45 
In 1568 the Manor belonged to Richard Elsington, who, 
dying in that year, bequeathed it to his wife Marie. She in 
turn left it to her son by a former marriage, Anthony Shirley. 
The Shirleys lived here for 150 years, and then became extinct in 
the male line. Their heiress married a Mr. Western. Their son 
was killed in 1771 in a carriage accident at Goldstone Bottom, 
leaving an only child, afterwards the first and only Lord Western. 
Soon afterwards the whole property was sold to Mr. William 
Stanford. 
The walls of the house are of great antiquity, but the interior 
arrangements have been remodelled from time to time. In 1738 
the existing oak staircase was put in, and other alterations were 
effected. About 1810 the present lofty drawing room was made 
by throwing two storeys into one room. Since that date until 
the recent additions little has been changed. 
Mrs. Thomas-Stanford, the present Lady of the Manor, 
possesses the Court Rolls since the time of James I. The Manor 
is very extensive, including lands as far away as Bolney and 
Slaugham. The descent of lands within the Manor is by the 
custom of Borough English, to the youngest son, and there is a 
fine of a heriot on succession. 
At the conclusion of the visit, the President of the Society, 
Dr. Walter Harrison, thanked Mr. Thomas-Stanford for his 
kindness ; and added that the visit was one of great interest to 
Brightonians, the Manor Honse being one of the very few links 
with the past. The members expressed their appreciation by 
their applause. 
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16rx, 1907. 
VISIT TO ELECTRICITY EXHIBITION 
AT AQUARIUM. 
