RAINHAM, a parish in the hundred of MILTON, lathe of SCRAY, county of KENT, 4 miles (E. S. E.) from Chatham, containing 1030 inhabitants. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Canterbury, rated in the king's books at £14. 4. 7., and in the patronage of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The church, dedicated to St. Margaret, is in the early style of English architecture: it has a lofty beacon tower, and contains several costly monuments to the Tuftons, Earls of Thanet. The parish is bounded on the north by the-Medway; and the village, situated on the great London a,nd Dovor road, contained, in the reign of Elizabeth, eight houses, and there were then three quays, with thirteen small vessels, the largest not exceeding thirty-five tons, belonging to the place. Cherries and apples formerly abounded here, but at present they .are not cultivated to any great extent.