Barton
In feudal times Barton Manor was a tiny kingdom in itself. It is recorded that, Sir Thomas Peverel, in 1280, was summoned to appear before justices contesting his claim to take and hang malefactors at Barton. His claims are upheld because King Henry II had given to Nicholas, of Hampton, and his heirs (predecessors of the Peverel’s) – all the land of Barton with the right to take and punish thieves and pursue and take them beyond the bounds of his own manor.
In 1306 mention is made of a Mill, the founding of which was attributed to Sir Thomas Peverel, descendent of Sir William Peverel, who was reputed to be son of William the Conqueror. (Drewitt, A. (1935) Eastleigh’s Yesterdays).
This picture, thought to have been painted in 1844, shows Barton Farmhouse, to the left, with Barton Mill in the distance. To the right can be seen the wall of Barton Farmyard. At the far end of the wall, the road turns right towards Chickenhall Farm, not straight on to Bishopstoke as it does today.
This picture shows the same scene photographed in the early1900s. The new road was constructed around 1900. Barton Mill is clearly recognisable from the previous picture, whilst the Road now continues directly to Bishopstoke. The Chickenhall Lane junction is at the end of the farm yard wall and was previously the route used to get to the village. Gas lighting has been provided and there is a paved area for pedestrians. The side of the barn, adjacent to Barton Road, has been used as an advertising hoarding. Prominent adverts are for Hartley’s Preserves (They had a large fruit farm in Allington Lane), and Armour’s Veribest Canned Meats plus other smaller posters for local traders, variety shows, and farm auctions.
Prior to the new road to Bishopstoke being built, the condition and nature of the road between Bishopstoke and Bishopstoke Station, in the 1890s was poor. ”It was common practice for travellers to and from Bishopstoke to change their boots/shoes at the railway station, both going and returning until the new bridges and road were constructed with side-paths”. (Drewitt,A. (1935) Eastleigh’s Yesterdays).
Barton Mill pictured from the corner of Barton Road around 1916/1917. The three gentlemen in the centre of the picture are patients from Eastleigh Clearing Hospital which was based in Chamberlain Road and Eastleigh Recreation Ground in Leigh Road. The building shown in the left hand corner of the picture is Barton Farmhouse.
In 1918 the Eastleigh Secondary School had outgrown their premises in the Wesleyan School Rooms, moved to Barton Farm House and became Barton Peveril School. (Harrison, D. 1990. Eastleigh & District History Society – Special Paper No 18 – Early Days at Barton Peveril).
In 1908 the Pupil Teacher Training Centre moved from rooms in the Eastleigh Railway institute to the Wesley Hall at the back of the Methodist Church in High Street and, in 1918, it occupied Barton Peveril Farmhouse at Bishopstoke. The house was surrounded by streams leading to the nearby Mill; it was a red brick building with a white pre-fab classroom behind it… There was a large orchard at the side of the school and a swing hanging from the branches of a tree…There was a farm on the other side of the road. (Paris, B. 1989. Eastleigh & District History Society – Special Paper No 12 – memories of Barton Peveril).
Perhaps “farmhouse” is a misnomer because it was a large elegant house with an impressive porch with columns and an entrance hall from which opened various rooms. In the garden a wooden annexe was built of four rooms to accommodate the pupils who numbered about 200… The surroundings… were a delight – lawns running down to the river, beautiful trees, including a huge tulip tree which was then reputed to be the only one in Hampshire. There was a swing fixed in the tree – for the use of girls only… we also had an orchard to play in and a grass tennis court… The interior of the school was rather bleak, the rooms being lit by gas and warmed by an iron stove with a big fireguard round it. (Wiseman, M. Eastleigh & District History Society – Occasional Paper no 50 – Barton Peveril in the 1920s).
Barton Mill was a popular location for photography in the early 1900s
These pictures were taken after 1900, when the new road and bridges had been built to Bishopstoke.
Barton Mill with the Miller is stood in the central doorway. It was a simple, elegant and functional building, which fell into disrepair and was demolished in the 1960s.
Barton Mill was driven by an under wheel from the mill stream which ran parallel with Bishopstoke Road, not from the Barton River, which can be seen in the foreground.
This picture shows the relationship between Barton Mill, Barton Farmyard, on the left, and Barton Farm House, on the right. The next picture is not such good quality, but shows the relationship more clearly.
Barton Mill was a popular location for photography in the early 1900s