STROUD, a parish partly within the jurisdiction of
the borough of ROCHESTER, and partly in the hundred
of SHAMWELL, lathe of AYLKHFORD, county of KENT,
i a mile (N, W.) from Rochester, containing 2704
inhabitants. The village consists of one principal street,
on the high road from London to Rochester, to which
latter place it is joined by a bridge over the Medway,
at its eastern extremity: the houses are irregularly built,
and equally destitute of uniformity and respectability of
appearance; but since the last act of parliament for
paving, watching, and lighting the village, it has been
considerably improved; the adjoining heights command
interesting and extensive prospects. The inhabitants
are principally engaged in maritime pxirsuits, in the
fisheries on the Medway, and in dredging for oysters,
of which large quantities, as well as shrimps, are sent to
the London and other markets; the trade principally
arises from the resort of sea-faring men, from its situation
as a thoroughfare, and, more particularly, from
its proximity to Rochester. The fair is on August 17th,
and the three following days, by grant of King John, and
has become very considerable. That part of the parish,
called Stroud Extra, which is not within the borough of
Rochester is under the jurisdiction of the county magistrates,
and within that of the court of requests held
at Rochester, for the recovery of debts not exceeding
£5. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Rochester, endowed with £200 private
benefaction, and £400 royal bounty, and in the
patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Rochester. The
church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is a neat building of
stone, situated at the western extremity of the village,
and consists of a nave and aisles; in the south aisle is a
chapel, the floor of which contains some handsome specimens
of Mosaic work. There is a place of worship for
Independents. Francis Barrell, Esq., in 1718, bequeathed
£1100 for the endowment of three charity schools, one
to be in Stroud, for instructing thirty children, of which
number twenty were to be of this parish; and, in 1721,
Mr. William Turner gave a rent-charge of £2 for the
same purpose. Of Stroud Temple, originally a preceptory
founded for Knights Templars, and valued at the dissolution
at £52. 6. 10., there are some interesting remains
on the Temple farm; and of Stroud hospital,
founded by Bishop Gilbert de Glanville, in the reign
of Richard I., for infirm and indigent travellers, the
almonry, which has been converted into a stable, and
some other portions, are remaining. About two miles
from Stroud, on the London road, is Gadshill, celebrated
by Shakspeare as the scene of Falstaffs valorous
exploits.