Salehurst (St. Mary)

SALEHURST (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of Ticehurst, hundred of Henhurst, rape of Hastings, E. division of Sussex, 6 miles (N.) from Battle; containing 2099 inhabitants. A Cistercian abbey was founded here in 1176, by Alured de St. Martin and Queen Adeliza, and flourished till the Dissolution, when its revenue was returned at £248. 10. 6.: there are some remains of the buildings. The parish comprises 6480a. 3r. 30p., of which 4759 acres are arable and pasture, and 1649 woodland; the surface is irregular, rising in some parts to a considerable elevation, and commanding extensive views over a fertile and richly-wooded country. The district abounds with ironstone and sandstone, and the former was once wrought. The river Rother flows through the parish; and the road to Hastings passes by the villages of Robert's-Bridge and Hurst-Green: at the latter beautiful place, petty-sessions are held monthly. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's books at £14; net income, £503; patron, John Hardy, Esq.; impropriator, Sir S. B. P. Micklethwait, Bart. The church is a handsome structure in the early and later English styles, with a square embattled tower, and contains some remains of stained glass. There are places of worship for Wesleyans; and a school supported partly by an endowment of £16. 17. per annum. John Freeland, Esq., in 1803 bequeathed the sum of £1200 to the poor.