name of several places in England; particularly,

Middleton, in Dorsetshire, south-west of Blandford, near the road to Dorchester, 114 miles from London. It is chiefly noted for its abbey, built by King Athelstan. The church stands near the south side of the abbey. It is a large and magnificent pile of Gothic architecture, and contains several ancient monuments. Here is an almshouse for six people, who have 12s. a-week, and three yards of cloth for a gown, one pair of shoes and stockings, and 10s. each on St Thomas's day yearly. Here is a free school, and a market on Tuesdays.

Kent, near Sittingbourne and the isle of Sheppey, 6 miles north-west of Feversham, and 40 from London. It is also called Middleton from its situation near the middle of the county, i.e. from Deptford to the Downs. The kings of Kent had a palace here, which was castellated, and stood below the church; but was burnt down in Edward the Confessor's time by Earl Goodwin, &c. Its church stands near a mile off. On approaching the town up the Thames, by the East Swale, it seems hid among the creeks: yet it is a large town; and has a considerable market on Saturdays, and a fair on July 24. The oysters taken here are the most famous of any in Kent. This town is governed by a portreeve, chosen yearly on St James's day, who supervises the weights and measures all over the hundred. Population 2470 in 1811.

in Kent, a mile on the east side of Gravesend, was incorporated with it in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, by the name of the portreeve, jurats, and inhabitants of the towns of Gravesend and Milton. King Henry VIII. raised a platform or blockhouse here, for the defence both of this town and Gravesend, and the command of the river. It has a fair, January 25.