 A certain 'William' was Vicar at Thames Ditton from 1179.After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the advowson and rectory of St Nicholas passed into private hands as from 1538.For previous centuries, the great tithes rested with Kingston rectory, whereas the owners of Imber Court replaced it from the 16th century until the 19th century as partial tithe beneficiaries and patrons, paying for the curate himself.