Rainham (St. Margaret)

RAINHAM (St. Margaret), a parish, in the union and hundred of Milton, Upper division of the lathe of Scray, E. division of Kent, 5½ miles (W. by N.) from Sittingbourne; containing 1175 inhabitants. The parish is bounded on the north by the Medway, and comprises 3608a. 3r. 4p., of which it is computed that 1900 acres are arable, hop-grounds, and market-gardens, 560 meadow and orchards, 725 woodland, 65 in roads, small gardens, &c., and 358 acres salts and waste. The subsoil is chalk; the south part of the parish is poor flinty land, covered with wood, and the lower or northern part a rich loam, producing, besides corn, an abundance of fruit and vegetables for the London market. The village, which is situated on the great London and Dovor road, was of some consideration in the reign of Elizabeth; and had then three quays, with thirteen small vessels. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's books at £14. 4. 7.; patron, the Archbishop of Canterbury; impropriator, Sir E. Dering, Bart. The great tithes have been commuted for £752, and the vicarial for £519. 17.; the impropriate glebe comprises 62 acres, and the vicarial three. The church is in the early English style, with a lofty beacon-tower, and contains several costly monuments to the Tuftons, earls of Thanet.