Stonar (St. Augustine)

STONAR (St. Augustine), a parish, in the union of the Isle of Thanet, hundred of Ringslow, or Isle of Thanet, lathe of St. Augustine, E. division of Kent, ¾ of a mile (N. by E.) from Sandwich; containing 52 inhabitants. It is supposed that the site of this place, in the time of the Romans, was entirely covered with water. On the sea retiring from Ebbs-fleet, at an early period, Stonar became a common landing-place, and, in consequence, a town of considerable importance; in 1090 it had so increased, that the seignory was claimed by the citizens of London as subject to that port. But after sustaining repeated injuries from the Danes and other marauders, as well as from inundations of the sea, it began about the reign of Richard II. to decay; and Leland, who wrote in the time of Henry VIII., describes it as " sometime a pretty town," but then "having only the ruin of the church, which some people call Old Sandwich." The parish comprises 700 acres. Salt-works are carried on, the produce of which serves all the purposes of bay-salt. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £3. 6. 8.; but no presentation has lately been made.