Denton Church
No mention of Denton, at least under that name, occurs in Domesday Book, nor is there any evidence of a church there in Norman times, unless indeed the very curious font may be referred to that era. In Pope Nicholas's Taxation, 1291, the rectory of Denton is estimated at £6. 13s. 4d. The Nonæ return of 1351 is to the following effect :—
"This indenture testifieth that an inquisition was taken before Henry Husee, &c. of the ninths of sheaves, fleeces, and lambs, and of the fifteenths, &c. at Lewes, on Monday next after the feast of St. Gregory the Pope, 15th Edw. III. &c. upon the true value of the ninths of sheaves, fleeces, and lambs . . . . upon the oaths of John ate See, Henry Dourhute, John Ambrays, and William Hamond, parishioners of the church of Denton, who say upon their oaths that the ninth part of the sheaves there is worth this year fifty-six shillings ; the ninth part of fleeces 6s. 8d. ; and the ninth part of lambs four shillings. And thus the sum of the whole ninths of sheaves, fleeces, and lambs is £3. 6s. 8d. And the church aforesaid is taxed at £6. 13s. 4d. [Pope Nicholas.] And they say that the foresaid ninths can not answer or reach to that taxation, because the rector hath a messuage newly endowed with a curtilage and garden worth per annum 10s. Also he hath five acres of land, arable and pasture, worth 23s. The tithe of apples is worth 3*. ; and that of pigeons, pigs, geese, and eggs, 7s. Tithes of hay, 5s. Also he hath tithes of cows, calves, and dayerie, 4s. 4d. per annum; tithe of mills, 18d. ; that of linen flax, 12d. The oblations are worth 12s. And they say that there are none resident there who live otherwise than by the land only. In witness whereof, &c.
In the ecclesiastical valuation of temp. Henry VIII. we find Denton fixed at £14. 19s. 8½d., besides 6s. 8d. payable to the prebend of Bishopston, synodals 18d. and procuration 13d.
The following returns relative to the church and parish of Denton are preserved in the Registrar's office at Lewes.
