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8. Eastbourne Local History Society


20 March 2017  Email to Secretary, Eastbourne Local History Society


Hello Mrs Copping

I wonder if I might beg you for some help and advice.
I am researching a biography of John Collier 1685-1760, solicitor,  Mayor of Hastings, agent to the Pelhams and Duke of Newcastle etc.
He was born in Eastbourne, son of Peter Collier and Sarah (nee Cheapman) who kept the Lamb Inn in the High Street.
Apart from his parentage, the first record we have of him is when he was appointed Hastings Town Clerk in 1706.
It would seem likely that he was schooled in Eastbourne, and very probably apprenticed (articled?) to a solicitor in the town.
So I was wondering what, if any, records might exist about schools or local lawyers from 1690 to 1705?
Is anything known about the history of the Lamb? Are there any early pictures of it?
Has anyone done any research on the Collier family in Eastbourne?
John’s grandfather (Peter’s father) was Richard, a Thatcher whose will was proved in 1690. Peter died in 1717 leaving his modest estate to John (not - interestingly to his first son William who is mentioned in Peter’s will as well as his uncle’s - also a William).
John’s mother Sarah died in 1734. She and Peter had 7 children altogether: William, John. Richard, Thomas, Edward, Sarah and Mary.
Finally are there any histories of Eastbourne covering the years of John’s childhood and boyhood - 1685 to 1705?  It would be good to be able to add some local colour.
I’d be most grateful for any leads you can give me about the above.
Sincerely
Kent Barker


Reply:

Hi Kent

I am am passing this on to our research group, who will reply to you directly if they have any info.
some records may be available at the Keep, the ESRO  at Falmer.  also contact Hastings Historical Society  for their records.
there were at one time over 100 private schools  in EB before 1900. as our schools expert is currently on holoday, we will have to wait until his return to look at the schools archives.
Maureen

Reply 2:

Good afternoon Kent
Your inquiry has been forwarded and we hope that we may be able to help.  As you see, it is being passed via e-mail to our research group, some of whom may reply to you direct. It will also appear in our journal, Eastbourne Local Historian, Copies of our journal, issues 1 to 179 are available on two CDs for £10 + £1 postage.  Eastbourne Local History Society is a registered charity and our members are all volunteers who share an interest in the history of Eastbourne. The website (www.eastbournehistory.org.uk) describes our activities and explains how to obtain details of membership should this be of interest to you.
The collier family and the  history of the Lamb Inn appear often in histories of Eastbourne. For Peter Collier the main source is Old Eastbourne by Revd. Walter Budgen but these are only mentions with few details. In-fact you appear to have more details about the Colliers than I can find at the moment.
With regard to the history of The Lamb, The Society is in the process of publishing a history of Eastbourne's Public Houses where details of the Lamb will be found. Hopefully this will be published shortly.
According to the Society's records the only school recorded in Eastbourne in the period 1685 - 1705 was the church school which, at the time, was a lean to against the Church Tower. The earliest record of any other school is The Gables in 1792.
Alan Smith

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