York Villas History

Maps of the time show that prior to 1865, there was no York Villas, but that York Grove existed, (although with only houses 1-9 built). The maps also show a 2nd railway crossing prior to 1866 running parallel to New England Hill and to the West.

On 1st May 1869 John Philipson and Elizabeth and Richard Pegg sold a plot of land of the New England estate to Daniel Friend for £3,800. The land was bisected by a new road to be called York Villas, and Friend agreed that not more than 16 semi-detached villas each with a minimum value of £300 excluding the value of the land would be built on the land to the north of the new road.
Eight of these villas were to be constructed along York Villas, the others along the Old Shoreham Road. At the same time, building work also started on the south side of York Villas , with Nos 7 and 8 being built first (now 13 and 14).

In 1877, a terrace of 5 houses was built in the road (Nos. 1-5) at the eastern end of the road. At this time, the original houses were renumbered, so that No.1 became No. 7. For some reason, no number 6 was ever built (the missing house).

Between 1890 and 1900 (and probably between 1898 and 1900), a single detached house (No.23) was built on the north side of the road (the eastern end).

The properties now comprising 24,25,26 York Villas were once the farmhouse and outbuildings of the New England estate.

South side of York Villas



North side of York Villas

20 York Villas

No. 20 (14 when built), is a semi-detached 3 story building on the North side of York Villas. It is currently split into 4 flats. Details of the property’s history before 1876 are derived from an abstract of title of 1884, which also includes 2 sketch maps – All parties are of Brighton unless otherwise stated.

Depository by Miller and Company (Solicitors) 75/9 R.Street. Cambridge.
From the deeds and conveyances of 20 York Villas 1866 to 1884:
By his will of 25th August 1866 (proved 27th July 1867). Harry Pegg, hotel-keeper, devised Grove Villa and his New England estate to his wife Susan for life, with remainder to his sons William and John Philipson, William by his will and codicil of 20th August and 28th September 1867 (proved 31st October 1867) directed that his real estate and his share under his late father’s will be realised and appointed his wife Elizabeth and his brother Richard joint executors.

On 1st May 1869 John Philipson and Elizabeth and Richard conveyed to Daniel Friend of the Highlands, Prestonville (Gent), for £3,800, a plot of land of the New England estate, containing from north to south on the east side 305ft, and on the west side 313 ft and from east to west on the north side 238 ft 4” on the south side 239 ft and which abutted Old Shoreham Road to the north, the London Brighton and South Coast railway to south, Grove Villa to the east and another part of the estate to the west.

The land was to be bisected by a new road called York Villas, and Friend agreed that not more than 16 semi-detached villas each with a minimum value of £300 excluding the value of the land would be built on the land.

On 24th May 1869, Friend conveyed to Thomas Ward (Builder), a plot measuring 108 ft from north to south and 58 ft from east to west and abutting the new road on the south together with the 2 houses being erected on it and to be known as 13 and 14 York Villas (now 19 and 20) - for £400.

Restricted covenants required Ward to maintain all part and other walls and to put down a pavement and curb and forbade the use of the premises for trade or manufacturing purposes as a public or private lunatic asylum, as an inn, public house, beer shop, warehouse or livery stables etc of for any purpose other than as a private residence without the written authority of Friend and similarly forbade any alterations to the front elevations, enclosing walls, fences etc.
On the same day Ward mortgaged the properties to Edward Stanford of the Manor House, Fishbourne, Esq., for £1,000 and the power of sale.

On 21 March 1871, Stanford assigned the mortgage to Josephine Dick (Widow) and Bartholomew Smithers (Gent).
On 29th September 1876, 14 York Villas (standing on a plot 108ft long and 29ft wide) was sold to George Corfe (Doctor of medicine) for £800.

On 10th September 1884, 20 York Villas (as it now was), was sold to Edward Harris (Gent), and Mary Harris (Spinster) for £1,000.