Newtown - Whites 1878 - - Page 1

Newtown, a township in Calbourne parish, has only 113 inhabitants, though it is an ancient borough, which was disfranchised in 1832. It was formerly a chapelry in that parish ; but in 1871 part of the borough, with a portion of Shalfleet parish, was formed into an ecclesiastical district containing 376 persons.

On the shore were once small salt-works, and in the creek are extensive oyster-beds.

Vessels of 50 tons can get up to the village, which formerly had a fair for toys, &c., on July 22.

Newtown was anciently of much greater extent than at present, and was called Francheville in the 13th century. The town was burned by the Danes in 1001, and by the French in the reign of Richard II. After being rebuilt in the latter reign it obtained the name Newtown. From the 27th [year of ?] of Elizabeth till 1832 it sent two members to Parliament, and the right of election was in the Mayor and the burgesses having borough lands.

Newtown Chapel (Holy Ghost) is a small fabric, which was erected in 1837, at a cost of 1,030GBP, in lieu of the ancient chapel, which had been many years in ruins.

The school is in Lock's Green.

Abrook Thomas, manager

Harvey Miss Elizabeth, farmer

Holbrook James, master mariner

Holbrook Reuben, salt maker

Newtown Oyster Co. ; Thomas Abrook, manager

Prangnell Henry, brickmaker and victualler, Newtown Arms

Seagar Charles, farmer

Stokes Rev. Hudleston, M.A., vicar

Triner John William, chief officer, Coastguard station

Woolgar Mrs. Hannah, grocer