Southwick (St. Michael)
SOUTHWICK (St. Michael), a parish, in the union of Steyning, hundred of Fishergate, rape of Bramber, W. division of Sussex, 1 mile (E.) from Shoreham; containing 957 inhabitants. The parish comprises 1175a. 6p. of a loamy soil, producing abundant crops. It is bounded on the east by Aldrington and Portslade, on the west by Kingston, on the north by Poynings and Edburton, and on the south by the sea. The river Adur intersects its southern portion, and the Portsmouth branch of the London and Brighton railway also passes through it. The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at £9. 13. 9½., and in the patronage of the Crown; net income, £207. The church is principally in the Norman style; the upper part of the tower, and some smaller portions, arc of later date. In 1834 it was enlarged. Dr. John Pell, F.R.S., a celebrated mathematician, was born in the parish, of which his father was incumbent, March 1st, 1611; he died in 1685. Remains of Roman foundations have occasionally been dug up on the north-east side of the village; and Roman pottery has also been discovered in the parish, when ploughing.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.