WAINFLEET, a market-town in the Marsh division of the wapentake of CANDLESHOE, parts of LINDSEY, county of LINCOLN, 39 miles (E. S. E.) from Lincoln, and 128 (N. by E.) from London, containing 1422 inhabitants. In the time of the Romans, the whole province is said to have been supplied from this place with salt, made from the sea-water; and a road across the fens, still called the Salters' road, is supposed to have been the Roman road between Bannovallium and Lindum. Wainfleet returned one burgess to the grand council summoned in the llth of Edward III.; and, in 1359, it supplied two ships of war for the armament prepared for the invasion of Brittany. The town is situated on a small creek in a marshy district; and, in consequence of the enclosure of the east fen, the waters of the haven have been carried off by a wide drain to Boston Scalf, which has so reduced them as to preclude the entrance of any but small craft. Previously to this event, it is believed that the town was situated higher up the creek, chiefly because the old church of All Saints stood at High Wainfleet, about a mile and a half from the town: it was taken down in 1820. The market is on Saturday; and fairs are held on the third Saturday in May for cattle, and October 24th for sheep, the latter being also a pleasure fair. The town comprises the following parishes, all in the archdeaconry and diocese of Lincoln: All Saints', a rectory, rated in the king's books at £16. 3. 6., and in the patronage of the Crown; the church, which has been rebuilt at an expense of £3000, contains six hundred and ten sittings, four hundred of them free') towards defraying the expense of which the Incorporated Society for the building and enlargement of churches and chapels contributed £400. St. Mary's, a perpetual curacy, rated in the king's books at £8. 13. 4., and in the patronage of the Governors of Bethlehem Hospital, London. The church has gone to decay. St. Thomas', a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of - Barnes, Esq. There are places of worship for the Society of Friends and Wesleyan Methodists. The free grammar school was founded, in 1424, by William Patten, generally known as William of Waynfleet, Bishop of Winchester, Lord High Chancellor of England in the reign of Henry VI., and founder of Magdalene College, Oxford, from the President and Fellows of which the master receives a small annual stipend, and has, in addition, nineteen acres of land and a rent-free residence.