Chartham

"CHARTHAM, a parish in the hundred of Felborough, lathe of Scray, in the county of Kent, 3 miles S. W. of Canterbury, its post town. It is situated on the road between Ashford and Canterbury, on the river Stour, and near the South-Eastern line. The village of Chartham, called Certeham in Domesday Book, is situated on low ground bordering on the river Stour. The manor was given to the priory of Christ Church by Duke Alfred, in 871, towards clothing the monks, who had a church here at the time of the Domesday Survey. In the reign of Henry I. they had a vineyard here, and in that of his successor they received a confirmation of the liberty of free-warren. After the Dissolution it was granted by Henry VIII. to the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, to whom it still belongs. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Canterbury, value £800, in the patronage of the archbishop. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a spacious edifice, in the early decorated style, built in the form of a cross, and contalns various sepulchral memorials. The Wesleyans have a chapel. The paper-mills of Messrs. Weatherley and Drew employ about 200 persons. Over the downs are scattered a vast number of barrows, or tumuli, described in ancient deeds as Danes' banks, which extend-on the S. side of the high-road between Canterbury and Ashford, several of which have been opened, when human remains, trinkets, &c., were found enclosed. A fair is held on the 29th June. The chief residence is Mystole, the seat of Sir John Fagg, Bart."

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