Brighton Synagogue, Middle Street, Brighton: title deeds and papers

These documents were deposited as the title deeds of the synagogue in Middle Street, Brighton, currently numbered 67 Middle Street. They in fact consist of 34 deeds of a property which in 1861 was numbered 62 Middle Street; an agreement relating to party walls between 65 and 66 Middle Street, 1882; a deed of 48 and 49 Middle Street, 1883; and deeds of property in London and Surrey, 1736-1808.

The Hebrew Congregation purchased three houses then numbered 58-61 Middle Street from Richard Mallam Webb on 8 May 1874. Numbers 58, 59, 60 and 60A were copyhold of the manor of Atlingworth; they had previously been numbered 59, 60 and 61 and before that 61, 62 and 63. An abstract of title and a mortgage of the copyhold element of the property survive in the archive of the congregation (ACC 8932, SAS/BRI 36 p148).

Plans for a synagogue, minister's house and schools at Middle Street were approved by Brighton Corporation on 28 August 1874 (DB/D7/1223); the building then occupied the frontage between 57 Middle Street on the north and a racket court at 62 Middle Street on the south. For a plan for re-numbering Middle Street, 1881, see DB/D/27/190.

It therefore seems likely that the deeds listed here as AMS 5610/1-34 relate to the freehold title to what in 1874 was numbered 61 Middle Street. Alternatively, like the remainder of the deposit, they may have no connection whatever to property owned by the Brighton Hebrew Congregation.

Documents deposited by the Honorary Officers of the Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation, 19 December 1965 (ACC 710)