Brighton

West Street cottage

64 West Street, Brighton.64 West Street, Brighton. Click on image to enlarge.

Ralph Thrale bought a cottage in West Street, Brighton (or Brighthelmstone as it was then known) in 1755. Brighton was on the south coast, and was a very fashionable town, famed for its sea bathing.

Upon his death, Ralph Thrale, left the cottage to his son Henry Thrale.

64 West Street

Henry loved Brighton for the bathing and hunting on the Sussex Downs. As he grew more affluent he outgrew his father's cottage and needed a larger house to accommodate his servants, family and entertaining. He therefore sold the cottage and bought a larger house on the east side of West Street at number 64.

This was a three storey, roomy house with two bay windows and a portico. It was a light-coloured stone structure. It had iron chains dangling from a row of posts in front. It was a very respectable house, despite its proximity to the King's Head.

64 West Street, Brighton 1865.

64 West Street, Brighton 1865. Click on image to enlarge.

Henry Thrale, also had a pew in the local Church of St. Nicholas. After Henry’s death, this house was inherited by his youngest daughter Cecilia.