Chale - Whites 1878 - - Page 1

The parish of Chale has 652 inhabitants [presumably in 1871) and covers 2,222 acres. The parish rises from the high and craggy cliffs to a bold range of downs, and includes Stroud Green [Chale Green], St. Catherine's Down, several scattered farmhouses and handsome marine villas, and a large hotel.

The manors of Chale and Walpan were sold in 1806 to the late Earl of Yarborough ; but the soil belongs to many freeholders.

St. Catherine's Hill:

St. Catherine's Hill, which rises from the head of Blackgang Chine to the height of 750 feet above high water mark, commands extensive prospects of sea and land.

On this lofty eminence a Chapel dedicated to St. Catherine, was erected on the site of a Hermitage, in 1323, by Walter, lord of the manor of Godyton.

About 1780 the Brethren of Trinity House built a circular lighthouse near the chapel, but was found to be of no use, as the summit of the hill was always obscured by vapours in bad weather.

On the northern brow of the hill is a column, 72 feet high, called the Alexandrian Pillar. It was erected by Michel Hoy, Esq., in remembrance of the visit of the Emperor of Russia to Great Britain in 1814, and the founder's long and happy residence in Russia.

There is a Coast Guard Station at St. Catherine's Point.

Near Blackgang is the great Landslip of 1799.

On the romantic cliffs, near the water fall, is Blackgang Chine Hotel, a large handsome building, commanding extensive marine views, in which the Bill of Portland may be seen in fine weather.

Near Blackgang Chine Hotel are several handsome villas, called Sealand Cottage, Sea View, Rockside. Low Cliff, Southands, &c., all are sheltered on the north by lofty hills, and command delightful prospects of the coast and English Channel.

Chale Abbey Farm belongs to Sir H. P. Gorden, Bart. ; and in the walls of the farmhouse are vestiges of an ancient building, supposed to have been a monastery.

The Church of St. Andrew's is a Norman structure, supposed to have been originally founded by Hugh de Vernon, in 1111. The tower is of 15th century work. The church was restored in 1872.

Here is a small Wesleyan Chapel and Bible Christian meeting room.

The Parish School was built in 1843, at a cost of about 500GBP, it has an attendance of 55 mixed scholars and 30 infants.

A large portion of the ground surrounding Low Cliff gave way during the winter of 1875, and landslips are constantly taking place here.

Carriers to NEWPORT ; Thomas Cheverton, Tues., Thurs., and Sat. ; Maurice Rayner, Mon., Wed., and Sat.

Attrill Leonard, farmer, Corve farm

Barton Mrs. Jane, Chale Abbey farm

Brown Benjamin, victualler, New Inn

Brown Miss Martha, Parochial schoolmistress

Brown Maurice, stonemason

Brown Miss Patience, lodgings, 3 Cliff terrace

Cheverton Thomas, carrier

Christiton John, farm bailiff for Mr. F. Barton, Chale Abbey farm

Coast Guard Station; John Thomas Herod, chief boatman

Coke John, Government road contractor, 6 Cliff terrace

Coombes George Eli, grocer, baker and sub-postmaster

Cotton Benjamin, farmer

Dabell Alexander, fancy repository, Black Gang bazaar [Blackgang]

Dabell Charles, butcher

Dabell George Mudie, job master and victualler, Black Gang Hotel [Blackgang]

Goody John Thomas, chief boatman, Coastguard station

Hawkins Miss Frances, St. Catherine's

Jolliffe James Dorrell, farmer, Pyle farm

Kent William, lodging house, 7 Cliff terrace

Linnington John, blacksmith & joiner

Livesay Augustus Frederick, architect, Sandrock Spring cottage

Lowe George Richard, shoemaker, Chale green

Malgarina Mr. Frederick Lewis, Southlands

Merriman Langton, boarding house and victualler, Clarendon Hotel

Moorman William, cowkeeper and lodging house, 5 Cliff terrace

Morris Henry Stone, farmer, Stroud farm

Pinnock Mr. Robert, Sealands

Rayner Maurice, carrier

Reade Mr. Charles, St. Catherine's villa

Roach Mr. Reginald, St. Catherine's hall

Rouse Thomas, Parochial schoolmaster

Rouse Thomas, assistant overseer and land agent

Russell Reuben, farmer, Gotten farm