Freshwater - Whites 1878 - - Page 2

Tennyson Alfreld, D.C.L. Farringford hill

Tucker John Blake, farmer, Afton farm

Turner James, blacksmith

Wellington Henry Aplin, chemist, bookseller, stationer and circulating library

Woodford John, farmer, Sutton farm

Freshwater comprises all the extreme western portion of the Isle, and is nearly separated on the east from the rest of the island by the river Yar, and is bounded on its other sides by Freshwater Cliffs, the Needles, the Solent Sea, and Alum, Totland, and Colwell Bays. This parish also includes Afton, Wilmington, Compton, and other farms &c., on the east side of the river Yar, extending to Compton Bay and Chine, and Afton Down. It comprises 5240 acres of land, divided into the tithings of Easto, Middleton, Norton, and Weston, mostly on the west side of the river Yar.

The population of increased from 876 persons in 1821 to 2628 in 1871.

There are several manors, of which the following are the names and lords ; Freshwater, Lord Heytesbury ; Prior's and King's, Alfred Tennyson, Esq. ; Weston, W. G. Ward, Esq. ; Afton, Benjamin Cotton, Esq.

Farrington Hill, about a mile west of Freshwater Gate, overlooking the bold range of cliffs, is the pleasant seat of Alfred Tennyson, Esq., D.C.L., the Poet-laureate, who was born at Somersby, Lincolnshire, and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1830 he published his first volume of poems, which at once established his name in the first rank of his country's literature.

Afton House, the seat of Benjamin, Esq., is on the eastern side of the river Yar, and has a finely wooded lawn descending to the water.

Norton Lodge, the seat of Sir Graham William Eden Hamond Graeme, Bart., J.P., is a neat mansion, pleasantly situated on the sloping shore of the Solent Sea, on the western side of Yarmouth Haven, opposite Hurst Castle, commanding extensive views of the opposite coast and of all the vessels passing to and from the Needles.

Eastern Farm belongs to Mr. Edward Holloway.

West Hill, near Norton, is the pleasant seat of Rear-Admiral Crozier, and commands extensive views.

Freshwater Gate is a neat village, and bathing-place, with two good hotels, picturesquely situated on Freshwater Bay, near Freshwater Cliffs. The Albion and Freshwater Bay Hotels have excellent accommodation. The former is close to the beach, the latter on the cliff.

On the north side of the Down, within sight of the Needles, is the Needle Hotel.

On one of the Needles Rocks a new lighthouse was built in 1858, in lieu of the old lighthouse upon the cliffs.

Cliff-End Fort and Fort Victoria, the former mounted 40 and the latter 50 guns, are two strong fortifications, erected for the defence of the coast. They are nearly opposite Hurst Castle, and could prevent any hostile vessels from entering the Solent Sea from the Needles passage. A smaller fort, mounting seven guns, has been erected at Freshwater Gate.

Freshwater Parish Church (All Saints') stands near Freshwater Gate, on the west bank of the river Yar, 1 1/2 mile S.S.W. of Yarmouth. It is an ancient Norman structure, which has undergone many repairs and alterations.

Totland Bay Church (Christ's Church) was built in 1875, at a cost of 3,400GBP, raised by subscription.

There is a Wesleyan Chapel at Middleton Green, and a small Baptist Chapel near Colwell Bay.

The National Schools, with a house for the teachers, were built in 1849-50, at the cost of about 1,000GBP, and enlarges in 1871, by subscription and grant ; they will accommodate 300 children, 16 of whom are taught free, in consideration of the dividends of 1241l. 18s. 4d. three per cent. Consols, derived from the sale of land, which had been left for that purpose, in 1714, by David Urry.

In 1809, 240GBP, left for the poor of Freshwater parish, by the Rev. Benjamin Culm, Dr. Johnson, and other donors, was vested in the purchase of three Isle of Wight House of Industry Bonds of 100GBP each, at 4 per cent.

In 1823 the Rev. Benjamin Holme, a late rector, left 300GBP three per cent. Consols, in trust, for the distribution of the yearly dividends among the poor parishioners. He also left 100GBP of the same Stock to provide Bibles, &c., for the National Schools. The two sums were sold in 1824, and the proceeds invested in the purchase of 331l. 10s. three and a half per cent. Annuities.

On September 14 the poor parishioners have the dividends of 100GBP three per cent. Consols, left in 1846, by the late Joseph Squire, of Yarmouth.

Dr. Robert Hooke, a celebrated philosopher and mechanician of the 17th century, was born in this parish in 1635, and died in 1702.

Post and Money Order Office and Savings' Bank at Mr. Robert Lever's, School Green

Carriers to NEWPORT - J. Simmons, Tuesday and Saturday ; William White, Mon., Wed. and Sat.

Alpe Mr. John Prothero, Ballards hill

Bedingfeld Mr. Howard, Locksley

Bendall Henry, painter and plumber

Conway Miss Ellen, Middleton cottage

Denham Isaac, vict,. Royal Standard

Dowty Henry, ironmonger, shoeing smith, china dealer and estate agent

Harding John, watch and clock maker

Hillier John, bootmaker

Jackman Mrs. Ann, National schoolmistress

James Daniel, baker

Kelleway James, grocer & victualler, Vine Inn

Lane Mrs. Mary, beerhouse

Leal Albert Henry, engineer & blacksmith

Leal William, carpenter

Lever Robert, grocer, agent for Gilbey's wines and spirits and postmaster, School green

Marshall William Robert, millier, Queen's road

Merwood Jeremiah, farmer

Mew William, blacksmith, School green

Moyce Mrs. Ann, baker

Neale Mrs. Julia, Brooklands

Oldershaw Rev John (Episcopal), Woodlands

Plumbley Mr. Charles William

Prinsep Henry Thoby, artist in oil, The Briery