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Wickham, West (St. John the Baptist)

WICKHAM, WEST (St. John the Baptist), a parish, in the union of Bromley, hundred of Ruxley, lathe of Sutton-at-Hone, W. division of Kent, 2¾ miles (S. S. W.) from Bromley; containing 651 inhabitants. It comprises 2645a. 2r. 6p., of which 335 acres are in wood. The soil is generally chalk, alternated with gravel and clay; the surface is for the most part undulated, in some parts level, and the scenery is varied. The old manor-house is a quadrangular structure, with towers at the angles. The village was formerly a market-town: a fair for cattle is still held on Easter-Monday. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £11. 10. 10., and in the patronage of Sir Charles Francis Farnaby, Bart.: the tithes have been commuted for £495, and the glebe comprises 37 acres, with a house. The church is an ancient structure in the later English style; the chancel windows are beautifully ornamented with stained glass. There is a place of worship for Wesleyans. The learned Gilbert West, the friend of Gray the poet, long resided in the village, where he was visited by Lyttleton and Pitt; he was buried here in 1756.

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

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