[2] Local folk-lore has it that the name derives from the spillage of Roman coins on their journey to the Iron working just north of Hastings.

The tenant farmer was John Standen, and the farm remained with his family until 1842, when it was bought by Francis Smith.

There were a row of cottages built for the workers, known as 'Pottery Cottages' adjacent to the main works and clay was obtained from two local sources; Red Clay from Vale Road and White Clay from Forty Acre Field (roughly to the west of Frederick Road)[3] From the early 1840s the Pottery was owned by Fred Tree, and among his workers was an artistic potter named John Pelling who was promoted to foreman in 1846.

He became well known for creating a unique style of rustic pottery with a wood-bark design, and according to a local story this was inspired by Polly's maiden name.

After founding his new town of St Leonards-on-Sea, James Burton gained permission by an Act of Parliament of 1837 to build a turnpike road northwards from Maze Hill to avoid the congestion in Hastings.