BARNET (FRYERN), a parish in the Finsbury division
of the hundred of OSSULSTONE, county of MIDDLESEX,
8 miles (N. by W.) from London, containing,
with the hamlet of Colney-Hatch, and a portion of that
of Whetstone, 534 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual
curacy, in the peculiar jurisdiction and patronage
of the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's, London. The
church, dedicated to St. James, is a small and very ancient
structure, in the Norman style of architecture:
the chancel has been rebuilt within the last seven years.
It is supposed that an abbey anciently existed here, and
that the old manor-house, now taken down, was the
summer residence of the abbots, to whom the manor
belonged. The village contains several handsome
houses, and the environs abound with pleasing scenery 5
the land is tithe-free, if cultivated by resident proprietors,
but if let to tenants the exemption ceases. Courts
leet and baron are held annually on the Friday in Whitsun-
week. Almshouses for twelve aged persons were
founded and endowed with £10 a year, in 1612, by
Lawrence Kemp, Esq., of London. There is a school,
supported by subscription. John Walker, an eminent
philologist, and author of the English Pronouncing
Dictionary, was born here, in 1732.