Publications
Hobden's Baths, by Alan Hobden, published December 1980 in Sussex Genealogist and Family Historian (vol. 2 no. 3, article, pp.99-101) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8671] & The Keep [LIB/501188] & CD SXGS from S.F.H.G.
Preview:The Artillery Baths were built in 1813 by Mr Fernehough in Artillery Place, Brighton. They were originally established by Nathan Smith, an inventor who patented an air pump which gave rise to the baths early fame. The baths became 'Hobden's Royal Artillery Baths' in August 1824 when they were taken over by Robert Hobden (1788-1861).
Two Men called John Hobden, by Alan Hobden, published June 2016 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 22 no. 2, article, pp.72-74) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15860] & The Keep [LIB/509232]
Preview:I am sure most people will agree that Ancestry is a wonderful genealogical resource, but how many of us have found glaring errors in the family trees submitted by subscribers? I suspect that some of them replicate the errors in all innocence, believing them to be correct.
One mistake I have found relates to the John HOBDEN who married Elizabeth WOOD at St Michael, Lewes, East Sussex on 30 October 1811. Many people have identified this John HOBDEN as the man who was transported to Tasmania in 1830, but the above couple baptised four more children in St Michael, Lewes, Sussex after 1830, including a son Ebenezer on 6 February 1831, and a daughter Harriet on 7 June 1835. The father's occupation in each case was given as "Builder". It seems that the reason for the mistake was the apparent lack of an alternative baptism of a John HOBDEN around 1790, but I managed to find one that had been "hidden" because of a transcription error. To explain this properly, I need to tell you more about the John who was sent to Tasmania.
One mistake I have found relates to the John HOBDEN who married Elizabeth WOOD at St Michael, Lewes, East Sussex on 30 October 1811. Many people have identified this John HOBDEN as the man who was transported to Tasmania in 1830, but the above couple baptised four more children in St Michael, Lewes, Sussex after 1830, including a son Ebenezer on 6 February 1831, and a daughter Harriet on 7 June 1835. The father's occupation in each case was given as "Builder". It seems that the reason for the mistake was the apparent lack of an alternative baptism of a John HOBDEN around 1790, but I managed to find one that had been "hidden" because of a transcription error. To explain this properly, I need to tell you more about the John who was sent to Tasmania.