ESHER, a parish partly in the hundred of KINGSTON,
but chiefly in the second division of the hundred of
ELMBRIDGE, county of SURREY, 13 miles (N.E.) from
Guildford, containing 1108 inhabitants. The living is
a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Surrey, and diocese
of Winchester, rated in the king's books at £9. 18. 4.,
and in the patronage of the Warden and Fellows of
Wadham College, Oxford. The church is dedicated to
St. George. In 1789, George Nathaniel Petre bequeathed
£850 three per cents,, towards improving and supporting
the Sunday school: between twenty and thirty children
are educated in it. Three poor children are also educated
for the sum of £6 a year, the gift of John Winkins in
1779. In this parish are situated the mansions of Claremont
and Esher Place; the former well known as the residence
of the Princess Charlotte of Wales, and the latter
as the seat of Cardinal Wolsey. The scenery is highly
interesting, being enriched with mansions and seats of the
first order. Adjoining Esher common, an hospital, or
priory, was founded in the reign of Henry II., the site
of which is now called Sandon Farm. There is a fair
for horses on the 4th of September.