Monument record TR 06 SW 1005 - Faversham oyster beds

Oyster dredging was carried on at Faversham from early times, perhaps Henry II making the first grant of the fishery to the Manor of Faversham. The oldest documentary mention is 1591. According to Jacob in his 1764 'History of Faversham', oysters were the only staple commodity of the town. The boundaries of the oyster fisheries were clearly described in a survey in 1609. The fishery suffered in WW2 and ceased to operate, the grounds thereafter being let to the Seasalter and Ham Oyster Fishery Company. (1). Boundaries charted (2)(3). Additional references (4)

<1> Goodsall, Robert H, 1965, Oyster fisheries on the North Kent coast (Article in serial). SWX9334.

<2> 1770, Oyster fisheries boundary dispute chart, 1770 (Chart). SWX9341.

<3> 1608, Map of the extent of the King's Manor of Faversham by water (Chart). SWX9342.

<4> Hyde, Patricia & Harrington, Duncan, 2002, Faversham Oyster Fishery through eleven centuries (Monograph). SKE13183.