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St. John the Baptist Church and the Manor of Findon in the winter of 1999 — where John Cheale resided as Lord of the Manor. |
THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — these
Findon Chronicles are created by Valerie Martin and contain scenes from her home
village of Findon,
West Sussex, U.K. Everyday stories about real people.
JOHN CHEALE’S MERRY CHRISTMAS
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St. John the Baptist Church and the Manor of Findon in the winter of 1999 — where John Cheale resided as Lord of the Manor. |
Text copyright Valerie Martin 2010
Published in Along The Furlong in December 2000
Findon has always been dramatic hunting country during the winter months, and this sport continued through the days of John Cheale, the hunting squire, when he was the Lord of the Manor of Findon. I have discovered that he appeared to be a colourful character.
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A good region for forays in days or yore. Cissbury Ring is in the distance on the right. |
I have found little glimpses of life in Findon during his tenure of office. Bishop Bowers’ visitation returns, dated 1724, for instance record a total number of forty families in the Findon Parish and an approximate population of 180.
In 1734 "an earthquake" was recorded in Findon on 25th October but there is no account of any damage. The Reverend Mr Richard Green, Prebendary of Chichester and Rector of Merston, had information of the same tremblings at Shoreham, Goring, Tarring, Findon, Arundel Castle and Merston. So, therefore, John Cheale the Lord of the Manor would have witnessed the earthquake if he had been in residence.
Travellers of a higher social status sometimes recorded their impressions of Findon. They noted their opinions, no doubt, from the comfort of the Gun Inn whilst enjoying the hospitality of William French. George Vertue, on the other hand, in 1738, dismissed Findon as —
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...a little poor place… amongst the Mountains where the Gentlemen Sportsmen meet in the hunting seasons.....
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Important names in the village at the time were those of the previously mentioned William French of the Gun Inn; William Cripps, the owner of the Cissbury Estate and Sheepcombe; John Middleton; John Strate (sometimes spelt Straight), who had been the Vicar since 1726 and had enlarged the vicarage in 1728; and Thomas Woolvin. Some of these gentlemen may well have had more than a passing interest in the sport of hunting also. One who certainly did partake was Anthony Browne, 6th Viscount Montague who owned Muntham Court.
Four-legged visitors were the Charlton hounds from nearby Goodwood who continued to retain their popularity when hunting during winter months in the Findon area. These were the days when hunting was an ancient tradition through necessity and good husbandry, as foxes killed lambs. Most of the expeditions in the Findon area took place on the magnificent Downs where the hounds could sally forth seeking the scent.
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The hunting region of Findon in years gone by. From the summit of Cissbury Ring — looking north, over the Fox Down area in 1997. |
Some days the hunt hacked for frustrating miles and drew a blank. On other occasions the cunning foxes would run in maddening circles. The hunt would gallop up the picturesque Downs, and back again, in search of its prey and came upon nothing but hares or rabbits.
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West Hill and the clump of trees known as the Seven Sisters (and the sea beyond), from Church Hill in the 1930s — the impressive hunting district of yesteryear. Roger's Farm is the settlement on the left. |
John Cheale, the cheery Lord of the Manor of Findon, celebrated Christmas most heartily in 1742 and was a merry old soul. He often joined in the hunting parties in their heyday and was elected by ballot as a fully-fledged member of the Charlton Hunt at Christmas in 1742. It can only be imagined the high spirits the old Findonian was in, even though the hunting was at some disadvantage because of the inclement foggy weather swirling around the downland. He was of mature years by now and I think could best be described as a gentleman of somewhat portly appearance. Once in the saddle of his hunter, aptly named Old Findon, he enjoyed the sport of the day as much as the next man.
He was a genial, kindly character and was indeed a ladies’ man and a great favourite with the fairer sex at the Goodwood House parties also. In fact, he was in high health, no doubt wearing his powdered wig and full of Christmas spirits and vigour for a man of his age. He was older than his host, the Duke of Richmond, but was such an amusing soul that he was always welcome at Goodwood. He certainly kept on the right side of his wealthy friends and described the hospitality at Goodwood in the most glowing terms —
| Your Grace's house is much larger, and much finer than I had any idea of, I never saw anything so fine before. Your curiositys are far before those in ye Royall Society.
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At Christmas the festivities of the local gentry were lavish and the entertainment gay and there were said to have been many presents from France.... perfume, gloves, ribbons and shoes. For the little girls there would have been exquisite dollies kitted out in French costumes.
The Duke of Richmond was fastidious and, no doubt, wore his newly fashionable smaller wig, tied in a single queue at the back. He would have been a splendid sight....gartered below the knee and the buckles of his leather shoes would have been large and sparkling. His Duchess, likely enough wore a sack back dress of cream brocaded silk over a fine embroidered silk petticoat. Her shoes would have been pointed as was the fashion of the day. They would have been of leather and embroidered with coloured silks. Her hair would have been powdered.
To give some idea of costs in John Cheale's days, here is a note of the expenses in 1745, the following entry appears for boarding the Charlton Hunt.......
| Findon Kennel, a years rent £8.0s.9d. |
An extract from a letter from the 2nd Duke to H. F. Clinton, 9th Earl of Lincoln (later 2nd Duke of Newcastle under Lyne) written on 24th November 1747.... reads as follows (a bit difficult to understand I think you will agree)....but at least he gives the Gun Inn a mention....
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this years hunts in Sussex; discusses plans for an upcoming hunt which he terms
the 'Findon party', to include Jennison, Fisher, Brudenell and St John.
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Continue if you would like to read about William Green Claims His Findon Inheritance.
This is Findon Village — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.
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Do let me know of anything you hear about Findon - not too controversial. Please note that opinions expressed in the Findon Chronicles are not necessarily reflective of my own thoughts.... but sometimes they are! |
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