Northchapel (St. Michael)

NORTHCHAPEL (St. Michael), a parish, in the union of Midhurst, hundred of Rotherbridge, rape of Arundel, W. division of Sussex, 5 miles (N. by W.) from Petworth; containing 843 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated on the road from London to Petworth, and bounded on the north by the county of Surrey, was formerly part of the parish of Petworth, but was separated in 1718, by act of parliament. It comprises by admeasurement 3739 acres, of which 1875 are arable, 318 meadow and pasture, and 1105 woodland. At Fisher-street, works were erected by government at a great expense, for making charcoal for gunpowder; they were sold after the peace, and are now carried on by a private individual. There are also a tanyard, and works for making pyroligneous acid. The living is a rectory not in charge, in the gift of Col. Wyndham: the tithes have been commuted for £400, and the glebe comprises 3 acres. The Rev. John Johnson, late rector, in 1831 left £100 towards rebuilding the church, in consequence of which, it was enlarged in 1833 by the erection of a north transept, and repewed, and the tower rebuilt chiefly at the expense of the Earl of Egremont, and with the bequest above mentioned. In 1835, also, the earl erected a Sunday school, which he endowed with £333. 6. 8. three per cent. consols.; and two almshouses, to which he assigned £1500 three per cent. consols.