Birdham

BIRDHAM is a parish, in the Western division of the county, Manhood hundred, rape, diocese, archdeaconry and county court district of Chichester, West Hampnett union, and rural deanery of Boxgrove, 4 and a half miles south-west from Chichester. The Arundel and Portsmouth Canal passes through the parish, and terminates at Chichester Harbour, a branch of which forms the northern boundary of the parish. The church (name unknown) is an ancient edifice, in the Early English style, having square tower with 3 bells, nave, chancel, south porch, and several monuments. The living is a rectory, yearly value £396, with residence, in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Chichester, and held by the Rev. James Webber Miller M.A., of Exeter College, Oxford. Here is a National school, where about 130 boys and girls are instructed. Area, 1,948 acres; the population in 1861 was 436. [Kelly's Post Office Directory of Essex, Herts, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, 1867.]