Plumstead (St. Nicholas)

PLUMSTEAD (St. Nicholas), a parish, in the union of Lewisham, hundred of Lessness, lathe of Suttonat-Hone, W. division of Kent, 10 miles (S. by E.) from London; containing 2816 inhabitants. This place was formerly a market-town, and possessed also a charter for fairs. The parish comprises 3371 acres, of which 163 are in wood: the river Thames bounds it to the north. The living is a vicarage, with that of East Wickham annexed, valued in the king's books at £6. 18. 4.; net income, £706; patron, the Rev. H. J. Shackleton; impropriators, the Rev. S. Cooke, and the families of Patteson and Clements. At Shooters-Hill, which is partly in Plumstead, and partly in the parish of Eltham, is a separate incumbency. John Budgen, Esq., in 1807 granted some land whereon to build a schoolroom: in the same year William Cole bequeathed £1000, now producing upwards of £46 per annum, for the support of a school; and by will dated 1821, the Rev. Henry Kipling, late vicar of the parish, left a like sum for the same purpose.