19/10/2006
Transcribed by Stacey Gardner
Withyham, or Withyam, is a parish in Hartfield hundred, East Grinstead union, Pevensey rape, with 9,080 acres, and a population of 1,692, assessed at £5,832. The benefice is a rectory, with the curacy of Crowborough, value £717 per annum, and in the patronage of the Earl De la Warr, and incumbency of the Hon. Rev. Reginald Windsor Sackville West. Withyham is on the cross road to Tunbridge Wells, about 6 miles south-west of that town. Crowborough is a chapelry of Withyham, 4 miles south-west. The church of Withyham, dedicated to St. Michael, is probably of early foundation, though but a small portion of the ancient fabric is now remaining, the greater part having been destroyed by a thunder storm, in the year 1663. The tower and part of the southern wall of the chancel, which are relics of the ancient building, appear to belong to the decorated period of English architecture. In 1844 the interior was in part renovated, and some modern unsightly erections removed. Attached to the church, on the north-eastern side, is a private chapel, belonging to the ancient family of Sackville; beneath which is a vault, which for many hundred years has been the place of burial. There are three monuments, executed by Nollekens, Flaxman, and Chantry, well deserving of notice. Not far from the church is a tower and some other portions of buildings, which are the remains of the ancient house of Buckhurst. The first Lord of Buckhurst was Lord High Treasurer in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and afterwards was made Earl of Dorset. The title is now extinct. On a part of Ashdown forest, in this parish, is a chapel of ease, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, about 3 miles from the parish church. The Rev. George Antrobus is curate. The places of worship are for Methodists and Baptists. Here are National Schools. Earl De la Warr is lord of the manor. A fair is held on October 11th.
Post Office – Thomas Avis, post-master. Letters arrive by mail cart, from Tunbridge Wells, every morning at 5.30am, delivered at 7am dispatched 7pm.
Public Schools:-
National St John’s, Withyham, Richard Martin, master; Mrs. Anna Martin, mistress
Parish, Withyham, Thomas Rickard, master; Miss Sarah Rickard, mistress.
Carriers to:-
London – Jonathan Streatfield’s van, every Wednesday morning to the Nag’s Head inn, Borough, returning from thence every Friday night. Abel Elliot’s van, from Hartfield, every Tuesday night to the Catherine Wheel inn, Borough, returning from thence every Thursday night. Robert Jarvis’s van, from Crowborough, every Tuesday morning to Catherine Wheel inn, Borough, returning from thence every Thursday night
Tunbridge Wells – George Gillham’s cart, from East Grinstead, every tues. thurs & sat. returning the same day.
Gentry
Antrobus Rev. George, (curate of St John’s), Crowborough
De la Warr the Hon. Earl, Buckhurst Park
Guy Capt. Henry, Beech Green Park
Price Richard, esq. Highfields Park
Ramsbottom James, esq. Crowborough Warren
West the Hon. Rev. Reginald Windsor Sackville (rector), Rectory
Whitlock Rev. Benjamin, Groombridge
Traders
Avis John, farmer
Avis John, farmer
Avis Mrs. Martha, farmer
Avis Thomas, shopkeeper & post office
Balcomb Thomas, blacksmith, Lye Green
Box Henry, blacksmith
Brooks William, wheelwright
Brown Jonathan, farmer
Burfoot Christopher, farmer
Burfoot John, farmer
Chapman George, farmer
Chewter Thomas, shoemaker, Groombridge
Chewter William, shoemaker
Clifton David, beer retailer, Groombridge
Coverley John, farmer
Crouch Mrs. Sophia, “Half Moon,” Fryer’s Gate
Crowhurst Robert, farmer
Crowhurst Robert, farmer
Crowhurst William, farmer
Crowhurst William, jun., farmer
Dadswell Edward, farmer
Dives James, farmer
Dyer Joseph, vetinary surgeon, Fryer’s Gate
Hale Abraham, farmer
Hall Mrs. Caroline, farmer
Hall Obadiah, farmer
Hewett Mrs. Mary, shopkeeper, Lye Green
Hooker George, farmer
Jeffrey Henry, surgeon, Groombridge
Jenner James, stonemason
Killick Thomas, farmer, Lye Green
Killick William, farmer
Kingsbury William, tanner
Knell John George, nurseryman
Langridge Henry, farmer
Newman Joseph, wheelwright
Norman William, “Dorset Arms”
Parris John, farmer
Patching Thomas, farmer
Payne William, farmer
Pearce William, “Sussex Oak”
Pratt David, farmer
Richardson Daniel. Farmer
Richardson Thomas, miller
Streatfield Jonathan, carrier
Walking Thomas, farmer
Wilson Thomas, nurseryman
19/10/2006 | Transcribed by Stacey Gardner |
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