'Collier Letters," but he is unable to thrown any light upon the question. In the latter part of the 18th Century it was allowed to fall into decay and was finally demolished about 1820. Part of the original boundary wall still exists.
There may be some ground for the Rector of All Saints residing at this period in St. Clement's. First : The Churches were then both under one Rector. Second : There was no separate Rectory House in All Saints. Third : The position High Street was the home of the richer classes at that period, and All Saints' Street of the fishing population and small traders. Author.
SOME FAMILIAR NAMES.
Since the- publication of my 1st Edition of " Hastings of Bygone Days" I am indebted to my friend, Mr. Ben. Meadows, (a former Town Clerk) for pointing out a historical error in my allusion to the origin of the coal dues, in the interesting letter from his pen; which appeared in the Hastings Observer and which deserves a place in Hastings of Bygone Days. Author.
"To the Editor of the Observer.
"Sir,-- The following few facts and coincidences may interest some of your readers who are identified or associated with old Hastings, or who, having taken up their residence here, would like to know something of its ancient Municipal history. The first Mayor under the Charter granted to the town by Queen Elizabeth (1588) was Thomas Have, who at that time held the corresponding office of Bailiff. The first recorded Bailiff was A Will Haylman, who held office as long ago as 1196. A fact not, I believe, generally known is that the Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth was solemnly surrendered by the Corporation to King James II., but only with the advice of Counsel (a very wise precaution under the circumstances).
A fresh Charter was granted by the King (1685) which carefully preserved all the properties, rights, privileges, etc., theretofore granted. These Charters included the grant to the Corporation of the stonebeach.
The original Charter of Queen Elizabeth, notwithstanding the surrender, is still in the possession of the Corporation, but the great Seal has been detached a circumstance for which the formal surrender would perhaps account.
The first (or modern so termed) Mayor under this Charter was Sir Denny Ashburnham, Bart, (probably an ancestor of Sir William Ashburnham-Clement). Tie first Recorder was Colonel John -
