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Goudhurst

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"GOUDHURST, a parish and post town in the hundred of Marden, lathe of Scray, county Kent, 4 miles N.W. of Cranbrook, and 11 E. of Tunbridge Wells. It is situated on the river Rother, and is intersected by the road from Lamberhurst to Cranbrook. The Marden station on the South-Eastern line of railway is 4 miles N. of the village, which is considerable, and was formerly a market town. The hamlet of Kilndown is in the south-western part of the parish. A priory was founded here in early times, and the manufacture of woollen cloth was introduced by the Flemings in the reign of Edward III., but has for many years entirely ceased. In the year 1647 the town was attacked by a strong body of smugglers, in revenge for a check given to their unlawful proceedings by the people; but the inhabitants repulsed them with great loss. Hops are cultivated in this neighbourhood. The surface is hilly and well wooded, comprising some fine oak timber. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Canterbury, value £432, in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Rochester. The church is a fine ancient structure, with handsome E. window. It has recently been repaired and altered. It is dedicated to St. Mary, and contains monuments and brasses of the Colepepper, Campion, and other families, some very curious dating from the early part of the 15th century. In addition to the parish church, there is a district church at Kilndown, the living of which is a perpetual curacy, value £350. The parochial charities produce nearly £100 per annum, £40 of which are the endowment of the grammar school. The Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists have chapels, and there are both National and infant schools."

[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

"KILNDOWN, a chapelry in the parish of Goudhurst, hundred of Cranbrook, lathe of Scray, county Kent, 2½ miles S.W. of Goudhurst, its post town, and 7 from Marden railway station. It is situated on high ground, and is a separate ecclesiastical district. The land is fertile, and partly in hops. The living is a perpetual curacy'* in the diocese of Canterbury, value £350. The church, dedicated to Christ, contains a stone pulpit, carved oak screen, and some stained windows. The church was erected by public subscription, and endowed by the late Marshal Beresford. There is a school for both sexes, endowed with £210 per annum by the late Viscountess Beresford, part of which is given in clothing to the children. There is also a library and reading-room, with 300 subscribers, and containing above 800 volumes. The Wesleyans have a place of worship. Richard Springett, Esq., is lord of the manor."

"STONE CROUCH, a hamlet in the hundred of Cranbrook, lathe of Scray, county Kent, 4 miles S.W. of Cranbrook. There was formerly a cell for Austin canons at Combwell."

[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 TQ723377 (Lat/Lon: 51.112692, 0.460156), Goudhurst which are provided by: