SMEETH, a parish in the franchise and barony
of BIRCHOLT, lathe of SHEPWAY, county of KENT,
4 miles (E. S. E.) from Ashford, containing 393 inhabitants.
The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed
to the rectory of Aldington, in the peculiar jurisdiction
and patronage of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The
church, dedicated to St. Mary, is principally in the
Norman style of architecture. Snieeth was formerly
a market-town; fairs are still held on May 12th and
Michaelmas-day, for toys and pedlary. Timothy Bedingfield,
in 1691, bequeathed an estate producing a considerable
income for teaching poor children, and maintaining
two aged women.