Keymer

KEYMER is a long narrow parish, 10 miles north from Brighton, in the Eastern division of the county, Cuckfield union and county court district, hundred of Buttinghill, rape, archdeaconry and rural deanery of Lewes, and diocese of Chichester. The village is a large straggling one, the principal parts being St. John's Common and Burgess Hill, which is a very improving neighbourhood, the population having largely increased during the last few years. The London and Brighton Railway runs through this parish, and there are two stations on the line, viz., Burgess Hill, 41½ miles from London, and Hassock's Gate, 43½ miles. The church is an ancient structure, and stands at the south-east part of the village. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the rectory of Clayton, in the gift of Brasenose College, Oxford, and held by the Ven. Archdeacon Garbett, M.A. At St. John's Common there is a national school for boys and girls. There is a new church (St. John's) for the accommodation of the district, including parts of the parishes of Clayton and Keymer, of red brick faced with stone, and is intended to accommodate about 700 persons: it was consecrated 12th Jane, 1863. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of the rector, and held by the Rev. H. G. Gervase Cutler. B.A. of St. John's College, Oxford. Bricks, tiles, and brown ware pottery are extensively manufactured in this district. Valebridge is in this parish. The area is 3,538 acres, and the population is now about 2,000. [Kelly's Post Office Directory of Essex, Herts, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, 1867.]