Kenton (All Saints)
KENTON (All Saints), a parish, in the union of
St. Thomas, hundred of Exminster, Wonford and S.
divisions of Devon, 8¾ miles (S. S. E.) from Exeter;
containing, with the chapelry of Starcross, 2313 inhabitants. This place, which was anciently a borough, and
had a weekly market and an annual fair, is situated
about a mile and a half from the navigable river Exe,
and on the road from Exeter to Dawlish, Teignmouth,
and Torquay. The parish comprises 5446 acres, of
which about 3000 are arable, 1500 pasture, and the remainder common or waste; the surface is hilly, the soil
rather light, and the scenery beautiful. A curious custom prevails here regarding tenancy, by which the heirs
of a tenant, retaining their occupancy for three descents
in succession, establish their claim to the inheritance.
The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's books at
£34. 13. 4.; net income, £265; patrons and appropriators, the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury. The church
is a handsome structure in the decorated style, supposed
to have been erected in the reign of Edward III.; it has
a rich wooden screen, on which is inscribed the Creed
in Latin. There are chapels at Starcross and Cofton.
Kenton
KENTON, a hamlet, in the parish of Harrow-on-the-Hill, union of Hendon, hundred of Gore, county
of Middlesex; containing 99 inhabitants.
Kenton, East, and West
KENTON, EAST, and WEST, a township, in the
parish of Gosforth, union and W. division of Castle
ward, S. division of Northumberland, 3¼ miles (N. W.
by N.) from Newcastle; containing 819 inhabitants.
This place gave name to a resident family, of whom Sir
John de Kenton was high sheriff of the county in 1313:
in 1582, John Fenwick wrought coal here; and in
1630 the whole estate belonged to Martin Fenwick.
The township comprises 1341 acres, in equal portions of
arable and grass land. There is a freestone-quarry, and
many of the inhabitants are employed in the neighbouring collieries. The road from Newcastle to Ponteland passes by. The tithes have been commuted for
£316. 17. 7., of which, two sums, each of £146. 14. 9½.,
are payable respectively to the Bishop and to the Dean
and Chapter of Carlisle, and £23. 8. to the vicar of
Newcastle.
Kenton (All Saints)
KENTON (All Saints), a parish, in the union of
Plomesgate, hundred of Loes, E. division of Suffolk,
2¼ miles (N. N. E.) from Debenham; containing 287
inhabitants. It comprises 1100 acres; the surface is
high table-land, and the soil clay and sand, alternated
with loam. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's
books at £8; patron and impropriator, Lord Henniker:
the great tithes have been commuted for £147. 4. 8.;
and the vicarial for £148, with a glebe of 30 acres. The
church is an ancient structure, chiefly in the early English style, with some Norman doorway arches, and a
square embattled tower. There is a farm producing £20
per annum, for repairing the church; and another is let
for £30, which sum is distributed among the poor. A
field called the Priory Field, is supposed to have been
the site of some religious foundation.
Kenwyn (St. Cuby)
KENWYN (St. Cuby), a parish, in the union of
Truro, W. division of the hundred of Powder and of
the county of Cornwall; containing 9555 inhabitants,
of whom 4167 are within the parliamentary borough of
Truro. The parish comprises 9023 acres, whereof 1945
are common or waste. It contains a considerable quantity of tin and copper ores, which were formerly procured to a great extent, though the mines are not now
in operation; some silver was also extracted. The living
is a vicarage, with that of Kea united, valued in the
king's books at £16; patron, the Bishop of Exeter;
impropriator, the Earl of Falmouth. The great tithes
of Kenwyn have been commuted for £535, and the vicarial for £524. 11.; the glebe consists of 13½ acres.
From the tower of the church is a fine view of the town
and river of Truro, and of the surrounding country.
There are churches also at Truro and Chacewater; and
two new ecclesiastical districts have been constituted by
the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, named respectively
St. George's Kenwyn, and Baldhu: the incumbent of
each district is appointed by the Crown and the Bishop,
alternately.
Kenyon
KENYON, a township, in the parish of Newchurch,
union of Leigh, hundred of West Derby, S. division
of the county of Lancaster, 1 mile (E. N. E.) from
Newton-in-Makerfield; containing 323 inhabitants.
Early mention is made of a family of the local name,
and also of the Lauton family, of whom Jordan de Lauton, in the reign of Edward I., assumed the name of
Kenyon. The manor was subsequently held by the
Hollands, whose heiress marrying Sir John Egerton,
the third baronet, it came by descent from him to the
Earl of Wilton, the now principal landowner. Kenyon
Hall, the original residence of the Kenyons, was rebuilt
in the 17th century, and is the property of the earl.
The township comprises 1598 acres, of which 1141 are
meadow and pasture, 340 arable, 3 woodland, and 114
acres roads and waste; the surface is slightly undulated,
and the soil half a clayey, and half a sandy, loam.
Kepwick
KEPWICK, a township, in the parish of Over
Silton, union of Thirsk, wapentake of Birdforth,
N. riding of York, 7½ miles (N. N. E.) from Thirsk;
containing 173 inhabitants. The township comprises
about 2520 acres of land: the village is pleasantly situated in a deep and fertile dale, inclosed by high moorland hills. Quarries of limestone and freestone are
wrought on the estate of J. S. Crompton, Esq., who has
constructed a railway three miles long, at a cost of
about £16,000, extending from the quarries to his stoneyard and limekilns at the west end of the township.
Kerdiston (St. Mary)
KERDISTON (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of
Aylsham, hundred of Eynsford, E. division of the
county of Norfolk, 1½ mile (N. W. by N.) from Reepham; containing 201 inhabitants. The living is a discharged rectory, united to that of Reepham.
Keresley
KERESLEY, a hamlet, in the parish of St. Michael, Coventry, union of Foleshill, N. division of
the county of Warwick, 3 miles (N. N. W.) from Coventry; containing 436 inhabitants, and comprising
1021 acres. The population is employed in weaving
ribbons, and in agriculture. An act for inclosing the
waste lands was passed in 1841. The ecclesiastical district of Keresley is formed out of the parishes of St.
Michael and Holy Trinity, Coventry; and the living is
a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Bishop of
Worcester: net income, £150, with a parsonage. The
church, of which the first stone was laid in May, 1844,
is in the early English style, with a tower and spire, and
cost £2000: of 490 sittings, 200 are free.
Kermincham
KERMINCHAM, a township, in the parish of Swettenham, union of Congleton, hundred of Northwich, S. division of the county of Chester, 5½ miles
(N. W.) from Congleton; containing 229 inhabitants.
It comprises 1209 acres, of which 95 are common or
waste: the soil is clay and loam. The tithes have been
commuted for £137. 10.
Kersall
KERSALL, a township, in the parish of Kneesall,
union of Southwell, N. division of the wapentake of
Thurgarton, S. division of the county of Nottingham, 6 miles (S. E.) from Ollerton; containing 96 inhabitants. The tithes were commuted for land and a
money payment in 1778.
Kersey (St. Mary)
KERSEY (St. Mary), a parish, in the union and
hundred of Cosford, W. division of Suffolk, 1¾ mile
(N. W. by W.) from Hadleigh; containing 787 inhabitants, and comprising 1465 acres. An Augustine priory
was founded here, at an early period, and dedicated to
St. Mary and St. Anthony; at the Dissolution it was
granted to King's College, Cambridge. This was formerly a considerable manufacturing place, but the population is now wholly agricultural. A fair is held on
Easter-Tuesday. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to that of Lindsey: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £420.
Kersley, Lancashire.—See Kearsley.
KERSLEY, Lancashire.—See Kearsley.
Kerswell, Abbot's (St. Mary)
KERSWELL, ABBOT'S (St. Mary), a parish, in
the union of Newton-Abbott, hundred of Haytor,
Teignbridge and S. divisions of Devon, 1¾ mile (S.)
from Newton-Abbott; containing 433 inhabitants. This
parish, which is situated on the road to Totnes, comprises by measurement 1461 acres. The manufacture of
paper is carried on, affording employment to about 20
persons. Ochre is found in great abundance, and is
manufactured for different markets: some extensive pits
of clay, which is procured for the use of the Staffordshire
potteries, and also alum-works, have been opened; and
there are several quarries of limestone, which is used
for building, and for burning into lime. The living is a
vicarage, valued in the king's books at £11. 1. 3.; the
patronage and impropriation belong to the Crown: the
rectorial tithes have been commuted for £110, and the
vicarial for £204; the glebe comprises 63 acres. The
church is a handsome structure in the later English style,
with a square embattled tower; the nave is separated
from the aisles by columns of granite, and from the
chancel by a richly-carved oak screen. The Rev. John
Barnes, who was vicar during the reign of Charles I.,
and at the time of the usurpation of Cromwell, was
buried in the chancel, in which is a stone pointing out
his grave. There is a place of worship for Baptists. A
Cluniac priory was founded here, subordinate to the
priory of Montacute, in Somersetshire.
Kerswell, King's (St. Mary)
KERSWELL, KING'S (St. Mary), a parish, in the
union of Newton-Abbott, hundred of Haytor, Teignbridge and S. divisions of Devon, 2¾ miles (S. E. by S.)
from Newton-Abbott; containing 845 inhabitants. This
parish, which is situated on the road to Torquay, comprises 1643 acres, whereof 204 are waste or common:
limestone of good quality is quarried for building and
for burning into lime. The living is a perpetual curacy;
net income, £105, arising partly from land given by
Mrs. Creed in 1730, and by the vicar of St. Mary
Church, who built the curate's residence in 1837;
patrons and appropriators, the Dean and Chapter of
Exeter. The great tithes were commuted for £210, and
the vicarial for £145. The church contains some
remains of ancient oak screen-work, and a monument
to Sir John Denham, who is interred here. There are
places of worship for Independents and Wesleyans.
Several thousands of Roman coins, of the baser metals,
were found on a common near the church in 1840.
Kesgrave
KESGRAVE, a parish, in the union of Woodbridge, hundred of Carlford, E. division of Suffolk,
3¾ miles (E. by N.) from the town of Ipswich; containing 88 inhabitants, and comprising by admeasurement
800 acres. The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £58; patron, Sir John Shaw, Bart.
Kessingland (St. Edmund)
KESSINGLAND (St. Edmund), a parish, in the
incorporation and hundred of Mutford and Lothingland, E. division of Suffolk, 6 miles (N. E.) from
Wangford; containing 658 inhabitants. This parish,
which is situated on the road from London to Yarmouth, and bounded on the east by the sea, comprises
by measurement 1678 acres. A signal-station has been
erected, and the lofty tower of the church forms a good
landmark to vessels navigating this part of the coast.
The living is a discharged vicarage, endowed with the
rectorial tithes, valued in the king's books at £10, and
in the gift of the Bishop of Norwich: the tithes have
been commuted for £405, and the glebe comprises 50
acres. The church, originally a spacious structure, of
which the chancel and south aisle have been taken
down, consists of the old tower, and the remaining
portions, which latter were rebuilt in 1694. The parsonage-house, a handsome building, was lately erected by
the Rev. D. G. Norris. In an area called the Nunnery
Yard, near the parsonage, are some ruins of buildings;
but there is no record of any religious house. The
Wesleyans have a place of worship.
Keston
KESTON, a parish, in the union of Bromley, hundred of Ruxley, lathe of Sutton-at-Hone, W. division of Kent, 5 miles (S. by E.) from Bromley; containing 568 inhabitants. The parish comprises 1386
acres, of which 770 are arable, 280 pasture, 260 woodland, and 72 common; the soil is fertile, and the
scenery pleasingly diversified. Holwood Hill, the seat
of the late William Pitt, is a handsome residence, commanding extensive prospects. The living is a discharged
rectory, valued in the king's books at £6. 10., and in
the gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury: the tithes
have been commuted for £270, and the glebe comprises 8 acres. Here are traces of a camp nearly two
miles in circumference, supposed to have been a castra
æstiva of the Romans; and Roman coins, tiles, and
bricks, with two stone coffins, have been found at
different periods. There is a fine cold spring, called
Ravensbourne, the water of which is said to possess
tonic properties.
Keswick
KESWICK, a market-town, in the parish of
Crosthwaite, union of Cockermouth, Allerdale
ward below Derwent, W. division of Cumberland, 27
miles (S. S. W.) from Carlisle, and 291 (N. W. by N.)
from London; containing 2442 inhabitants. This place
is more celebrated for the beauty of its lake, and the
magnificent scenery by which it is surrounded, than for
historical interest. Prior to the time of Edward I. it
was the property of an ancient family one of whose
descendants in the female line, in the reign of James II.,
was created Earl of Derwentwater. James, the third
earl, having taken part in the rebellion of 1715, was, in
the early part of the following year, beheaded on Towerhill; and his large estates, being forfeited to the crown,
were settled upon the Commissioners of Greenwich
Hospital. The manor, with the lands, was purchased
by the late John Marshall, jun., Esq., M. P. The town
is romantically situated in a valley, embosomed in hills
of various elevations, and sheltered by the towering
Skiddaw, which crowns the lofty range of mountains
that bounds the northern extremity of the vale. The
houses, though chiefly of stone and generally well built,
are rather neat than handsome in their appearance. A
market-house, with a turret, was erected in 1814, by the
Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital, for the transaction of public business; and there are some good
inns and respectable lodging-houses for the accommodation of the numerous parties that make the town
the principal station in their tour of the Lakes. Two
museums have been formed, both well supplied with
specimens of the most curious minerals and fossils with
which this part of the county abounds.
The lake Derwentwater, which is within less than
a mile of the town, and separated from it by rising
ground, is nearly three miles and a half in length, and
one mile and a half in breadth; of an irregularly elliptical
form; and remarkable for the tranquillity and brilliant
transparency of its waters, which reflect with additional
lustre the sublime scenery that adorns its banks. On
the bosom of the lake are some picturesque islands, of
the richest verdure and most luxuriant foliage. Lord's
Island, five acres in extent, was the site of a noble mansion belonging to the earls of Derwentwater, the foundations of which, now the only remains, may, though with
difficulty, be distinguished in the woods by which they
are overspread. Vicar's Island, now called Derwent Isle,
containing six acres, belonged to the abbey of Fountains,
at the dissolution of which it was given by Henry VIII.
to John Williamson: it was for some time inhabited by
a company of Dutch miners; but is now elegantly laid
out in plantations and pleasure-grounds, in the centre
of which is a handsome villa. St. Herbert's Island, comprising four acres, was so called from its having been
for many years the site of a hermitage occupied by that
saint, of whose cell there are still some faint remains: the
late Sir Wilfred Lawson, Bart., built a small grotto, or
fishing-cottage, on this beautifal island, which is almost
in the centre of the lake. There is also an island called
the Floating Island, which occasionally rises from the
bottom, but, constantly adhering to the earth beneath,
never changes its position; it is covered with reeds and
rushes, interspersed with a variety of aquatic plants,
and forms by its sterility a striking contrast to the
other isles. The smooth surface of the lake is occasionally disturbed by a visible agitation of the water,
when there is not a breath of wind in any part, and when
the atmosphere is perfectly calm: this phenomenon is
called the Bottom Wind, but the cause of it has not been
satisfactorily ascertained.
The river Derwent has its course through the lake,
which also receives the waters which in heavy rains
issue in torrents from the fells of Borrowdale, on the
south: the falls present a spectacle of awful grandeur,
the torrent tumbling over huge abrupt masses of rugged
cliffs, separated by a tremendous chasm. Near the
south-east extremity of the lake are the falls of Lowdore,
an immense amphitheatre of precipices, whose waters,
rushing with impetuosity, and frequently interrupted in
their descent by projecting rocks, form a stupendous
cataract, the roar of which, when the violence is
aggravated, in rainy seasons, may be heard at a considerable distance. At the extremities of the fall are
Gowder Crag, 500 feet in height, of rude and terrific
aspect, and Shepherd's Crag, in the fissures of which are
almost every variety of forest-trees, plants, and flowers,
growing with wild luxuriance. Within this concave
range of rugged cliffs is a powerful echo, of which the
numerous reverberations are repeated with great force and
distinctness of articulation; a cannon discharged in this
situation produces an effect equal to that of a park of
artillery, the successive reverberations continuing with
diminished force until they gradually die away. The
northern extremity of the lake is characterised by
features of majestic grandeur, the more prominent of
which are the Skiddaw and Saddleback mountains; the
former 3022 feet above the level of the sea, of a darkcoloured slate interspersed with verdure, in several
parts affording pasturage for sheep, and terminating with
a double apex almost constantly enveloped in mist; the
latter undulated with graceful curve to the height of
2789 feet, of similar hue with Skiddaw, and having its
northern declivity covered with herbage, and overspread
with various mountain plants. In the distance, the
Carrock Fell, 2290 feet in height, is seen among the
interesting group of objects that add beauty and magnificence to the scenery for which Keswick and its vicinity
are so deservedly celebrated.
The manufacture of coarse woollen goods is carried
on in the town to some extent, consisting chiefly of
kerseys, blankets, &c.: there are also several manufactories for black-lead pencils, the material for which is
obtained in the well-known mine at Borrowdale, in the
neighbourhood. The mountains abound in mineral
wealth; and upon Greta river, which passes by the town,
are corn-mills, and a forge for the manufacture of
spades, scythes, and edge-tools. The market, held on
Saturday, is very considerable for corn, which is
pitched; and in addition to the varieties of fish which
the lake produces in abundance, the town is supplied
with mutton of superior flavour, and with provisions of
every description. The old shambles, which stood at
the north end of the town-hall, were pulled down in
1815, and a new structure was erected. The fairs are
on the Saturdays before Whitsuntide and Martinmas,
for hiring servants; and on the Saturday next after
Oct. 29th, for cheese and sheep: on the first Thursday
in May, and every alternate Thursday for six weeks
following, there are small fairs for horses and cattle;
and a large cattle-market is held on Oct. 11th. The
county debt-court of Keswick, established in 1847, has
jurisdiction over the sub-registration-district of Keswick,
and the chapelries of Newlands, Buttermere, and
Threlkeld.
The parochial church stands about three-quarters of a
mile north-westward from Keswick. The district church
of St. John, at the southern extremity of the town, was
erected in 1839, at a cost, including the parsonage-house,
of more than £12,000, defrayed by the late John Marshall,
jun., Esq., and has been endowed by his representatives;
it is an elegant structure in the early English style, with
an embattled tower surmounted by a spire, and on the
south side is an octagonal building with a pyramidal
roof, used as a vestry. The living is a perpetual curacy,
in the patronage of Mrs. Marshall, widow of the founder.
There are places of worship for Independents and Wesleyans. About a mile to the south, on an eminence,
the summit of which forms a plain of considerable extent, is a supposed Druidical temple. Sir John Banks,
lord chief justice in the reign of Charles I., was born
at Keswick, in 1589: the parish workhouse was founded
by him, and in 1644 he bequeathed £200 for building a
manufactory, also lands now producing £200 per annum,
for employing the poor. The place was for some time
the residence of Samuel Taylor Coleridge; and Robert
Southey for a long period lived at Greta Hall, near the
town, where he died in March, 1843.
Keswick (St. Mary)
KESWICK (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of
Henstead, hundred of Humbleyard, E. division of
Norfolk, 3 miles (S. S. W.) from Norwich, on the road
to Ipswich; containing 117 inhabitants. It is situated
on the south bank of the river Yare, and comprises 712
acres; the lands are in good cultivation, and the scenery
is picturesque. The New Hall is a handsome mansion
on an eminence, in grounds beautifully laid out, and
commanding fine views. The living is a rectory, consolidated in 1597 with that of Intwood, and valued in
the king's books at £5: there is a glebe of about 30
acres, with a small cottage. The church, which is in
ruins, appears to have been a small edifice, with a round
tower of great antiquity.
Keswick, East
KESWICK, EAST, a township, in the parish of
Harewood, Lower division of the wapentake of Skyrack, W. riding of York, 4 miles (S. W.) from Wetherby; containing 465 inhabitants. The township is
skirted on the north by the river Wharfe, and comprises
about 1500 acres; the substratum abounds with limestone, which is quarried, and burnt into lime. The village is pleasantly situated on the banks of a rivulet, and
the surrounding scenery is picturesque. Here is a place
of worship for Wesleyans. On one of the farms is a
stone wall, partially encompassed with a moat, and which
formed part of an ancient mansion of the Gascoignes.
Ketley
KETLEY, a township and ecclesiastical district, in
the parish and union of Wellington, hundred of
South Bradford, N. division of Salop, l½ mile (E.)
from Wellington; containing 2642 inhabitants. This
place forms part of the iron and coal mining district of
Shropshire. It contains many ironstone and coal pits,
some of which are in full work, and there are three blastfurnaces for the smelting of iron, employing several
hundred hands; the mining was of still greater extent
a few years since. The stone-quarries here produce a
fine and durable stone for all kinds of building purposes.
Fossils are frequently found in the coal and ironstone.
Several canals meet in the neighbourhood, one of which
is connected with the Severn at Coalport, about five
miles distant. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the
patronage of the Duke of Sutherland, who is owner of
the township. The church, erected at the expense of his
Grace, and consecrated in Aug. 1839, is an elegant and
substantial stone structure in the later English style,
situated on an eminence commanding fine views of the
Shropshire and Cheshire plains, the celebrated Wrekin,
and many of the Welsh mountains.
Ketsby (St. Margaret)
KETSBY (St. Margaret), formerly a parish, but
now a hamlet in the parish of South Ormsby, union of
Spilsby, hundred of Hill, parts of Lindsey, county of
Lincoln, 8½ miles (N. N. W.) from Spilsby; containing
58 inhabitants. The church is in ruins.
Kettering (St. Peter)
KETTERING (St. Peter), a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Huxloe,
N. division of the county of Northampton, 14 miles
(N. E. by N.) from Northampton, and 75 (N. W.) from
London; containing 4867 inhabitants. The Saxon
name of this town was Cytringham, the etymology of
which is uncertain. At the Norman survey the manor
and church belonged to the abbey of Burgh, or Peterborough, and they continued in the possession of that
house until the Dissolution. The town, which has of
late years much improved in appearance, is situated on
the declivity of a hill, at the foot of which flows a small
stream that joins the Ice brook, a branch of the river
Nene. The manufacture of shoes affords employment to
a considerable number of persons; and the weaving of
ribbons and Persians, and of silk shag for hats, is also
extensively carried on: there are two brush manufactories. The market is on Friday; and fairs are held
on the Thursday before Easter, Friday before Whit-Sunday, Thursday before Old Michaelmas-day, and the
Thursday before the festival of St. Thomas. Petty-sessions for Kettering division are held every alternate
Friday. The powers of the county debt-court of Kettering, established in 1847, extend over the registrationdistrict of Kettering. The town is the place of election
for the northern division of the shire.
The parish comprises, according to the survey made
at the time of its inclosure, 2618a. 3r. 2p., of which about
two-thirds are arable and one-third pasture; the surface
is varied, and the scenery generally pleasing, but there
are not more than two or three acres of plantations.
The whole parish is copyhold; and the Duke of Buccleuch, and the Hon. Richard Watson, brother of Lord
Sondes, are joint lords of the manor. The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at £34. 13. 4.,
and in the patronage of the Hon. Richard Watson, with
a net income of £786: the tithes were commuted for
land and a money payment in 1804. The church is a
handsome edifice, in the later English style, with a fine
tower at the west end, having double buttresses, and
octagonal turrets at the angles, and surmounted by an
octagonal crocketed spire; round the base of the spire,
and connected with the angular turrets, is an embattled parapet, which commands an extensive and beautiful
prospect. There are places of worship for Baptists, the
Society of Friends, Independents, and Wesleyans. An
ancient free grammar school is endowed with land and
houses producing about £160 per annum: national
schools are supported chiefly by subscription; and there
is a small girls' school, called Bridges' school, endowed
with £22 per annum. An hospital for six widows was
founded by Mr. Sawyer, in 1688. The poor-law union
of Kettering comprises 28 parishes or places, and contains a population of 18,327. In 1726, several coins
were discovered of Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, Constantine, and other Roman emperors; also of Carausius, who
assumed the purple in Britain; together with a brass
seal having the figure of St. Michael engraved on it,
and other antique remains. Dr. John Gill, an eminent
oriental and biblical scholar, was born here in 1697.
Queen Victoria and her consort passed through the town
on her way to Burleigh, on the 12th November, 1844,
and on her return, November 15th.