National Gazetteer (1868) - Botley

"BOTLEY, a parish and small market town, in the hundred of Upper Mainsbridge, Southampton division of the county of Southampton, 4 miles to the S.W. of Bishop's Waltham, 10 from. Gosport, and 6 from Southampton, its post town. It is situated on the small river Hamble, and is about half a mile from the station on the Southampton railway. The Hamble falls into Southampton Water, and is navigable to this village for boats. There are several corn-mills on the river, and a good trade is carried on in flour and timber. In 1848 a market-house was built here at the cost of £650. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Winchester, of the value of £399, in the patronage of H. Lee, Esq. The church, dedicated to All Saints, is a plain edifice of brick, with a good tower. It was built in 1836, and was enlarged in 1859, when a chancel was added. It contains sittings for about 420, and has a curious old font.

There are chapels belonging to the Independents and Baptists, and a commodious National school erected in 1856. In 1794 the forces commanded by the Earl of Moira encamped on the hills near Botley, previous to their embarkation for Ostend. On the same ground part of the army under Sir Ralph Abercrombie encamped, in 1800, before sailing for Egypt. The principal seats are Botley Grange and Botley Hill. Neither of these are in the parish of Botley, though close to the village. William Cobbett for long resided at a farm in this village. A market for corn, cattle, &c., is held on Monday, once a fortnight, but the fairs are now discontinued."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) - Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]