GODMERSHAM, a village and a parish in East Ashford district, Kent. The village stands on the river Stour, 2 miles SSW of Chilham r. station, and 6 NE by N of Ashford; was once a market-town; and has a post office under Canterbury. The parish comprises 3, 077 acres. Real property, £3, 429. Pop., 388. Houses, 80. The property is divided among a few. Godmersham Park, now the seat of Earl St. Vincent, belonged formerly to the Valoigns, the Astyns, and the Broadnaxes; and has richly wooded grounds. The living is a vicarage united with the p. curacy of Challock, in the diocese of Canterbury. Value, £234. Patron, the Archbishop of Canterbury. The church belonged to the prior and monks of Canterbury; had a chantry; and, having become much dilapidated, has been entirely restored. The prior's residence was built in the time of Richard II., and still exists. There are a national school, and charities £41.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))