Seasalter Liberty (St. Alphage)

SEASALTER LIBERTY (St. Alphage), a parish, in the union of Blean, hundred of Whitstable, lathe of St. Augustine, E. division of Kent, 5¼ miles (N. W. by N.) from Canterbury; containing 1064 inhabitants. On the sea-shore is an extensive oyster-bed called the Pollard, belonging to the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, who let it to the Whitstable company of free dredgers. Four annual fairs were held here, but they have been long discontinued. The parish comprises 1320a. 3r. 33p., whereof 308 acres are arable, 983 meadow, nearly 19 woodland, and 11 in gardens, &c. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £11, and in the gift of the Dean and Chapter, who are also appropriators: the vicarial tithes have been commuted for £160, and the appropriate for £225. A new parish church has been erected. There is a place of worship for Independents. Mrs. Francis Fagg, in 1794, bequeathed £800 three per cents, for the support of a school.