SHOTTERS HILL - an interesting part of West End
Rose Voller

The area from the mini roundabout by the War Memorial down the High Street to the Post Office has been known as Shotters Hill for many years. Charlie Sillence's article in the August 1985 West End News said he "presumed the name was derived from Mr Charles Shotter who lived in the house (now demolished) according to the Hampshire 1859 Directory".
A couple of years ago I received an enquiry about the Shotter family and subsequently learnt that Daniel Shotter born in 1773 was a Miller at West End from 1810 to 1834. His will dated 22nd February 1830 mentions Messuages, Buildings, Land and Tenements. He had created a Trust for his wife and eight children and appointed William Henry Gater (also a Miller) to be a Trustee.
His son Charles Shotter (had no children) inherited the business until his death in January 1859. He also made a Will, described as a Gentleman and was living at Laurel House, West End in the Parish of South Stoneham. His wife Amelia inherited everything, but immediately on her death, "such parts of his Estate etc.," was to be "equally divided between my six sisters and my said wife's brother and sister, namely Priscilla Barter wife of William Barter, Tryphena Lawrence wife of William Henry Lawrence, Drusilla Butt wife of Timothy Butt, Tabitha Caws wife of James Caws, Amelia Hore wife of Jasper Hore, Kezia Smith wife of Abraham Smith, George Strugnell and Elizabeth Pounds wife of Thomas Pounds or such of them as shall be living at the time of the death of my (his) wife. Charles kept the link with the Gater family by appointing John Gater to be Executor for his Will.
According to the 1851 Census - Charles Shotter 48 years, a "Gentleman" and Amelia, wife, 47 years, a "Higler" (which is a name for someone who bargains or haggles) were both living at Laurel House (where the old Police Station stood).
Interestingly the 1881 Census shows Harriett Baker, 57 years, Head, Widow, J.Richard St.Barbe Baker, 20 years, Son (the well known Richard St. Barbe Baker - man who founded "Men of the Trees" was his son), and Charlotte Spence, 22 years, Servant, living at the same Laurel House. In 1905 Sir Arthur Percy Fitzgerald Aylmer was resident at Laurel House then known as "Donadea". Sir Arthur's wife was Lady in Waiting to Queen Victoria. After World War 2 the tenants were the two Misses Prestons who according to Charlie Sillence gave much to the village of West End. Their only brother (not named) won the MC and was killed in the war.
A surprising little bit of life's history covering over 150 years within a small area of our Village.

WEST END REMEMBERS….Lest we forget

Sunday 9th November 2003 and West End remembered those who gave their lives for our freedom in two World Wars and since. Wreaths were laid by the Parish Council, the Royal British Legion and others to mark Remembrance Day.

Pictures by
J. D. H. Chapman