Whitsbury, or Whitchbury (St. Leonard)

WHITSBURY, or Whitchbury (St. Leonard), a parish, in the union of Fordingbridge, hundred of Cawden and Cadworth, Salisbury and Amesbury, and S. divisions of Wilts, 3½ miles (N. by W.) from Fordingbridge; containing 186 inhabitants. This parish formed part of the possessions of Breamore Priory, founded by Baldwin de Redveriis in the reign of Henry I. It is situated on the highest land between Hants and Wilts, commanding an extensive view of the New Forest, and southward to the sea over a wide tract of fertile country. The number of acres is 1769. The substratum is chalk, which is dug in large quantities, and sent to considerable distances, being accounted to possess a peculiarly fertilizing property. A fair is held on the 17th of November, chiefly for pigs. The living is a discharged vicarage, endowed with the rectorial tithes, valued in the king's books at £5. 13. 4., and in the gift of Captain J. B. Purvis, R.N.: the tithes have been commuted for £300, and the glebe comprises 6 acres, with a house. The church is an ancient structure, situated on an eminence at the extremity of the parish; the chancel is within the county of Southampton. In the parish is a Roman encampment, occupying an elevated area surrounded by a trench, and commanding a fine view of Salisbury Cathedral and the castle of Old Sarum. In 1823, a barrow was opened on the estate of Sir Lucius Curtis, Bart.; and traces of a Roman road are discernible towards Clarebury Riggs. Charles Delafaye, Esq., a distinguished secretary of state in the reign of George I., resided and was interred here.