OVERTON

 

Overton is mentioned in 909 in a grant of land by King Edward to Frithstan, Bishop of Winchester. This grant was later confirmed by King Edgar, and the manor was still held by the bishop at the time of the Domesday Survey. The early village of Overton was situated on the north bank of the River Test close to its source, and in the early thirteenth century, an entirely new town was planned by Bishop de Lucy of Winchester. Overton “new town” is mentioned in a charter of 1218 granting a market to the bishop, and in 1246 Henry III granted a fair to the town.

 

The bishops of Winchester continued to be Lords of the Manor of Overton, but by the early seventeenth century, the original mediaeval village around the church had decayed and disappeared, leaving only the thirteenth century new town, still known as Overton.

 

The twelfth century Church of St Mary was restored in 1853 and 1897, and the tower was rebuilt in 1909. There are the remains of an eleventh or twelfth century chapel at Quidhampton Farm.

 

In the eighteenth century, the manufacture of silk was an important local industry, and the nearby paper mill employs many inhabitants of Overton and its hinterland.

 

 

The Lynch follows part of the course of the River Test. It is situated outside the present village, probably on the site of the mediaeval village. Only two buildings remain in the lane, the thatched cottage pictured above, and Southington Mill, which has been enlarged and converted into a waterside house. The site of the Silk Mill was to the east of Southington Mill.

 

 

This is a view of Southington Mill, with the River Test. It was an eighteenth century corn mill. The original millhouse was single story with three hipped dormers in plain wood casements on the ground floor.

 

 

 

This is a view of Southington Mill, with the River Test. It was an eighteenth century corn mill. The original millhouse was single story with three hipped dormers in plain wood casements on the ground floor.

 

 

OTHER VIEWS OF OVERTON

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                       

 

Red Lion Lane                                                         Quidhampton Mill

 

 

 

                                                                                        

 

 

     Southington Cottage                                                    Overton Parish Church

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                           

 

     War Memorial

 

 

 

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