Slaugham (St. Mary)

SLAUGHAM (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of Cuckfield, hundred of Buttinghill, rape of Lewes, E. division of Sussex, 4½ miles (S. by W.) from Crawley; containing 1286 inhabitants. The parish comprises 3088 acres, of which 1136 are common or waste land. It is situated on the road from London, through Crawley, to Brighton; and the river Ouse has its source here, in the grounds of Ashford, forming in its course a lake of about thirty acres at Slaugham mills. The surface is diversified with hill and dale; the soil is sandy, and generally poor. There are considerable remains of the old manor-house of Slaugham Place, the ancient seat of the Covert family; the grand staircase was given by the late Colonel Sergison to the proprietor of the Star inn, Lewes, and was erected in that house. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £10.19. 2., and in the patronage of Mrs. A. Sergison; net income, £282. The church was enlarged in 1837, and contains a splendid monument to the Coverts. There is a place of worship for Baptists.