Faversham

Faversham, a municipal borough and port of North Kent, upon the river Swale, 52 miles S.E. of London and 10 miles N.W. of Canterbury. It consists mainly of four streets with a market-place in the centre. The creek upon which it is situated admits vessels of 200 tons, and there is a trade in corn, hops, fruit, and wool. The oyster cultivation of Faversham is renowned, and there are manufactures of powder and of Roman cement in the neighbourhood. There is a fine cruciform church, which contains the supposed tomb of King Stephen, and there are schools, a literary institute, and a reading-room. Some ruins remain of a Cluniac abbey, founded in 1147; and James II. embarked here after his abdication.