The parish of St Dennis is one of the most pleasant parts of the county in which it is situated.

It is fertile, well wooded, well watered, and of an excellent air.

For many generations the manor had been holden in tail-male by a worshipful family, who have always taken precedence of their neighbours at the races and the sessions.
In ancient times the affairs of this parish were administered by a Court-Baron, in which the freeholders were judges; and the rates were levied by select vestries of the inhabitant householders.

But at length these good customs fell into disuse.

The Lords of the Manor, indeed, still held courts for form's sake; but they or their stewards had the whole management of affairs.