The adjoining detached house, now called “Rheola,” was occupied by Miss Mary Stacey for a very great many years. She was a very philanthropic lady, and one of the Society of Friends. She would often have gentlemen who were to give addresses at the meeting at her house, and would entertain them. Once one called whom she did not know, but believing him to be what he represented himself, she invited him to take tea and spend the night, but the next morning he was missing, and so was her handsome silver tea pot which had been used the evening before.
The next house was called the “White House,” and for many years was occupied by Mrs. Martha Horne, also one of the Society of Friends. A small white house adjoining, occupied by Mr. Linzell, and the old Red Lion Inn, which extended over the land which now forms the entrance to Lansdowne-road, were pulled down and the present Red Lion built and Lansdowne-road formed in or about the year 1870. I do not see much difference till we come to the Bell Brewery. On this side stood a pretty one-storey detached cottage, where Mr. Haddon’s clerk lived. This was taken down and the bottling stores erected.
There was a large shop next, kept by Mr. Johnson, tallow chandler—a shop much patronized, as candles were our principal illuminant. It was not till 1847 that the Gas Company was formed. The window was very tastefully arranged with different coloured wax candles of all sizes; very high ones in the middle, graduating to quite small ones. The house adjoining was at one time a school, afterwards a chemist’s shop, and is now in the occupation of Mr. Bately.
“Marie House” was the property of, and occupied by Miss Jemima Arabella Holt. She gave the ground on which St. Paul’s Church was built in 1858. For some years previous to this services had been held in an iron building by the Rev. Mr. Harrison. He once had bills printed announcing he would preach three sermons on consecutive Sunday evenings, the subjects being “Thieves, Thieves,” “Fire, Fire,” and “Are you Insured.” On each occasion the building was crowded.
Near the High-road was an old house called “The Beggars’ Lodging-house.” It was a great boon to tramps, as they found accommodation here for a very small sum. A large fire was always burning brightly in the winter evenings.