BENENDEN, a parish in the hundred of ROTHENDEN,
lathe of SCRAY, county of KENT, 3 miles
(S. E.) from Cranbrooke, containing 1746 inhabitants.
The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Canterbury, rated in the king's books at
£17. 12. 6., endowed with £200 private benefaction,
and £1300 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage
of T. L. Hodges, Esq. The church, dedicated to St,
George, was rebuilt in 1672, the former edifice having
been damaged by lightning. Fairs for horses and
horned cattle are held on May 15th and August 4th.
Edward Gibbon, in 1602, founded a school, which has
been subsequently endowed with property producing
£114 per annum. There is another school with a small
endowment, the bequest of Thomas Buckland, in 1786;
and there are endowments for the instruction of girls.