Waghen, or Wawn (St. Peter)

WAGHEN, or Wawn (St. Peter), a parish, in the union of Beverley, Middle division of the wapentake of Holderness, E. riding of York; containing 362 inhabitants, of whom 267 are in the township, 4 miles (S. E. by E.) from Beverley. This parish, including the hamlet of Meux or Meaux, comprises 5600 acres, of which about one-fourth is meadow and pasture, 20 acres wood, and the remainder arable; the surface is level, and the soil chiefly a loamy sand, with a little carr, which by extensive draining has been made good land. Joseph Smith Wyndham, Esq., a descendant from Sir Thomas Smith, secretary of state to Queen Elizabeth, is lord of the manor, and owner of the township. The river Hull is seen on the west, flowing through the low lands, as far as the Wolds; the village is pleasantly situated, and encompassed by a good deal of wood. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the patronage of the Chancellor of York Cathedral, valued in the king's books at £7. 0. 10.; net income, £49; uppropriators, the Dean and Chapter of York. The church, first erected in 1211, is partly in the decorated style, with a fine square tower of later date: there are three stalls in the chancel.