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Sydenham

SYDENHAM, a chapelry, in the parish and union of Lewisham, hundred of Blackheath, lathe of Sutton-at-Hone, W. division of Kent, 8½ miles (S. S. E.) from London; containing 2915 inhabitants. This place, which previously consisted only of a few scattered dwellings, was brought into notice by the discovery, in 1640, of a saline chalybeate spring, whose waters, similar in their properties to those of Epsom, made it the occasional resort of invalids. The wells have fallen almost into disuse, but the salubrity of the air, the pleasantness of its situation, and its proximity to the metropolis, have made Sydenham the permanent residence of numerous families of respectability, who have erected handsome seats and villas in its vicinity. The upper part of the common commands extensive and richly-varied prospects, and the surrounding scenery possesses much beauty; agreeable walks may be had, and the adjoining woods are frequented by parties from the metropolis on pleasure excursions. The London and Croydon railway intersects the chapelry, where a station has been established. A fair, chiefly for pleasure, is held on Trinity-Monday. The proprietary episcopal chapel here, of which the Rev. P. A. French appoints the minister, was originally a meeting-house, where Dr. John Williams, author of a Greek Concordance, officiated for many years. The district church, dedicated to St. Bartholomew, was erected in 1831, at an expense of £9485, and is a handsome structure of Suffolk brick, ornamented with stone, in the later English style: it contains 1000 sittings, of which 500 are free; the nave is lighted by clerestory windows, and separated from the aisles by lofty piers and arches of graceful elevation. The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £240; patron, the Vicar of Lewisham. There are places of worship for Independents and Wesleyans.

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

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