NEWTON, or NEWTOWN, a borough in the parish of CALBOURN, liberty of WEST-MEDINA, Isle of Wight division of the county of SOUTHAMPTON, 5 miles (W. "by, N.) from Newport, and 92 (S. W.) from London. The population is returned with the parish. This place was formerly called Francheville, which name occurs in a charter granted by Oymer, Bishop of Winchester, who bestowed such liberties and franchises on the burgesses of Newton as were enjoyed by those of Taunton, Alresford, and Farnham. This charter was confirmed by Edward II., by Edward IV., and by Queen Elizabeth. The town, which is situated at the mouth of the river Newton, was anciently of much greater extent than it is at present: it was burned by the, Danes in 1001, and by the French in the reign of Richard II., and is now reduced to a very few cottages. The town hall contains some oaken chairs curiously carved, and supposed to be of the time of Elizabeth; it stands on an eminence overlooking one of the creeks of Newton harbour, which is formed by the junction of the river with the sea; at high water it will admit vessels of five hundred tons' burden. It is one of the stations of the preventive service. This borough has a titular mayor, chosen by the burgageholders; courts leet are held, at which constables are appointed. It first sent representatives to parliament in the 27th year of the reign of Elizabeth. The right of election is vested in the titular mayor and the burgesses, or proprietors of burgage tenements; the number of voters is thirty-three; the titular mayor is the returning officer. The parliamentary influence is enjoyed by Sir FitzwiUiam Barrington, Lord Yarborough, and the trustees of Sir Leonard T, W. Holmes. Twelve poor children are instructed by a schoolmistress for £10 per annum, the gift of Lady Constance Lucy, in 1771.