Maresfield (St. Bartholomew)

MARESFIELD (St. Bartholomew), a parish, in the union of Uckfield, hundred of Rushmonden, rape of Pevensey, E. division of Sussex, 2 miles (N. by W.) from Uckfield; containing 1579 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated on the road from Lewes to London, and includes a great portion of Ashdown forest, comprises 7750 acres, whereof 1677 are arable, 1314 meadow and pasture, 4663 common and wood, and 95 orchard and garden. About a mile from the village is Woodlands nursery, celebrated for the cultivation of rose-trees, of which there are nearly 1500 varieties. The scenery is pleasingly diversified, and Maresfield Park, the seat of John Villiers Shelley, Esq., is a handsome mansion. A fair for cattle is held on the 4th of September. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £12, and in the gift of Viscount Gage; the tithes have been commuted for £615. The church is a handsome structure in the later English style, with a square embattled tower; the interior was restored in 1838. At Nutley is a district church, of recent erection, dedicated to St. James: the living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Rector.