Chawton (St. Nicholas)

CHAWTON (St. Nicholas), a parish, in the union and hundred of Alton, Alton and N. divisions of the county of Southampton, 1¼ mile (S. S. W.) from Alton; containing 460 inhabitants. This parish, which consists by computation of 2600 acres, whereof several hundred are rich woodland, and 60 common or waste, is situated in a district abounding with picturesque scenery. It comprises a beautiful and fertile valley, watered by numerous springs that occasionally spread over the adjacent lands; and within its limits is one of the sources of the river Wey. There is a quarry of stone for building walls and cottages. The village, through which the high road passes, contains several handsome houses. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £11. 5. 5., and in the gift of Edward Knight, Esq.: the tithes have been commuted for £500, and the glebe comprises 70 acres, with a glebe-house. The church, which was enlarged in 1839 at an expense of £900, contains a handsome monument to Sir Richard Knight.