Stambridge
This community is another one of the many areas in the District
mentioned in the Domesday Book and its flour mills are descended
from an industry which was flourishing even at that time. It is
believed that the tidal mill, contained within the present mill,
was built at least 500 years ago, but even this was on the site of
an even older construction.
A notable inhabitant of this village was John Harriot, who
founded the Thames Police Force in the 18th century, some
considerable time before Sir Robert Peel instituted the present day
constabulary.
The parish church retains much interesting pre-conquest work and
the octagonal font has been in use for over 500 years. On the west
wall is a plaque dedicated to John Winthrop, and a church window
commemorates his sailing to America where he became the first
Governor of Massachusetts.