ERITH, a parish in the hundred of LESSNESS, lathe
of SUTTON at HONE, county of KENT, 2 miles (N.)
from Crayford, containing 1363 inhabitants. The living
is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of
Rochester, rated in the king's books at £9. 12. 6.
S. Dashwood, Esq. was patron in 1804. The church, de
dicated to St. John the Baptist, is an ancient structure,
almost wholly overgrown with ivy. There is a small
sum for the education of poor children. This is a decayed
market-town, which at one period was incorporated,
situated on the banks of the Thames; it had
formerly fairs on Holy-Thursday, Michaelmas-day, and
Whit-Tuesday. The Thames forms a haven here, and
there is a branch establishment in connexion with the
custom-house. The East India ships which frequently
anchor opposite this place, in their passage up the river,
occasion a considerable traffic. An abbey for Canons Regular
was founded here in 1180.