KEMSING, a parish in the hundred of CODSHEATH,
lathe of SUTTON at HONE, county of KENT, 4 miles
(N. E. by N.) from Seven Oaks, containing 359 inhabitants.
The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Rochester, rated in the king's books at
£19. 13. 4., and in the patronage of the Heirs of the
Dorset family. The church is dedicated to St. Mary.
There is a chapel of ease at Seal, in this parish. The
village is situated at the junction of four roads which
diverge from St. Edith's well, formerly esteemed for its
miraculous efficacy: an image of the saint was long
placed on a pedestal in the church, and much resorted
to, being supposed to possess the power of dissipating
mildew and blights of corn. A market was anciently
held here, and an annual fair is now held on Easter-
Monday. A rent-charge of £20 was bequeathed by
Lady Sarah Smythe, for educating and clothing eight
poor girls.