Charlotte M Yonge

Old Times at Otterbourne Charlotte M Yonge

Not many of us remember Otterbourne before the Railroad, the Church, or the PennyPost. It may be pleasant to some of us to try to catch a few recollections before all thosewho can tell us anything about those times are quite gone. To begin with the first that is known about it, or rather that is guessed. A part of a Romanroad has been traced in Otterbourne Park, and near it was found a piece of a quern, one ofthe old stones of a hand mill, such as was used in ancient times for grinding corn; so thatthe place must have been inhabited at least seventeen hundred years ago. In the lastcentury a medallion bearing the head of a Roman Emperor was found here, sixteen feetbeneath the surface. It seems to be one of the medallions that were placed below the Eagleon the Roman Standards, and it is still in the possession of the family of Fitt, of Westley.