Teston

"TESTON, a parish in the hundred of Twyford, lathe of Aylesford, county Kent, 4 miles S.W. of Maidstone, its post town, and 1½ mile from Wateringbury railway station. The village is situated on the river Medway, which is here crossed by a bridge. The manor was formerly held by the Crevequers, and given by Edward I. to Canterbury Cathedral. At the Dissolution Henry VIII. presented it to the Wyatts, from whom it came to the Botelers of Barham. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agriculture. The land is partly in hop-grounds and orchards. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Canterbury, value £233. The church, dedicated to SS. Peter and Paul, has recently been repaired and considerably enlarged. There are schools for both sexes, supported by Lord Kingsdown. Barham Court is the principal residence."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868 by Colin Hinson ©2010]