Niton (St. John the Baptist)

NITON (St. John the Baptist), a parish, in the liberty of East Medina, Isle of Wight division of the county of Southampton, 8 miles (S.) from Newport; containing 613 inhabitants. The parish occupies a delightful situation near St. Catherine's point, the southern extremity of the Isle of Wight, and is bounded by the English Channel, of which the village, being in one of the most hilly districts of the island, commands some fine views. Towards the north runs the road to Newport and the centre of the island; towards the northwest, that to the western parts; and towards the northeast, that to the eastern division. Charles II., after enduring a severe storm, landed at Puckaster, in the parish, on the 1st of July, 1675. The living is a rectory, with the vicarage of Godshill and the perpetual curacy of Whitwell united, valued in the king's books at £20. 7. 1.; net income, £600; patrons, the Provost and Fellows of Queen's College, Oxford. The tithes of Niton have been commuted for £368, and the glebe comprises 22 acres. The church is a very ancient structure; on the south side, without the wall of the cemetery, was formerly a cross raised upon steps, with a basin on the top, supposed to have been a font. There is a place of worship for Baptists; also a school endowed with £270, of which £20 were a donation from the Duchess of Kent.