Summary of Events in 1831
The more casual events of the year may be summarised, thus:-
A new-year's ball was given by the Misses Milward at Torfield House to a large number of fashionables.
On the 9th of March, a fire occurred at Mr. Edwards's house in Croft road, from which 3 children in bed were rescued unharmed.
-Frosty nights and cold days occurred in the middle of May, which seriously affected vegetation.
- On the 13th of June, a smart schooner named Isabel was launched from Ransom and Ridley's Shipyard.
-On the 18th of the same month, a boy,12 years of age, while taking birds' nests on the face of the East Cliff, fell a distance of 100 feet and escaped with a severe shaking and a broken leg.
-On the 3rd of August, a child 18 months old, belonging to Mrs. Osborne, of George street was run over and killed by a timber-tug.
-On the 18th and 19th of May several barns were burnt down in the neighbourhod of Hastings by incendiaries.
-On the 27th of the same month, John Luckley, of Hastings, aged 20, was drowned at Brighton and brought home to be buried at All Saints.
-Also was buried in the same ground, a week previously, the remains of Thoma Hobness, who had been sexton for 44 years. His age was 83.
-On the 21st of August, a large barn at Guestling belonging to Thos. Breeds, of Hastings, was fired by an incendiary, and for which, as it was discovered when too late, a man named Buffard was innocently hanged at Lewes. The real offender confessed, when dying to having taken and worn Buffard's boots.
On the 24th of November, shops were closed during the interment of Mr. William Gill, the resident director of the Hastings old Bank.
- The coronation of William IV. was celebrated by ringing of bells, firing of guns, and partial illumination [See also Chap. V. St. Leonards.
-The annual regatta took place on the following Friday.
-On the 2nd of December, the Literary and Philosophical Institution was established.
