THE HISTORY OF EAST GRINSTEAD - Online Book

The rise and progress of the town and the history of its institutions & people.

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EAST GRINSTEAD AND ITS COACHING HISTORY. 149
But to return to coaching matters. Mr. George Batchelar has one of the original posters, issued in May, 1756, announcing that James Batchelar's " New Machine" would run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from the George Inn, Haymarket, to East Grinstead, Lewes and Brighton, completing the journey in one day, returning on the other days of the week. The full tare between London and Brighton was 16 shillings (including 14-lbs. of luggage) for inside passengers), but only half that sum for those who rode outside. The fare from East Grinstead to London was 6s. The old account books contain many entries show­ing the payment of this sum per seat. The turnpike dues between East Grinstead and London were 2s. and the sum paid for stabling in town was always 7s. 2d. a day. At the same time Batchelar ran a second coach from the Talbot Inn, in the Borough, to Godstone, East Grinstead and Lewes, starting each Tuesday at nine o'clock and Saturday at five o'clock. In all his advertisements and on all his posters he inserted the words " If God permit," a provision possibly rendered necessary in consequence of the disgraceful state of the roads in these early days. The payment to the employes at this time was not a particularly heavy item, as witness the following extracts from Batchelar's diary:—
May 19, 1734. Agreed with John Stenning to sarve me to old Mick' Day for 2s. 6d. for weeke.
July 2, 1742. A Greead with Eob. Wickarsham to mow 15 akars of grass for one and twenty pence per akar.
This man farmed part of the present East Court Estate.
Oct. 10, 1746. A Greade with old Gibb for James for four pound four shillings and a pair of shows (shoes) for one year.
Sept. 29, 1750. A Gread with Rich'1 Mills for three pounds ten shillings for a year.
Feb. 9, 1750. Pd. Richd. Mathews in full for one yeares wagers toe Feb. the 6th. £3-3-0.
A year later the same man got seven guineas for his year.
Oct. 7, 1759. Agreead with John Hills to old mickelmas next for seven shillings pr. week.
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