Early photo
Carlton Hill, early photo. Early Coffee House with Oxo poster.
Image reproduced with permission from Brighton History Centre
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My great-grandfather James Robert Dudley North Scroggins, was the owner of this coffee shop at 22 Carlton Hill in 1881. I know this because my grandfather George James Scroggins was born in the rooms above on the 5th of July 1881, where the family lived, and the above information is on his birth certificate. I would appreciate any information you can give me on the wording above the door. I can make out some but not all of the wording as the photo file is so small, or if you could send me a larger photo.
Regarding the comments by Brian Cross about this photograph, Paul Jordan has sent me the same photo. Is this in fact The Carlton Arms of which my great grandfther William Burchett was once the proprietor? If so, it should be No 1 Carlton Hill. I would like to know please.
My grandfather James Lower a tailor was living at 18 Carlton Hill in 1881, at the house of a newsagent and confectioner, his nephew Alfred Hedger. Do any more photographs of this street exist?
One of my ancestors, Thomasina Barnard (nee Mugridge), was the wife of a publican who lived at 92 Carlton Hill for many decades. I believe the place was called the Carlton Tavern. Any more info on this would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Has anyone got an old photo of 64A Carlton Hill (on corner of Blaker Street) – when it was the former post office? I would be interested to see this.
Very interested in photograph of Carlton Hill, as my GG grandfather Joseph Boulter lived at 37 Carlton Hill at the time of his marriage in 1862. His occupation was Chimney Sweep.
Oh how I love this website! So lovely to see this picture of Carlton Hill. My second cousin 2x removed Harriett Nutley married Frank Gillam in 1904 and by the 1911 census she was living with him and four children at 3 Carlton Hill. If anyone has any information regarding this family, please contact me at stephenntly@hotmail.com.
This is the first time I have come back to this site since posting my comment. In answer to your question Steve Burchett – you are right it is No 1 Carlton Hill. My great grandfather was the proprietor of the coffee house in 1880 until about 188? as the next child recorded was born in Funtington Sussex in 1888. When was your great grandfather the proprietor of the The Carlton Arms?
Brian – My 2nd Great Grandfather was Thomas Herbert North Scroggins, brother to your Gt Grandfather. Wondering if you could provide some more information on this side of the family at all? naomiscroggins@gmail.com
Thanking You
Steve, this is the first time I have visited this site for family research and I was delighted to see my Great Grandfather’s name appear – William Burchett b.1849. The Sussex Post Office directory lists him as a Beer Retailer living at 1 Carlton Terrace from 1874-1878.
Hallo Brian Cross. Did you ever find out what was written above the door? If not, here it is: The Carlton Coffee Dining Rooms W.Brakes. I found it on the James Grey Collection.
Hi Jennifer – in answer to your question, “no I never did”. So thank you very much for that. I have found out that my great grandfather sold the Coffee Shoppe some time in 1883 – 1884 read the following. The following is from Reads Directories 1879. The first reference to the property and probably the first time the property was registered for business use. It was described as a Meeting House. 1879 The property is described as “People’s Café” (manager J. Scroggins). 1883 The property is described as “People’s Café” (manager J. Scroggins). 1884 The property is described as “People’s Café” (manager J. Read). 1887 The property is described as “Coffee Rooms” (manager Matt McClean). 1891 The property is described as “Salvation Army – Barracks”. 1897 The property is described as “Salvation Army – Barracks”
In reply to Brian and Jane my great grandfather William Gains Burchett was at the Carlton Arms from at least 1871 from census records. He was still there in 1901 but from street directories gone by 1903 when the premises changed use I believe. It may be then that the premises was a coffee shop at one end and also a beer house at the same time.
Naomi, my 2nd great grandfather was also Thomas Herbert North Scroggins and I have traced this family back to Suffolk. Another of my 2nd great grand parents were James and Emma Stevens who were the publicians for the Star pub at 95 Carlton Hill from 1878.
Naomi Scroggins and Brian Cross, you might find this link helpful as you can trace the family tree back or forward.
http://donjaggi.net/winnifred/getperson.php?personID=I600&tree=scogings
re: Carlton Hill. Just pick a year from the street directories that you might be interested in. So much information in these books:
http://www.mhms.org.uk/search/apachesolr_search/Carlton%20hill
I also lived in the Carlton Arms around 1960. My grandparents ran the pub from the 1930s until it closed in the 50s. They continued to live there until it was pulled down in ’63 – I think. It – and all of the other houses in George Street Gardens – were demolished as part of the ‘slum clearance’ programme. This was nothing less than state sponsored destruction of a community and Brighton’s heritage. Those houses could have been renovated and fitted with bathrooms, indoor toilets and modern heating, think what they would be worth today – a traffic free location minutes from the shopping centre and beach]. Instead the residents were shipped out to grim housing estates miles from anywhere and where they knew no-one. Many suffered from loneliness and depression and ended addicted to antidepressants. This apparently is ‘progress’ !
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