From Kelly’s Post Office Directory of Essex, Herts, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, 1867
CHAILEY is a parish, giving name to a union, in the Eastern Division of the county, Street hundred, rape county court district and archdeaconry of Lewes, and diocese of Chichester , 3 miles from Cook’s Bridge Station, 6½ from Lewes, and 43 from London. The church of St Peter is a small edifice of about the twelfth century, which has been enlarged, and has a nave, chancel, south aisle, shingled spire, clock, and 6 bells. The living is a rectory, valued at about £650 per annum, with residence, in the gift of Mrs. Blencowe and Col. Hepburn, and held by the Rev. Francis Robert Hepburn, M.A. of Christ Church, Oxford. There is a National School for about 220 children. Here is the workhouse for Chailey Union, which comprises eleven parishes, viz.:- Barcombe, Chailey, Ditchling, East Chiltington, Hamsey, Newick, Plumpton, Ringmer, Street, Westmeston, and Wivelsfield. There are three receiving houses, – that of Chailey for the able-bodied, the aged at Ditchling, and for the children at Ringmer. The principal landowners are R. W. Blencowe, Esq., Col. Hepburn, Rev. Sir George Shiffner, Bart., Sir Charles Goring, Bart., and James Ingram, Esq. The soil is strong clay, and adapted for making bricks (blue and red), and all sorts of brown pottery ware. The population in 1861 was 1,343. The parish is extensive and wild, containing 5,889 acres.
Parish Clerk, William Peacock
POST OFFICE. – John M. Beard, receiver. Letters arrive from Lewes at 8.30 a.m.; dispatched at 5 p.m. The nearest money order office is at Newick
RECEIVING HOUSE. – John Hicks, receiver, South Common. Letters arrive at 8.15 a.m.; dispatched at 5.15 p.m
INSURANCE AGENTS:-
Accidental, Thomas Cross
Liverpool & London & Globe, Stephen Walter, Buxted
Railway Passengers’, Thomas Cross
Chailey Union Workhouse, North Common, Henry Jones, esq. of Lewes, clerk; Adam Sparrey, master; Mrs Sparrey, matron
National School, Thomas Cross, master; Mrs. Elizabeth Cross, mistress
CARRIERS TO:-
Brighton – Benjamin Bassett, every saturday
Lewes – Allen Anscomb, every tuesday, thursday & sat
Blencowe John Geo. esq. J.P. Bineham
Blencowe Misses, Church house
Blencowe Rob. Willis, esq. J.P. The Hooke
Bonham Mrs. Chailey cottage
Corrall James, esq. Reedens
Hepburn Rev. Francis Robert, M.A. Parsonage
Ingram James, esq. Ades
Macqueen John Rainier, esq
Rainier Mrs. Eliza
Sayer Misses, Holly grove
COMMERCIAL.
Alcorn William, brick & tile maker
Allen John, shoe maker
Anscombe Allen, farmer & carrier
Avery John, farmer, Breene’s farm
Avery John, farmer, New House farm
Banks William, butcher
Bassett Benjamin, carrier
Bassett Benj. jun. poulterer & farmer
Bassett Henry, carpenter
Bassett Thomas, carpenter
Beard John, farmer, Leywood
Beard John M. grocer & draper, & post office
Best William, grocer & draper
Brooker Mary Ann (Miss), shopkeeper
Brooker Robert, bricklayer
Comber Thomas, miller, North Common mill
Cornwell John, tailor & shoe maker
Corrall James, farmer & land owner, Reedens
Cox John, farmer, Bush farm
Cronk Mary (Mrs.), farmer
Dudeney Samuel, farmer South common
Elphick George, farmer, Homewood farm, & at Lewes
Hibbs John, Swan inn
Hicks John, shopkeeper, & post office
Hobden Alfred, farmer, Great lodge
Hobden Robert, farmer, Lane End farm
Hobden William, jun. farmer, Snatt’s farm
Homewood Richard, turner
Hurst Mary Ann (Mrs.), Five Bells inn
Kenward George, shopkeeper & farmer
Knight Jesse, farmer, Holford farm
Knight William, farmer, Longridge
Major Charles, wheelwright
Martin John Richard, miller, Chailey mill, South common
Miles William, farmer, Frick farm
Newton George, King’s Head inn
Norman John & Richard, manufacturers of bricks, tiles, chimney pots & brown ware pottery &c. & farmers, Chailey pottery
Norman Joseph, farrier
Olive Austin, farmer, Pouchland
Osborn John, wheelwright
Pannet Richard, farmer
Peacock William, carpenter
Sandall John, beer retailer
Sandall Mark, farmer, Cinder farm
Saxby John, farmer, Wivelsden farm, &. at Rodmill
Simmons Thos. farmer, North common
Smith Mary Ann (Mrs.), blacksmith
Uridge James, cattle dealer
Uridge Philip, farmer, Townings
Venus Joseph, farmer, Wapsbourne farm
Walder Caleb, farmer
Westgate (Mrs.), farmer, Markstacks
White Henry, shoe maker