Post Office Directory 1851, Oving, West Sussex

Oving is an extensive parish, 3 miles east from Chichester, in Box hundred, rape of Chichester, Westhampnett union, containing 2,000 acres, bounded on the east by Tangmere and South Bersted, on the west by Merston and Westhampnett. The road from Bognor to Chichester, passes through a portion of this parish, as does also the Arundel and Portsmouth canal. The church is in the early English style of architecture; it is a perfect cross, consisting of chancel, nave, north and south transepts, with a tower and spire at the east end. The Precentor of Chichester Cathedral is patron. The living is a vicarage, value £224 per annum, in the incumbency of the Rev. Gilbert Henry Langdon, M.A. The church was restored and beautified in 1841, at the expense of the late Miss Woods, who also built six handsome and commodious dwellings for the aged poor of the parish, who were supported by that benevolent lady. There is also a school for boys and girls, established and endowed by the same lady. The hamlet of Shopwyke, in this parish is 2 miles from Chichester, distinguished by a very beautiful mansion, called Shopwyke House (late the residence of Miss Woods), now the property and residence of the Rev. George Henry Woods, who is the principal proprietor of the parish. The lodges and entrance to the mansion are of a tasteful description. The population, in 1841, was 790; assessed to the Income Tax at £7,701. Colworth and Portfield are tithing. The railway station at Drayton, on the South-Coast line, is in this parish.

Letters received through Chichester.

Gentry
Carpenter William
Dixon Mrs
Florance John Draper, esq.
Holme Mrs. Oving Cottage
Langdon Rev. Gilbert Henry, M.A. Vicarage
Pilkington Miss, Shopwhyke
Upton Mrs.
Woods Rev. George Henry, Shopwyke House

Traders
Boniface Richard, farmer, Colworth
Booker William, beer retailer
Carpenter James, farmer
Crunden George Roberts, boys’ endowed school, & post office receiving house
Crunden Mrs. Amelia, girls’ endowed school
Drewitt George, farmer, Manor Farm
Duke George, farmer, Drayton
Edwards William, “White Horse”
Gale Daniel, shopkeeper
Loader ~John, shopkeeper & beer retailer
Munning John, farmer & blacksmith
Mayhead John, carrier
Musgrove William, boot maker
Pontin Frederick, farmer
Saunders Charles, miller
Smith john, shopkeeper
Tipper Mrs. Martin, blacksmith & wheelwright, Colworth
Upton Thomas, farmer, Colworth
Upton William, farmer, Colworth