Fordwich, Kent

Description
Fordwich, a village and a parish in Kent. The village stands on the river Stour, adjacent to Sturry station on the S.E.R., 2 miles ENE of Canterbury; was known at Domesday as Forewich, shows marks of great antiquity, is a member of Sandwich cinque port and a seat of sessions, and gives the title of Viscount to Earl Cowper. In the sessions house there is a list of names of the succession of mayors from 1210 to 1886. There are also the old ducking stool, two oak drums, a very ancient chest with iron bands, containing town records, jurats' table, and bar of justice. The post office is under Canterbury; money order and telegraph office, Sturry. Acredge, 465; population, 249. The Stour was formerly tidal to this point, and Fordwich was then a port visited by sea-borne ships, and had extensive fisheries. The trout in its vicinity have always been famous, and are noted by Fuller as differing, in many considerable properties, from all other trout. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Canterbury, gross value, £161 with residence. Patron, Earl Cowper. The church is of the 13th century, and comprises two aisles and a chancel, and a steeple with four bells, is in good condition, and contains a curious Saxon tomb and font, some brasses, the earliest found dated 1570, and some hatchments.