Pigot's Commercial Directory, 1842

DOWNTON

Although in appearance, but a small village, is an ancient corporate town, once possessing a market and enjoying the elective franchise; it is in the parish and hundred of its name, 88 miles s.w. from London, and nearly 7 s.s.e. from Salisbury; situated in a pleasant vale on the east side of the Avon and is boarded about half a mile distant on the south by a ditch called "Landshire ditch."

The manufacturers here at one time consisted of paper, bed-ticking, straw plat and lace; the last-name two branches are maintained mainly by females to a limited extent, but the other two cease to exist.

Downton is an ancient borough by prescription; the privilege of returning two members to parliament was granted in the 23rd of Edward I, from which period (with some interruptions) it continued to be represented until the Reform Bill deprived it of the franchise. The Earl of Radnor is lord of the manor, and holds court leet twice a year; at one of these an officer, styled mayor and two constables are appointed.

The parish church of St. Lawrence is a neat and tolerably spacious structure, with a central tower, improved by Lord Radnor. The living is a vicarage, in the patronage of the warden and fellows of Winchester College; the present incumbent is the Rev. Richard Payne. There are places of worship for Baptists and Wesleyan Methodists. The principal charities are those for instructing the children of the poor gratuitously.

The market has long been discontinued, but two fairs are still attended viz April 23rd for cattle and Oct 2nd for sheep and horses. The borough and parish of Downton numbers nearly 4,000 inhabitants.

St. Lawrence Parish Church

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