EXPLANATIONS OF MAP. a References. Is a known mark stone near St. Leonard's church yard, and the Rods. Is a sought point in an hedge eastward, cross Mr. Odiarne's field, Is a sought point in an hedge more eastward, cross the Roundle d Is a sought point in an hedge north-westernly, cross the Hanging e g h i Is a known point in the eastern-most corner of Rushy marsh, going a Is the first and only mark stone above-mentioned and described, So that it appears, and is found by computation, that the extent from point to point around the entire parish of St. Leonard's, near Winchelsey, amounts to one mile, one quarter, and twenty-nine rods. OTHER OBSERVABLES. 1 2 From the mark stone (a) going the St. Leonard's church yard, along The bounds thus given, coupled with an examination of the lithographed map, will give an accurate view of this liberty; but Mr. Cant goes on to set out the names of the thirteen different pieces, with the quantities in each piece, and the names of the several owners and tenants. NAMES OF PIECES. THE OWNERS' NAMES. THE Acres, more TENANTS' NAMES. or less 1 Nameless, or the Short Acre field - Captain Pigram, of Rye - John Brown 4 Nameless, or St. Leonard's church field Lord Viscount Donerayle John Knight Lord Donerayle John Knight Ditto Ditto ern-most Ditto Ditto N.B.---Number 1, 2, 4, and 12 are feigned names, by me assumed, and so called from No. 1 being something short of an acre; No. 2 is a rising ground or hilly; No. 4 is under or below St. Leonard's church yard; and No. 12 is adjoining to the lane or street. The course of the channel from (f,) westward, and from the Ferry house, eastward, is only feigned by way of ornament. Also the marshes and ditches in the level the same. Together with the plan of the town, which, notwithstanding, seemed to me necessary by way of illustration and ease in finding the premises.---Samuel Cant, 1748. CHURCH, &c.—The Church was formerly an object of considerable interest. In it, says Lambard, "stood the image of St. Leonard holding a fane, or rather Eolus' mace, in his hand, which women and others of like infirmities used to turn (after offering made) toward such coasts as they desired the wind to serve for the speedy return of their friends or husbands." The living was a rectory thus valued in Pope Nicholas' Taxation. Ecclesia de Yham non excedit, £4 13s. 4d. The last institution of the rector to be found in the Bishop's Registers, is 1484, Dec. 18. Thomas Bate, Canon regularis, on the decease of John Grafton, and on the presentation of the Abbess and Convent of Syon. From this time the church was allowed to fall to decay, and all traces have now disappeared. CORPORATION. The most accurate account of this Corporation is to be found in the report made in 1835, by the Commissioners for enquiring into the Municipal Corporations in England and Wales; and that report we must take as our guide. The title of the corporation is, "The Mayor, Jurats, and Commonalty of the Ancient Town of Winchelsea." The officers appointed by the Corporation are, or should be, a Mayor; twelve Jurats; Town Clerk; Chamberlain ; Sergeant-at-Mace; Town Serjeant; Water Bailiff; Gaoler; six Constables; and a Pound Driver. The number of Freemen, (in 1834) exclusive of the jurats, was three: it has been increased since to thirteen, the present number including the jurats. The mayor is elected annually, on Easter Monday, from the freemen, at what is called a Hundred Court, by the mayor, jurats, and freemen. In order to form this court, there must be present, the mayor or his deputy, and at least two jurats, and two freemen. It had been always customary for the corporation and town clerk to meet together the evening before the election, and arrange who should be mayor for the following year. Such person had been then proposed the next day and elected, as a matter of course. For many years the mayor had seldom been resident. The duties had generally been performed by a deputy, except on the day of election, when the mayor had usually attended. The office, until 1832, had been for some years confined to three individuals, one of whom had always been elected. The object of the system pursued in this election, and that of the jurats, as well as in the admission of freemen, may be briefly stated. Previously to the Reform Act, the freemen had the exclusive right of voting for members of parliament for the town. For many years the patronage of the borough was considered to be entirely in the hands of one individual; all the elections, therefore, had been made with reference to his parliamentary interest. Most of the persons elected jurats, had been on first |