Publications
A Policeman's Lot, by Marjorie Morris, published May 1979 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 13, article, p.13) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/13] & The Keep [LIB/500479]
Worthing Electricity Supply, 1893-1901, by Mrs M. L. Morris, published 1981 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 11, article, pp.25-34) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:In 1891 Worthing was made a Borough and one of the first tasks of the new Borough Council was to consider the possibility of an Electricity Supply for the town. Although street lighting was usually the chief application for early electricity supply systems, in Worthing the first suggested application happened to be for something totally different.
Twenty Years of Town Planning in the days of George lll, by Marjorie Morris, published May 1982 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 22, article, p.7) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/22] & The Keep [LIB/500480]
Worthing by Gaslight 1835-1901, by Marjorie L. Morris, published 1983 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 13, article, pp.26-32) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:The Royal signature on Worthing's Town Charter was barely two years dry, when in 1805 the first public demonstration of gas street lighting took place in Pall Mall, London, to mark the King's birthday. Developed by a Cornishman, William Murdock of Redruth, it was an immediate success and a company was formed at once to provide gas lighting on a commercial scale. By 1809 gas street lighting was an accepted way of life, providing illumination and safety in the streets after dark such had never been known before in the history of Western Europe. Towns and Companies competed with one another to cash in on the social and entrepreneurial advantages of the new illuminant.
But not Worthing . . . or, at least not at once!
The first Town Commissioners, whom the Charter had vested responsibility for providing street lighting, were not able so early in the growth of the Town, to get together a sum of money large enough to install street lighting as a major priority. Even after 14 years they could do no better than agree that the Town should have street lamps but the only way they could see to provide them would be to open a subscription fund. With the small amount of money donated a start was made on providing the Town with oil lamps, and for the next 12 years Worthing folk depended for the illumination of their night-time activities on an uneasy compromise between the full moon and the smokey glimmer of seal-oil lamps on the tops of wooden posts.
During the autumn of 1829, the Commissioners began to think about up-dating the street lighting and invited proposals for lighting the Town with gas. George White, a Worthing tinsmith came up with an acceptable proposal and the Commissioners gave him the job of preparing a specification for building a gas works and providing suitable street lamps.
But not Worthing . . . or, at least not at once!
The first Town Commissioners, whom the Charter had vested responsibility for providing street lighting, were not able so early in the growth of the Town, to get together a sum of money large enough to install street lighting as a major priority. Even after 14 years they could do no better than agree that the Town should have street lamps but the only way they could see to provide them would be to open a subscription fund. With the small amount of money donated a start was made on providing the Town with oil lamps, and for the next 12 years Worthing folk depended for the illumination of their night-time activities on an uneasy compromise between the full moon and the smokey glimmer of seal-oil lamps on the tops of wooden posts.
During the autumn of 1829, the Commissioners began to think about up-dating the street lighting and invited proposals for lighting the Town with gas. George White, a Worthing tinsmith came up with an acceptable proposal and the Commissioners gave him the job of preparing a specification for building a gas works and providing suitable street lamps.
The Henty Family of Worthing, by Marjorie Morris, published May 1987 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 37, article, p.18) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/37] & The Keep [LIB/500482]