WIDLEY, a parish in the hundred of PORTSDOWN,
Portsdown division of the county of SOUTHAMPTON,
5 miles (E. by N.) from Fareham, containing 544
inhabitants. The living is a rectory, with the vicarage
of Wimeringe annexed, in the archdeaconry and
diocese of Winchester, rated in the king's books at
£14. 11. 10., and in the alternate patronage of the
Warden and Fellows of Winchester College and T.
Thistlethwaite, Esq. The church, dedicated to St. Mary
Magdalene, has lately received an addition of one
hundred and sixty-nine sittings, of which ninety-nine
are free, the Incorporated Society for the enlargement
of churches and chapels having granted £100
towards defraying the expense. The Rev. John Taylor,
in 1771, gave an annuity of £2 in support of a
school.