MILTON-next-GRAVESEND, a parish in the hundred
of TOLTINGTROUGH, lathe of AYLESFORD, county
of KENT, comprising part of the town of Gravesend,
and containing 2769 inhabitants. The living is
a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Rochester,
rated in the king's books at £16. 5. 10., endowed
with £200 royal bounty, and in the alternate
patronage of the Crown and the Bishop of Rochester.
The church is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. Over
the porch is a curious dial, constructed by Mr, Giles,
master of Gravesend school, and within the church are.
painted the crests of the kings of England, from Edward
III. to James 1. The parish is bounded on the
north by the Thames, and the Thames and Medway
canal passes through it. Milton is incorporated with the
town of Gravesend, the corporation being styled " The
Mayor, Jurats, and Inhabitants of the parishes of
Gravesend and Milton." It has a fair, commencing on
the festival of the Conversion of St. Paul, and continuing
a week. Here was formerly a free chapel, or hospital,
under the government of some Regular friars. For
an account of the school, &c., See GRAVESEND.