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AYLESFORD Is a village and parish, in the hundred of Larkfield, and lathe of its name; 34 miles SE from London and 3˝ NNW from Maidstone; situate on the bank of the river Medway, over which is a stone bridge of six arches. It is a place of considerable antiquity, and in early times has been the scene sanguinary conflicts; it was at Fenham, in this parish, that Alfred defeats the Danes; and Edmund IRONSIDE pursued these invaders to this place, and drove them hence to Sheppy. In 1240 a Carmelite monastery was founded here by Ralph FRISBURN, many parts of which are still entire. At Horsted is a monument of upright stones, erected, as is supposed, to the memory of Horsa, the brother of Hengist; and three miles distance is another called “Kits Cotty-house” to the memory of Certigorn, brother of Vortimer, who was slain with that prince at the battle with Hengist and Horsa. A paper mill is the only manufactory of the place. The places of worship are the parish church, dedicated to St Peter, and a chapel for Wesleyan methodists. The living of Aylesford is a vicarage, in the patronage of the dean and chapter of Rochester. The charities consist of an endowed school and a hospital founded in 1617, for six aged persons. Aylesford confers the title of earl on the family of FINCH. “Priory” the beautiful seat of the present earl is in this parish. The population of the parish, by the Parliamentary returns for 1831, was 1301. POST OFFICE – Richard COSSOM, Postmaster. Letters from London, and all parts, arrive (by foot post from Maidstone), every morning at seven and are despatched every evening at six. NOBILITY, GENTRY & CLERGY ABBOTT Mr Thomas, Aylesford AYLESFORD the Right Hon. The Earl of, Priory CHARLTON Mrs Mary, Aylesford INGE John esq, Aylesford MILNER Charles esq, Preston hall ROBSON Thomas esq, Aylesford STAINES Rev William Talbott, Aylesford TOWNSEND Rev. Richard, Aylesford PROFESSIONAL PERSONS BARNES Mary, ladies boarding school, DENNIS Ralph, surgeon WAGON John, master of the National School PUBLIC HOUSES Anchor, Henry BAKER Chequers, Humphrey WICKENDEN George, John FRENCH, Mill hall George, William JUPP SHOPKEEPERS & TRADERS ARNOLD Samuel & George, grocers BAKER Samuel, plumber, painter &c. COPPER Charles, grocer COSSOM Richard, shoe maker FORDHAM Thomas, butcher GOLDSMITH Edward, butcher GRICE Edward, shoe maker GROOMBRIDGE Elizabeth, baker JERRETT Edward, baker JOY John, saddler KEMSEY Jas, wheelwright & blacksmith KNOWLES William, tallow chandler LAVENDER John, paper manufacturer, Forestall mill PAGE William, carpenter PERRIN George, carpenter & tea dealer REES Evan, tailor SAMSON Richard, miller SEAGAR William, baker SMITH James, grocer & tailor SPONG Thomas, coal merchant STRETTON William, bricklayer WEBB Thomas, barge builder & blacksmith WESTBROOK Jas. brewer, and coal and stone merchant COACHES To and from London, Maidstone, Rochester &c. pass within a mile of Aylesford daily.
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