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Parish of Sidlesham, by Thomas Walker Horsfield, published 1835 in The History, Antiquities and Topography of the County of Sussex (vol. II, rape of Chichester, pp.40-42) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2397][Lib 3212] & The Keep [LIB/507380][Lib/500088] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Sidlesham, by Mark Antony Lower, M.A., published 1870 in A Compendious History of Sussex, Topographical, Archaeological & Anecdotal (vol. II, pp.161-162, Lewes: George P. Bacon) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8946][Lib 3315] & The Keep [LIB/500158] View Online
Ordnance Survey Book of Reference to the plan of the Parish of Sidlesham, published 1876 (article, London: H.M.S.O. & printed at George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode)
Sussex Church Plans XXXIX: St Mary, Sidlesham , by Walter H. Godfrey, published February 1937 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. VI no. 5, article, pp.151-152) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12537][Lib 8863][Lib 8224] & The Keep [LIB/500208] & S.A.S. library
The Manor of Earnley in Earnley and Sidlesham, West Sussex, by Rev. R. Grosvenor Bartlelot, published August 1939 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. VII no. 7, article, pp.197-200) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12536][Lib 8864][Lib 2206] & The Keep [LIB/500209] & S.A.S. library
Sidlesham Past and Present, by Rev. H. W. Haynes, published 1946 (145 pp., Brighton: Southern Publishing Co. Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2841][Lib 8257][Lib 17951] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Review by L. F. [L. Fleming] in Sussex Notes and Queries, May 1947:There has been contention between the neighbouring territories for the paramountcy of Pagham Harbour. The historian of Selsey, the late Edward Heron Allen, was able to show cause for inclusion in his work of a valuable chapter on that area, to be followed now by the historian of Sidlesham, who states that, when the tract was enclosed from the sea, 196 acres were regarded as in Sidlesham, 428 acres in Selsey, and 68 acres in Pagham. There had been more serious rivalry between the ports of Pagham and of Sidlesham, who owed allegiance the one to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the other to the Bishop of Chichester. Our author quotes an amusing example and might have given further instances of this interesting phase in the history of Sidlesham.
Sea traffic thus gave Sidlesham its early importance, and allied with this was a milling industry of which the sign to modern times was the large brick-built mill which Mr. Haynes describes. I remember exploring its huge deserted floors a year or two before it was demolished and may add a few particulars and a minor correction. The Sussex Daily News recorded on 16th August 1919 that Sidlesham Mill was "in the process of demolition . . . for the sake of the splendid bricks with which it was built in 1755, which were brought all the way from Caen in France. Mr. Charles Cook Dendy, who was proprietor of the mill about a century ago, made a fortune of £100,000 from it. He was followed by several other millers, among them being Mr. John Kiln, who had the mill for about 15 years. It was he who had the water wheel at the west end superseded by a steam engine, which was installed by Mr. Rusbridge, father of the present Mr. Alfred Rusbridge, of the Apiary, Sidlesham, the well-known bee-keeping expert."
The sea still gives eminence to Sidlesham, bringing to her confines rare sea birds, study of whose ways gives delight to many, but Mr. Haynes is no naturalist and does not claim to guide their observations.
The plan of Sidlesham Church recalls the associations of the neighbourhood with early Christianity in these islands, and the fabric is lovingly described. The brief facts are fascinating enough, not needing adornment with legendary tales of St. Wilfrid. Of ancient remains, besides, Sidlesham seems to boast not any.
But Mr. Haynes really warms to his subject when he describes doings and developments in his thirteen years' cure. He justly records his triumph in bringing Old Tom Edbury back to church, and if the Land Settlers became part of the life of Sidlesham, a great deal of the credit seems to have been due to the Vicar. In this section of the book, many facts are put on record that will be of interest to present residents and of value to future enquirers.
The author admits to lack of time for original research. But when a great movement is afoot to preserve local records, and when central repositories are being organised to make them more accessible, any topographer may reasonably be expected to illustrate the nature of such memorials, and at least to indicate the contribution they make to elucidation of the local story. The author admits, too, that his essay is scrappy and incomplete ; while admiring his candour, the reader will not gainsay the self-condemnation. Nevertheless, he may, from the facts to be patiently gathered in these pages, when rearranged in his mind, form a picture of Sidlesham through the centuries; and formulate a theme controlling the lives of its dwellers, against a background of the fertile fields yearning for the sea.
Sea traffic thus gave Sidlesham its early importance, and allied with this was a milling industry of which the sign to modern times was the large brick-built mill which Mr. Haynes describes. I remember exploring its huge deserted floors a year or two before it was demolished and may add a few particulars and a minor correction. The Sussex Daily News recorded on 16th August 1919 that Sidlesham Mill was "in the process of demolition . . . for the sake of the splendid bricks with which it was built in 1755, which were brought all the way from Caen in France. Mr. Charles Cook Dendy, who was proprietor of the mill about a century ago, made a fortune of £100,000 from it. He was followed by several other millers, among them being Mr. John Kiln, who had the mill for about 15 years. It was he who had the water wheel at the west end superseded by a steam engine, which was installed by Mr. Rusbridge, father of the present Mr. Alfred Rusbridge, of the Apiary, Sidlesham, the well-known bee-keeping expert."
The sea still gives eminence to Sidlesham, bringing to her confines rare sea birds, study of whose ways gives delight to many, but Mr. Haynes is no naturalist and does not claim to guide their observations.
The plan of Sidlesham Church recalls the associations of the neighbourhood with early Christianity in these islands, and the fabric is lovingly described. The brief facts are fascinating enough, not needing adornment with legendary tales of St. Wilfrid. Of ancient remains, besides, Sidlesham seems to boast not any.
But Mr. Haynes really warms to his subject when he describes doings and developments in his thirteen years' cure. He justly records his triumph in bringing Old Tom Edbury back to church, and if the Land Settlers became part of the life of Sidlesham, a great deal of the credit seems to have been due to the Vicar. In this section of the book, many facts are put on record that will be of interest to present residents and of value to future enquirers.
The author admits to lack of time for original research. But when a great movement is afoot to preserve local records, and when central repositories are being organised to make them more accessible, any topographer may reasonably be expected to illustrate the nature of such memorials, and at least to indicate the contribution they make to elucidation of the local story. The author admits, too, that his essay is scrappy and incomplete ; while admiring his candour, the reader will not gainsay the self-condemnation. Nevertheless, he may, from the facts to be patiently gathered in these pages, when rearranged in his mind, form a picture of Sidlesham through the centuries; and formulate a theme controlling the lives of its dwellers, against a background of the fertile fields yearning for the sea.
Sidlesham Tidal Mill, by H. W. Haynes, published May 1947 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XI no. 6, note, p.133) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8229][Lib 2210] & The Keep [LIB/500213] & S.A.S. library
Parish of Sidlesham, edited by L. F. Salzman, published 1953 in The Victoria History of the County of Sussex (vol. 4: The Rape of Chichester, pp.219-215, London: Victoria County History, ISBN-10: 071290588X & ISBN-13: 9780712905886) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 7398] & The Keep [LIB/500082] & R.I.B.A. Library & East Sussex Libraries View Online
Shotford Manor, by C. E. Welch, published May 1958 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XV no. 1, article, pp.20-22) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8233] & The Keep [LIB/500217] & S.A.S. library
Sidlesham Roman Site, by A. H. Collins, A. E. Wilson and Clare Wilson, published 1973 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 111, article, pp.1-19) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2196] & The Keep [LIB/500318] & S.A.S. library
Walks around Sidlesham, by W. A. Langer, published 1977 (pamphlet, Sidlesham Women's Institute) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 6396] & West Sussex Libraries
Sidlesham: a handbook, published 1979 (booklet, Sidlesham Parish Council) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 7268]
Walks around Sidlesham, published 1981 (pamphlet, Sidlesham W. I.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 7728]
Sidlesham Mill, by K. M. Newbury, published September 1981 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 20, article, p.5) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/20] & The Keep [LIB/500480]
The Enclosure of Sidlesham Common, by Janet Humpheryes, published September 1981 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 20, article, p.10) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/20] & The Keep [LIB/500480]
Religious Survey 1851 - Westhampnett district, edited by John A. Vickers, published August 1990 in The Religious Census of Sussex 1851 (Sussex Record Society, vol. 75, pp.147-160, ISBN-10: 085445036X & ISBN-13: 9780854450367) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 10578][Lib 13824] & The Keep [LIB/500452][LIB/507827] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
District:Westhampnett district incl. Manhood, Birdham, West Itchenor, West Wittering, East Wittering, Earnley, Sidlesham, Selsey, Pagham, Hunston, North Mundham, Donnington, Appledram, New Fishbourne, Rumboldswyke, Merston, Yapton, Barnham, Felpham, Middleton, Binsted, Madehurst, Walberton, Eastergate, Boxgrove, Aldingbourne, Eartham, Oving, Tangmere, East Lavant, Singleton, West Stoke, Mid-Lavant, East Dean, Up-Waltham & Graffham
Sidlesham and the Domesday Entry, by Alan B. Sidle, published April 1992 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 49, article, p.3) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/49] & The Keep [LIB/500483]
Sidlesham - 18c. Schools, edited by John Caffyn, published 1998 in Sussex Schools in the 18th Century (Sussex Record Society, vol. 81, pp.240-241, ISBN-10: 0854450424 & ISBN-13: 9780854450428) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 13825][Lib 13828] & The Keep [LIB/500458][Lib/507864] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Sidlesham: a look at the past, by Hans Florin, Alfred Lytton, Michael Tynan and Robert Vaughan-Fox, published 2000 (Parochial Church Council of St Mary's) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 14195]
The James' of Mahood, by David Coward, published December 2002 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 15 no. 4, article, pp.160-163) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15249] & The Keep [LIB/508827] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.
Preview:The James were prominent members of the communities of North Mundham, Sidlesham, Selsey and a number of other parishes in the Manhood area from as far back as the 16th century, with a presence into the 20th century at least
Sidlesham Parish Register, published (no date) by the Sussex Family History Group and Parish Register Transcription Society (Ref: SXW112, CD-ROM)
Abstract:Baptisms, Marriages, Burials 1566 - 1901 with gaps, Banns 1754-1812. Indexed Transcription. Includes 22 photographs. Vol.112.