South East

Saturday March 1st, 1862

The canaries hatched four young ones.

Annette [Hubert's sister] died at ¼ past three in the afternoon.

Wednesday April 4th, 1862

Took Ellen, Alice Paine, Beatrice and Evelyn Blaker to see Mr Stunts to see the lambs and get some violets.

The railway bridge over the river had been opened to admit a ship and there was not sufficient water so it 'stuck in the mud' about 11 in the forenoon and had to remain there till 11 at night for a high tide.

All the trains from all parts to Newhaven or on the Hastings line had to get out and cross the river on planks laid across the masts of the ship and the same coming from these places.

All the foreigners in dread of losing the packets at Newhaven. Such an amusing scene.

Tuesday 9th September, 1862

Went to the International Exhibition with Bartlett.

Engaged to meet Georgy there, did, saw pipes made, velvet, carpet, ice, medals, pencils, sewing machines, pumping machines at work. Button winding.

Saw a clock about 20 feet in diameter which struck every ¼ of an hour, one every 10 minutes and one every minute, a gilt pyramid representing the gold from Australia, a large fountain of scent, all kinds of machinery at work.

Large blocks of coal, one with a live toad in said to be 400-years-old. Quantity of large stones, iron, slate, railway carriages and engines, curious things from all countries, drinking fountains, filters, we drank some Thames water.

A fine day.

For country - Hubert Verrall in his drill uniform.

Saturday 11th July, 1863

Clary married to Alfred Hibburd at All Saints Church.

Fred, his wife and child, Claude, his wife and child, Marcus, Willy Page, Miss Hibburd, Aunt Mary all came after the breakfast we had Fred's baby's christening dinner.

Mr Wood and Mr Geer came to dinner.

After breakfast I, Marcus, Georgy, Willy and Louisa went for a ride to the 'Green Man' Ringmer.

Clary and Alfred Hibburd went to the Isle of Wight.

Aunt Mary and Miss Hibburd went home.

We had some songs in the evening. The cake was sour and burnt, the venison stunk.

We all broke up at 12 o'clock except Fred, he went to bed at 10 o'clock.

Saturday 2nd July, 1864

Went to the colt show at Glynde. Saw Fred there. He drove me back to Ridgewood. I got there too late for the train so had to walk home.

Did not get home until past 10 o'clock. One of the calves died of apoplexy.

22th April, 1867

Volunteer Service at Dover we met at 6.30 and left at 7.30 - arrived there at 12 o'clock after stopping at Hastings one hour.

We had to walk about 14 miles. There were illuminations in the evening, but it was so foggy we could not see much. We stopped outside the station from 7-11 and did not get home till 4 am.

A fine day but wet evening. There was over 24,000 volunteers.

Monday 27th April, 1868

Clarry and her boy went back.

Prince Alfred was shot at Australia, King Theodore was killed in the Abyssinia War.

There was a bonfire here in the evening with fireworks. Went to drill in the evening.

March 2nd, 1878

Exchanged the parrot for £1 and 2 pairs of trousers to Povey Tailor, Cliffe.

Saturday 5th November, 1887

A fine, mild morning.

Queen Victoria - Hubert was a Victorian.

A wet, windy and cold night - everyone was soaked, many persons going home early.

The Cliffe procession and effigies were the best, the whole of the High Street Cliffe being crowded with persons, this being the first of the Three Grand Processions, persons had not become quite drowned.

The Borough was poor, and the Commercial Square fair, but frightfully wet and windy.

George and his wife staid for the proceedings but had enough by 10 o'clock and Ernest also stopped, and said he had had enough Guy Faux nights to last him for 10 years.

If anyone stopped to see the fires put out at 12 pm, I don't know, as Ernest and I were in immediately after the Commercial Grand.

Quantities of people came by train, the ticket collector at the station saying that a 5th of November was worse work than any race meeting.

8th March, 1890

Summoned as Juryman on an inquest at the Railway Inn on the body of a farm labourer who was run over and had his leg broken on Dec 27th last.

Verdict Exhaustion from abscess forming from the affects of the accident.

Thursday 12th June, 1890

Lewes Races only one day.

It commenced beautiful and fine but shortly after four it commenced to rain in torrents followed by the most terrific thunder and lightening ever seen about here.

During the storm a man named Avery coachman to Mr Thomas, Rottingdean, was struck dead whilst sitting on his carriage and pair, one horse was thrown down but un-injured.

Several persons were thrown partly down, the storm all cleared away before the company left the hill.

Credits

Diary extracts courtesy of East Sussex Record Office, Lewes (Ref: AMS 5636).