Preston (St. Peter)

PRESTON (St. Peter), a parish, in the union of Steyning, hundred of Preston, rape of Lewes, E. division of Sussex, 1¾ mile (N. N. W.) from Brighton; containing 756 inhabitants. The parish comprises 951 acres, of which 261 are common or waste land. The village is pleasantly situated on the London road, near the entrance to Brighton. Anne of Cleves resided at Preston House, which still contains her portrait, a good original painting; and from this place she retired to a convent at Falmer, about three miles distant, where she died. The London and Brighton and the Lewes and Brighton railways pass through the parish. The viaduct here is the most important on the latter line; it was commenced in May 1845, and occupied ten months: there are 27 arches, the largest of which, crossing the London road, is 50 feet in span; the remaining 26 arches are 30 feet each. In the parish are cavalry barracks, and the water-works for supplying Brighton. The living is a discharged vicarage, with that of Hove united, valued in the king's books at £20. 2. 11., and in the gift of the Bishop of Chichester. The vicarial tithes of Preston have been commuted for £304, with a glebe of 4½ acres; and £13 are paid to the Ecclesiastical Commission. The church is in the early English style, with a square embattled tower: on the eastern wall were discovered, a few years since, some ancient paintings, ascertained to be of the time of Edward I.