19/06/2006
Transcribed by Domonic Paul Motto
Hurstmonceux is a parish and town in the Union of Hailsham, Hundred of Foxearle and rape of Pevensey, three miles east from Hailsham and ten south-west from Battle. The benefice is a rectory, value £920 per annum. Here is a neat Baptist meeting-house; also a National school for boys and girls, supported by subscription. The church, dedicated to All Saints, is a large building, in the early style of English architecture. The area is 4, 870 acres and the population in 1841 was 1,445. The income tax assessment in 1812 was £7,871. About a mile from the Hastings and Brighton road, and situated in a valley, stand the magnificent ruin of Hurstmonceux Castle. This castle, surrounded by a moat, now dry, was built in the reign of Henry VI, by Sir Roger de Flennes, treasurer of the royal household and who obtain from his royal master, a licence to embattle and fortify his manor house of Hurstmonceaux, and to enlarge his park 600 acres of land. The castle is built of brick, with window cases, door cases and water tables of stone and is supposed to be one of the oldest brick mansions in the kingdom. The interior was pulled down about the year 1770, before which time it was one of the finest of our castellated relics. The outward walls and towers are yet standing. Those of the gateway, when perfect, measured in height 84 feet; the south or grand front is 206 feet long; the east and west sides 214 feet long. Several of the apartments were very fine, containing carvings by Gralling, Gibbons &c. The grand hall was 54 feet in length, and 28 feet high; the grand staircase occupied an area of 40 feet square and the oven was 14 feet in diameter. The comedy of the “Drummer and Haunted House” had its origin from a tradition connected with this castle. In the church which is situated about a quarter of a mile from the castle, is a splendid monument to the memory of Thomas Lord Dacre and his father, descendants of Sir Roger de Fynes or Fiennes. It contains, under a richly-worked canopy, the recumbent figures of two men in armour. The nobleman, whom this tomb commemorates, was persuaded by some of his companions to hunt, or rather steal, deer in the park of Laughton, then belonging to Sir Nicholas Pelham, when, being interrupted in their sport by the park keepers, a dispute arose and blows succeeding words, one of Pelham’s servants received a mortal wound. Three of the party were hanged for murder and Lord Dacre, having been tried by his peers and found guilty, was executed at Tyburn.
Gardner Street is a populous hamlet of Hurstmonceaux parish, in Hailsham union, Foxearle Hundred, rape of Pevensey, on the road from Battle to Hailsham.
Gentry
Cole Mrs
Hare Rev. Julius Chas. [archdeacon]
Hollands Miss
Venables Rev.Edmund
Traders
Collins Edward, butcher
Cosham Thomas Shadwell, farmer
Everest Mrs. Mry. Brwr. & mlstr. Grdnr. St
Gorham Mrs Sarah, Woolpack inn, Gardner Street
Gorham Wm. Grocer & Draper, Gardner st
Harmer John, bricklayer, Gardner st
Havenden Richard, carrier, Gardner st
Hollands Hy. Grocer 7 draper, Gardner St
Homan David, boot & shoemk. Gardner st
Howe Thomas, “Merry Harriers”
Langley George, “Red Lion”
Martin Charles, beer retailer
Martin William, parish clerk
Miller Thomas, shopkeeper
Moon William tailor, Gardner Street
Newington John, farmer
Peters Wm. Blacksmith, Gardner Street
Potter Hy. Relieving officer, registrar of births, deaths & marriages
Richardson Edwin, surgeon
Roberts William, hairdresser
Simmons Thomas, farmer
Smith Jesse, farmer
Soper John, baker
Soper Mrs. Mary, shopkeeper
Stevens David, cooper, Gardner Street
Sweetman Jas. Fellmonger, Gardner st
Taylor Edward, farmer
Veness john, farmer
Vine James, veterinary surgeon
Vine Samuel, shopkeeper
Watson Edward, farmer
Wenham William, farmer
Whitebread Henry & Francis, farmers
Winchester Henry, butcher, Gardner st
Winchester Joseph, carpenter
Winchester Samuel, wheelwright
Post Office – Mrs. Mary Dawes, receiver. Letters arrive from Hailsham at ¼ to 8a.m.; dispatched at ¼ to 7p.m.
Insurance Agent – Imperial Fire, Edward Taylor
National School- John Dawson, master
Carrier to Hastings, Richard Havenden, every sat LEWES every mon. & wed.
19/06/2006 | Transcribed by Domonic Paul Motto |
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