some persons thought no profit could be derived. At the meeting on the 3rd. of April, it was resolved to place the capstans belonging to Messrs. How and Putland under the same control as the others, and whilst discussing the matter of capstans, it occurred to Coun. Bromley that the one at the slipway at Eversfield place was very inconvenient, and he would ask the Pierwarden if it could not be placed lower down? A conversation followed, and it was agreed to refer the matter to the Stone-beach Committee. This was the position of a capstan for chalk-sloops and other seagoing craft scores of years before Eversfield place and parade were thought of.
Appointment of Clerk of the Peace. At the Council meeting on the 1st of May, in the place of Mr. T. B. Baker, deceased, there were three candidates for the office - namely; Mr. W. P. Beecham, of St. Leonards, proposed by Coun. Putland and seconded by Coun. Neve; Mr. T. P. Langham, of Hastings, proposed by Coun. Harvey and seconded by Ald. Ginner; and Mr. G. S. Butter of Rye, proposed by Ald. Clement and seconded by Coun. Vidler. On a show of hands there were 2 for Beecham, 4 for Langham and 10 for Butter. This result, it was said by out-of-council people who professed to know, had been privately arranged.
Inquests and Particular Deaths
Mr. T. B. Baker (who is mentioned above as having died), quitted life on the 12th of April, 1857, at the age of 57 years and was consequently born in the first year of the present century, as were several Hastings inhabitants whom I have `known and some of whose names have necessarily appeared in the memoirs of which they have been the subjects. Mr. Baker had practiced in Hastings as a solicitor for about 35 years. He had previously practiced at the King's Bench and was admitted as an attorney at the Hastings Court of Record on the first of May, 1823, the Court being then temporarily held at Mr. Wilward's residence during the rebuilding of the Town Hall in High street. He was probably a grandson of Thomas Baker whose daughter Philadelphia Baker was married in 1754 to Dan Groombridge at St. Margaret's Church, Lothbury. The subject of this notice - Thos. Baker Baker was for many years Clerk of the Peace, and in 1830 was the employed advocate of the scot and lot men who claimed to be made freemen. He was married on the 27th of October, 1830, to Sarah, a daughter of the late John Carey, who had been Town Clerk of Hastings. The marriage took place at Guestling, where the bride had been residing. The Rev. Webster Whistler, of Hastings, conducted the marriage service and Mr. William Gill, resident partner of the Hastings Old Bank, -
