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Topic: The Wish Tower,Eastbourne (Read 1607 times)
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mnmilt
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 389
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There are two Martello towers in Eastbourne, the Wish Tower and the Redoubt. The Wish Tower is close to the beginning of the chalk cliffs on the west end of the seafront. The Redoubt is on the east end of the seafront, nearer to the Crumbles. Beyond the Crumbles you will come to the marshes (Pevensey area). The ground that the Wish Tower is on was not marshland, although there was marshland nearby, The following is form the website that kerry mentioned:
Known as 'The Wish Tower', No.73 is easily the most well-known (and documented) of all the south coast Martellos, its name coming from the 'wish', 'wash' or marshland nearby, fed by a stream known as Shomer Dyke. Twiss himself first referred to it as the "Whish Tower" or "Wish Tower" in some of his early progress reports.
A shingle bank separated the wish from the sea. Sited on a natural hill overlooking the surrounding marsh, the Wish Tower has been the subject of many prints and postcards of Eastbourne over the years. A house on the hill was demolished and the hill enlarged with the spoil excavated from the moat.
Mark
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Milton - Brighton, Eastbourne Foord - Westham, Ringmer Sellens/Sellins/Sellings - Sedlescombe, Crowhurst Cash - Tonbridge, Kent Harding - Horsham Bodle - Hailsham, Alfriston Crowhurst - Hailsham, Westham Roods/Roads/Rhodes - Hailsham, Westham Sinnock - Hailsham Silsby - Brighton Thomas - Brighton Tullett - Brighton Verrall - Sussex Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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mnmilt
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 389
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Omega,
I'm not sure whether you have these of not, but the following are listed in burials for St Mary's, Eastbourne:
RIDDLE, Alex, 77, South Street. Buried Dec 18 1833
RIDDLE, Mary, 49, Wish. Buried May 10 1837
I'm not sure who Mary is, but it is interesting that she is listed as living at "Wish".
There are two books written by George Chambers that give some insight into the derivation of the name "Wish." The first is
HANDBOOK FOR EAST-BOURNE, PEVENSEY & HERSTMONCEUX CASTLES, "WILMINGTON PRIORY, MICHELHAM PRIORY, BEACHY HEAD, HAILSHAM, AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. ALPHABETICAL DIRECTORY OF PRIVATE RESIDENTS AND BOOK OF REFERENCE FOR EVERYBODY.
This is available through Google Books. The "Wish" is mentioned several times throughout the book but two mentions are worth showing here:
This word is said to be a corruption of "Wash," and to signify a "wet place." If so, it is very appropriate, for there are evident indications that at no very distant period there was an inlet of the sea here. Perhaps it ought to be said that there used to be "evident indications," for these are almost obliterated now in consequence of the equilisation of the levels here, brought about in connection with the Duke of Devonshire's building operations. There was formerly a stagnant rush-grown pool, which the late Mr. D. Gilbert thought might be the remains of a Roman navala, or wet dock, formed artificially by that enterprising people, a natural harbour being wanting. (Suss. Arch. Coll., is.., 156.) "At low water in front of the Wish, large piles are standing, which tradition ascribes for the support of a pier head in former times, to guard the ships which were at anchor in the Wish or harbour." (Sir W. Burrg/l.) The drain now to be seen here is not a sewer, but the inlet to the Baths.
A visitor writing to a local Newspaper in 1861, said:—"I venture to think that this supposition is a mistake, and that the ' Wish ' is probably a corruption of ' Gnichet,' a wicket or passage in the main entrance, and which bears allusion to Guiche, and finally corrupted to ' Wish/ Now, looking around the country, and seeing the number of villages, seats, &c., with Norman-French names, I think there can be no doubt of the origin of the 'Wish' being the Norman-French 'Guichet;' if so its name would harmonise better with the lovely scenery than the 'Wash.'"
The second book is: Eastbourne Memories Of The Victorian Period 1845 To 1901
And Some Other Things Of Interest, Divers. By George F Chambers F.R.A.S.
Published By V. T. Sumfield Station Street Eastbourne. Circa 1910
It is available at
http://www.sussexhistory.co.uk/eastbourne-memories/eastbourne-history.html
and through the Internet Archive (and also at openlibrary.org)
This book gives a description of the "Wish"
I do not know that it is worth while to say much about footpaths and narrow occupation roads now either discarded or swallowed up in modern roads, but from a point just opposite No. 8 The Terrace, the roadway, now a mere back road for the convenience of the houses at the back of Cornfield Terrace, once marked the line of the " Shomer Dyke," a drain draining the South Street houses and having its outlet near the Wish. Eventually the dyke (ditch) was filled in and the narrow road formed which still exists robbed of its Mid-Victorian name of " Shomerdyke Road." Previously to this The Wish was reached by a narrow road starting from South Street and following nearly or quite the line of what is now College Road. Here a branch to the E. led to the sea-shore near the Wish Tower, and a branch to the W. past some farm buildings known as " Hollands Barn " to " Prentice Street " and up to Meads.
There is also an illustration of the Wish Tower in 1840 that will give some idea of the surrounding area
http://www.sussexhistory.co.uk/eastbourne-memories/eastbourne-memories%20-%200031.htm
Regards
Mark
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Milton - Brighton, Eastbourne Foord - Westham, Ringmer Sellens/Sellins/Sellings - Sedlescombe, Crowhurst Cash - Tonbridge, Kent Harding - Horsham Bodle - Hailsham, Alfriston Crowhurst - Hailsham, Westham Roods/Roads/Rhodes - Hailsham, Westham Sinnock - Hailsham Silsby - Brighton Thomas - Brighton Tullett - Brighton Verrall - Sussex Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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omega 1
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 278
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Mark
Thank-you for all the info,you certainly have been busy.
I have the CDs for St Mary`s burial`s & Baptisum`s.
Alexander & Ann had 3 daughters Jane,Joanna & Rebecca.
There was also a William & Mary Riddle ,their children Jane 1816,John 1824 & William1820.So i assume this is the Mary you found.
I will have to print everything off so i can digest it & will look for the books.
Thank-you again
Omega (with a thick head & cold)
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James,Pembrokeshire,Carmathenshire & Glamorganshire.
David/Davies,Pembrokshire.
Gibby,Pembrokeshire
Griffith,Griffiths,Pembrokeshire& Carmarthenshire
Wilkin,Carmarthenshire
Edward,Pembrokshire
Phillipps,Pembrokeshire
Brown,Pembrokeshire
Evan/s ,Pembrokeshire
Llewellyn,Pembrokeshire
Bowen,Carmarthenshire
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omega 1
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 278
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi
Been on the phone to Library,they are as puzzled about The Wish Tower.
Also a reply from the Museum .They kindly sent some info regarding Alexander but not the time period for Jane was born.
Think i will have to be patient & wait until the Museum in Eastbourne opens in April.
In the mean time will see if his Service Records have survived,have been given some contact addresses.
Omega
Omega
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James,Pembrokeshire,Carmathenshire & Glamorganshire.
David/Davies,Pembrokshire.
Gibby,Pembrokeshire
Griffith,Griffiths,Pembrokeshire& Carmarthenshire
Wilkin,Carmarthenshire
Edward,Pembrokshire
Phillipps,Pembrokeshire
Brown,Pembrokeshire
Evan/s ,Pembrokeshire
Llewellyn,Pembrokeshire
Bowen,Carmarthenshire
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Rod In Sussex
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 321
Memento Mori
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The Yarkell and Gardener map (1778-1783) does not show a wish tower at this
date. http://www.envf.port.ac.uk/geo/research/historical/webmap/sussexmap/Yeakelllarge39.htm
The location would be south of the word "Bourn" on the coast.
Rod
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Jones, Ellis, Barker, Bates, Hackney, Cooper, Kirk, Eyre, Davies, Harris, Doney & Pearce.
Sussex, Cornwall, Lincolnshire, to name but a few!
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omega 1
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 278
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Thank-you Rod
What a lovely old Map.It will also help narrow down search.
Omega
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James,Pembrokeshire,Carmathenshire & Glamorganshire.
David/Davies,Pembrokshire.
Gibby,Pembrokeshire
Griffith,Griffiths,Pembrokeshire& Carmarthenshire
Wilkin,Carmarthenshire
Edward,Pembrokshire
Phillipps,Pembrokeshire
Brown,Pembrokeshire
Evan/s ,Pembrokeshire
Llewellyn,Pembrokeshire
Bowen,Carmarthenshire
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omega 1
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 278
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi All
We visited The Redoubt Fortress yesterday which we found very interesting.
I had a talk with the people regarding where Jane was born.
It seems there was a village in the area of Wish & this was the likely place Jane was born.
Going back to the Obituary,i assume descendants were`nt awhere of the area called Wish & only heard of The Wish Tower.
I mentioned i had had a lot of help from Rootschat & what a lovely lot you are 
They gave my an e-mail addy to see if i can find anymore about Alexander .
Thank-you all for your help
Omega
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James,Pembrokeshire,Carmathenshire & Glamorganshire.
David/Davies,Pembrokshire.
Gibby,Pembrokeshire
Griffith,Griffiths,Pembrokeshire& Carmarthenshire
Wilkin,Carmarthenshire
Edward,Pembrokshire
Phillipps,Pembrokeshire
Brown,Pembrokeshire
Evan/s ,Pembrokeshire
Llewellyn,Pembrokeshire
Bowen,Carmarthenshire
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kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 11961
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Omega
Great news and I hope you are able to find out more about Alexander.
Despite only living 8 miles from Eastbourne, I can't swear to the fact that I have ever been to the Redoubt or if I have, I don't remember much about it. One to visit I think.
Maybe by the time of the obituary the area had simply evolved from the Wish to the Wish Tower.
Kerry
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukSearching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website .... www.kerrysfamilyhistory.co.uk |
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omega 1
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 278
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Kerry
The Redoubt is really worth a visit.
We intend going again & taking 12year old Grandson,who has informed his Mum he wants to join the Army !!!!!!!!!!!,so he will find it interesting.
We went to visit St Marys Church where OHs Ancestors married.What a beautiful Church.
After reading this thread last night i realised we were only a stones throw from the Wish area.Will have to go back.
Will update if i find out more about Alexander.
Love to know what he looked like & wonder if he had red hair 
Omega
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James,Pembrokeshire,Carmathenshire & Glamorganshire.
David/Davies,Pembrokshire.
Gibby,Pembrokeshire
Griffith,Griffiths,Pembrokeshire& Carmarthenshire
Wilkin,Carmarthenshire
Edward,Pembrokshire
Phillipps,Pembrokeshire
Brown,Pembrokeshire
Evan/s ,Pembrokeshire
Llewellyn,Pembrokeshire
Bowen,Carmarthenshire
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kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 11961
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I guess it might help some of my research into local army ancestors, just a bit of background information would help I am sure.
I agree St Marys is beautiful.
Kerry
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukSearching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website .... www.kerrysfamilyhistory.co.uk |
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omega 1
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 278
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Kerry
Will send you e-mail addy ,mans name & works phone number in a PM,he maybe able to help.
Omega
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James,Pembrokeshire,Carmathenshire & Glamorganshire.
David/Davies,Pembrokshire.
Gibby,Pembrokeshire
Griffith,Griffiths,Pembrokeshire& Carmarthenshire
Wilkin,Carmarthenshire
Edward,Pembrokshire
Phillipps,Pembrokeshire
Brown,Pembrokeshire
Evan/s ,Pembrokeshire
Llewellyn,Pembrokeshire
Bowen,Carmarthenshire
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