PARWICH, a village and parish situated at the foot of a hill, 6½ miles N.N. E. from Ashbourn, contains 3081A. 1R. of land, principally on limestone, and in 1851 had 107 houses and 493 inhabitants, of whom 247 were males and 246 females; rateable value £3536 19s. Thos. Wm. Evans, Esq., is lord of the manor and principal owner; but J. G. Johnson, Esq., Misses Brownson, Francis Roe, Esq., Andrew Brittlebank, Esq., Mr. G. Dakeyne, and Mr. James Swindell, have estates here. This manor, Pevrewie, at Domesday survey, was parcel of the ancient demesne of the crown, and passed with Ashbourn to the Earls of Derby and to Edmund, Earl of Lancaster. The paramount manor belonging to the Duchy of Lancaster, having been granted by King Charles I. to Dichfield and others, was sold to Thomas Levinge, Esq., whose ancestor Sir Richard Levinge, Bart., sold it in 1814 to the late William Evans, Esq., but suit and service is still paid to the duchy courts of Wirksworth, at which constables, &c., are sworn into their offices. The Church dedicated to St. Peter, is a small ancient structure, with low tower, overgrown with ivy, and in the churchyard are some venerable yew trees. The living is a perpetual curacy, certified at £14, now £140, has been augmented with £400 benefactions, £400 Queen Anne’s bounty, and £600 parliamentary grant. Thos. Wm. Evans, Esq., is patron and impropriator, and the Rev. Wm. Fisher, B.A., incumbent. Tithes were commuted in 1844, the large tithe for £135, and small for £10. It was formerly a chapelry to Ashbourn. In 1827, two school rooms were erected by the late Mr. Evans; they are conducted on Dr. Bell’s system, towards the support of which Thos. Wm. Evans, Esq., contributes £40 annually. There is also £8 from Beresford’s charity, for which 8 children are taught free. Feast nearest Sunday to St. Peter. There is an Odd Fellows’ Lodge and a Friendly Society in the village. At Lombard’s Green, about half a mile N. of the village are the supposed remains of a Roman encampment. About 80 years ago, a labourer who was searching for lead ore, found at the depth of two feet and a half, a military weapon, a considerable number of Roman coins, (denarű) and an urn of great thickness.

PARWICH LEES, a large farm with commodious residence, 1 mile west from the village, is the property of G. G. Brittlebank, Esq., of Ashbourn, and the residence of Mr. Thomas Millward. Sitterlow, 1 mile S.E., with several other scattered farms named in the direc­tory. Huge masses of rock are scattered on the various farms, and particularly on tho lofty hills above the village. The village is sheltered by these lofty ridges from the piercing winds which often sweep over these mountainous districts.

CHARITIES.—By indentures, dated 1695, William Beresford settled on trust for good and charitable purposes, the lands called the Copleys, Pingle, Nether Bletch, Long Rakes and 12 beast gates in a pasture called the Hakeslow; and directed the rents to be disposed of for the performing of Divine service in the Church of Parwich, the education of 8 children taken out of the poorest families, and the residue to be distributed amongst the poor of the town at Christmas. There is also belonging to this charity a sum of £405 7s. 7d. consolidated 3 per cents., which appears to have arisen from arrears of rent to the charity

 

                                                                                PARWICH PARISH.                                                           445

 

lands. The last appointment of trustees was as follows:—Anthony Beresford, Nathaniel B.Twigge, John Goodwin Johnson, James Swindell, George Dakeyne, and John Swindell. The rents of this charity amount to upwards of £55 per annum, besides a dividend of £12 3s. 2d. from the consolidated fund. The sum of £27 6s. is paid to the perpetual curate of Parwich; £8 is paid to a schoolmaster; and the residue is distributed to the poor, in sums varying from 3s. to 8s. each.

Thurstan Dale, in 1653 left 10s. a-year to be annually given to the most deserving poor of the parish.

Robert Dale, in 1744, gave 1 beast gate on Hakeslow to the poor, in consideration of which the trustees of Beresford’s charity distribute 11s. per annum.

George Dakeyne, in 1757 gave 20s. yearly out of land called Dakeyne’s Betch, the possessor of which distributes 20s. per annum amongst the most necessitous of the parish.

Thomas Allsop, in 1728 left £40 to be invested in land, for the benefit of the minister of Parwich. This sum was not invested till 1778, when John Allsop, in lieu of the £40, and in consideration of £100, paid to him by John Jackson, granted 3 acres of land called the Sitterlow, and a close called the Wings, now let for £9 10s. per annum, of which £4 10s. is paid to the perpetual curate of Parwich, and the remainder is given to the poor.

Margaret Bincliff, in 1788 left £100, and directed the interest to be given to the poor.

Thomas Roe, in 1794 left £100 to be laid out in the purchase of land for the use of the poor. The two last legacies, by being made payable out of the real estate, are void; however, two annual sums of £5 each, as interest of the two last legacies, are paid by Mr. Robert Johnson, of Bakewell, as owner of one moiety of the estate, by right of his wife.

Francis Johnson, in 1800, left £150 for the benefit of the poor, the interest of which is distributed by the trustees of Beresford’s charity.

Post Office at Mr. Edw. Lees’, Letters arrive from Ashbourn, at 10 a.m., and desptch­ed at 4 p.m.

 

Beresford Mrs. Ann Brownson Mrs. Sarah Brownson Geo., auctioneer & surveyor Ellis Ann, milliner and dress maker Fisher Rev. Wm., BA., incumbent Greatorex Ann, dress maker Ironmonger Benjamin, confectioner Johnson James, shoemaker Keeling Joseph, butcher Kirkham Mr. Thomas Mather John, shoemaker Mather Robert, shoemaker Smith John, relieving officer

Sutton Mrs. Mary Twigge Nathaniel Bosworth, surgeon Wayne Mrs. Elizabeth Webster Charity, milliner and dressmaker Webster George, cattle dealer Webster James, cattle dealer Wright Wm,, saddler and shoemaker Inns and Taverns.   Crown, Joseph Webster Sycamore, Elizabcth Kirkham Wheat Sheaf, James Greaves

 

Academies. Fisher Rev. William,   (boarding) Mather Elizabeth Wright Sarah   Blacksmiths. Wayne William Wright Thomas             Farmers. Alsop Francis Alsop Henry Alsop John Alsop Thomas Brindley Thomas

Brownson Thomas Brownlee Edward Caladine, Dd., Gottom Dakeyne George Dale Wm., Dale end Edge John, White   Cliff Ellis William Fernehough John            Frith George, (and   stone mason) Frith Rupert Gerrard William,   Pike Hall Gould Ths. Hawkslow Greatorex John, Sitt-   low

Greatorex William  Holmes John Kirkham Elizabeth,   Low Moor Kirkham Joseph Kirkham Robt., Dam Lees William Millward Thomas,         Leys Ryley John Shaw Thomas Saint Edward Saint Isaac Slater Thomas Smith William Swindell James Swindell Thomas Wayne George

Watson John   Shopkeepers. Lees Edward Webster John   Tailors. Etherington Thomas Lees William Hopkins Samuel   Carriers to Ashbourn. Ironmonger Benjamin   Sat., and Harting­-   ton Wed. Johnson James, Sat.

 

446                                                                          WIRKSWORTH HUNDRED.

 

THORPE, a township, parish, and picturesque village, pleasantly situated on the banks of the river Dove, 3¼ miles N.N. by W. from Ashbourn, and 10 miles S.W. from Wirksworth, contains 1710A. 1R. 20P. of mostly a rich pasture land, and in 1851 had 40 houses, and 188 inhabitants, of whom 93 were males, and 95 females; rateable value, £2362 l9s. 3d. The principal owner and lord of the manor is T. R. Adderley, Esq., but Henry Thornton, Esq., Thos. Gould, Esq., Mrs. J. S. Robinson, Lord Denman, John C. B. Borough, Esq., and Mr. Richard Finney, are also owners. The Church, dedi­cated to St. Leonard, situated on the brow of a hill, surrounded with trees, is an ancient Norman structure, with a square tower containing three bells. It is supposed to have been built in the 9th or 10th century. In 1841, it was repaired, repewed, and a gallery erected for the children. The living is a rectory, valued in the King’s book at £6 1s. 6d., now £144, in the patronage of the Bishop of Lichfield, and incum­bency of of the Rev. Chas. Miller, MA., who resides at the Rectory, a neat mansion, on a bold elevation near the church, it was rebuilt in 1842. The tithes were com­muted in 1845, for £95. There are 16 acres of glebe, and 6 cowgates or pastures, and 6 sheepgates on Thorpe Cloud. Here is a mixed school, which is attended by about 30 children. This manor, Torp, at the Norman survey, was a royal possession, and it appears afterwards to have belonged to the Ferrers family, for they granted five parts of the tithe to the priory of Tutbury. Ralph de Hormanwell was seized of it in 1245; afterwards, the Wythin and the Cokayne families had it; the latter sold it in the reign of Elizabeth, to John Milward, Esq., from whom it descended to Ralph Adderley, Esq.

Hanson Grange, a substantial farm house, pleasantly situated 3 miles N. from the village, and 5 miles N. from Ashbourn, is the property and residence of Mr. Thos. Gould. Broadlow Ash, an estate and manor a little W. of the Church, was, at Domes­day survey, a royal demense. It was afterwards held by the Cokaynes and Beresfords. In 1608, it was granted to the Earl of Salisbury, who, in 1613, sold it to Dame Judith Corbet, by whose bequest it passed to her grandson, Sir William Boothby, who was created a Baronet in 1660, and who had here a large park and good mansion, which was for several generations their chief residence. The ancient mansion was taken down in 1795. Mr. Richard Finney is now the owner and occupier of an ancient farm house bearing that name.

The river Dove from this parish is crossed by three stone bridges, which here forms one of the most romantic dales in the kingdom. The Manyfold, from Staffordshire has its confluence with the Dove at this point, a deep and narrow part, which extends between the lofty hills of Bunster and Thorpe Cloud. For the convenience of tourists who come to view the wonders of nature, Mr. Wm. Waterfall, about twenty five years ago established the Izack Walton Hotel, at the junction of the vales of Manyfold and Dove, and near the hills of Bunster and Thorpe Cloud. It is a commodious inn, on elevated ground, and has its name from the celebrated angler, Izack Walton, who frequently visited his friend Cotton, the poet, at Beresford Hall, where the ruins of their fishing residence may still be seen, The tourist, approaching Thorpe from the south, will mark an extraordinary and almost instantaneous change in the aspect of the country; leaving behind him the “brown heath and the richly cultivated meadows,” he enters upon new and very different scenes. From the rising grounds, which have grown, as it were, insensibly beneath him, starts in bold abruptness, Thorpe Cloud, a detached coney shaped hill of steep ascent, its altitude being 300 feet above the bed of the river Dove, which flows at its base, round which winds the most frequented road to that secluded and wildly beautiful glen DOVEDALE, undoubtedly one of the finest in the peak. Romantic beauty amidst unbroken wildness, is the great charm of this far famed dale. Its detached perpendicular rocks stamp it with an image entirely its own, and possesses an union of grandeur and beauty not to be equalled, and which can scarcely be overdrawn. The gifted and imaginative Wm. Howitt, in describing it says, “Its rocks do not, perhaps, equal in altitude and individual magnitude some of those at Matlock, but the scenes

THORPE PARISH.                                                               447

 

of Matlock wear a monotony or at least a strong resemblance to each other, which soon deprives them of much of their effect by familiarizing the eye, after seeing a part, to the character of the whole. But here, besides the singular character of the scenery, its novelty is perpetuated to the very last. You are at once transported into a land of enchantment; every object that surrounds you, though you have but just left the other most striking parts of the peak, is strange and wild, and wonderously unlike all other features of creation.      *      *      *      If the man who enters it possesses the least latent admiration of nature,—if he have a soul capable of being moved in any degree by an assemblage of the most wild, awful, and sublime images, he will not see it without emotion. But to warm the heart and the vivid, imagination—it is a world in itself.” The first part of Dovedale is an open dell, nearly half a mile in length; the hills on both sides are steep, but not precipitous; on the left is Bunster Hill, a fine eminence, and on the right, which is more diversified, dwarf ash, and aged thorn trees cover the slopes down to the very margin of the stream. Proceeding onwards, the forms become more romantic, the foliage thickens, and the fanciful and grotesque appear­ance of the rocks assume a greater degree of grandeur, till they seem nearly to meet overhead and shut up the glen. In some places they shoot up in detached masses like spires or conical pyramids, and are ornamented with festoons or net work of ivy; in others, their scattered and fantastic forms hang over the river in terriffic masses, up­held by fragments apparently unequal to the tremendous weight they sustain. “A little farther on,” says Rhodes, “a mighty pillar of insulated rock, which has its base in the stream, rises from the left bank of the river; a bold mass of rock, whose conical summit penetrates the clouds, occupies the right; between those huge portals flows the river Dove. Through this contracted space some flat meadows, clothed with ver­dure, appear, and still farther in the distance, bold swelling hills close in the pros­pect. The effect of this scene is truly magical; it is an interesting transition from one description of landscape to another that excites surprise by its suddenness and charms with its beauty. Through this magnificent portal we pass into the lovely meadows beyond, where we stood awhile to gaze upon the gloomy ravine we had just left. We then sat down amongst a grove of hazels in a sweet little vale, as dis­similar in character to the scenery of Dovedale, as if they had been hundreds of miles apart. The river flowed gently and beautifully before us; the cattle were grazing in the meadows, apparently unconscious of the presence of any human being; the red-breast poured his requiem from amongst the bushes that were scattered over the rising ground where we sat; and the rush of the waters through the narrow part of the dale came softly upon the ear, which was soothed with its murmurs. The scene was delightfully tranquil; and the mind, that only a few minutes before had been excited to emotions of sublimity and terror, sunk into a state of pleasing repose and luxurious langour. Dovedale was one of the favourite resorts of the enthusiastic and sensitive Rousseau during his residence in its immediate vicinity, and he is said to have planted many rare and curious seeds in this sequestered spot.” The length of the dale is rather more than two miles, but the views are limited, from the irregularity of its course and its projecting pecipices, which, in some places, seem to preclude all further access. While passing along the first and least picturesque division of the dale, the river, which is said to be “one of the most beautiful streams that ever gave charm to a landscape,” soothes the ear with its murmurings, and delights the eye with the brilliancy of its waters. In some places, “it flows smoothly and solemnly along but never slowly; in others, its motion is rapid, impetous, and even turbulent. The ash the hazel, the slender osier, and the graceful birch, hung with honey-suckles and wild roses, dip their pensile branches in the stream, and break its surface into beauteous ripples. Huge fragments of stone toppled from the rocks above, and partly covered with moss and plants that haunt and love the water, divide the stream into many currents; round these it bubbles in limpid rills that circle into innumerable eddies, which,

448                                                                          WIRKSWORTH HUNDRED.

 

by their activity, give life and motion to a numerous variety of acquatic plants and flowers that grow in the bed of the river; these wave their slender stems under the surface of the water, which, flowing over them, like the transparent varnish of a picture, brings forth the most vivid colouring. Occasionally large stones are thrown accross the stream and interrupt its progress; over and amongst these it rushes rapidly into the pool below, forming in its frequent falls a series of fairy cascades, about which it foams and sparkles with a beauty and brilliancy peculiar to this lively and romantic river, On a slope, near the summit of one of the largest and most elevated rocks, is a large detached piece of stone, of oblong-square form, apparently suspended by so frail a thread, that a blast of wind might precipitate it into the bed of the river, or over the head of the spectator below. This rock has been frequently described, and its parasite portion has received the fanciful designation of the “watch box.” A little further on, are two stupendous cliffs, that rise abruptly on each side the river. The chasm here is so very narrow that it is not inappropriately styled, “Dovedale Straits,” and the river, when swollen by heavy rains, renders the passage through it almost impracticable, when, as if impatient at being restrained within the limits of this contracted chasm, rushes with great impetuosity to a more open part of the dale, when its turbulence subsides and it becomes again a placid but a rapid stream. A grand solitary pointed rock on the Staffordshire side, by way of eminence, is known by the name of “Dovedale Church.” Its appearance is peculiarly pleasing and sublime, and cannot fail to strike the eye of  every one who passes by it. A little further are several curious caverns, and a magnifi­cent Gothic arch of the most gigantic proportions. On passing through this arch by a very steep ascent, over loose sand and shale, it brings you to “Reynard’s Hall,” a large cavern about thirty feet in height, and fifteen in breadth. For the space of about 40 feet this cave may be explored, but beyond it contracts to a narrow opening, sup­posed by some persons to communicate with other caverns, and to terminate near Parwich. It is supposed that it was, in attempting to scale an acclivity near “Rey­nard’s Hall,” that Dean Langton met with the accident that occasioned his death. In July, 1761, some friends were proceeding along the bottom of the dale on horse­back, when the Rev. Mr. Langton, (then Dean of Clogher), proposed to ascend a very steep precipice, which is apparently between three and four hundred feet high; a Miss la Roache, a young lady of the party, with great spirit, begged that she might get up behind him, and accompany him in his bold adventure. Her request was imme­diately complied with, and the head of the horse directed up the precipice. When they had climbed the steep ascent to a considerable height, the feet of the horse slipped, and they all tumbled down—the clergyman and horse to the bottom of thc dale, but the lady, not quite so far, being stopped in her descent by a thorn bush which caught hold of her hair. When the Dean was taken up he was found to be bruised in a most terrible manner; however, he was conveyed to Ashbourn, where he languished a few days and then expired. The young lady was found in an insensible state, and after disentangling her from the perilous situation, she was taken to Ashbourn by her friends, and soon afterwards recovered. The horse was more fortunate than either of its riders; though it rolled to the bottom of the precipice it only received a few bruises on its sides, occasioned by the stirrups of the saddle, It is supposed that not less than 60,000 people visit this lovely dale every year. In August, 1856, the Wesleyans of Ashbourn, held a Bazaar in Dovedale, for the purpose of raising funds to liquidate the debt upon their chapel at Ashbourn, which proved eminently successful, having been visited by a larger number of persons than had ever entered the dale on one day for some time past.

CHARITIES.—The Rev. James Winder, in 1766, gave to the poor £25, and an un­known donor left £7. These two sums were lent on private security till 1819, when they were deposited in the Ashbourn Savings’ bank, in the names of the churchwardens

TISSINGTON PARISH.                                                       449

 

and overseers. The interest is received in January, and distributed by the minister amongst the most necessitous of the parish

Jesse Watts Russell, Esq., of Ilam Hall, gives a small sum annually, as “wool-money,” which is distributed amongst the poor.

 

Beardsley Jph., beerhouse & shoemaker Beardsley Samuel, shoemaker Blore John, vict,, Dog & Partridge Greensmith Mr. Thomas Herrick James, joiner and wheelwright Miller Rev. Charles, M.A., Rectory

Miller Miss — Rowland John, shoemaker Rowland William, shoemaker Wardle Anthony, corn miller, Thorpe mill Wheelden Hannah, schoolmistress

 

Farmers. Appleby James, Hol-   lington End Finney Richd. Broad-   low Ash

Foster William Gould Thos. Hanson,   Grange Greensmith Francis   Richard, The Green

Hayward Ann, Mary,   and Fanny Hodgkinson Joseph,   (and miller)

Roe Anthony, New   Inns Twigge John, Spen   Lane

 

TISSINGTON, a township, parish, and picturesque village, 4 miles N. from Ashbourn, contains 2,258A. 0R. 38P. of fertile land, and in 1851 had 76 houses, and 344 inhabitants, of whom 169 were males, and 175 females; rateable value £3,820. Sir Henry Fitz-Herbert, Bart., is lord of the manor and principal owner; J. G. Johnson, Esq., Thomas Phillips, Esq., Mr. Wm. Fletcher, and Mr. John Swindell, are also owners. The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient Norman structure, pleasantly situated on the brow of a gentle eminence, nearly opposite the hall. It consists of a nave and small chancel, without supporting pillars or side aisles, and a square tower at the west end with three bells. In 1853, the church was re-pewed with open oak seats, and a north aisle added, at the sole expense of Miss Fitz-Herbert. It contains several highly wrought monuments to the Fitz­-Herbert Family, conspicuous among which is an extremely lofty one reaching to the roof, it is divided into two compartments, in the lower of which are three figures kneeling, in the attitude of prayer, over a tablet bearing the following inscription, “Francis Fitz-Herbert, Esq., departed this life the 4th of January, Ætatis Suae 80, Anne Domini 1619.” In the upper compartment are two figures, kneeling over a similar tablet to Sir John Fitz-Herbert, Bart., who died August 2nd, aged 43. The living is a perpetual curacy, which was appropriated to Dunstaple priory, of the certified value of £97; has been augmented with £200 Queen Anne’s bounty. Sir Henry Fitz-Herbert, Bart., is patron and impropriator. Rev. Alleyne Fitz-Herbert, M.A., incumbent. The tithes were commuted in 1846, for £229 viz., the hay tithe £134, and the corn tithe £95. Here is an endowed school, it was rebuilt in 1837, by Miss Fitz-Herbert, sister to the present baronet. At Domesday survey, the manor, Tizinctum, belonged to Henry de Ferrers. In the reign of Henry I, it was given by one of the Ferrers to the Savage family. The co-heiresses of Savage married Meynell and Edensor, whose heiress married Audley. The manor was in moieties. Meynell’s moiety passed by marriage to the Fitz-Herberts, The other moiety came to the Herthulls, and passed by marriage to the Cokaines. It was sold by the latter to Francis Fitz-Herbert, Esq., about the end of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. William Fitz-Herbert, Esq., of Tissington, barrister-at-law, author of a tract called Maxims,” and a dialogue on the Revenue Laws, was created a baronet in 1783. Tissington Hall, is a large handsome Elizabethan mansion in the centre of the village, the entrance gate to which opens to a very fine avenue, more than half-a-mile in length. It was garrisoned for the king, by its owner Col. Fitz-Herbert, in the month of December, 1643. On the event of the unsuccessful action near Ashbourn, in the month of February following, it was evacuated. The Rev. Richard Greaves, author of the “Spiritual Quixote,” and, other works, resided three years in the Fitz-Herbert family, and laid some of the scenes of that amusing romance in this neighbourhood.

450                                                                          WIRKSWORTH HUNDRED.

 

This village is noted for its five springs of the purest water, each of them paved round and walled in various forms, each having its particular name, from the most contiguous residence. The ancient custom termed “Floralia,” or the “Well Dressing,” takes place on Holy Thursday, when these fountains are decorated with the choicest flowers, so arranged amongst the foilage as to form various sentences, mostly from the scriptures; each Well being under the care of its respective guardian, assisted by those who most generally partake of its pelucid and necessary fluid; the whole so admirably executed, that it is difficult to give to any that praise of superiority which all are desirous to receive. There is a service at the church, where a sermon is preached, after which the springs are visited by the minister, choristers, and people, in procession, where the psalms, the epistle and gospel are read, and a hymn is sung. The remainder of the day is spent in rural festivity. At Wood Eaves, near the Bentley Brook, is a cotton mill, worked by a steam engine of 16 horses power.

CHARITIES.—Catherine Port, of Ilam, by will, in 1722, left a rent charge of £5 per annum, for the instruction of 8 poor children, within the parish of Tissington.

Frances Fitz-Herbert, by indenture, in 1738, gave a rent charge of £25 per annum, out of lands called the Shaws, and the Town Meadow, £6 to be appropriated to putting out an apprentice, £8 a year for teaching poor children, £5 a year to a surgeon, and the surplus is laid out in warm clothing, and given to the poor. This charity is very usefully administered for the benefit of the poor, although not in a very accurate conformity with the directions of the deed of 1735. A yearly sum of £2 was paid to the poor for a consid­erable time, out of a field called the Piper’s Pingle, now in the possession of Sir Henry Fitz-Herbert. This payment has been discontinued for upwards of 30 years, on the ground that there was no document to show that the field was subject to the charge. We have not been able to meet with any evidence in support of the claim of the poor, except the long continued payment and distribution thereof.

William Ensor, in 1777, left £300 on trust, to be applied in apprenticing poor children of Tissington, and Alstonfield in Staffordshire, in equal moieties. It appears these payments ceased in 1803, when the devises is stated to have died without leaving sufficient personal property to discharge his debts, and that the gift had for some time been paid out of the rents of the real estate, but that the sons of the devisee has been advised that the real property could not be charged with the payment of this legacy, and therefore discontinued it. We apprehend it was not a valid charge on the real property of the testator.

 

Fitz-Herbert Sir Henry, Bart., The Hall Allsop Joseph, parish clerk Bullock Job, carrier to Ashbourn, Sat, Harding John, cotton spinner, Woodeaves Hardy John, cowkeeper, Priest roads Hardy John, stone mason & engraver Hodgkinson Thomas, schoolmaster Johnson Mrs. Anne Goodwin

Marsh Richard, gardener Smith Charles, cooper & shopkeeper Smith Francis. shoemaker Smith Wm., joiner, builder, contractor, &   wheelwright Smith Wm,, cowkeeper Wright Wm., blacksmith

 

Farmers. Buxton Hanh., Wood Fletcher William             Gibbs Rd., Woodeaves Gibbs Jph, Lees farm Goodwin Wm. Sharp-   low dale

Hand Ann Hand Henry, Gorsey     lands Johnson Wm., Brook-   wood Lowndes Thomas,   Shaws

Smith John Smith Mary & Son,   (Wm,.) Bent Smith Francis, (&   cattle dealer) Smith John, Rushey-   cliff

Spencer John Swindell John, Crake   low Tomlinson Joseph, (&   butcher) Wright Thos., Basset-   wood

                                                                     

WIRKSWORTH, an extensive parish, which contains 11 townships, viz., the Market town and township of Wirksworth, the townships of Callow, Cromford, (also a market town) Hopton, Ible, and Middleton by Wirkaworth, in the Hundred of Wirksworth, the

WIRKSWORTH PARISH.                                                  451

 

township of Alderwasley, Ashley Hay, Biggin, Idridge Hay, and Alton in the Appletree hundred, with the township of Ironbrook grange, in the hundred of High Peak. The entire parish contains 13,571A. 0R. 27½P. of land, of which 7,097A. lR. 1½P. are in Wirks­worth hundred, 6,057A. 0R. 34P. in Appletree hundred, and 4l6A. 2R. 32P, in the High Peak hundred, and in 1851, had 1,773 houses, and 7,480 inhabitants, of whom 3,677 were males and 3,803 females; rateable value £22,051 14s. 7d. The Cromford canal, and the Cromford and High Peak railway commence in this parish; the former about 1½ mile N. of the town, near where, it crosses the river Derwent, by means of an aqueduct, the span of whose arch is eighty feet, and the latter is about half-a-mile N., through which it com­municates with the Midland railway.

WIRKSWORTH, a township and ancient market town, situated in a pleasant valley, much frequented by antiquarians and visitors during the summer months, for its beautiful scenery: it contains many good modern mansions, and is distant 13 miles N.N.W. from Derby, 10 miles W. by S. from Alfreton, 6 miles N.W. by N. from Belper, 2¼ miles S. by W. from Cromford station, and 140 miles N.W. from London, by road; contains 2959A. 3R, 32P. of land, of which 50A. are roads and waste, and 49A. 2R. 27P. houses and gardens, and in 1851 had 1,019 houses, and 3,923 inhabitants, of whom l;911 were males and 2,012 females; rateable value £8,977. 18s. 5d. Peter Arkwright, Esq., is lord of the manor, and the principal land owners are F. G. Goodwin, Esq., George Greaves, Esq., Peter Arkwright, Esq., James Toplis, Esq., Rev. John Toplis, Phillip A. Hurt, Esq., Wm. Leacroft, Esq. Mr. Jno. Smith, Mr. Wm. Hunt, Mr. W. Williamson, Mr. Fras. Page, and Mr. Joseph Wheatcroft, with several smaller freeholders. The principal employment of the inhabit­ants arises from the lead mines, but a considerable number are employed at the three factories for the manufacture of small-wares, &c. Malting is also carried onto a small extent, about 2,500 quarters being made annually. A market on Wednesday, and an annual fair for three days, were granted by Edward I., in 1305, to Thomas, Earl of Lan­caster, The Market is now held on Tuesday, and Fairs for horned cattle on Shrove Tuesday, Easter Tuesday May 12th, September 8th, and third Tuesday in November. The Feast is on the first Sunday after September 8th. There were formerly some mineral springs within the parish, but they have been destroyed by the draining of the mines. Many Roman antiquities have been found at various times in the immediate neighbour­hood; and in 1822, Jacob Buckley found the bones of a Rhinoceros in the Dream lead mine, about ten fathoms below the surface; they are now in the Museum at Oxford.

The Petty Sessions for the Wapentake are held every fortnight, at the Red Lion Inn, by the county magistrates.

Special Sessions are also held here on the first Wednesday in every month, for hearing appeals, transferring and granting licenses, for the return of jury lists, and for the general transaction of highway business. Messrs. G. Hodgkinson, and J. C. Newbold, are clerks to the Justices.

The Lock Up, North End, was erected in l842; it is a substantial building, with a residence for the superintendent constable, and contains four cells. Henry Tomlinson is the superintendent.

The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a spacious and venerable structure, exhibiting various styles of architecture, the oldest portions being in the Early English, or style of the 13th century. It is built in the Cathedral manner, comprising nave with side aisles, choir with side aisles, chancel, transepts and tower with six bells, (re-cast in 1702) and is capable of seating 2000 persons, of which number, 250 are free and unappropriated In 1820-21, the church was repaired and re-pewed at a cost of upwards of £2,000; it was also enlarged by additions to the east of the transepts. In 1826, an organ was procured at a cost of above £400, raised by subscriptions, and placed in the tower of the church, but the situation being found objectionable, it was removed in 1853, to a more convenient one in the nave; at the same time, new stalls, were erected for the choir, and, also seats on each side for the Sunday school children, the total cost of which was about £150. The

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organ is endowed with £1000., three per cent consols, for defraying the salary of the organist, Mr. Thos. Reeves. In 1854-5, further improvements were made, A memorial to the late Francis Hurt, Esq., of Alderwasley, having been determined upon by the county at large, the restoration of the chancel, with the addition of the memorial windows, was the result; the old chancel roof was replaced by one of stained oak, the floor laid with encaustic tiles, and a handsome chancel arch erected, A beautiful stained glass window, in the perpendicular style, was placed in the east end, and four other windows; two on each side of the chancel were filled with stained glass, the gift of Francis Hurt, Esq., and his sisters. The east (or memorial) window, contains the armorial bearings of the family, interspersed with which are angels bearing obituary insciptions; the five chief lights below contain as many subjects, and over each of these subjects are lofty canopies, with angels holding sacred symbols; beneath them are pedestals bearing scrolls, inscribed with scripture texts, referring to the several subjects. Along the bottom runs the following dedication :—“Memorial to Francis Edward Hurt, Esq., of Alderwasley, died March 22nd, 1854, aged 73, by public subscription, 1855.” About the same time, a new reading desk and pulpit, also stalls for the chancel were put up by private subscription, including the cost of the chancel arch above referred to. Thc interior is heated by stoves, and lighted with gas, the latter being introduced in 1851, and the tower has a good clock, put up in 1848, at a cost of about £180. It contains some ancient monuments: one to Ralph Gell, Esq., with effigies of the deceased and his two wives, dated 1534; another to Anthony Gell, Esq., founder of the grammar school and almshouses, with his effigy in a gown and ruff, dated 1583. In the chancel is a beautiful altar tomb to Anthony Lowe, Esq., servant to Henry VII., Henry VIII., Edward VI., and Mary I., was buried December, 1555, has representatives of the deceased in armour, Other monuments to the Lowe, Gell, Blackwall, and Wigley families, are worthy of inspection. In the churchyard is a headstone to the memory of Matthew Peat, of Alderwasley, who died December 11th, 1751, aged 109 years and 10 months. In the north aisle of the nave, and fixed in the wall, is a specimen of rude and ancient sculpture in bas-relief, representing various events in the life of our Saviour, as related in the gospels, the material is sandstone, and the dimensions are 5 feet in length, by 2ft. l0in. in width, This relic of primeval piety was found during the repairs in 1820, on removing the pavement in front of the altar railing, it was laid with the sculpture downwards, about two feet from the surface, over a stone built vault or grave, which contained a perfect human skeleton of large size; it must not be understood to have formed the cover of this vault, as it had another suitable covering quite unconnected with the sculpture; there is every probability that it has formed an altar piece in a church erected soon after the conversion of the Saxons to christianity. A. description of this sculpture is given in the “Gentleman’s Magazine,” of November, 1821. The living is a vicarage, valued in the King’s book at £42. 7s. 8¼d., now £340. The vicarial tithes (mineral tithe excepted) have been commuted at £91. The vicar is also by custom and endowment entitled to the tithe of lead ore. The Bishop of Lichfield is patron; the Rev. Thos, Tunstall Smith, M.A, vicar, and the Revs. D. R. Norman, B.A., and Chas. Henry Owen, M.A., curates. The Vicarage is a neat residence on the north side of the church-yard, rebuilt near the site of a dilapidated structure, in the year 1831, at a cost of £1,200, and since enlarged by the present vicar. The rectorial property is vested in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and Geo. Henry Errington, Esq., is the lessee. The Independent Chapel, Coldwell street, built in 1700, was formerly in possession of the Presbyterians, but was re-opened in 1703, by the Independents. The Wesleyans have a chapel in Bailey croft, built in 1810, it is a plain stone building, and will seat about 250 persons. The Baptist Chapel, Coldwell street, was opened in 1816. It is a neat brick building, and will seat about 300 persons. The Rev. Thos. Yates, is the pastor. Wesleyan Reformers Chapel, Warmbrook, was originally in possession of the old body, but was claimed by the Reformers, when they seceded from them; it is a small stone building. The Free Gospellers Chapel, in the Dale, originally an old building, was converted into a chapel about two years ago, at a cost of £100. The

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Primitive Methodists have a neat stone chapel, in the Dale, erected in 1828, will seat about 300 hearers, besides a smaller one at Gorsey Banks, erected in 1846, at a cost of about £90. A General Cemetery, under the management of a Burial Board, situated at the North End, was formed in 1854, and consecrated in 1856. It occupies about three acres of ground, and has two neat chapels, one for the Church and the other for the Dissenters, with a residence for the sexton. The want of such a place of interment has long been felt, owing to the overcrowded state of the church-yard. The cost was upwards of £1,500., borrowed from Government, to be repaid by 20 instalments in 20 years. The Free Frammar School, on the N.E. side of the church-yard, is a handsome Gothic building, rebuilt in 1828, at a cost of £1664. The present rental of the charity estates is £295, (see Charities) out of which £170 is paid in salaries to the masters. It is managed by six governors or trustees, who meet in the school half-yearly, to elect as many boys as there may be vacancies for and to transact other business The average number of boys attending the school is 50, of these 20 are admitted on the foundation, and the rest are subject to moderate quarterly charges for education. The course of instruction embraces Greek, Latin, English Grammar, Mathe­matics, Arithmetic, History, Geography, &c. The Rev. Fras. Hy. Brett, M.A., head master. Mr. Marcellus Peal, second master. The National Schools, North End, erected in 1851, at a cost of £1,457. 3s. 4d. which was defrayed by private subscriptions, with grants from the National society, of £80., the Committee of Council on Education, £234., and the Duchy of Lancaster, £30., besides other sources. It is a handsome stone building in the Elizabethan style, with residence for the master and mistress attached; the present number of scholars is 210, viz., 70 boys, 50 girls. and 90 infants. A Parochial Library was established in 1846, and contains about 800 volumes; it is kept at the Grammar school, and books are exchanged every Tuesday. There are four Lodges of Odd-Fellows, and three sick societies in the town, besides a Clothing Club, a Dispensary, and other charitable and religious associations. The Mechanics’ Institute, Market place, was established in 1852, for the purpose of supplying its members with the means of acquiring useful knowledge. Members are not admitted under 16 years of age, and every candidate for admission must be recommended by two members. The Reading Room is liberally supplied with periodicals and newspapers, and the Library contains about 500 volumes; the number of members at the present time is 100, besides 15 honorary members, Wm. Cantrell, Esq., is the president, and Mr. J. W. Hall, librarian. A most gratifying festival, in connection with this Insti­tution was held on the 26th June, 1856, in the beautiful grounds of Wm. Cantrell, Esq., at which upwards of 2000 persons were present, who having partaken of tea, liberally pro­vided by the ladies of the town and neighbourhood, were addressed by several influential gentlemen, under the presidency of T. W. Evans, Esq., of Allestree Hall; after which a grand display of fireworks brought the day’s proceedings to a close. The Cricket Ground a short distance S. of the town, is near Miller’s Green. The cost of preparing the ground and erecting a wooden house for the convenience of players, was about £200. It is now one of the best grounds in the county. The Cricket Club was established in 1849, and has now nearly 100 members.

The Savings’ Bank, in St. John street, is a handsome stone structure, erected in 1842, at a cost of £1200, paid out of the surplus fund. The bank was opened 17 March, 1818, and has been established 38 years, and in November, 1855, the number of depositors were 1507, besides 8 Charitable and 31 Friendly Societies, having deposits amounting to £59,730 17s. 2½d. The bank is open on Tuesday, from 11 to 1 o’clock. Mr. Samuel Frost, actuary.

The Gas Works were erected in 1838, at Warmbrook, by a proprietary of shareholders, who circulate this luminous vapour at 8s. 6d. per 1000 cubic feet; Edward Robinson, manager.

The Inland Revenue Office is at the Red Lion, Market place; Mr. Richard Holmes, Supervisor; also the Ecclesiastical Court, for the conveyance of property, at the same house; Mr. John Marshall, bailiff.

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The Copyhold and Freehold Courts, for the inspection of nuisances is held at the Moot Hall, under Peter Arkwright, Esq.; Mr. John Marshall, bailiff.

The New Small Debts Act, or County Court,—This important act, which superseded the Court of Requests, came into operation on the 15th March, 1847.

Wirksworth County County Court is held at the Moot Hall, Beeley Croft, monthly, and the district comprises the following places:—Alderwasley, Alderwasley Forge, Alton, Aldwark, Ashleyhay, Bonsall, Bradbourne, Brassington, Carsington, Callow, Cromford, Darley, Dethick, Elton, Hackney, Hognaston, Holloway, Hopton, Ironbrook Grange, Idle, Idridgehay, Ireton Wood, Kirk Ireton, Lea, Matlock, Matlock Bank, Middleton-­by-Wirksworth, Northwood, Snitterton, Sidnope, Stancliff, Tansley, Toadhole, Wensley, Winster, Wirksworth. Judge, Joseph Thomas Cantrell, Esq. Registrar, Philip Hub­bersty, Esq.; Office St. John’s street. High Bailiff, Williiam Marsh.

The Moot Hall, in Beeley croft, erected in 1814, is a neat stone building, ornamented with the Miners’ arms in front, and contains an ancient miners’ dish made of brass, given by Henry VIII, A.D., 1513. It contains a little more than 14 pints Winchester dry mea­sure, and has the following inscription upon it “This dish was made the iiij day of Octobr, the iiij yere of the reigne of Kyng Henry the viij., before George Erle of Shrowes­bury, Steward of the Kyng most Honourable household; and allso Steward of all the honour of Tutbery, by the assent and consent as wele of all the Mynours as of all the Brenners within and adioynyng the Lordshyp of Wyrkysworth Percell of the said honour. This Dishe to remain in the Moote Hall at Wyrkysworth, hanging by a Cheyne so as the Mchanntes or Mynours may have resorte to the same att all tymes to make the trw Mesure at the same.” The original Moot Hall, built in 1773, by the direction of Thomas Lord Hyde, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, stood in the Market place. Peter Arkwright, Esq., is lessee, under the crown, for the soke and wapentake of Wirksworth. James C. Newbold, Esq., of Matlock Bath, is the acting steward of the barmote court, under the lessee, and Mr. John Alsop, of Wensley, the head barmaster. A Barmote court and court leet is held here on Lady-day and Michaelmas.day; presided over by the steward, by whom all mineral disputes within the Wapentake are tried, The township of Wirksworth contains two manors besides that of the rectory. The chief paramount manor belonged, in the year 835, to the abbey of Repton, and at Domesday survey it belonged to the crown. King John, in the fifth year of his reign, granted it to Wi