GATTON, a borough and parish, in the second
division of the hundred of REIGATE, county of
SURREY, 22 miles (E. by N.) from Guildford, and 18
(S. by W.) from London, containing 135 inhabitants.
This was formerly a considerable town, and had a
castle; but it is now an insignificant village, only distinguished
by the privilege of sending two members to
parliament, which it has enjoyed since the 29th of
Henry VI. The right of election is vested in the freeholders
and inhabitants paying scot and lot; and the
constable for the manor is the returning officer: the
patronage of the borough belongs to Sir Mark Wood,
Bart. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of
Surrey, and diocese of Winchester, rated in the king's
books at £9. 2. 8., and in the patronage of Sir M.
Wood, Bart. The river Mole has its source in this parish;
and here is a quarry of white stone which will
bear exposure to a high degree of heat, and is therefore
much used in the construction of ovens, furnaces for
glass-houses, &c.