Grain / Isle of Grain

"ISLE OF GRAIN, in the parish of St. James, hundred of Hoo, lathe of Aylesford, county Kent, 3 miles N.W. of Queenborough, and 2 W. of Sheerness, its post town. It is situated in a rather dreary locality at the mouths of the rivers Thames and Medway, and is nearly, separated from the mainland by Yomtlet Creek. In the reign of Edward III. this passage, which is now nearly choked up, and only navigable for barges at spring-tide, was the usual passage for vessels entering the port of London. The place is thinly inhabited, but affords good pasture. There are salt pans on the side bordering on the Medway. The coastguard service has stations here, There is a ferry to Sheerness, which is opposite, when the weather permits. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Rochester, value £298. The church is ancient, and is said to have belonged to the monastery at Minster. It is dedicated to St. James, and contains several monuments and tablets. The Independents have a chapel. Lord Somers is lord of the manor."

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