ASH-near-SANDWICH, a parish in the hundred of WINGHAM, lathe of ST-AUGUSTINE, county of KENT, 3 miles (W. byN.) from Sandwich, containing 2020 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Canterbury, endowed with £600 private benefaction, and £1500 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The church is dedicated to St. Nicholas. The hamlet of Richborough, including the ruins of the fortress called Richborough Castle, in this parish, lies near the site of one of the Portus Rutupenses of the Romans. The existing remains occupy the brow of a hill, about a mile north-westward from Sandwich; they were originally bounded on the eastern side by the sea, and the other three sides were defended by walls enclosing an area of nearly five acres. A portion of the walls, about two hundred feet in length, from ten to thirty feet in height, and twelve in thickness, is still standing, and forms one of the most remarkable relics of antiquity which this country affords. Fairs are held on Lady-day and Michaelmas- day. The navigable river Stour passes along the northern boundary of the parish, and is crossed by two ferries. A school is endowed with £75 per annum, left by Eleanor and Anne Cartwright, for the education of twenty-five boys and twenty-five girls: it is under the management of trustees, the master receiving £25, and the mistress £17, per annum, the remainder being expended in books and repairs: the school-room was built by Elizabeth Godfrey, on condition that ten boys and ten girls should be added to the original number.