 12s. 16 Alfred Street, in occupation of William Edwards, weekly tenant, £15 12s. 35 Alfred Street, in occupation of William Tutt, weekly tenant, £15 12s. 27 North Street, with yard at rear, in occupation of John Burgess. 28 North Street, in occupation of Samuel Brown, weekly, £13 tenant… freehold of 30 London Road, in joint occupation of H. Russel and Mrs Wells as weekly tenant, £26 per year].18 June 1858, Hastings & St Leonards News:
ACCIDENT. – On Saturday morning last, at about seven o’clock, an accident happened at the Warrior square buildings to one of the plasterers’ labourers, named Edward Peters, a lad residing at 14, Stonefield road, Hastings. At first it was feared that the accident would be attended with serious, if not fatal, consequences to the sufferer; but upon making enquiry at the Infirmary yesterday, we were glad to learn that, although he fell from the third floor, the only injuries he received were some severe bruises on his back and chest, and a lacerated wound in his throat, caused by his being caught in the joists in his descent. He is now recovering.
ARRIVALS.
The Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg, Victoria Hotel [Ernest II (1818-93), Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]
The Duke and Duchess of D’Aumale, Victoria Hotel [Henri Eugène Philippe Louis d’Orléans (1822-97), Duke of Aumale, French leader of the Orleanist party and bidding for the French throne].