Walton (St. Michael)
WALTON (St. Michael), a parish, in the union of
Newport-Pagnell, hundred of Newport, county of
Buckingham, 2 miles (N. by E.) from Fenny-Stratford;
containing 103 inhabitants. The parish comprises 757
acres, of which 24 are common or waste land. The
living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £8. 9. 7.,
and in the gift of the Rev. Valentine Ellis: the tithes
have been commuted for £195; there is a parsonagehouse, and the glebe contains 48¼ acres.
Walton
WALTON, a parish, in the union of Brampton,
Eskdale ward, E. division of Cumberland; containing 440 inhabitants, of whom 152 are in High Walton,
10½ miles, and 288 in Low Walton, 10 miles, (N. E. by
E.) from Carlisle. The parish comprises 3592 acres,
of which 500 are undivided moor and peat moss; the
soil is generally argillaceous, interspersed with patches
of fine loam. The surface is gently undulated, and the
lower lands are watered by two small rivulets, called
the Cambeck and Kingwater, which flow into the Irthing.
The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £131;
patron, Joseph Dacre, Esq.; impropriator, W. P. Johnson, Esq. The church was rebuilt in 1813. The great
tithes have been commuted for £176, and the small for
£31. 7. The old Roman wall crossed the parish, which
contained the station Petriana, whose site is now called
Castle Steads: numerous inscriptions and other relics
of antiquity have been discovered.
Walton
WALTON, a township, in the parish and union of
Chesterfield, hundred of Scarsdale, Northern division of the county of Derby, 3 miles (S. W. by W.)
from Chesterfield; containing 940 inhabitants.
Walton
WALTON, a hamlet, in the parish of Deerhurst,
poor-law union of Tewkesbury, Lower division of the
hundred of Westminster, Eastern division of the
county of Gloucester, 3¼ miles (S.) from Tewkesbury;
containing 257 inhabitants.
Walton
WALTON, a hamlet, in the parishes of Kimcote
and Knaptoft, union of Lutterworth, hundred of
Guthlaxton, Southern division of the county of Leicester, 4 miles (N. E. by E.) from Lutterworth; containing 647 inhabitants.
Walton
WALTON, a hamlet, in the parish of Paston, union
and soke of Peterborough, Northern division of the
county of Northampton, 2¾ miles (N. N. W.) from
Peterborough; containing 179 inhabitants.
Walton
WALTON, a hamlet, in the parish of King's-Sutton, poor-law union of Brackley, hundred of King'sSutton, Southern division of the county of Northampton; containing 37 inhabitants.
Walton (Holy Trinity)
WALTON (Holy Trinity), a parish, in the union of
Wells, hundred of Whitley, W. division of Somerset, 3 miles (S. W. by W.) from Glastonbury; containing
782 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Bath
to Exeter, and comprises 2500 acres, of which 181 are
common or waste: blue lias is quarried, chiefly for walls
and floors. The living is annexed to the rectory of
Street: the tithes have been commuted for £380, and
there is a parsonage-house, with about 18½ acres of
glebe land. The church was enlarged in 1837, when a
new tower was also built: the chancel is said to have
been much injured by Cromwell's soldiers, who used it
as a stable; it has been restored, and the windows reopened, and ornamented with stained glass. There is a
place of worship for Wesleyans. Many valuable fossils
are found in the quarries.
Walton, in the parish of Baswich, Southern division of Staffordshire.—See Baswich.
WALTON, in the parish of Baswich, Southern division of Staffordshire.—See Baswich.
Walton
WALTON, a township, in the parish of Eccleshall, union of Stone, N. division of the hundred of
Pirehill and of the county of Stafford, 1½ mile
(S. E.) from the town of Eccleshall; containing 113 inhabitants. It lies on the road from Stafford to Chester,
and comprises 1265 acres, of elevated and undulating
surface, and of a heavy soil. The Norton-Bridge station
of the Birmingham and Liverpool railway is distant two
miles. On the right of the road is a large and handsome stone mansion in the Roman style, built by Henry
Killick, Esq. The tithes have been commuted for
£1. 18. 8. payable to the vicar, and £152. 1. to the
Bishop of Lichfield.
Walton
WALTON, a liberty, in the parish and union of
Stone, S. division of the hundred of Pirehill, N.
division of the county of Stafford, ½ a mile (S.) from
the town of Stone; containing 226 inhabitants.
Walton (St. Mary)
WALTON (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of
Woodbridge, hundred of Colneis, E. division of Suffolk, 10 miles (S. E. by E.) from Ipswich; containing
907 inhabitants. The parish is bounded on the northeast by the river Deben, on the south-west by Harwich
harbour, and on the south by the North Sea. It comprises about 1200 acres; the soil is generally a rich
loam, and the surface flat. On the shore is a Martello
tower, for the defence of the coast; and some small
remains still exist of Walton Castle, a stronghold of the
Bigods, in the parish of Felixstow, anciently a Roman
station; it had the privilege of a mint, and large quantities of Roman coins have been found on the site.
The living is a discharged vicarage endowed with the
rectorial tithes, with that of Felixstow annexed, and
valued in the king's books at £4. 6. 8.; net income,
£290; patrons, the family of Richards. Here is a
place of worship for Baptists.
Walton
WALTON, a tything, in the parish of Bosham,
union of West Bourne, hundred of Bosham, rape of
Chichester, Western division of Sussex; containing
91 inhabitants.
Walton (St. Peter)
WALTON (St. Peter), a parish, in the Ainsty
wapentake, W. riding of York, 2½ miles (E. by S.) from
Wetherby; containing 254 inhabitants. The parish
comprises about 167O acres of fertile land, mostly the
property of G. L. Fox, Esq., who is lord of the manor:
the village is pleasantly situated a short distance from
the river Wharfe, which passes on the west and south.
The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £90;
patrons and impropriators, C. A. Fischer, Esq., and
another. The church, a neat structure, stands on an
eminence. The Roman Watling-street crosses the river
at a place named St. Helen's, and passes through the
parish to Rudgate.
Walton
WALTON, a township, in the parish of Great
Sandall, union of Wakefield, Lower division of the
wapentake of Agbrigg, W. riding of York, 3 miles
(S. E. by S.) from Wakefield; containing 510 inhabitants. Walton Hall is the seat of Charles Waterton,
Esq., author of a volume of Essays on natural history,
and of Wanderings in South America. The Barnsley
canal and the Midland railway pass through the township. About 20 persons are employed in some soap and
alkali works, established in 1820. A school is endowed
with £6. 6. per annum.
Walton-Cardiff (St. James)
WALTON-CARDIFF (St. James), a parish, in the
union, and Lower division of the hundred, of Tewkesbury, E. division of the county of Gloucester, 1¼
mile (E. S. E.) from Tewkesbury; containing 69 inhabitants. It comprises by admeasurement 650 acres,
consisting of about equal portions of arable and pasture
land of good quality. The road from Tewkesbury to
Evesham passes along the northern boundary; the river
Severn runs at a short distance on the west, and the
Gloucester and Birmingham railway on the east. The
living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £53; patrons,
All Souls' College, Oxford.
Walton-Deivile (St. James)
WALTON-DEIVILE (St. James), an ecclesiastical
parish, in the parish of Wellesbourn-Hastings,
Warwick division of the hundred of Kington, union of
Stratford-on-Avon, S. division of the county of Warwick, 6 miles (E. S. E.) from Stratford-on-Avon; containing about 200 inhabitants. The manor, in the reign
of Henry III., was the property of Walter d'Avill, one
of the justices of assize for the county; it afterwards
passed to the family of Strange, from whom it descended
by marriage with a female heir, in the reign of Henry
VIII., to Robert Mordaunt, ancestor of the present lord.
The place forms a beautiful valley, well wooded. Walton
Hall, the seat of Sir John Mordaunt, Bart., occupies a
low situation, but is surrounded by a diversified tract of
country. The living of Walton was separated from
that of Wellesbourn-Hastings in 1843. It is now a
distinct perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Sir John
Mordaunt, who has endowed it with £115 per annum,
and the use of a house for the minister, in the park.
The church stands near the mansion, and is remarkable
for the modesty and simplicity of its architecture, which
is Grecian; it was enlarged, and the windows filled with
stained glass, in 1843: the font belonged to an ancient
Norman church which stood on the same site. The
tithe, commuted for £217; and the glebe, comprising
45 acres; belong to the incumbent of WellesbournHastings: the rectory is valued in the king's books at
£4. 13. 4. A school is supported by the Mordaunt
family. Skeletons are frequently dug up, showing that
this was formerly a more considerable place.
Walton, East (St. Mary)
WALTON, EAST (St. Mary), a parish, in the union
and hundred of Freebridge-Lynn, W. division of
Norfolk, 9 miles (E. S. E.) from Lynn; containing 196
inhabitants. The parish comprises 2643 acres, which
are all arable, with the exception of 100 woodland, and
200 warren and common. The living is a discharged
vicarage, valued in the king's books at £6. 3. 4., and
with the rectory of Gayton-Thorpe united; patron,
A. Hamond, Esq.; appropriator, the Bishop of Ely.
The great tithes of the parish have been commuted for
£230, and the vicarial for £178; the glebe comprises
an acre and a quarter, and there is a glebe-house. The
church consists of a nave and chancel, with a circular
tower. In the garden of a farmhouse adjoining the
churchyard, are the picturesque ruins of St. Andrew's
chapel, formerly belonging to a priory.
Walton Inferior
WALTON INFERIOR, a township, in the parish
and union of Runcorn, hundred of Bucklow, N. division of the county of Chester, 2 miles (S.) from Warrington; containing 349 inhabitants. It comprises
1026 acres, partly a sandy soil, and partly moss. The
Mersey and Irwell canal passes in the vicinity. The
township is included in the incumbency of StocktonHeath.
Walton-In-Gordano (St. Paul)
WALTON-IN-GORDANO (St. Paul), a parish, in
the union of Bedminster, hundred of Portbury, E.
division of Somerset, 14 miles (W.) from Bristol; containing 217 inhabitants. This manor was owned by
Ralph de Mortimer, kinsman of William the Conqueror;
some of his family were earls of March, and under them
the manor was held for several generations by Richard
de Walton and his descendants. The parish is bounded
on the west by the Bristol Channel, and is situated
about two miles north of Clevedon, a favourite wateringplace, nearly opposite to Cardiff. It comprises 1153a.
2r. 22p., of which 120 acres are common or waste
land. Stone is abundant, and there is a quarry. The
living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books
at £9. 15. 5., and in the gift of P. J. Miles, Esq.: the
tithes have been commuted for £180, and the glebe comprises 25 acres. The church is a plain edifice, built about
1710, and enlarged to nearly double its original size in
1838. Some remains exist of a more ancient church
at the foot of the hill occupied by Walton Castle, an octangular pile, embattled, and crowned at each angle with
a turret; the principal entrance to the castle is on the
east, and the keep is in the centre of the area.
Walton-Le-Dale
WALTON-LE-DALE, a township and chapelry, in
the parish, and Lower division of the hundred, of
Blackburn, union of Preston, N. division of Lancashire, 2 miles (S. E.) from Preston; the township
containing 6659 inhabitants. Waletune, in Saxon times,
was held by the crown. The manor was granted by the
first Henry de Lacy, probably about 1130, to Robert
Banastre, from whose family it passed in marriage to
the Langtons, with whom it remained till the reign of
Elizabeth, when it was made over to the Hoghton family.
Walton is distinguished as the scene of part of the great
battle fought August 17th, 1648, between Cromwell and
the Duke of Hamilton; and also for a gallant achievement performed in 1715 by General, or Parson, Wood,
and his congregation, in defending the passage of the
Ribble against the Scottish rebels. In 1701, the Duke
of Norfolk, the Earl of Derwentwater, and other leaders
of the Jacobites, incorporated themselves by the style of
the "Mayor and Corporation of the ancient Borough of
Walton," and held their meetings in a small public
house here, concealing their real motives under the guise
of ludicrous transactions. They kept a register, a mace, a
sword of state, and other mock insignia of office; and
notwithstanding the diminution in the number of its
members by the unsuccessful rebellion of 1715, the
society existed till about fifty years since, when it was
entirely dissolved.
The township adjoins the borough of Preston, to
which it may be considered as suburban; and extends
southward from the bank of the river Ribble, which is.
here joined by the Darwen. It comprises 4239 acres,
whereof the greater part is pasture, with a portion of
arable, and of wood. The eminence on which the chapel
is built, commands a fine view of Ribble dale on one
side, and the vale of the Darwen on the other. Both of
the valleys are extremely picturesque, the banks of their
respective rivers being steep, and richly clothed with
wood. The background of the Ribble is formed by the
high and extensive ranges of Longridge and Pendle;
and that of the Darwen by Billinge Hill, and an abrupt
elevation crowned with the ruins of Hoghton Tower,
the ancient baronial residence of the Hoghtons. There
are four large cotton manufactories, of which the Flats
mills of William Calvert, Esq., employ 400 hands, and
the Moons mill of Messrs. James Livesey and Son 130
hands. In the township are also a cotton-printing
concern, and an iron-foundry belonging to Robert
Whittaker, Esq., established in 1800. The Blackburn
and Preston railway runs through Walton from east to
west; and a tramroad, connecting the north and south
levels of the Lancaster canal, traverses it in the same
direction. Among the seats are, Cooper Hill, that of
Charles Swainson, Esq.; and Walton Lodge, of William Calrow, Esq. Walton Hall, long a seat of the
Hoghton family, was pulled down in 1836; the park
and gardens still remain. The living is a perpetual
curacy, with a net income of £156, and a house;
patron, the Vicar of Blackburn. The tithes of the
township have been commuted for £387. 3. 3. The
chapel, dedicated to St. Leonard, is principally in the
later English style, with a tower: in the chancel are a
number of monuments, chiefly to members of the Hoghton
family. At Bamber-Bridge (which see) is a second incumbency. A school built in 1672 is endowed with
about £16 per annum; and a national school, built in
1835, is supported by subscription.
Walton-Le-Soken, or Walton-on-the-Naze (All Saints)
WALTON-LE-SOKEN, or Walton-on-the-Naze
(All Saints), a parish, in the union and hundred of
Tendring, N. division of Essex, 13½ miles (S. E. by E.)
from Manningtree; containing 721 inhabitants. This
parish, which is bounded on three sides by the sea, forms
a noted promontory, called the Naze from the Saxon
term signifying a nose of land. Imbedded in the clay
which composes the basis of the cliffs, have been discovered, usually after the ebbing of very strong tides, some
curious fossils, the tusks of elephants, and the horns
bones, and teeth of other huge animals. The shore
abounds with pyrites chiefly of wood, of which immense
quantities have been manufactured here into the crystal
commonly called green copperas, or sulphate of iron;
and nodules of argillaceous clay, which continually fall
from the cliffs and harden into stone, are gathered and
conveyed to London and Harwich, for making Roman
cement. The beach is a delightful promenade, and affords superior facilities for bathing, the tides leaving
a firm smooth sand several miles in extent; which advantages have, of late years, occasioned a number of
persons to resort hither. A highly respectable hotel,
and some lodging-houses, have been erected. An act
was passed in 1841, for making certain improvements
in the village. Adjoining the Hall is a square tower,
built by the corporation of the Trinity House, as a mark
to guide ships passing or entering the port of Harwich.
The living is a discharged vicarage, consolidated with
that of Kirby, and valued in the king's books at £9:
impropriators, the Hope Insurance Company, London;
the great tithes have been commuted for £270, and those
of the vicar for £133. The church was erected and consecrated by Bishop Porteus, in 1804, the ancient structure having, a few years previously, been entirely swept
away by the sea, as well as the churchyard and every
house near it but one; it was enlarged in 1832, but
being still inadequate, a further augmentation took place
in 1835, at an expense of about £1000. Here was the
endowment of a prebend in St. Paul's Cathedral; it has
long since been consumed by the encroachment of the
sea, and the dignity is now held as Prebenda consumpta
per Mare. The poor have about 35 acres of land, left
chiefly by John Sadler in 1563.
Walton-On-The-Hill (St. Mary)
WALTON-ON-THE-HILL (St. Mary), a parish, in
the union and hundred of West Derby, S. division of
Lancashire; containing 37,917 inhabitants, of whom
2454 are in Walton township, 3 miles (N. by E.) from
Liverpool, on the road to Preston. In the time of Edward the Confessor, Winestan, a Saxon, held Waletone;
and soon after the Conquest a family named Waleton or
Walton is mentioned as having possessions here. By a
charter of the 2nd of John, the king granted all his land
in Waleton to Richard de Mida, son of Gilbert de Waleton; and the same family is named in connexion with
various legal acts in subsequent reigns. In the reign of
Henry IV. the Fazakerleys acquired the third part of
Walton, including Spellawe or Spellow House, by marriage with an heiress of the Waltons; this estate was
held by the late Colonel Fazakerley, and was sold by his
family to the Earl of Derby. In the 15th century,
Roger Walton died without male issue, and his two
daughters carried their inheritance to their husbands.
Margaret, the elder, married William Chorley, of Chorley: after the rebellion of 1715, the estate of the Chorleys, which was one-third of Walton, passed by sale to
the Cromptons, who subsequently sold the property.
Elizabeth, the younger daughter, conveyed her portion,
also a third, with Walton Hall, to Richard Cross, Esq.,
of Liverpool and Cross Hall. This last family terminated in an heiress who intermarried with the Briers, by
whom the estate was sold in 1746 to the Athertons.
From the Athertons the property passed by sale to
Thomas Leyland, Esq., who died in 1827, and was succeeded by his nephew, R. B. Leyland, Esq.
The parish consists of the district parish of West
Derby; the chapelries of Everton, Formby, and Kirkby;
and the townships of Bootle with Linacre, Fazakerley,
Kirkdale, Simonswood, and Walton. The area of the
whole is 22,195 acres, and the lands are irrigated by the
river Alt and the Rimrose brook, both tributary to the
Mersey, which for the most part bounds the parish on
the west: much of the soil is arable. In Walton township are 2230 acres. This locality presents an extremely
pleasing appearance, and abounds in handsome mansions
and villas; from Walton Hill are most extensive views,
including the town of Liverpool, the Welsh hills, and
the mountains of Cumberland. Among the best houses
are Walton Hall, the residence of Richard Naylor, Esq.;
Walton Priory, that of Robert Ellison Harvey, Esq.;
and several detached mansions on Breeze Hill. On the
side of the Ormskirk road is the unique establishment of
Charles Whitfield Harvey, Esq., the successful rearer of
prize-cattle; and Spellow House, an ancient mansion of
stone, is surrounded by a large tract of land, appropriated by Mr. William Skirving to the rearing of foresttrees and nursery-plants in general, including those of
the most rare description.
The living is a rectory and vicarage, with a net income of £1300; patron, John Shaw Leigh, Esq., of
Luton-Hoo, Beds. The church, which, up to 1698, was
the mother church of Liverpool, was mostly rebuilt in
1829, at a cost of £5000; and is a noble structure in
the early English style, with decorated portions, and a
tower and pinnacles. From its great elevation, it is a
conspicuous object in the surrounding scenery, and
serves as a landmark. The interior is very beautiful,
with a stained-wood roof, and east and west windows of
painted glass: of the numerous monuments, one, a bust
of the late Thomas Leyland, Esq., of Walton Hall,
banker, is by Chantrey; another, to the father of the
patron, is an elegant figure. The churchyard was enlarged in 1847. A district called Walton Breck, having
a population of 1500, has lately been formed, of which
the living is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of William
Brown, Esq., M.P.; net income, £250. The church,
built in 1847, and dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is a
cruciform structure in the early English style, with a
tower surmounted by a graceful spire; and cost £5000.
The interior is very neat, and is enriched by a beautiful
eastern window of painted glass, executed by Messrs.
Ballantine and Allan, of Edinburgh, and presented to
the church by William Tyrer, Esq., of Breck-road, Everton; it is emblematical of the Trinity. Other churches
are described in the several articles on the townships
and on the district parish of West Derby. The day and
Sunday schools in the parish are very numerous: in
Walton is a school endowed with £43 per annum, and
a house; also a girls' and infants' school, for which a
house was built in 1847.
Walton-On-The-Hill (St. Peter)
WALTON-ON-THE-HILL (St. Peter), a parish,
in the union of Reigate, First division of the hundred
of Copthorne, W. division of Surrey, 4 miles (S. by
E.) from Epsom; containing 362 inhabitants. This
parish is situated between Epsom and Reigate, at the
distance of about a mile from the London and Brighton
road by way of Sutton. It comprises 2591a. 1r. 23p.,
a considerable portion of which is open down and common; the soil consists of gravel, chalk, and clay, variously disposed. The surface is very hilly, and the eminences are covered with an extensive range of woods,
remarkable for a profusion of wild strawberries, and
containing many valuable botanical plants; the scenery
in every direction is beautiful, and from the southern
extremity of the parish, fine views may be had of the
Surrey hills and valleys, and also of the Sussex Downs.
The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's
books at £12. 6. 5½.; patron, Capt. Carew: the tithes
have been commuted for £340, and the glebe consists
of 46 acres. The body of the church having fallen into
decay, was rebuilt in 1826, by the parishioners; and an
elegant octagonal tower was erected at the expense of
Mrs. A. Paston Gee: the chancel contains some remains
of stained glass; and there is a curious leaden font,
formed with nine compartments, in each of which is a
figure in a sitting posture. Roman tiles and pottery
have been dug up in an inclosure on Walton Heatb, an
ancient earthwork; where also a brass figure of Æsculapius has been found. In the parish are some springs,
the water of which is of a mineral quality.
Walton-On-The-Wolds (St. Mary)
WALTON-ON-THE-WOLDS (St. Mary), a parish,
in the union of Barrow-upon-Soar, hundred of East
Goscote, N. division of the county of Leicester, 4
miles (E.) from Loughborough; containing 285 inhabitants. The parish is bounded on the west by the river
Soar, and is intersected by the road from Loughborough
to Melton-Mowbray: it comprises 1500 acres by admeasurement. Limestone is quarried for agricultural purposes. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's
books at £15; net income, £403; patron, the Rev.
Augustus Packe. The tithes were commuted for land
and a money payment in 1792: there is a parsonagehouse, and the glebe altogether contains 289 acres. The
church is a neat brick edifice, built in 1739. There is a
place of worship for Primitive Methodists.
Walton-On-Trent (St. John the Baptist)
WALTON-ON-TRENT (St. John the Baptist), a
parish, in the union of Burton, hundred of Repton and
Gresley, S. division of the county of Derby, 4 miles
(S. W.) from Burton; containing 472 inhabitants. The
parish lies on the east bank of the Trent, and comprises
2273a. 1r. 32p., in equal portions of arable and grass
land, with about 43 acres of wood and plantations. The
village is large and well built. Edward II. forded the
Trent here in pursuit of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, and
the disaffected barons. In 1833, an act was obtained
for building a bridge over the river to Barton-underNeedwood, in Staffordshire; the structure is of iron and
wood, rests on iron piles, and cost £5500, raised in £10
shares. The Birmingham and Derby railroad passes
through the parish. The Hall is a handsome mansion
in the village. The living is a rectory, with that of
Rosliston annexed, valued in the king's books at
£17. 2. 8½.; net income, £828; patrons, the Townshend
family. The tithes of Walton have been commuted for
£656. 18.; there is a parsonage-house, and the glebe
contains 69 acres. The church, a neat edifice with a
very beautiful east window, was a few years since repaired
at a considerable expense, defrayed by subscription;
it contains several ancient tombs. A school on the
national system is partly supported with £20 a year
arising from land bequeathed in 1760.
Walton Superior
WALTON SUPERIOR, a township, in the parish
and union of Runcorn, hundred of Bucklow, N. division of the county of Chester, 2¾ miles (S. S. W.) from
Warrington; containing 229 inhabitants. It comprises
1124 acres, of which the soil is partly clay and partly
sand. The Duke of Bridgewater's Canal and the Liverpool and Birmingham railway pass in the vicinity.
Walton-Upon-Thames (St. Mary)
WALTON-UPON-THAMES (St. Mary), a parish,
in the union of Chertsey, First division of the hundred
of Elmbridge, W. division of Surrey, 3 miles (N. W.)
from Esher, and 18 (S. W. by W.) from London; containing 2537 inhabitants. This place probably derived
its name from some formidable works yet visible within
its limits, the principal of which, on St. George's Hill, is
styled Cæsar's Camp. Cæsar here gave battle to Cassivelaunus at the head of the Britons; and though that
chieftain had taken the precaution of driving stakes into
the bed of the Thames, the Romans, by vigorous efforts,
passed the river at a place still called Cowey Stakes.
The area of the parish is 6730 acres. The village is
pleasantly situated on the bank of the river, and is much
frequented by anglers. It derives some importance from
the many noble mansions in its immediate neighbourhood, and the elegant villas by which it is surrounded.
Here are, Ashley Park, popularly said to be one of the
numerous mansions built by Cardinal Wolsey; Oatlands, at one time the property of the late Duke of
York, partly in this parish and partly in that of Weybridge, the boundary line passing through the house;
Apps Court, of which the ancient building has given
place to a modern and elegant mansion; Burwood Park;
Burwood House; Burhill; Silvermere; and Pains-Hill.
A house, now dilapidated, is mentioned as having been
the seat of Bradshaw, who presided at the trial of
Charles I.: it was afterwards occupied by Judge Jeffreys. A curious wooden bridge of three arches, over
the Thames, was built about 1750, by S. Dicker, Esq.;
and more recently, another of brick and stone, of fifteen
arches, across the low meadows, was added to it: the
former, falling to decay, was replaced by the present
structure, built uniformly with that which remained,
and both now appear as one bridge of considerable length
and beauty. The London and South-Western railway
intersects the parish, and a station has been established
here. A fair for cattle, granted by Henry VIII., is held
on Wednesday and Thursday in Easter-week.
The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the
king's books at £12. 13. 4., and in the patronage of the
Crown; net income, £209; impropriator, J. W. Spicer,
Esq., whose tithes have been commuted for £91. 18.
The church is a structure of some antiquity, and contains
many fine monuments, of which the most conspicuous
is one by Roubilliac, to the memory of Richard Boyle,
Viscount Shannon, who distinguished himself at the
memorable battle of the Boyne: several members of the
Rodney family, Lilly the astrologer, and other remarkable persons, have been buried here. Trinity chapel,
Hersham, was built at an expense of £2600, and is a
neat edifice in the early Norman style, containing 472
sittings, half of which are free; it was consecrated on
the 8th of November, 1839. The living was endowed
with £1000 by Sir H. Fletcher, and is in the Vicar's
gift. There is a place of worship for Independents.
Thomas Fenner, in 1635, bequeathed a messuage in the
parish of St. Helen, Bishopsgate, now producing £210
per annum, which sum is appropriated to the relief of
20 poor families, and the apprenticing of boys. Admiral
Lord Rodney was born at Walton in 1718.
Walton, West (St. Mary)
WALTON, WEST (St. Mary), a parish, in the
union of Wisbech, hundred of Freebridge-Marshland, W. division of Norfolk, 3 miles (N. by E.) from
Wisbech; containing 954 inhabitants. The parish
comprises 5219a. 4p., of which 3058 acres are arable,
and 2052 meadow and pasture: the river Nene divides
off a portion of the land, about 600 acres, which is in
the Isle of Ely. The living is a rectory in medieties,
called respectively Lewis and Eliensis, the former valued
in the king's books at £16. 13. 4., and in the patronage
of the Rev. C. H. Townshend, the latter valued at £16,
and in the gift of the Crown: the tithes of Lewis have
been commuted for £802, and those of Eliensis for
£572. 17., with a glebe of 6 acres. The church is an
extremely beautiful structure in the early and decorated
English styles, with a massive and highly-enriched tower
detached from the building, and forming an arched entrance into the churchyard. The south porch is an
elegant specimen of the early English style; and the
tower, which consists of three stages, with a parapet and
pinnacles, is profusely ornamented with series of arches.
The interior, which is 130 feet in length and 65 in
breadth, though much defaced by injudicious alterations
and additions, retains numerous interesting details.
There are places of worship for Independents and Primitive Methodists. Mrs. Dale, in 1794, left £750 three
per cent, consols, for teaching children; and thirty
acres of land, producing £91. 5. per annum, have been
bequeathed to the poor.
Walton, Wood (St. Andrew)
WALTON, WOOD (St. Andrew), a parish, in the
hundred of Norman-Cross, union and county of Huntingdon, 7 miles (N. by W.) from Huntingdon; containing 273 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, valued in
the king's books at £11, and in the gift of Admiral
Hussey: the tithes have been commuted for £530, and
the glebe comprises 22 acres.