Uckfield (Holy Cross)

UCKFIELD (Holy Cross), a market-town, a parish, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Loxfield-Dorset, rape of Pevensey, E. division of Sussex, 8 miles (N. E. by N.) from Lewes; containing 1534 inhabitants. The parish is bounded on the west by the river Ouse, and comprises 1636a. 2r. 37p., of which about 70 acres are under the cultivation of hops, and 40 in roads, sites of buildings, and waste; the scenery is exceedingly picturesque, and the air salubrious. The village is situated on an eminence, on the road from Lewes to London and to Tonbridge-Wells; and contains several good houses. Petty-sessions are held every Friday in the winter, and every alternate Friday during the summer, at the Maidenhead hotel, where occasional assemblies take place in a handsome ball-room. There is a market for corn on Friday; and cattle-fairs occur on May 14th and August 29th. The living is annexed to the rectory of Buxted; the rector's tithes have been commuted for £315. The nave of the church was rebuilt in 1840, by subscription, and a spire has been added to the tower. The Baptists and Wesleyans have places of worship. Dr. Anthony Saunders, in 1719, left a school-house, and some land now producing £70 per annum, in trust for the establishment of a free grammar school for six boys of this parish, and six of Buxted, and also gave his library for the use of the school; part of the rent is applied in apprenticing boys of Buxted. The poor-law union of Uckfield comprises 11 parishes or places, containing a population of 16,447: the workhouse, situated on elevated ground, was erected in 1839. In a house once occupied by Bishop Christopherson, confessor to Queen Mary, are preserved some massive rings, and vestiges of popery. In the grounds of R. S. Streatfield, Esq., are various curiously-formed rocks, hollowed into caves.