22 Jul 2006
Transcribed by Stacey Gardner
Birdham is a parish 4 miles south-west from Chichester, in the south-western division of the county, hundred Manhood, rape, petty sessional division and county court district of Chichester, union of Westhampnet, and in the rural deanery of Selsey and archdeaconry and diocese of Chichester. The Arundel and Porstmouth Canal pases through the parish and terminates at Chichester Harbour. The church (supposed to have been dedicted to St James) is an ancient edifice of stone, in the Early English and Perpendicular styles, and has a tower containing 2 bells; the church was restored in 1883 at a cost of £819, and has sittings for 250 persons. The register dates from 1538. The living is a rectory, net yearly value £279, with residence and 11 acres of glebe, in the gift of the Bishop of Chichester, and held since 1901 by Rev. William George Hunter L.Th of Hatfield Hall, Durham. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners are lords of the manor, and the Duke of Richmond and Gordon K.G.. G.C.V.O.. C.B. is the principal landowner. The soil is loam subsoil, Bracklesham clay. The chief crops are wheat, barley and oats. Area 1,806 acres of land and 5 of water, 37 of tidal water and 138 of foreshore; rateable value £2,514; the population in 1901 was 389.
Clerk, Henry Creese
Post, M. O. & T. Office – Mrs Emma Mant, sub-postmistress; Letters arrive from Chichester at 7.15am & 3.45pm; dispatched at 12.30 & 6.40pm; Sundays arrive at 7.15 & dispatched at 10.40am
Letters Box, Hotel corner, cleared at 12.35 & 6.45pm; week days; Sundays 10.45am
Public Elementary School (mixed), built in 1817, enlarged in 1874 & an infant school built in 1885, for 220 children; average attendance, 140; Alfred John Nixon, master; Mrs Nixon infants mistress.
Carriers to Chichester, George Robinson, mon, wed, fri & sat; Charles Petter, mon, wed, fri, & sat. Henry Redmond, mon, wed, fri & sat.
Private Residents
Dawrey Misses
Farne Mrs. Court Barn House
Hobgen Sydney Francis
Hunter Rev. William George, L.Th (rector), Rectory
Kerwood Miss
Commercial
Balchin Maurice, farmer
Balchin William, frmer
Barnes William, farm bailiff to Edwd. Mills Esq
Bayley Geo. Tuer, farmer, Batchmeres
Boughton Henry, farmer
Carpenter Reuben, bricklayer
Clayton Elen (Mrs), Bell P.H
Farne & Sons, millers (water) & farmers
Farne William, farmer, Holt’s Farm
Glue Albert, The Hotel P.H
Harding Alfred, farmer
Harris William, farmer, Lippering frm
Haskins Arthur, farmer
Haskins Cornelius, wheelwright
Haskins Eli, farmer
Haskins Henry, farmer
Hobgen Arthur Percy, farmer
Jarman Hugh, farmer
Mant Emma (Mrs), grocer, Post Office
Napper Gilmore, blacksmith
Shrubb Henry, farmer
Smart William George, farmer
Spiers Edward, farmer
Wilkins Harry W., farmer, Manhood End farm
22 Jul 2006 | Transcribed by Stacey Gardner |
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