ck park, 1774: Rebecca Nelthorpe his
niece, 1784; William Nelthorpe esq., 1791: Elizabeth Nelthorpe 1801;
Eliza Sarah wife of James Tuder Nelthorpe esq. of Nuthurst lodge, died at
Paris 1826, and was interred in the cemetry of Pere la chaise; John
Aldridge of New Lodge, 1803: John Warburton Aldridge son of the above,
1801: Samuel Aldridge 1773: Sophia Aldridge 1769. The font is plain and
octagonal.

[Picture: Nuthurst Church]

Near Nuthurst in a very delightful situation, commanding extensive views
of the sea and south downs, is Nuthurst Lodge, the residence of James
Tuder Nelthorpe esq.: at a very short distance from the mansion, are the
remains of an ancient castle or hunting seat, surrounded by an oute and
inner moat, of a circular form, and traceable everywhere; the foundations
of the walls are quite visible, and one apartment of a sexagonal shape is
entirely perfect. About 40 yards farther on, surrounded by copse wood,
and over hanging trees, is a small well of a circular form, and
surrounded by cut stone overgrown by moss: a flight of winding steps,
leading to it, from an adjacent eminence, adds a peculiarly romantic and
pleasing effect to this venerable work of antiquity, which is known by
the name of the Nun's Well. No account is to be found of its history,
though it may perhaps have belonged to the neighbouring castle. The
traditions among the inhabitants affirm, that a subterraneous passage
connects this castle with the nunnery at Rusper, which is 8 miles
distant, but no attempt has been undertaken to ascertain the truth of
this conjecture. Passing over Tower Hill, an eminence near Horsham, we
arrive at the village of Itchingfield, or Hethinfield as it was formerly
called. The earliest notice of this place, is to be found in an ancient
deed A.D. 1233, when "Hugh de Mabel and Susanna his wife, sold to Robert
atte Feching, one messuage and half a carucate of land, at Hethinfield."
The parish is bounded on the east by Horsham, south by Shipley, west by
Shipley, and north by Slinfold, and contained in 1831, 349 inhabitants.
The church dedicated to St. Nicholas is of the time of Henry III, or
Edward the I. Its exterior is particularly rustic especially the low
tower at the west end, which is formed of entire trunks of trees fastened
together by wooden bolts. Against one of the walls of timber in the
belfry is an ancient painting representing Moses receiving the ten
commandments on m