The name of the parish is derived from a white rock, on which part of the church is founded. It is a large white
stone in the south side of the church; the part which appears is of an oval form. This account I had from Mr. Nicholas Hoskins, jun. and vicar of Boyton, son to the rector of this.
In anno 1291, 20 Edw. I. this church was valued (Tax. Benef.) at £4. 6s. 8d. having never been appropriated.
This church is a rectory, valued in the King’s Book, £14. 11s. ob.; the patronage in the heirs of Sir John Arundell; the incumbent Mr. Nicholas Hoskins.
THE MANOR OF WHITESTONE.
This, in Domesday Book, is called Witestan, being one of the manors given by William the Conqueror to Robert Earl of Morton, when he created Earl of Cornwall the said Robert.
In the extent of Cornish acres, 12 Edw. I. (Car. f. 48), this, by the name of Wilston and St. Petnell (St. Petronel, I suppose), is valued in two.
The 3 Henry IV. (Idem, f. 40 b.) John de Cobbeham held one fee in Wiston and Serpeknol, which I take to be the same with the former, only wrong spelt.
[The name of the parish is not derived, I apprehend, from any white stone on which the church is founded. From the very description here given of it, it could never have given name to the church itself. Only “part of the church is founded” on it. Nor is this part “founded” on it. There is only “a large white stone in the south side of the church;” and this is plainly built up in the side, as it is said to be “of an oval form.” The reference of the name to this stone, therefore, has been merely the idle play of intellect, in those who in antiquarian matters did not know how to exert their understandimg seriously. The real name of the church is “St. Petnell, St. Petronel, I suppose.” The church then could not give name to the parish. And the parish actually received its name from the manor, as the manor received it from its manerial
house, this being built upon a white rock, that very rock assuredly from which the white stone in the wall of the church had been brought. W.]