BRIGHTON
building, by Mrs. H. E. West, later of Charleston, who about 1875 handed it over to Mrs. Murphy. There were then about 50 pupils. Later a State school was established, of which Mrs. Murphy took charge. About 1889 Miss Lydia Mary Bradley assumed control, there being still about 40 or 50 pupils. In 1908 there were but 8 or 10, and Miss Annie W. McCarthy was teacher.
The population of Brighton, at its peak, probably was about 6,000. In October, 1867, Commissioner Kynnersley estimated it at 2,800, and the census of 1868 gave it as 1,293, viz., 1,042 males and 251 females. These figures, however, took no account of the floating population. In March, 1873, a parliamentary report gave the number as 110, and the census of 1874 showed it as 87. The Post Office Directory shows 53 persons in 1878; 23 in 1887-1888; and 18 in 1896-1897. It also indicates that the business of the town in 1878 was limited to 1 hotel, 2 stores, 1 baker, and 1 blacksmith. In 1896 it shows but 1 hotel and 1 store. This one store was Thomas Nevin’s, whereat the postal business was conducted. The census of 1911 gave the population as 29.
The birth, progress and decline of Brighton were similar to Charleston’s, and to other goldfields of the Coast; the field developed with astonishing rapidity and faded to extinction, or semi-extinction, almost as quickly. It is believed that the first white child born at Brighton was James Cook, and the first white girl Margaret O’Donnell, both it is said, in the same month, June of 1867; that the first marriage was of Thomas Kingston and Mary Anne McKee, the date not being ascertainable.
The first newspaper was the Brighton Times, published by Mr. Charles Mirfin, who later had the Charleston and Reefton papers. There were in all four newspapers published at Brighton.
The first Resident Warden and Magistrate was Charles Broad, later of Charleston. His daughter was a notable singer, and the star attraction when she assisted at local concerts.
After a short period of Commissioner control, the first Clerks of Court were James Payne 1866-1867, Lovell Moffett
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