Post Office Directory 1851, Selsey, West Sussex


Selsey is a large village, 9 miles south of Chichester, in Manhood Hundred, rape of Chichester, Westhampnett union forms a peninsula, being surrounded on all sides by sea, except on the north-west, where it is connected to the mainland by an isthmus several furlongs across. Pagham harbour constitutes its northern boundary, and portions of the parishes of Sidlesham & Earnley the western. Its area is 2,880 acres. The principal land proprietor is the Hon. Mrs. L. V. Harcourt. The village consists of 2 streets, is said to have originally been situated near the centre of the peninsula, but the gradual, yet incessant, attrition of the waves upon the coast has rendered it almost a watering place, its distance from the sea being only ½ mile. The houses in the shorter street are inhabited by fishermen, employed in catching lobster & prawns, which are sent to the London market. The benefice is a rectory and vicarage united, in the patronage of the bishop and archdeaconry of Chichester and deanery of Boxgrove, value £759 per annum, in the incumbency of the Rev. Barre Phipps, M.A., who is possessed of the tithes of the whole parish, excepting a small amount held under the prebend of Thorney, in the cathedral of Chichester. Selsey was the original seat of the see of Chichester, and a town of consequences for a long period. It was founded by Wilfred, Archbishop of York, to whom Selsey was granted by Edelwalch, King of Sussex, and where he built a church. Eadbert, his successor, was consecrated Bishop of Selsey in 711. In 1072 Stigand removed the see of Chichester. The population in 1841 was 879, assessed to the Income Tax at £4,930.

Letters received through Chichester.

Gentry
Arnell Charles
Cheshire Lieut. Henry
Clayton Charles
Hill Lieut. Edward
Phipps Rev. Barre, M.A. Rectory
Prior Charles

Traders
Arnell Henry Robinson , farmer & Miller
Bridger Henry, “Crown”
Buddle William, carrier
Clayton James, farmer
Clayton William, farmer
Cousens Charles, shopkeeper
Faith Frank, farmer
Jelliffe Mrs Jane, baker
Newman John Thomas, post office
Paige Theophilus, farmer
Penfold Hugh, farmer
Perren George, shopkeeper
Perren William, beer retailer
Pink John Millington, boot maker & farmer
Pink Mrs Mary Ann, shopkeeper
Prior Charles, blacksmith
Searle Alfred, grocer & butcher
Smart George, carpenter
Sotcher James, carpenter & boat builder
Stubington Lambert, maltster
Stubington Thomas, farmer
Stubington William, farmer
Stubington William, jun., farmer
Summers John, farmer
Summers William, farmer
Voke Charles, blacksmith
Woodman George Frederick, farmer
Woodman William Cosens, farmer
Woodman William, yeoman


28/09/2006

Transcribed by Stacey Gardner

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