Goodnestone - Sandwich (Goodnestone Next Wingham)

"GOODNESTONE NEXT WINGHAM, a parish in the hundred of Wingham, lathe of St. Augustine, county Kent, 5 miles S.W. of Sandwich, and 2 S.E. of Wingham, its post town. The name of this place appears to have been spelt Godwineston, and is said to take its name from Godwin, Earl of Kent. It once belonged to Sir John Boys, the gallant defender of Donnington Castle, who was buried here in 1664. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Canterbury, value £200. The church is a beautiful structure, in the early English style of architecture. It contains monuments of the Boys and other families. It is styled the church of Holy Cross. There are some small charities derived from land, and a parochial school for both sexes. Godnestone Park, a handsome seat, is the principal residence."

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