The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868

"GRAVESEND, a parish, municipal borough, market and post town, in the hundred of Toltingtrough, lathe of Aylesford, county Kent, 22 miles S.E. of London by road, or 31 by water. It is situated on the S. bank of the river Thames, opposite Tilbury Fort, and has railway communication with the metropolis by the North Kent line, and up the N. or Essex side of the river by the Tilbury and Southend line, there being a steam ferry between Tilbury and Gravesend; and steamboats ply several times daily both up and down the river.

In Domesday Book this place is written Gravesham, and is supposed to have received that name from being under the jurisdiction of a Greve, or Port Reeve. In some later documents it is called Graveshende. The demesne has passed through various hands. Shortly after the Norman Conquest it belonged to Bishop Odo, then to the families of Cremille and Ufford, and at one time to the abbey of St. Mary on Tower Rill, and the parish tithes were given to the Augustine monastery at Canterbury. The borough received the first charter of incorporation in the reign of Elizabeth, which was modified by the Municipal Reform Act of William IV. The local government is now vested in a mayor, 6 aldermen, and 18 common councilmen. The town has suffered on several occasions from destructive fires, the principal of which occurred, first, towards the close of the 14th century, when it was set in flames by a party of French and Spaniards; also in 1727 a large portion was destroyed, and again in 1850, when a fire broke out, doing nearly £100,000 of damage. Since this last fire the place has been much improved as to its buildings and thoroughfares.

It has a good townhall in the High-street, in which the corporate business is transacted, while behind is the market place, and under the same building is the police station and town-clerk's office. There are a custom-house, excise office, coastguard and pilot stations; also two public piers-the Town Pier, about 160 feet long, and, the Terrace Pier, 250 feet. There are besides small piers for commercial purposes, and a public one at Rosherville to the W. of the former, and close in the vicinity of the much-frequented gardens of that name. The town has two commercial banks and one for savings, a theatre, bazaars, assembly and reading rooms, several public gardens, and accommodation for bathing. The resident population in 1861 was returned at 18,776, but in the summer season it is the resort of thousands from the metropolis. From, Windmill Hill are extensive views over the surrounding country and the opposite county of Essex, including the river with its numerous shipping and steamers. The port of London terminates here; and nearly all outward-bound vessels make a short stay at Gravesend previous to their departure for their destination.

A large number of the inhabitants are employed in supplying the emigrant and other ships with necessaries; others in ship building, rope making, iron foundries, breweries, soap-works, besides many as pilots, watermen, and fishermen. A considerable trade is done in shrimps, large quantities being taken off here. Brickmaking is carried on, and hops are grown in the neighbourhood. There are also extensive market-gardens of fruit and vegetables.

The living is a rectory with tie perpetual curacy of St. James annexed, in the diocese of Rochester, value £307, in the patronage of the lord chancellor and the Rector of Gravesend. The parish church of Gravesend, dedicated to St. George, was built after the fire of 1727, when the old church was destroyed. It is a neat brick structure, with steeple containing a peal of eight balls. The district church of St. James is a modern edifice in the Gothic style of architecture, situated in the London-road.

There are several charities for the benefit of the poor, and for educational purposes, producing about £160 per annum. The free grammar school is endowed with property producing £85 yearly. There are almshouses for 30 persons, with an income of £72. The following Dissenting bodies have chapels-viz: Baptists, Independents, Wesleyans, and Primitive Methodists, and the Jews have a synagogue. The Roman Catholics have a handsome church in the Milton-road, dedicated to St. John, and the Sisters of Mercy a convent in its vicinity. There are several National, British, infant, and ragged schools for both sexes. The training and education of the children of Gravesend and its neighbourhood are well provided for. The Roman Catholics have a school of their own. In the neighbourhood of Springhead, on the old Roman road called Watling Street, are some traces of Roman works.

There are some exceedingly pleasant walks in the vicinity, also beautiful gardens and streams in which the watercress is extensively cultivated. The Kentish Independent, and three other local papers, are published in the town. Both in this and in the adjoining parish of Milton are many good and tastefully-built residences. It is a meet for the West Kent hounds. The Earl of Darnley is lord of the manor of Gravesend. Wednesday and Saturday are the market days. Fairs are held on 4th May and 24th October, for the sale of horses, cattle, and general live stock, as well as hardware and toys."

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