East Cowes - Whites 1878 - - Page 1

East Cowes, in Whippingham parish, is on the east side of Cowes Harbour, at the mouth of the Medina estuary, opposite the entrance to Southampton Water. It is much smaller than West Cowes, where the Custom House and the baths and bathing machines are situated.

Heny VIII built here a battery, or small castle, similar to that at West Cowes, but all traces of it are gone, though the site is still known as Old Castle Point.

The Custom House was formerly here, and here is still a District Trinity House, and a wharf belonging to the Trinity House, London. Upon this wharf is the Queen's landing-place. Mr. Charles Mannall is agent to the Trinity Board.

Here are extensive ship and yacht building yards, and a Coastguard station. Captain Mitchell is Commander of the Coastguard, which comprises 13 men.

In the vicinity are the beautiful seats of Osborne House, Norris Castle and East Cowes Castle.

The ecclesiastical district of East Cowes St. James, formed in 1843, comprises 498 acres, and had 2020 inhabitants in 1871.

The Church (St. James) was erected by subscription at a cost of about 6,000GBP. The first stone was laid on September 6, 1831, by Her Majesty, then Princess Victoria, assisted by her mother, the Duchess of Kent. The building was consecrated in 1833. The church was largely rebuild and enlarged in 1868, at a cost of 3,500GBP; a new chancel was added in 1870, at a further outlay of 1,500GBP, the former bein defrayed by subscription and the latter solely by the Dowager Viscountess Gort.

In the town are two Chapels belonging to the Independents and Wesleyan.

The Schools were built in 1861, at a cost of 3,000GBP, and are supported by voluntary subscription. The school has the interest of 50GBP, left in 1725 by Thomas Cole.

East Cowes Castle is a large and elegant mansion, which was erected nearly eighty years ago, by John Nash, Esq., a late celebrated architect, for his own residence. It was purchased in 1854 by the late George Tudor, Esq., who much improved it.

Norris Castle, an extensive and magnificent mansion in the castellated style, stands upon a bold ascent of the coast near Old Castle Point, opposite to the broad entrance to Southampton Water. It was for several years the residence of Her Majesty, when Princess Victoria, and her august mother the Duchess of Kent. It is now the seat of Robert Bell, Esq., who purchased it in 1838. It was built in 1799, for Lord Henry Seymour, by James Wyatt, Esq., a late eminent architect. Its park comprises about 125 acres, and adjoins that of Osborne. The present owner has expended more than 20,000GBP in protecting the estate by the erection of a sea-wall, nearly a mile in length, of solid Swanage stone masonry.

Post, Money Order, and Telegraph Office and Savings' Bank at Mr. William Parke's, Castle Street.

Steam Packets to and from Southampton, Ryde and Portsmouth.

Carrier -Henry Hollis, to NEWPORT, Mon., Wed., and Sat. and to FAREHAM, Tues.

Auldjo Mr. Henry, The Lodge

Baker John, boot and shoe maker, Castle street

Barnes Charles, block maker, Castle street.

Barnett Henry, beerhouse, High street

Bell Mr. Robert, Norris castle

Bishop John Samuel, boat builder, Clarence road

Blake William Henry, beerhouse, Castle street

Bontein Mr. James, Marsefield lodge

Brading Richard, bricklayer, High street

Brading William Henry, joiner and builder, 10 Clarence road

Bright William, shopkeeper, High street

Buckland Joseph, draper, Park street

Burfoot Mr. Joseph, Park cottage

Burton Solomon, greengrocer, High street

Carpenter William, master mariner, Clarence road

Carter Anthony, master mariner

Carter Captain John, Parade

Cheek John, baker, grocer and mealman, Clarence road

Chinchen James & Joseph, joiners & builders, Britannia wharf

Chinchen Joseph, grocer and greengrocer, Castle street

Coastguard Station; Captain Mitchell, Inspectant Commander ; Thomas Hunter, chief officer

Collins James, local manager (Southampton and I. of W.) for South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co.; h 26 York street, West Cowes

Cox James Gains, shopkeeper, Castle street

Crofton Hon. Capt. Frederick George, Inspectant Commander, Coastguard station

Davies Misses, Clarence villas

Deacon Bros., painters and plumber, Castle street

Deacon Henry Thomas (Bros.)

Deacon William (Bros.)

Dell Mr. Levi, High street

Derham Thomas, master mariner, Castle street

Duke Charles Ashton, victualler, Crown

Duke Thomas Hostler, foreman, Castle street

East Cowes Barracks

Edney Arthur, livery stable proprietor, High street

Firman Mrs. Tryfina Brooke, St. Thomas

Fooks Mr. Edward, Cambridge road