Southgate

SOUTHGATE, a chapelry, in the parish, union, and hundred of Edmonton, county of Middlesex, 8 miles (N. by W.) from London; containing 2438 inhabitants. The name of this place is derived from its situation at the south gate or entrance of Enfield Chase, and it is still called South-street division; the Chase, however, has been entirely inclosed, and is now in a good state of cultivation. The village contains many handsome houses; the New River runs at its extremity, and the neighbourhood is well wooded: the Duke of Buckingham has a residence here, in the grounds of which is a very fine oak-tree whose shade covers nearly an acre of ground. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Vicar of Edmonton; net income, £180. The chapel, built in 1615, at the expense of Sir John Weld, has been rebuilt. There is a place of worship for Independents; and a national school has been erected near the Green, in a very neat style. In an adjacent field called Camp Field, have been found several pieces of cannon, and a gorget belonging to Oliver Cromwell, having his initials handsomely inlaid with jewels. In 1829, several ancient coins were dug up in the neighbourhood.