MITCHAM, a parish in the second division of the
hundred of WALLINGTON, county of SURREY, 9 miles
(S.S.W.) from London, containing 4453 inhabitants.
This place, anciently Miclielham, or the great dwelling,
is beautifully situated on the river Wandle, a stream
abounding with excellent trout,, and remarkable for the
transparency of its waters, and in the centre of extensive
grounds appropriated to the culture of aromatic
and medicinal plants. Sir Walter Raleigh resided, here
in an old mansion, of which the remains are at present
occupied as a private dwelling-house j and Sir Julius
Caesar, Master of the Rolls to Queen Elizabeth, had the
honour of entertaining Her Majesty at his seat in this
parish. The village is irregularly built, and sheltered
by surrounding eminences, among which, Box Hill, so
called from the trees planted on its southern declivity
by the Earl of Arundel, in the reign of Charles I., having
its northern side shaded with yew trees of venerable
appearance, forms an interesting and picturesque object.
The houses are in general respectable; and the
inhabitants are amply supplied with water from the river.
The environs afford delightful promenades, and abound
with elegant villas, inhabited by opulent individuals,
who, from the retirement of its situation, the beauty of
its scenery, and its proximity to the metropolis, have been
induced to select it as a place of residence. The trade is
principally in calico-printing, for which there are extensive
and convenient grounds, and on the banks of the
Wandle are numerous mills, for corn, logwood, and tobacco.
Rhubarb, liquorice, peppermint, and lavender, are
extensively cultivated here for sale. The rail-road from
Croydon passes through the parish. The annual fair
commences on the 12th of August, and continues for
three days. Mitcham is within the jurisdiction of the
court of requests for the hundred of Blackheath, established
by an act passed in the 6th of George III., for
the recovery of debts under 40s., which was extended to
the hundred ofWallington, and its powers to the recovery
of debts not exceeding £5, by an act passed in the 47th
of the same reign.
The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry
of Surrey, and diocese of Winchester, rated
in the king's books at £10, endowed with £200 private
benefaction, and £200 royal bounty, and in the patronage
of Mrs. Simpson. The church, dedicated to St.
Peter and St. Paul, an ancient structure of flint and
stone, having become greatly dilapidated, was taken
down, and the present beautiful edifice, in the later style
pf English architecture, with a square embattled tower,
was .erected in 1821: five hundred and fifty-five additional
sittings, of which five hundred and twenty-one
are free, have been lately provided, at an expense of
£600, granted by the Incorporated Society for the enlargement
of churches and chapels. There are places
of worship for Independents and Wesleyan Methodists.
The Sunday school has an endowment of £62. 11. 10.
per annum, arising from accumulated savings, amounting
to £1600, vested in the three per cent, consols., and
from donations: the school-room was built by subscription,
in 1788. There are various charitable bequests
for distribution among the poor.