Bonchurch - Whites 1878 - - Page 1

The parish of Bonchurch had 146 inhabitants in 1831, 641 in 1871, and comprises 560 acres of land.

In 1834 a portion of the Undecliff was sold off in building lots, for the erection of about twenty villas, most of which are private residences; others are let as lodgings, and one is a first-rate hotel.

East Dene, the seat of J. Snowden Henry, Esq., is a handsome mansion in the Elizabethan style. The pleasure-grounds extend over 17 acres, finely shaded with elms andother trees,

The Maples, lately purchased by George Giles, Esq., now occupied by his widow, is a handsome modern mansion. Its pleasure-grounds are richly diversified with hanging woods and gardens, terrace walks, rude flights of steps, sloping lawns, cascades and fountains, and hugh towering crags and rocks, with deep caverns, crowned by the Pulpit Rock.

Undermount, the charming marine villa of Lady Elizabeth Pringle, of Selkirkshire, Scotland, has about five acres of pleasure-grounds, and is approached by a tunnel cut through the rock, beneath a lofty crag, which is surmounted by a flag-staff, and is commonly call Hadfield's Look-out, from a former owner. She is the widow of Sir John, the fifth baronet, who purchased this villa in 1851. Her ladyship is a daughter of the first Marquis of Breadalbane.

Underock, another neat villa, is the property of the Right Hon. Sir Laurence Reel, Kt., who was formerly Chief Justice of Calcutta. In the grounds have been found several Roman coins and horns of the Bos-Longefrons.

The handsome villa called Woodlynch, formerly the residence of the late Rev. James White, M.A., a popular dramatist, and author of the 'Eighteen Christian Centuries' and many other works of sterling merit, is now the propert of E. Lloyd, Esq.

Miss Elizabeth Sewell, the author of 'Amy Herbert' and many other children's novels, resides at Ashcliff, in this parish.

Bonchurch was the birthplace of Admiral Hobson, who, having been left an orphan at an early age. was apprenticed to a tailor ; but inspired by the sight of a squadron of men-of-war coming round Dunnose Head, he quit his work, ran to the beach, jumped into the first boat he saw, and rowed to the Admiral's ship, where he entered as a seaboy. [Thomas Hopsonn, the story as recorded on Wikipedia is somewhat different]

The ancient parish church of St. Boniface, or Bonchurch, is a small antique structure, founded by the Saxons, but now disused.

The New church, in a more elevated situation, of St. Boniface is a plain but well-proportioned edifice. The first stone was laid June 24, 1847, by the Rev. William Adams, who passed away before it consecration in 11 December 1848. The eastern triplet and bull's-eye above are filled with stained glass by Wailes. The windows in the transepts were the gift of the late. W. Sewell, D.D. The font was a tribute to the memory of Mr. Adams. The south transept was added in 1874, at a cost of 600GBP. The church was built, at a cost of 3,000GBP, by Messrs. Jolliffe & Day, of Bonchurch. The new vestry was added in 1871 at the expense if Mrs. Frederick Hamilton.

The School was built in 1849, at a cost of 800GBP.

Post Office at Messrs. George & Francis Edwards's.

Attwool John, lodgings, Portland cottage

Banister Frederick Dale, C.E., The Cottage

Betts Mrs. E., The Villa

Bicknell -, lodgings, Winterbourne

Bowen Col. Edward, Rose Mount

Bremmer Mrs., Pulpit Rock

Carnell Henry, lodgings, Sunnyside

Cubitt Rev. Charles, Hawthorn Dene

Dament W. S., solicitor and clerk to Local Board, Rose hill

Day Daniel (D. & Son) ; h Wykeham cottage

Day Frederick (D. & Son) ; h Elm cottage

Day & Son, builders, contractors, house agents and ornamental stonemasons

Edward George & Francis, post and job masters and grocers

Feilden Misses, Thorncliffe

Francis Mrs. Elizabeth, Chine cottage

Frere Mr. Edward, Rose cliff

Geach Mr. Edward, Rosentrime

Giles Mrs. George, The Maples

Henry John Snowdon, Esq. J.P., D.L., East Dene and London

Hills Alfred, lodgings, Hillside cottage

Howells Henry Grenville, joiner and picture frame maker

Huish Mrs. Margaret, Coombe wood

Hunt James, cowkeeper and lodgings, Woodbine cottage

Irvine John, cowkeeper, Bonchurch dairy

Jeffery Henry, sexton, Rose cottage

Joblin George, blacksmith

Jolliffe James, pleasure boat proprietor, Seaside cottage, Horseshoe bay

Jolliffe Jonathan (J. & Sons), & farmer, Luccombe farm

Jolliffe Jonathan George (J. & Sons), & house agent

Jolliffe & Sons, builders & contractors

Jolliffe William (J. & Sons), & house agent, Fern bank

Kearney Henry Edward & Charlotte, National school teachers

Lewington Alfred William, lodgings, Myrtle cottage

Lloyd E. Esq., Wood lynch

Maddock Rev. Henry John, M.A., rector

Medley Henry, baker and confectioner

Monro Dr., Orchardleigh