From Kelly’s Post Office Directory of Essex, Herts, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, 1867
POYNINGS is a parish, giving name to a hundred, in the Eastern division of the county, Lewes rape, archdeaconry and rural deanery, Steyning union, diocese of Chichester and county court district of Brighton. The church of the Holy Trinity is a large cruciform structure, with massive tower, erected in the fourteenth century. The register dates from 1558. The living is a rectory, tithes commuted at £273 per annum, with residence and 19 acres of glebe, and 70 acres belonging to the rectory of Poynings, in Pycombe parish, in the gift of the heirs of Lord Montague, and held by the Rev. Thomas Agar Holland, of Worcester College, Oxford. A new school-house has been erected by grants from the Crown, the Privy Council, and other public boards, and local subscriptions. The manor, and nearly the whole of the soil, belongs to the Crown. In this village is situated that attractive chasm known as the Devil’s Dyke: on the summit of the lofty range of hills, known as the South Downs, stands the well-known tavern the Dyke House, a place of resort for the lovers of beautiful scenery as well as pleasure-seeking parties from all parts of the world: its proximity to Brighton renders it a favourite drive or ride from that place. It is 6 miles north-west from Brighton, 3½ south-south-west from Hurstpierpoint, and 4½ from Hassock’s Gate station. There is also a Baptist chapel. The area is 1,643 acres, and the population in 1861 was 261.
Parish Clerk, James Barber.
POST OFFICE.- Henry Hollingdale, receiver. Letters from Hurstpierpoint arrive at 8.25 a.m.; dispatched at 6 p.m.; sundays, dispatched at 4.15 p.m. Hurstpierpoint is the nearest money order office
Village School, Miss Eliza Osborne, mistress
Holland Rev. Thomas Agar, M.A.
Barber George, Wheelwright
Barnett John, farmer
Botting William, farmer & miller, Manor farm
Cuttress George S C. brewer & beer retailer
Gardner Thomas Champion, farmer, New House farm
Graimes Harry, shopkeeper
Graimes Louisa (Mrs.), Royal oak
Graimes Timothy, miller
Hollingdale Henry, grocer
Pelling William, market gardener
Pye William, farmer, New House farm
Thacker William, Devil’s Dyke tavern
Voice Harriet (Mrs.), blacksmith