The Brisco family that came to Sussex originated from Thursby, Cumberland where the family seat at Crofton Hall had been used by Brisco for around 580 year untill its sale to the Land Settlement Agency in the 1930s.
The activities of Sir Wastel Brisco born of Crofton Hall are well reported in the regional and national newspapers and it apparent that Sir Wastel was often in court for different reasons.
The activities of Sir Wastel Brisco born of Crofton Hall are well reported in the regional and national newspapers and it apparent that Sir Wastel was often in court for different reasons.
Grave of Musgrave Brisco 1708-1787 Brisco at St Helens Church Ore
Musgrave Brisco Born 1708 High Lankhurst Westfield died January 1787
Grave of Brisco Family Hollington Church in the Wood
The following deaths are recorded on the grave
at Church in the Wood East Sussex
Wastel Brisco of Bohemia Sussex Died Menton (Nice France) 18th April 1878
Arthur Brisco son Wastel Brisco Died 24th May 1860
Musgrave Dyne Brisco youngest son of Wastel Brisco Died 14th Nov 1872 Age 39
Maria Brisco wife of Wastel Brisco Died 18th Sept 1877 Age 74
Maria Brisco eldest daughter of late Wastel Brisco 31st May 1887 Age 58
Eliza Brisco second daughter of late Wastel Brisco 16th June 1890 Age 67
Wastel Brisco eldest son of the Late Wastel Brisco Died 2nd Oct 1891 Age 67
at Church in the Wood East Sussex
Wastel Brisco of Bohemia Sussex Died Menton (Nice France) 18th April 1878
Arthur Brisco son Wastel Brisco Died 24th May 1860
Musgrave Dyne Brisco youngest son of Wastel Brisco Died 14th Nov 1872 Age 39
Maria Brisco wife of Wastel Brisco Died 18th Sept 1877 Age 74
Maria Brisco eldest daughter of late Wastel Brisco 31st May 1887 Age 58
Eliza Brisco second daughter of late Wastel Brisco 16th June 1890 Age 67
Wastel Brisco eldest son of the Late Wastel Brisco Died 2nd Oct 1891 Age 67
Residents & Servants living at Bohemia Mansion in 1871
It is interesting to look at the census returns for Bohemia Mansion Hastings to see the number of staff employed to service the needs of the residents. Below is the 1871 census that shows Brisco family.
Wastel Brisco 78 yrs Magistrate & Dept Ltnt Sussex
Eliza Brisco 20 yrs
Mary Tozer 41 yrs Cook
Annie Buack 30yrs Housekeeper
Mary Wilson 40 yrs Laundry Maid
Hannah Hitching 36 yrs Kitchen Maid
Sarah worsley 22 yrs Housemaid
Mary Cook 26 yrs Housemaid
James Brown 34 yrs Butler
Hugh Lord 60 yrs Coachman
Edward Macready 22 yrs Groom
Dan Myer 25 yrs Groom
Thomas Brown 19yrs Footman
Wastel Brisco 78 yrs Magistrate & Dept Ltnt Sussex
Eliza Brisco 20 yrs
Mary Tozer 41 yrs Cook
Annie Buack 30yrs Housekeeper
Mary Wilson 40 yrs Laundry Maid
Hannah Hitching 36 yrs Kitchen Maid
Sarah worsley 22 yrs Housemaid
Mary Cook 26 yrs Housemaid
James Brown 34 yrs Butler
Hugh Lord 60 yrs Coachman
Edward Macready 22 yrs Groom
Dan Myer 25 yrs Groom
Thomas Brown 19yrs Footman
The following details on the Coghurst Briscos are taken in full from the Coghurst Pages from the late Gerry Glenister who researched the history of the area. It contains a lot of detail about the Coghurst Estate and photographs. Click here
Musgrave later became High Sheriff for Sussex. He died in 1854 and had no children.
The 1867 Kelly's Directory lists Charles Hay Frewen, esq. Coghurst hall under Borough Magistrates.
"Coghurst Hall, the seat of Charles Hay Frewen, Esq., J.P., is a commodious mansion, situated in a fine park".
After Musgrave Brisco (born 13 April 1791) died on 9 May 1854, he left the bulk of his estate, including Coghurst Hall, to his wife Frances (nee Woodgate), with instructions that after her death it was to devolve to his brother Wastel Brisco (of Bohemia House).
Musgrave was elected mayor of Hastings in 1842, and was elected MP for Hastings on 30 March 1844. After a successful fight in 1847, he was returned as a Peelite, and in 1852 as a Conservative. Two years later, however,in 1854 he applied for the Chiltern Hundreds, and retired from active political life. During his ten years in parliament Musgrave appears to have contributed to just one debate on 23 June 1851 on the General Board of Health Bill when he called for the insertion of the word "Hastings" Shortly after leaving parliament he died, and was buried at Old St Helen's, the ruins of which stand near the Parish Church of Ore. He was also a magistrate and deputy-lieutenant for the counties of Sussex and York and was directly related to the Briscos of Crofton Hall, Cumberland.
In 1856, Frances Brisco married Charles Hay Frewen and they lived in Coghurst Hall until Frances died on 14 February 1867.
Wastel then inherited the property and Charles Hay Frewen moved out soon after [a letter from Helen Frewen, Brickwall to Edward Frewen informs him that "uncle Charles [Hay Frewen] is to leave Coghurst ... and that Mr Brisco will rent it out', 11 Mar 1867].
Charles Frewen, who served as Deputy Lieutenant for Sussex and Rutland, was High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 1866 and MP for Eastern Sussex, 1846-1857 until he blew his election via unwise correspondence, died on 1 September 1878 at Cold Overton Hall.
If Coghurst Hall was built for Musgrave in 1811 it must have been financed by his father Wastel Brisco (1754-1834) who was born in Yorkshire but lived and died in Coghurst. He was a captain in the Coldstream guards and a deputy lieutenant for the counties of Sussex and York.
With thanks to Gerry Glenister for research on Coghurst and Brisco
Sarah Brisco - Distribution of bequests.
Sarah Brisco was the last of the Brisco children to die and the The Times Newspaper reported on 28th February 1901 details of bequests she had made following her death 20th January 1901.
Net personal estate £78,503 4s 7d
Gross Estate £161,507 12s 9d
£2500 Hastings Convalecent Home
£2000 East Sussex Hospital
£1000 Convent Home Children St Leonards on Sea
£1000 All Saints Orphanage St Marys St
£1000 Sisters of Nazareth - Hammersmith
£1000 Vicar & Church Wardens St Peters Church
£500 Poor of Farningham - Home for Boys.
£300 Crippled home for girls - St Marylebone
Lease to be paid for remainder of term. -- St Dominics Convalecent Home
Net personal estate £78,503 4s 7d
Gross Estate £161,507 12s 9d
£2500 Hastings Convalecent Home
£2000 East Sussex Hospital
£1000 Convent Home Children St Leonards on Sea
£1000 All Saints Orphanage St Marys St
£1000 Sisters of Nazareth - Hammersmith
£1000 Vicar & Church Wardens St Peters Church
£500 Poor of Farningham - Home for Boys.
£300 Crippled home for girls - St Marylebone
Lease to be paid for remainder of term. -- St Dominics Convalecent Home