Commemorative plaque 52115

This blue commemorative plaque records: PARHAM Golden Pippins and Victorian Adventurer This name first recorded in 959AD comes from words meaning ‘the pear tree settlement’, but the fruit most associated with Parham is the Golden Pippin Apple, which probably originated here in 1629. Robert Palmer, a citizen and mercer of London, bought Parham in 1540. His son Thomas, who sailed with Francis Drake, laid the foundation stone for the present house in 1577. It was sold to Thomas Bishop of Henfield in 1601, and his descendants lived there until 1922, when Baroness Zouche sold to the Pearson family. In the 1830s the 14th Baron Zouche, Robert Curzon, visited monasteries in the Near East rescuing many historic biblical manuscripts that are now in the British Library. He wrote one of the best travel books of the Victorian era ‘Visit to the Monasteries in the Levant’ retelling his adventures. There have been pleasure grounds and orchards here since earliest times, and the park is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with ancient trees and rare lichens. Deer have roamed here since at least 1628, and in the early 1700s, workers were paid 6d a night for ‘watching’ to guard against poaching. For most of its history Parham has been a quiet peaceful place, though it was sacked during the Civil War like nearby Amberley Castle. The church of St Peter in the grounds of Parham House was mostly rebuilt in the early 1800s, although there are remains from the 1500s in the vestry. There are box pews, with a fireplace in the one belonging to the lord of the manor, and the pulpit and screen are Georgian. The 6th baronet is said to have demolished the village, then sited around the church, and rebuilt it at Rackham, but archaeologists have found nothing to support this story. Recorded plaque organisation: Horsham District Council.