No Popery Favours

In response to this inquiry posted to the Sussex Past web group:

In his book "Georgian Lewes", Colin Brent writes that John Fuller spent a lot of money during his 1807 election campaign on "No Popery Favours" and meals at local inns. Can anyone shed any light as to what these favours might have been?

This response was recieved:

Colin Brent says these were ribbons, with "No popery" on them, to be worn by his supporters, as more conventionally party colours would be worn as ribbons during election campaigns.
Esme Evans (Hon. Librarian).
Sussex Archaeological Society Library

Camera Obscura

Recently Alan Jackson of Leeds replied to a request for information about the camera obscura at Brightling Observatory that I had left in a guestbook. He wrote:

"I do know that the camera obscura at Brightling Observatory was still there before and during the first part of WWII when my parents lived there. No special knowledge was required for use. It must have been removed sometime later - it was not there when Mother revisited the 'obse' in the seventies."

Fuller Gunfounding

"In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the government relied almost exclusively on Wealden production for its requirements of cast iron ordnance. Guns made by the Fullers at Heathfield were put to service in many parts of the world."

Teesdale, E. B., Gunfounding in the Weald in the Sixteenth Century
(London: Royal Armouries, 1991) ISBN 0-948092-17-3

The Fullers' Progress: A Study of a Remarkable Sussex Family, 16th-19th Centuries

By Alec Parks with illustrations by Rosemary Brown

This engaging booklet, originally published in 1987 and reprinted in 1991, follows the fortunes of the Fuller family from their arrival at Waldron through three Centuries. Parks makes it clear that he finds the, "general preoccupation with the last John Fuller's eccentricities rather irritating. " He highlights the family's shrewd business acumen, foresight and achievements through several generations. Interesting ink drawings by Rosemary Brown and a photograph of a painting of John Fuller & Elizabeth Rose's family add to the readers enjoyment. (many thanks to Alice Tibballs)

Saving Lives: Eastbourne Lifeboat

Jack Fuller was a man ahead of his time. He often got in on the ground floor when innovations were being made. For example, he provided a lifeboat for a new station at Eastbourne in 1822, two years before the Royal National Lifeboat Institution was founded by Sir William Hillary. The boat was 25 ft long, was 8 ft 6 in across the beam and had ten pulling oars. She was built by a Mr. Simpson of Eastbourne.

The name of this ship has not yet been discovered by the writer. However, she is credited in saving 35 lives during 7 services. Many medals and honours were bestowed upon her officers and crew.