Directory section details

Directory: 1791 Universal British Directory.

Pages: 32 - 33.

Name: East Bourne.

Show the index for the entries in this section of the directory

East Bourne

Is twenty miles Brighton, sixteen from Lewes, eight from Seaford, and sixty four from London. Near it a few years ago a Roman bath and a beautiful tessellated pavement were discovered, with evident marks that whatever building had been over it had been destroyed by fire. East Bourne is pleasantly situated by the sea, and is much frequented by the nobility and gentry for sea-bathing. The hills at the back of the village are beautiful, commanding an extensive prospect of the wilds of Sussex and the numerous flocks of sheep that are fed thereon; and, in the months of July and August, there are large flights of birds called wheatears, which are looked upon as a great dainty: they are taken by the shepherds, who cut the earth out like a Roman T, the hole is covered with the turf the grassy side downwards, and under it are two horse-hair nooses; the birds are to timorous that upon the approach of any thing (even the shadow of a cloud will frighten them) they run in to these cavities for shelter, and fall victims under these fatal coverings by ensnaring themselves in the noose. Two miles distance from East Bourne is a decoy where a great number of wild-fowl resort and are taken.

There is a free-school for fifteen boys, supported by lord George Cavendish. Here are also two annual fairs, viz. October 10 and March 12.

There is a bye-post from Lewes to this place every day in the summer, and every day (except Monday) in the winter. Here are three inns; and a stage coach sets out from the Lamb inn to Lewes, three times a week in the summer season, to meet the Brighton coaches in their way to London, and wait their return in the afternoon. Two stage wagons go hence to London every week.

The following are the principal inhabitants:.

Gentry, &c.

Edward Anger Gent.

Roe Brown Gent.

Nicholas Gilbert Esq.

Mrs. Susannah Gilbert.

Mrs. - Lane Widow.

Mrs. - Lushington Widow.

Mistress Mary Smith.

Mistress Sarah Smith.

Thomas Willard Esq.

Clergy

Rev. Mr. - Davies, Rector of littlington, and master of a boarding school.

Rev. Mr. - Fisher, Vicar of east bourn.

Rev. Mr. - Myres, Curate of willingdon and master of the free and boarding-schools.

Physic

Thomas Gibbs, Surgeon, apothecary and man-midwife.

Edward Noakes, Surgeon, apothecary and man-midwife.

Traders, &c.

John Alce, Coal-meter.

George Atwood, Hair-dresser.

Edward Auger, Farmer.

Henry Baker, Riding-officer and blacksmith.

Thomas Baker, Ironmonger and blacksmith.

Charles Ballard, Taylor.

Elizabeth Becket, Butcher.

William Bignal, Miller.

John Bingham, Seedsman and gardener.

John Bridger, Taylor.

Joseph Burrows, Riding-officer and taylor.

Henry Carter, Butcher.

Joseph Carter, Farmer.

Geo. Chapman, Innkeeper of New Inn.

George Chapman, Brewer and miller.

Henry Climpton, Glover and breeches-maker.

Joseph Colman, Baker.

John Cookson, Linen-draper.

Thomas Cox, Seedsman and gardener.

Edward Dadswell, Watch-maker.

John Dumbrel, Shoemaker.

Benjamin Dutton, Carpenter and builder.

Friend Dyer, Taylor.

William Dyer, Taylor.

Abel Filder, Farmer.

Joseph Filder, Draper and grocer.

Frederick George Fisher, Book-seller and stationer.

Thomas Fuller, Innkeeper of Lamb.

Thomas Grace, Baker and grocer.

Thomas Hart, Weaver and parish-clerk.

John Hawkins, Setter to the custom-house boat.

A Heatherly, Millinders and haberdashers.

R Heatherly, Millinders and haberdashers.

William Hilton, Wheelwright.

Thomas How, Hair-dresser.

William Hurst, Farmer.

Stephen Iggulden, Butcher.

- King, Livery stable keeper.

William Knight, Lewes carrier.

Elizabeth Mandy, Draper and grocer.

Henry Mandy.

Henry Mandy, Butcher.

Charles Marchant, Labourer.

James Marchant, Tallow-chandler.

Thomas Marsh, Excise-officer.

John Maynard, Carpenter.

William Morris.

Cath. Mortimer, Millers.

Charles Smith Mortimer, Deputy collector of the customs.

Elizabeth Mortimer, Millers.

John Noakes, Sadler.

Thomas Noakes, Draper and grocer.

William Noakes, Shoemaker.

Abigail Page, Mantua-maker.

Ann Payne, Baker.

William Payne, Grocer.

John Rason, Farmer.

Thomas Rason, Farmer.

William Rason, Farmer.

Matthew Richardson, Bricklayer.

William Sinden, Bricklayer.

John Snatt, Turner.

William Stretton, Carpenter.

Samuel Sutton, Shoemaker.

Sarah Taylor, School-mistress.

Ann Townsett, Baker.

Charles Vine, Carpenter.

Elizabeth Watt, Mantua-maker.

William Watt, Labourer.

Alexander Webb, Farmer.

William Webb, Innkeeper of Ship.

Susannah Wilkins, Baker.

John Willard, Farmer.

John Yealden, Miller.

James Young, Bailiff to lord george cavendish.

William Young, Shopkeeper.

Other People Mentioned

Lord George Cavendish of Compton Place.

Mr. - Darby, Clergyman and carver of cave!

Counsellor - Piggott.

Inigo Thomas Esq. of Ratton Lodge.

Near this place is Beachy-Head, well known in history for the stupendous height of the cliffs. Under one of them is a cavern said to be hewn or carved by Mr. Darby, a clergyman, (whose name it bears, being called Darby’s cave,) with a good intent to save poor shipwrecked sailors from destruction by his going there in stormy weather and putting out a light, by which means he saved many lives. – Lord George Cavendish has a seat in this village called Compton place. Counsellor Piggot, and many more gentlemen, have built houses here for their summer residence. Here are also a great number of good lodging-houses for the accommodation of the gentry; and at one mile distance is Ratton-lodge, the seat of Inigo Thomas, Esq.

Transcription details

The text for this section was transcribed by: Mark Collins.

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