North Cray

"NORTH CRAY, a parish in the hundred of Ruxley, lathe of Sutton-at-Hone, in the county of Kent, 6 miles from Bromley, and 3 from the Dartford station of the North Kent branch of the South-Eastern railway. This parish, which adjoins Foot's Cray, is beautifully diversified with villas and cultivated demesnes, and in the grounds of Vale Mascall is a picturesque cascade. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Canterbury, value £396, in the patronage of Lord Bexley. The church is dedicated to St. James. There is a school endowed with about £21 per annum, and an almshouse. The other charities produce about £12 per annum, of which £10 10s. is a donation from the Goldsmith's Company in London. In 1723 a subterraneous fire broke out, which was not extinguished for several days. The chief residences are North Cray Place, the ancient seat of the Hetherington family, and Mount Mascall."

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