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Swanscombe

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"SWANSCOMBE, a parish in the hundred of Axton, lathe of Sutton-at-Hone, county Kent, 4 miles E. of Dartford, its post town, and 3 W. of Gravesend. The village is situated near the river Thames, in a hollow surrounded by woods, and is the place where Sweyn formed a camp to protect his fleet. It is mentioned in Domesday survey as Swene's Camp, and belonged to William de Valence, from whom it came to the Mortimers, and was subsequently presented by Queen Elizabeth to the Weldons. In the vicinity is a cavern designated Clappernappers Hole. The land is chalky, and from Greenhithe large quantities of chalk and lime are sent to the neighbouring ports. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Rochester, value £612, in the patronage of Sydney Sussex College. The church, dedicated to St. Hildeforth or to SS. Peter and Paul, is an ancient edifice, with tower and spire. The interior contains several monuments to the Weldon family. The parochial charities produce about £23 per annum, besides Beare's almshouses. The manor-house is a building of great antiquity, and was formerly the seat of the Weldons."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868 by Colin Hinson ©2010]

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Description & Travel

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Gazetteers

"GREENHITHE, a hamlet in the parish of Swanscombe, hundred of Axton, lathe of Sutton-at-Hone, county Kent, 3 miles N.E. of Dartford, its post town, and 4 N.W. of Gravesend. It is situated in a retired spot on the S. bank of the Thames, near Long Reach, and is a station on the North Kent line of railway. Here is a landing pier for steamboats, and a ferry. The coastguard service has a station in the village. Most of the inhabitants are engaged in agriculture, or in the burning of lime. There are also works for the preparation of Roman cement, and market gardening is carried on in the neighbourhood. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Rochester, value £250, in the patronage of Sydney Sussex College. The church is a modern structure, built in the Gothic style of architecture, and dedicated to St. Mary. The Wesleyans have a chapel, and there is a National school. The principal residence is Ingress Abbey, built by the late Alderman Harmer, with stone procured from old London Bridge."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868 by Colin Hinson ©2010]

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Maps

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference TQ605748 (Lat/Lon: 51.449442, 0.308382), Swanscombe which are provided by: