Wingham

"WINGHAM, a parish and post town in the hundred of Wingham, county Kent, 6 miles E. of Canterbury. It is situated on the road from Canterbury to Sandwich, near the line of the London and South-Eastern railway, and is watered by a small stream falling into the river Stour. The village was formerly a market town under the archbishops of Canterbury, who had a palace here, but the market has long since fallen into disuse. In the reign of Charles I. the manor came to Earl Cowper, who takes the title of baron from this place, of which he is the chief proprietor, together with Sir Brook Bridges, Bart. Petty sessions are held monthly, on the first Thursday in every month. The living is a perpetual curacy in the archdeaconry and diocese of Canterbury, value £104. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, contains carved stalls, and monuments to the Oxendens of Deane, and Palmers of Wingham Court, which latter was once the lodge to a priory founded here in 1286 by Archbishop Peckham. There are chapels for Independents and Wesleyans, and National and infant schools. The charities produce about £24 per annum, of which £16 was bequeathed by Sir James Oxenden in 1686, towards the support of a school. Fairs are held on 12th May and 12th November."

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