Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 2.djvu/146

GRAVESEND. 138 GRAYSTON. several times daily both up and down the river. In Domesday Book this place is written Gravcsham, and ia supposed 'to have received that name from being under the jurisdiction of a Grove, or Port Reeve. In some later documents it is called Oravcskcnde. 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 Hill, and the parish tithes were given to the Augustine monastery at Canter- bury. The borough received the first charter of incor- poration 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 cen- tury, 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 thorough- fares. 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 cus- tom-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 arc 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 hero ; 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 em- ployed in supplying the emigrant and other ships with ne- cessaries ; others in ship building, ropo making, iron foun- dries, breweries, soap-works, besides many as pilots, watermen, and fishermen. A considerable trade is done in shrimps, large quantities being taken off here. Brick- making is carried on, and hops are grown in the neigh- bourhood. There arc also extensive market-gardens of fruit and vegetables. The Jiving is a rect. with the perpct. cur. of St. James annexed, in the dioc. of Ro- chester, val. 307, in the patron, of the lord chancellor and the Hector 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 bells. The district church of St. James is a modern edifice in the Gothic style of architecture, situated in the London-road. There are several chari- ties for the benefit of the poor, and for educational pur- poses, 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 chaplcs 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 tha 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. Faii-s arc held on 4th May and 24th October, for the sale of horses, cattle, and general live stock, as well as hardware and toys. GUAVESHIP, NETHER, a tnshp. in the par. and ward of Kendal, co. Westmoreland, 1 mile S. of Kendal. The village is considerable. Collingfield House in this township is a fine specimen of Elizabethan architecture, with beautiful geometrical windows. At Cross-barn is an ancient stone cross. GRAYINGHAM, a par. in the wap. of Corringham, parts of Liudsey, co. Lincoln, 2 miles E. of Northorpe, 9 N.E. of Gainsborough, and 2 S. of Kirton-in-Lindsey, its post town and nearest railway station on the Man- chester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire line. The village is small, and wholly agricultural. The living is a rect. * in the dioc. of Lincoln, val. 501. The church is an an- cient structure with buttressed tower. It is dedicated to St. Radegund, and has been much disfigured by additions and alterations. There is a parochial school for boys and girls. This is a meet for the Brocklesby hounds. Sir J. C. Thorold, Bart., is lord of the manor. GRAYRIGG, a tnshp. and chplry. in the par. and ward of Kendal, co. Westmoreland, 3 miles W. of Low Gill, and 5 N.E. of Kendal, its post town. The Lan- caster, Kendal, and Carlisle branch of the London and North- Western railway has a station here. The chplry. includes the tnshps. of Dillicar, Do&ker, Gray- rigg, Lambrigg, Whinfell, and part of Patton. The land is chiefly pasture, with some arable and an exten- sive tract of common. The living is a perpet. cur.* in the dioc. of Carlisle, val. 152, in the patron, of the Vicar of Kendal. The church is a modern edifice, re- built in 1837. The charities produce about 10 per annum, and there is a public school having an endow- ment of 30. The Society of Friends have a meeting- house and burial-ground. GRAYSOUTHEN, a tnshp. in the par. of Brigham, ward of Allerdale-above-Derwent, co. Cumberland, 4 miles S.W. of Cockermouth, and 5 E. of Workington. The Broughton Cross station on the Workington and Cockermouth line of railway is about 1 nnle N. of the village. It is situated near the river Derwent, and contains a factory fof agricultural implements, and a flax- mill. The people are chiefly employed in the coal-pits. The Wesleyans and Society of Friends have places of worship, and there are parochial schools for both sexes. The tithes have been commuted for land under several Enclosure Acts. General Wyndham is lord of the manor. GRAYS THURROCK, a par., market, and post town in the hund. of Chafford, co. Essex, 5 miles N.W. of Tilbury, 9 S.E. of Romford, and 20 from London. It is situated on the N. bank of the river Thames, and is a station on the London and Tilbury line of railway. There is also a convenient pier at which the London boats call during the season. The town consists mainly of one long street, has some good houses, and the neigh- bourhood is an improving one. Petty sessions are held here. Brick-making is extensively carried on, also lime- burning and malting. The living is a vie.* in the dioe. of Rochester, val. 250. The church is a cruciform struc- ture with tower and spire. It is dedicated to SS. Peter and Paul. Thorc is a free school for boys, endowed with property producing about 120 per annum. Belmont Castle is situated N.W. of the parish. Thursday ia market day, and fairs are held on 23rd May and 20th October for the sale of live stock. GRAYSTON, a par. in the bars, of Sliovardagh, and Middlethird, co. Tipperary, prov. ilunster, Ireland, 2 miles S.W. from Killenaule. Bansha, Tipperary, is its post town. The village of Maradyke is in the Sliev- ardagh division. The surface is traversed by the road from Killenaulo to Cashel. Two-thirds of the soil is good, the rest hilly and almost worthless. The living is