Chiselhurst (St. Nicholas)

CHISELHURST (St. Nicholas), a parish, in the union of Bromley, hundred of Ruxley, lathe of Sutton-at-Hone, W. division of Kent, 11 miles (S. E.) from London; containing 1792 inhabitants. It comprises 2499 acres, of which 565 are woodland, and 95 common. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £16. 3. 6½.; net income, £487; patron, the Bishop of Rochester. The church is built of flint, with a shingled spire. There is a place of worship for Wesleyans. A school is endowed with £15 per annum, and there are two schools for girls, supported by bequests and donations. Sir Nicholas Bacon was a native of Chiselhurst: here also was born, in 1500, Sir Francis Walsingham, secretary of state to Queen Elizabeth; and at this place, in 1623, died Camden the antiquary, from whom Camden Place, in the parish (whence Lord Chancellor Pratt took the title of Baron, and which now confers the title of Marquess on his descendants), derives its name. Viscount Sydney enjoys the title of Baron Sydney of Chiselhurst, conferred in 1783.