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Otham (St. Nicholas)

OTHAM (St. Nicholas), a parish, in the union of Maidstone, hundred of Eyhorne, lathe of Aylesford, W. division of Kent, 3 miles (S. E. by E.) from Maidstone; containing 365 inhabitants. An abbey of Præmonstratcnsian canons was founded here, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and St. Lawrence, about the time of Henry II.; but in the reign of John, they removed to a more convenient situation at Beaulieu, in the parish of Frant; on its site now stands Gore Court. The parish is bounded on the north by the small river Len, and situated about a mile from the London and Ashford road: it comprises 947 acres, of which 198 are in wood. There are quarries belonging to the Earl of Romney, the material of which is used for building. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £9. 17. 3½., and in the patronage of Mrs. Horne: the tithes have been commuted for £400, and the glebe comprises 38 acres, with a house. Dr. Horne, Bishop of Norwich, and author of the well-known Commentary on the Psalms, was born in the parish in 1730.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.

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