ABINGER (St. James), a parish, in the union of Dorking, First division of the hundred of Wotton, W. division of Surrey, 4 ½ miles (S. W. by W.) from Dorking; containing 920 inhabitants. This parish is noticed in the Domesday survey, under the appellation of Abinebourne; it comprises a small hamlet called Hammer, from an iron hammer mill formerly erected here. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s books at £12. 8. 1 ½., and in the gift of the Evelyn family: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £584, and there are 85 acres of glebe. The church, which occupies an elevated site, is an ancient edifice, with a low wooden tower and pyramidal spire. A school was commenced in 1829, and is supported by subscription. Lady Evelyn, in 1817, left £500 to the poor of this and the adjoining parish of Wotton; and the parish enjoys benefit from Henry Smith’s charity. Oakham Grove was the seat of the celebrated Sir John Evelyn, and Parkhurst, of Lord Macartney. Sir James Scarlett was raised to the peerage by the title of Baron Abinger in 1835, having just previously been created chief baron of the exchequer.
Source: A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis Fifth Edition Published London; by S. Lewis and Co., 13, Finsbury Place, South. M. DCCC. XLV.
