Stanton St. John (St. John the Baptist)

STANTON ST. JOHN (St. John the Baptist), a parish, in the union of Headington, hundred of Bullingdon, county of Oxford, 4½ miles (N. E. by E.) from Oxford; containing 510 inhabitants. This place takes the adjunct to its name from the family of St. John, who held the manor in the reign of Edward III. A hill in the neighbourhood, called Irondon Hill, is supposed to have obtained that appellation from Ireton, who lived there after his marriage with the daughter of Cromwell. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £16. 9. 4½.; income, £287; patrons, the Warden and Scholars of New College, Oxford. The church is in the early English style, with a handsome embattled tower; part of the north aisle is inclosed by a richlydecorated screen, and used as a vestry. Lady Elizabeth Holford, in 1717, gave £500 in support of a school. About a mile north-east of the church is the hamlet of Woodpury, in which are some interesting remains of the ancient village and church of that name. Roman tiles and pottery, with two coins, have been dug up.