GODSHILL, a parish in the liberty of EAST-MEDINA,
Isle of Wight division of the county of SOUTHAMPTON,
5 miles (S. S. E.) from Newport, containing 1214 inhabitants.
The living is a discharged vicarage, with the rectory
of Neighton and the curacy of Whitwell, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Winchester, rated in the king's
books at £3717 6., and in the patronage of the Provost
and Fellows of Queen's College, Oxford. The church, dedicated
to All Saints, has lately received an addition of one
hundred and sixty free sittings, the Incorporated Society
for the enlargement of churches and chapels having
granted £ 50 towards defraying the expense. Here is a
place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. A free school
was founded in 1593, by Philip Andrews and others,
who endowed it with an annuity of £ 5, in aid of which,
Lady Ann Worsley, in 1615, gave twenty marks a year,
and Sir Richard Worsley bequeathed a rent - charge of
£11. 6. 8., also a messuage called the Chantry-house,
wherein the school was then kept. Richard Gard, in
1617, gave £5 per annum towards the support of an
usher, whose salary is £ 10, and the master's £ 11. 6. 8.:
the children are taught in a school-house erected in
1804, by Lord Yarborough.