Lewes History Group

Malcolm Kitch: The Newtons of Southover Grange

Malcolm Kitch, formerly Reader in History at the University of Sussex, will talk about the personalities and lives of the family who occupied Southover Grange from 1572 to 1859.

William and Lawrence Newton travelled from Cheshire to Lewes in about 1540. Lawrence became a draper in Lewes and William’s descendants established the Southover branch of the family. Although they were the leading Southover family, they were also London lawyers for a century and a half and only spent part of the year in the Grange.

Built in 1572 with stones from the recently dissolved Lewes Priory, the Grange, with its 14 acres of grounds, was the largest and grandest house in Southover. The family also owned land outside Lewes, often acquired by marriage, though they never became large landowners.

The second William Newton was a leading Puritan during the Civil Wars of the mid 17th century. In 1760 the fifth William, and the last male Newton, followed his father into the army and rose to become the commanding officer of the 10th Dragoons. After  George III renamed the regiment after his eldest son in 1783 the Prince of Wales took a keen interest in it. William regarded him as a friend and the Prince stayed at his house in the early 1790s.

William’s marriage to the tactless Elizabeth Knatchbull, the eldest daughter of the Kent baronet Sir Edward Knatchbull, established a connection with Jane Austin. Her brother was the adopted son of the Knight family, who were friends and neighbours of the Knatchbulls. William stayed at the Knight’s house after his marriage in 1789 and Jane may later have stayed at the Grange on her way from Hampshire to visit her brother.

William’s niece Elizabeth was the last of the Newtons. She married William Courthope Mabbott, an interesting and colourful character who took an active, and sometimes controversial part in local affairs.

All are welcome from 7.00pm for free refreshments and updates on the Group’s activities. The talk will begin promptly at 7:30pm and will finish by 9.00pm.

There is an entry fee for these meetings, payable at the door, of £2 for members, and £3 for non-members.

Venue: The King’s Church building on Brooks Road, Lewes, BN7 2BY. (Between Tesco car park and Homebase)

See the Meetings page for a list of  forthcoming monthly talks organised by the Lewes History Group.

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Rob Wallace and David Millum

The Directors of the Culver Archaeological Project return to report on the first year of excavations at Bridge Farm, Wellingham (Nr. Barcombe Mills).

This proved to be truly memorable not only for the archaeology revealed but also for the terrific response from the 180 volunteers of all ages and experience who signed up for a total of over 1000  work days.

During the 6 weeks of excavation an estimated 400 visitors had tours of the site and the five organised local school fieldtrips attracted 150 pupils. The wide range of workshops gave 120 people the opportunity to share the knowledge of 6 specialists in subjects as diverse as handling human bones to recording pillboxes.

Come along and find out what they discovered.

Venue: Lewes Town Hall Lecture Room

Admission: (including tea/coffee) for members is £3/£2 for concessions.

Non-members are very welcome at £4/£3 for concessions.

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Tutor: Dr Richard Carter

This two day school will explore the un­tapped archaeological potential of the Sussex Weald through a class-based day followed by a field trip to archaeological sites. The prehistoric occupation of the Sussex Weald is poorly understood due to limited research and lack of evidence. Recent technological advances and new agendas are beginning to realise the archaeological potential.

The first day school is classroom based in Lewes and will introduce the archaeological evidence for early occupation of the Sussex Weald; the second will be visiting private sites and monu­ments on the High Weald where excavations have taken place.

The content will include: the palaeoenviron­ment of the Sussex and Kent Weald; hunt­er-gatherers of the Weald; exploitation of resources; the results of recent excavations on the High Weald; continuity and change; monuments of the Sussex and Kent Weald and new technologies investigating the ar­chaeology of the Weald.

The field trip will visit the putative Mesolithic rock shelters at Chiddinglye Woods Rocks, the Iron Age camps at Philpots and Garden Hill on the Sussex High Weald. You will need to provide your own transport and lunch on both days.

Cost: £60 (students £50) to cover both days – we cannot accept bookings for only one element of this course.

Venue: 8 March 2014: Barbican House, Lewes; 15 March 2014: Meeting place TBA

Further details and booking:  Sussex Archaeological Society

Non-members are welcome

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