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Stockbridge in Southampton County England History and GeographySTOCKBRIDGE, a borough, market town, and parish, having separate jurisdiction, though locally in the hundred of King's Sombourn, Andover division of the county of SOUTHAMPTON, 18 miles (N. by W.) from Southampton, and 66 (W.S.W.) from London, containing 715 inhabitants. This small town is situated on the great western road from London to Exeter, and consists of one long street, which is intersected at the west end by the river Test, and at the east by the Andover canal, over each of which is a bridge; that over the former was rebuilt in 1799, and is a handsome structure: five smaller streams cross the street in the intermediate space, with bridges over them: it is lighted at the expense of Earl Grosvenor, and watched by subscription, and the inhabitants are supplied with excellent water. On Houghton down, about two miles west of the town, was formerly a race-course; but a new one has been formed, immediately adjoining it, in the parishes of Wallop and Longstock, under Danebury hill, from the area and intrenchments of which the whole of it may be seen: a stand is being erected, which is also intended for the members of the Bibury Racing club, which is to be removed to Danebury down from Gloucestershire: races are held in June, and, for some years past, a plate has been given by Earl Grosvenor. The streams are particularly favourable for trout-fishing, the principal nobility and gentry of this and the adjoining counties meeting here three or four times a year, and spending several weeks in this favourite recreation during the season. The preparation of parchment and glue affords employment to a few persons. Some thousand bushels of peat ashes are annually disposed of to the neighbouring farmers for manure, that article being much used for fuel by the inhabitants, though they are also well supplied with coal by means of the canal. The market, on Thursday, is well attended, and a large and handsome market-room, adjoining the Grosvenor Arms, has been built, at the expense of Earl Grosvenor: there were formerly three fairs, of which one only is now held, on the 10th of July, which is one of the largest in the county for lambs, several thousands being annually sold. Stockbridge is a borough by prescription, under a bailiff and a constable, who are elected annually by the jury, at the court leet of the manor, held by the steward on Easter-Wednesday, the constable for the year preceding being generally made bailiff for the following year: the jury are summoned by a serjeant at mace. Petty sessions are held monthly. The town hall, a neat edifice, is situated near the centre of the town, and was rebuilt in 1810, on the site of the previous structure, at an expense of £1500, defrayed by the inhabitants. It first sent representatives to parliament in the 1st of Elizabeth: the right of election is vested in the inhabitant householders paying scot and lot: the number of resident voters is about one hundred: the bailiff is the returning officer, and the influence of Earl Grosvenor is predominant. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the vicarage of King's Sombourn, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Winchester. The church is dedicated to St. Peter. There is a place of worship for Independents. About two miles and a half from the town is Danebury hill, a circular intrenchment, in good preservation, enclosing an extensive area, with very high ramparts. On the north and west are several barrows, one of which is named Canute's barrow. On the east, at the distance of about one mile and a half, is another circular intrenchment, with a high rampart, enclosing an area of about twenty acres, called Woolberry, on the east side of which is the representation of a white horse, cut, many years since, at the expense of W.P. Powlett, Esq., of Sombourn House. Robert, Earl of Gloucester, natural brother of the Empress Matilda, was taken prisoner in this town on his flight from Winchester: according to tradition, he took refuge in the church, after having effected the escape of the empress, who was conveyed thence in funeral procession through the besieging army, under the pretence of her being dead, but, having arrived at a certain distance, she mounted a horse, and reached Gloucester in safety. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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