Historical Hastings - Recent changes [en-gb]

Hastings Pier/Known Performances

RoyPenfold — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:39:01 GMT

The Royal Blue

RoyPenfold — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:53:40 GMT

The Postman

RoyPenfold — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:52:56 GMT

Removed redirect to Thomas Brandon Brett (1816-1906)

Beeching's Bank

RoyPenfold — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:42:57 GMT

Harold Road

RoyPenfold — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 16:36:11 GMT

@@ Line 672: / Line 672: @@
 Feb 1975 Showaddywaddy
 Feb 1975 Ginger Baker's Gurvitz Army
 Jul 1975 Osibisa
 Jul 1975 Hot Chocolate
@@ Line 678: / Line 679: @@
 Sep 1975 Curved Air
 Nov 1975 Ginger Baker's Gurvitz Army
 Jul 1976 Sex Pistols
 Mar 1977 Medicine Head
@@ Line 687: / Line 689: @@
 Oct 1978 Squeeze
 Oct 1978 Siouxsie and The Banshees supported by Spizzoil Special Guest: Nico
 [or 6?] Mar 1980 Elvis Costello and The Attractions
 Nov 1993 Hawkwind
 Oct 1995 Hawkwind
 Nov 2002 The Clash supported by The Raveonettes
 </poem>
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 There's a house of renown in St. Leonards nice town,
 Which all are invited to view,
-It's T. Brett's abode, 28, Norman Road,
+It's T. Brett's abode, 28, [[Norman Road]],
 And is known as the House Royal Blue.
 It is there you may find many things to your mind—

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:52, 2 April 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	~~#REDIRECT~~ [[Thomas Brandon Brett (1816-1906)]]	+	The polymath [[Thomas Brandon Brett (1816-1906)\|T. B. Brett]] in addition to his [[Brett Manuscript Histories\|Manuscript Histories]] and [[Historico-Biographies]] also wrote a number of columns in prose under the pseudonym 'The Postman'
		+
		+	A portion of one of these columns is below<ref>Thanks To [[Helena Wojtczak FRHistS (1958-)\|Helena]] for finding it in Brett's St. Leonards and Hastings Gazette and Visitors' Vade Mecum - Saturday 20 December 1884</ref>:-
		+
		+	REMINISCENCES OF HASTINGS
		+
		+	[As by far the larger portion of the information contained in the History of St. Leonards and Reminiscences of Hastings is exclusively original, and the remainder obtained from out-of-the-way sources at considerable labour and expense, the right of re-publication is reserved.]
		+	<poem>
		+	HIGH STREET — TORFIELD HOUSE (Continued)
		+
		+	Mrs. Collier, still surviving.
		+	Horses, doubtless, kept for driving
		+	Round about the town of Hastings, visiting her
		+	Until Sev’nteen-sev’nty nearing, [lands,
		+	When her name was disappearing,
		+	When, as well, her property got into other hands.
		+
		+	Pasture lands and lands for tilling,
		+	Bringing many a pound and shilling,
		+	Some of which the widow held in parish Magdalene;
		+	If you’d know them more precisely,
		+	Such they were which now, more nicely,
		+	Show themselves as portions of Bohemia demesne.
		+
		+	These a farm-house circumvend,
		+	And by Samuel Cramp were rented,
		+	All the time that Mrs. Collier owned the said estate;
		+	Which a record showeth surely—
		+	Such I tell you, quite demurely— [eight.
		+	Was from Sev’nteen-sixty-one to Sev’nteen sixty-
		+
		+	Cramp was one of two good farmers,
		+	Having wives as household charmers;
		+	“Principal Inhabitants” and overseers were they;
		+	One of whom might form a quorum,
		+	Being thus sole “cuckalorum,” [pay.
		+	Spending cash, and making rates for only three to
		+
		+	This said land in Mag’lene parish—
		+	Then not viewed as over garish— [passed.
		+	After Sev’nteen-sixty-eight from widow Collier
		+	O’er to gallant Gen’ral Murray,
		+	He won a site not very [cast.
		+	Far from such late Collier’s land his residence had
		+
		+	Rent was paid to Murray, yearly,
		+	Five-and-twenty years, or nearly,
		+	First by Cramp and then by Foster at each Ladytide;
		+	He or his the cash receiving,
		+	Until he the world was leaving;
		+	Namely, Sev’nteen-four-and-ninety, when the Gen’ral died.
		+
		+	General Murray’s first wife’s brother—
		+	If not he I know no other— [lands;
		+	Next took o’er the ownership of these Bohemia
		+	William Greene, Esquire or Mister,
		+	Wedded Mrs. Murray’s sister,
		+	William Greene the rents received from tennant-
		+	farmer’s hands.
		+
		+	Murray’s wealth had much expansion,
		+	Which included “[[Ore Place]]” mansion,
		+	Bought by Lucas Shadwell after Sev’nteen ninety-
		+	House, with views around so charming, [four;
		+	Grounds as well still used for farming,
		+	After Gen’ral Murray, in existence was no more.
		+
		+	[[Torfield House]] and Tor-field, also,—
		+	Less than Ore-Place near to Baldslow,—
		+	Passed away to other hands at Gen’ral Murray’s
		+	Edward Milward, his relation, [death;
		+	These received some hesitation,
		+	So, at least, your humble Postman (this deponent)
		+	saith.
		+
		+	Now, as well, I may be saying,
		+	Gen’ral Murray oft was staying
		+	Either here at Torfield House or more remote Ore
		+	Other times he would be letting [Place;
		+	(As per typo’s undersetting)
		+	Both these lands and tenements to others of his race.
		+
		+	“To be let, for 21 years (lot 1). A commodious mansion,
		+	out-buildings, yard and walled-in garden, at the upper
		+	part of Hastings. Also (lot 2) garden-ground, 1½ acres,
		+	adjoining the mansion. Also (lot 3) two coach-houses
		+	and stabling for 16 horses, and a hay-loft, adjoining lot
		+	2. Also (lot 4) the Tor Field, about 12 acres, there ad-
		+	joining, and all in the occupation of Edward Milward.
		+	Proposals to be sent to the Hon. Gen. Jas. Murray, of
		+	Beauport, or to Mr. Shadwell, attorney, Hastings.
		+	Feb. 1789.”
		+
		+	“To be let, Ore Place, with six bed-rooms, dining-
		+	room, drawing-room, parlour, servants’ hall, butler and
		+	housekeeper’s room, stables, &c. Apply to the Hon.
		+	Gen. James Murray, Beauport, or to Mr. Shadwell, at-
		+	torney, Hastings.—March 1, 1790.”
		+
		+	Thus you see that Gen’ral Murray
		+	Lived in Sussex—not in Surrey,
		+	E’en at Beauport, on a site from Mr. Denham
		+	Beauport, as the Gen’ral named it [bought;
		+	(When the builders well had framed it)
		+	After “Beauport,” Canada, where he had boldly
		+	fought.
		+
		+	THE POSTMAN.
		+
		+	(To be continued.)
		+	</poem>
		+	[[Category:Brett's Poetry]]

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 [[Category:Banks]]

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 |completion_date=1869
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 The layout of Harold Road was completed circa 1869, with housing appearing soon after on lots released in batches for auction<ref>{{BNA|0000292/18690911/044/0002}}</ref>
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