As the Act of 1832 superseded the Act of 1820 and as the later Act legalises the retention of the coal duties, it may be incidentally stated that at a vestry meeting of the Castle parish in 1819, then held at the Castle Inn "that the parish is willing to join those of St. Clement's and All Saints in applying to parliament for a new general Act provided that the duty on coal should pass the House, but if it be opposed, the Bill to be withdrawn."
It has been shewn in chap. VII that a Commissioners' Act was also obtained in 1832 for St. Leonards, the coincidence being somewhat singular.
Summary of Events
The following are some other local occurrences in 1832, enumerated agreeably to consecutive dates, and in addition to those noticed under the heading of St. LeonardsOn the 19th of January, the interment took place at Ore of the remains of Mrs. North, the grandmother of the late F. North, M. P. at the age of 89. On the same day was launched from Thwaites and Winter's ship-yard, a schooner named "The Fairy."
On the 3rd of February, a fancy dress ball under influential patronages was held in the Hastings Theatre. On the same day, a French lugger, having caught 40,000 mackerel sold them at Hastings for £400.
During the first week of February, the following six persons died whose united ages amounted to 464 years; namely, Mrs. Dunn aged 88; Mr. Baker, 69; Mrs. Lock, 81; Mr. Lock, 71; Miss Maria Milward, 77; and Mrs. Deeprose, 77. All these, with one exception were said to have used the contaminated water of the Bourne.
There was at this time, a general fast in consequence of the choleras.
On the 11th of February was buried at All Saints, Thomas Kent, aged 24, who had been fatally shot in a smuggling encounter. The smuggling fatalities of Jan. 1st and Feb. 22nd are described in Chapter VII.
On the 2nd of March, the death occurred of the Rev. Webster Whister, rector of Hastings and Newtimber, while on the same day, guns were being fired at Hastings on a false report of the passing of the Reform Bill.
On the 13th of April, the wife of a man nick-named "Mad Jack" was found dead in wheeler Balls yard. This described by "The Postman"
In timber-yard of Ball's, now Albion Mews.
One "Mad Jack's" wife some brute did badly use;
Whose lifeless form, as seen by morning light,
Had undergone ill-treatment in the night
A fallen creature was that Mad-Jack's wife,
Yet, God, alone, should take away the life.
On the 13th of May, during a heavy fall of snow, J. G. Shorter, sen. Esq. was elected Mayor, for the 8th time.
On the 28th of May, in anticipation of the passing of the Reform Bill, a public dinner was served up at the King's Head inn, with Mr. Howard Elphinstone residing.
On June 5th the news of the Reform Bill having passed on June 1st. was brought to Hastings by Sir Godfrey Webster in his private carriage, with two royal standards, when bells were rung, cannon fired, tar-barrels lightend and bunting was featured in all parts of the town.
On the 13th of the same month was buried William Oake, aged 55, who had been fatally buried by the fall of sand-rock.
A meeting on the 18th of June for celebrating the passing of the Reform Bill was held in the Town Hall, and £400 subscribed for a banquet; and on the 25th a grand celebration took place at Battle.
On the 26th, a man could barely be kept from the fury of the people for having attempted to steal a little girl named Bedwell.
On July 16th a little boy named James Woolgar (half-brother of the writer) was run over and killed near Boykett Breed's lime kilns through sheer carelessness of a carter.
On the 19th was held on the Priory Brook, the grand fete in celebration of the Reform Bill.
The "Queen Adelaide" cutter was launched from Ransom and Ridley's Shipyard on the 1st of August.
On the following day Messrs. North and Warre
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