GILLINGHAM, a parish of the county of Kent, in the hundred of Chatham and Gillingham, thirty-two miles from London. It is situated on a hill near to, and commanding a view of, the river Medway, and containing within its limits a part of the town of Chatham, and of Brompton. A large portion of it is covered with those fortifications which form the defences of the important naval arsenal of Chatham. The barracks for the marines consist of a handsome pile of buildings, and are deemed peculiarly healthy for the troops quartered in them. The population amounted in 1801 to 4135, in 1811 to 5135, in 1821 to 6209, and in 1831 to 6734.