New look at Littlehampton’s past

Littlehampton Articles, which has just been republished by Littlehampton Local History Society, brings together newspaper stories, advertisements and notices from the last four decades of the 18th century.

The book provides a vivid account of life in those times, an insight into the trade through the ports of Littlehampton and Arundel and a record of notable events and their impact on the community.

Originally compiled by Tony Chapman 11 years ago, the collection has been brought out again in a new and improved format by the society, thanks to funding from Littlehampton Town Council.

It was relaunched at a reception at the Look & Sea visitor centre, attended by society members and guests.

Committee member Adge Roberts thanked the council for its £1,950 grant, which had made possible the reprinting of several booklets written by society members and originally described as “monographs” and covering subjects including the harbour, wartime Littlehampton and Wick before 1900.

More volumes are in the pipeline, too, including Small Town, Great War, by Prof Alan Simmonds, describing life in Littlehampton during the First World War.

Littlehampton Articles brings together many hours of research by Tony Hammond, who dug out hundreds of snippets from the newspapers of more than two centuries ago.

One, dated July 27, 1789, is headed “An apprentice run away” and tells of a reward of two guineas for the recapture of the fugitive, John Hogsflesh. He is described as “about 5 feet 6 inches high, stoutish made, round Shouldered, rather Bow-legged, of fairish Complexion, wears his own short, light hair, about 23 years old”.

He was wearing “a Sailor’s fine blue Serge Jacket, Canvas Trowsers, a striped Linen Shirt and a Round Hat”. Anyone with “intelligence” on the runaway is asked to pass it on to Captain Thomas Duke Allen of Littlehampton for the reward.

Stories of smugglers apprehended by the revenue men, auctions of confiscated liquor and accounts of brawling sailors are among the more colourful aspects of life depicted in the book, which is available from Littlehampton Museum and the Littlehampton Gazette office in Beach Road.