From Kelly’s Post Office Directory of Essex, Herts, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, 1867
BRIGHTLING is a parish, 6 miles north from Battle, in the Eastern division of the county, Netherfield Hundred, Battle union, Hastings rape, county court district and rural deanery, diocese of Chichester, and archdeaconry of Lewes. The Church of St. Thomas a Becket is a plain stone structure, and has a tower with 8 bells; it has lately been re-seated and re-floored, chiefly by the liberality of O. J. A. F. Meyrick, Esq., and Thomas Wilson, Esq.: the chancel has a memorial window to the late Thomas Hayley, Esq. The living is a rectory, value £563, with residence, in the gift of the Rev. Burrell Hayley, M.A., and held by the Rev. John Burrell Hayley, M.A., of Worcester College, Oxford. The Earl of Ashburnham and Capel Lofft, Esq., are lords of the manor. Here are charities of £9 annual value. Rose Hill, the seat of Owen John Augustus Fuller Meyrick, Esq. (who resides in Wales), is in the occupation of Thomas Wilson, Esq.: the mansion is a spacious brick building, situated in a fine park, in which is an observatory, well furnished with valuable astronomical instruments. In 1801 the population was 661; area, 4,013 acres.
Parish Clerk, John Pankhurst.
POST OFFFICE.- John Pankhurst, receiver. Letters arrive from Hurst Green at 7.15 a.m.; dispatched at 7 p.m. sundays, 10.45 a.m. The nearest money order office is at Burwash
INSURANCE AGENT.- Provincial Life, Fire & Annuities, John Pankhurst
Assistant Overseer, John Pankhurst
National School, William White, master
CARRIER.- Robert Stapley, to Hastings, every friday; to Robertsbridge, every thursday
PRIVATE RESIDENTS.
Atherton Henry, esq. (late Bengal Civil Service), Brightling place
Cheesman George, esq.
Hayley Rev. John Burrell, M.A. Brightling rectory
Lavington James, esq. New house
Wilson Thomas, esq. Rose hill
COMMERCIAL.
Baker Jas. linen draper, grocer & carpenter
Brett Edgar, farmer, Sheepshaw
Brett George. jun. farmer & hop grower, Willingford
Brook John, grocer
Cheesman George, farmer & hop grower, Socknersh farm
Clark William, miller, Darvel mill
Croft Thomas, farmer & hop grower, Great Worge
Farrant Thomas, farmer & hop grower, Little Worge
Friar John, farmer, Glazier’s forge
Fuller Henry, farmer & hop grower, Hunter’s farm
Fuller -(Mrs.), grocer
Green William, farmer, Coldharbour
Kemp John, steward to Capel Lofft, esq. Hollin grove
McKenzie Alexander, farmer & hop grower, Homestead farm
Pankhurst John, academy & post office
Parsons Frederick, farmer, Stonesdown
Ralph Edward, farmer
Sindon Henry, blacksmith
Skinner Thomas, farmer & hop grower, Holling grove
Smith Hannah (Mrs.), Fuller’s Arms & farmer
Stapley Robert, carrier
Vigor John, farmer & hop grower, Brown’s knock