New Alresford Hampshire Family History Guide
New Alresford an Ancient Parish in the county of Hampshire.
Alternative names: Alresford
Parish church: St John the Baptist
Parish registers begin:
- Parish registers: 1539
- Bishop’s Transcripts: 1780
Nonconformists include:
Table of Contents
Adjacent Parishes
Parish History
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales 1870
ALRESFORD, or New Alresford, a small town, a parish, a subdistrict, and a district in Hants. The town stands along a hill, contiguous to the Arle river, with a st. on the Alton and Winchester railway, 7 miles ENE of Winchester.
The tract around it was given by Kynewald, second Christian king of Wessex, to the church of Winchester; and was thenceforth much controlled by the bishops.
The town seems to have been soon formed by them; and, falling into decay, was restored, in the time of King John, by Bishop Godfrey de Lucy. A pond was then excavated adjacent to it, along the course of the Itchen, 1½ mile in length and about 200 acres in area, with the view of bringing up navigation hither from the sea; but failed eventually to serve the purpose, and is now reduced to about 60 acres. The embankment on the north side, to the extent of nearly 500 yards, is said to have been originally a Roman causeway.
The town was incorporated at an early period, and is said to have sent a member to parliament in the time of Edward I.; and it had at one time a considerable cloth manufacture, and many fulling-mills; but it is now merely a marketing centre for country produce, with right to some rents and tolls. It was burned by the royalist troops in 1644; and again suffered severely from fire in 1689 and in 1736. It has a head post office, two banks, a market house of 1866, a weekly market on Thursday, and fairs on Holy Thursday, the last Thursday in July, the first Thursday in Sept., 17 Oct., and the last Thursday in Nov.
Miss Mitford, the author of “Our Village,” was a native. Many silver coins, of the reign of William I., were found, in 1833, in a leaden box, in a neighbouring field. The Alton and Winchester railway, opened in 1865, passes close to the town, and gives ready access to London and Southampton.
The parish comprises 683 acres. Real property, £5,411. Pop., 1,546. Houses, 274. The property is subdivided. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Winchester. Value, £240. Patron, the Bishop of Winchester. The church was built in 1690, and has a square embattled tower. There are an Independent chapel, a free grammar school, with £149 a year, and other charities with nearly £40.
The subdistrict contains the parishes of New Alresford, Old Alresford, Ovington, Itchen-Stoke, Bighton, Swarraton, Northington, Brown-Candover, and Chilton Candover, and the extra-parochial tract of Godsfield. Acres, 16,619. Pop., 3,674. Houses, 679.
The district includes also the subdistrict of Ropley, containing the parishes of Ropley, West Tisted, Bramdean, Hinton-Ampner, Kilmiston, Beanworth, Cheriton, Titchborne, and Bishops-Sutton.
Acres, 39,761. Poor-rates in 1866, £5,176. Pop. in 1841, 7,094; in 1861, 7,182. Houses, 1,407. Marriages in 1866, 40; births, 221, of which 11 were illegitimate; deaths, 118, of which 39 were at ages under 5 years, and 8 at ages above 85. Marriages in-the ten years 1851-60,433; births, 2,107; deaths, 1,190.
The places of worship in 1851 were 18 of the Church of England, with 3,973 sittings; 2 of Independents, with 290 s.; 1 of Baptists, with 40 s.; 2 of Primitive Methodists, with 130 s.; and 1 of Roman Catholics, with 70 s.
The schools in 1851 were 16 public day schools, with 917 scholars; 13 private day schools, with 243 s.; 14 Sunday schools, with 780 s.; and 1 evening school for adults with 22 s. The workhouse is in Alresford.
Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].
A Topographical Dictionary of England 1848
ALRESFORD, NEW, a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in the liberty of Alresford, Alton and N. divisions of the county of Southampton, 6 miles (N. E. by E.) from Winchester, and 57 (S. W. by W.) from London, on the high road to Winchester; containing 1578 inhabitants.
This place, which derives its name from its situation near a ford on the river Arle, was given to the church of Winchester by Cenwalh, King of the West Saxons, after his baptism by Bishop Birinus; and about 1220, Godfrey de Lucy, Bishop of Winchester, restored the market, then fallen into disuse. On May-day, 1690, the town was destroyed by fire, previously to which it was so prosperous that there was not an individual requiring parochial relief; and in 1710 a similar calamity occurred.
The Parish comprises by computation 730 acres; the surface is flat in some parts, and in others hilly; the soil, which is light and chalky, is in general good. Alresford pond is a fine piece of water, through which runs the river Itchen. The northern embankment is formed by a causeway nearly 500 yards in length, which, previously to the construction of the present road through Bishop’s Sutton, in 1753, constituted part of the main road to London.
It was accomplished by Bishop de Lucy, under a grant from King John, with a view to the improvement of the prelate’s grounds, and to increase the depth of the river Itchen, which was formerly navigable to Alresford, though of late it has ceased to be so higher than Winchester; and as a recompense for this arduous undertaking, the bishop obtained, for himself and his successors, the entire royalty of the river from the reservoir to the sea.
Among the seats in the neighbourhood are those of Lord Rodney (formerly the residence of his ancestor, the gallant admiral), the family of Tichbourne, and Lord Ashburton, which last, called the Grange, is a beautiful copy of the Parthenon at Athens.
The market is on Thursday; and fairs are held on Holy-Thursday, the last Thursdays in July and Nov., and the Thursday next after Old Michaelmas-day, almost exclusively for sheep.
Alresford was incorporated at a very early period, and returned one representative to parliament in the 23rd of Edward I. The corporation consists of a bailiff, appointed by the Bishop of Winchester (as lord of the manor), and eight burgesses, who, by virtue of a lease from the bishop, receive the tolls of the market, but exercise no magisterial authority.
A court leet is held at Michaelmas, when the bailiff is chosen; and the county magistrates hold a petty-session weekly, for the division of Alton. The living is a rectory, annexed, with that of Medsted, to the rectory of Old Alresford: the glebe comprises 18 acres.
There are places of worship for Independents and Roman Catholics. H. Perrin, in 1698, founded a school for nineteen boys, sons of poor tradesmen in the town, and in the neighbouring villages of Old Alresford, Sutton, and Tichbourne; it is endowed with a good house for the master, and fifty-two acres of land, now let for £100 per annum. The poor law union of which this town is the head comprises 13 parishes and places, and contains a population of 7092. At Bramdean, about three miles distant, a tessellated pavement was discovered some years ago, one part of which represents the wrestling match between Hercules and Antæus.
Source: A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis 1848
Parish Records
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Directories
Alresford The Universal British Directory 1791 – Google Books
Kelly’s Directory of Hampshire 1855
New Alresford
GENTRY
Blackmore Edward esq East street
Brodie Rev William MA Rectory
Browman Mr Carey Broad street
Calvert Mr James Broad street
Carter John Markham esq West st
Covey John esq West street
Dunn John esq East street
Freemantle Mr Thomas Broad street
Gammon Mr Thomas Broad street
Hayles George esq Broad street
Hopkins Edward esq Broad street
Hunt Miss Broad street
Hunt Mrs West street
Lipscomb John Kersley esq East st
Marx Francis JP esq Arle Bury
Pipon Major Langton
Reynolds Miss West street
Ross William esq Fob down
Skinner Mr Thomas East street
Tongue Mrs West street
Waight Miss East street
Wilson Rev Cornelius BA West st
TRADERS
Abbott Thomas grocer Broad street
Aslett Harriet Miss day schl West st
Baigent Edwin grocer East street
Baigent John Thomas Peaceful Home East street
Bailey George veterinary surgeon Broad street
Bailey Wm shoemaker Broad street
Barnes & Barnard milliners East st
Barnes Robert grocer West street
Batchelor George Frederick general dealer Broad street
Beagley George grocer Broad street
Bray John sergeant of police West st
Budden Edmund ‘Bell’ West street
Bulpelt Mulcock & Dunn bankers Fast street
Burningham Thomas Frederick currier & leather seller East street
Butler Charles Horse & Groom Broad street
Canis Maria Miss hat maker West st
Carpenter John corn & munure merchant West street
Chapman John Flood ironmonger & brazier East street
Cole Elizabeth Mrs day school Broad street
Corbin James cabinet maker East st
Covey John surgeon West street
Crockford John coal dealer West st
Crook Thomas baker West street
Dancaster Henry auctioneer Broad st
Daniels Eliza Mrs Sun East st
Dixon Stephen linendraper Broad st
Dorey George White Hart West st
Dorey Joseph Rose & Crown West st
Dunn Hopkins Blackmore & Carter solicitors East street
Dykes Wm tailor Broad street
Ellyett Joseph grocer Broad street
Fowler Frances Mrs staymaker West street
Fowler Robert shoemaker East street
Fowler William builder West street
Freeman John & James carriers West st
Freeman Thomas butcher East street
French Charles farmer
Fry Young watchmaker Broad street
Godwin Benjamin grocer Broad st
Grant William tailor East street
Gunner Isaac wheelwright West street
Hall George brewer & beer retailer Broad street
Hall John beer retailer the Dean
Hall William miller Broad street
Harvey James bricklayer & builder Broad street
Hasted William butcher West street
Hayles George surgeon Broad street
Healy Francis seedsman Broad street
Hibbs Amelia Ann Miss ladies school West street
Holdaway George beer retailer the Soke
Holland Susannah Mrs blacksmith West street
Holt William ‘Globe’ the Soke
Huggins John chemist & druggist Broad street
Hunt John & Edward brewers & farmers West street
Jourd Wm shoemaker West street
King John saddler West street
Lane Edward confectioner & baker East street
Lipscomb John Kersley surgeon East street
Loe James Burbey chemist & druggist Broad street
Merrett Harriet Mrs fruilerer East st
Moody James Bartholomew auctioneer printer & stationer & agent to the Atlas fire & Crown life insurance East street
Merryfield David gardener Broad st
Moody William Henry boot & shoe maker Broad street
Moreton Edward cabinet ma West st
Nicholson Edward boot & shoe maker Broad street
Orchard Josiah Dolphin West st
Passmore Edward shoemaker East st
Payne George boolmaker West street
Penton Stephen china & glass warehouse West street
Pescod George plumber painter &c Broad street
Pewsey & Marshall builders Broad st
Pewsey John plumber & glazier West st
Pewsey William baker West street
Pisely Joseph tailor East street
Pitter James brass & iron founder Broad street
Powell Henry Mills teacher of music West street
Poynter William Richard head master of Grammar school West street
Privett Edward horse clipper West st
Privett John greengrocer & baker West street
Purver Jobn boot & shoe maker West st
Ramsay Jane Mrs linendraper Broad street
Roe Jacob maltster the Dean
Rooke James saddle & harness maker Broad street
Ross Wm land agent Fob down
Rous Edward Swan commercial inn posting house & excise office West street
Roffell Stephen bricklayer East st
Ryder Richard registrar of births deaths & marriages & relieving officer for Alresford district Broad street
Salt James shoemaker Broad street
Sharp Joseph Cricketers Arms Titchburne down
Spary Adam hairdresser East street
Spiers Henry tanner & fellmonger Broad street
Stubbs Noah butcher & farmer Broad st
Tudrie Edward Thomas watchmaker East street
Vine Andrew carrier West street
Wedge Wm grocer & baker West st
White David blacksmith Broad st
White Thos chimney sweeper the Soke
Young Henry grocer Broad street
Post Office Miss Ann Keene, postmistress, West st. Letters arrive at ½ past 3 am & 5 pm; dispatched at 9 pm & 8 am. Box closes at 8 pm after which time letters may be posted till 10 min before 9 on payment of 1d each which with the postage must be paid in stamps. Money orders granted & paid at this office from 9 am till 6 pm. No business is transacted on sundays after 10 am.
BANKERS :-
Bulpett, Mulcock & Dunn (branch of Winchester), East street; draw on Barclay. Bevan & Co London
Savings Bank East street (open on fridays from 3 to 4), Joseph Anderson actuary
INSURANCE AGENTS :-
Atlas Fire & Life James Bartholomew Moody East st
Britannia Life Joseph Anderson East street
British Empire Mutual J Roberts
Church of England Life John Huggins Broad street
Crown Life James Bartholomew Moody East street
Hants, Sussex Dorset Thomas Skinner East street
Royal Exchange Fire & Life Charles Edward Hunt West street
Farmers Fire & Life James Calvert Broad Street
Sun Fire Joseph Anderson Éast street
PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS:-
Excise Office Swan inn West street
Union Workhouse Titchborne down John Smither governor Mrs Charlotte Smither matron
PUBLIC OFFICERS:-
Clerks to County Magistrates Dunn Hopkins Blackmore & Carter East street
Clerk to Guardians of Alresford Union M H Moss
Sub Distributor of štamps Stephen Dixon Broad street
Registrar of Births Deaths & Marriages for Alresford District & Relieving Officer for the Alresford Union Richard Ryder Broad street
PUBLIC SCHOOLS:-
Free Grammar West street William Richard Poynter head master
National the Dean George Peploe master Frances Hannah Peploe mistress (infant) Miss Elizabeth Salcombe mistress
POSTING HOUSE Swan inn Edward Rous West street
COACH – Royal Mail from the Swan hotel to the Winchester railway station every morning at 8 returning thence at ½ past 3 afternoon
CARRIERS TO:-
LONDON Andrew Vine’s waggon from his house West street to the Alton station every morning at ¼ to 9
PETERSFIELD Henry Hudson from the Horse & Groom Broad street saturday
WINCHESTER RAILWAY STATION John & Jas Freeman from their house West st twice a day; Henry Ballard from the Bell West street daily; Henry Hudson from the Horse & Groom Broad street friday
Source: Post office [afterw.] Kelly’s directory of Hampshire, Dorsetshire, Wiltshire (the Isle of Wight, and the Channel Islands) 1855
Kelly’s Directory of Chemists and Druggists 1885
NEW ALRESFORD
Pop 1,550 Market day Thursday
Chemists & Druggists
Connor Thomas Haigh West st
Richardson John H Broad st
Mineral Water Maker
Batchelor Fredk Chas Broad st
Source: The Post office [afterw.] Kelly’s directory of chemists and druggists [afterw.] Kelly’s directory of the chemical industries. 1st-20th ed By Kelly’s directories, ltd · 1885
Administration
- County: Hampshire
- Civil Registration District: Alresford
- Probate Court:
- Pre-1845 – Court of the Peculiar of Old Alresford with New Alresford and Medstead;
- Post-1844 – Courts of the Bishop (Episcopal Consistory) and Archdeaconry of Winchester
- Diocese: Winchester
- Rural Deanery: Alresford
- Poor Law Union: Alresford
- Hundred: Alresford Liberty
- Province: Canterbury