Updated 17 May 2014 |
WIRKSWORTH Parish Records 1600-1900 |
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The manor of ALDERWASLEY was granted, together with Ashley Hay, and part of Crich-Chase, to Anthony LOWE, Esq, by Henry the Eighth. Francis HURT, Esq, the present possessor, has a pleasant mansion-house here. The village is a chapelry to Wirksworth, and contains about sixty houses.
(from Lewis, 1848, Vol 1, p.30)
ALDERWASLEY. A chapelry, in the parish of Wirksworth, union of Belper,
hundred of Appletree, southern division of the county of Derby, 2 1/4 miles
east-by-south from Wirksworth; containing 398 inhabitants [in 1848].
The manor anciently belonged to the FERRERS family, and was afterwards
annexed to the Earldom and Duchy of Lancaster. The LE FOUNE or FAWNE family
held lands here in the reign of Henry III, and their heiress intermarried
with the LOWES, who obtained a grant of the manor from Henry VIII.
The HURT family afterwards became possessed of the manor, through an
heiress of the LOWES. The township comprises 3,054 acres, of which 32 are
common or waste. There are iron-works and furnaces for smelting lead-ore
in the neighbourhood. The chapel belongs to F. HURT, Esq, who appoints
the chaplain.
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(from Glover, vol 2, 1833, pp.3-9)
ALDERWASLEY. 2 miles east of Wirksworth, 3 miles south of Cromford,
6 miles north of Belper, and 14 miles north of Derby. It is a scattered
village, township and chapelry, in the parish of Wirksworth, deanery of
Ashbourn and hundred of Appletree, containing 80 houses, and 454 inhabitants
[c.1830]. 62 families are employed in agriculture, 17 in trade, and one
independent. There is an iron forge, conducted by Messrs MOLD & Co., and
a corn mill. There are 3,024 acres of gritstone land in this township, of
various qualities, 700 acres of which is wood land. The average rental is
17 shillings per acre, and the estimated annual value of the buildings and
land amount to 2,775 pounds and 11 shillings. There are 5 freeholders who
own about 237 acres, the remainder is the property of Francis HURT, esq.
The tithes belong to the Dean of Lincoln, who has leased them to
G.H. Errington, esq, the latter gentleman re-lets them to Mr HURT.
The average poor rates and other parochial expenses for the last 9 years
are 239 pounds 19 shillings and 10 pence. Mr HURT holds a court annually.
The steward of the court is Charles CLARKE, esq, of Derby. A decree in
chancery was obtained, 19 Elizabeth [1577], by William BLACKWALL, of
Steeple, county of Derby, gent, John STORER, and Richard WINGFIELD, of
Alderwasley, copyholders of the manor, for themselves and others, against
Edward LOWE, esq. In consequence of which decree, the lords of this manor
are not entitled to heriots [money paid to the lord by a tenant on the death
of his father, for admittance to the estate], nor more than one year's
approved rent on admittance of a customary tenant by descent or purchase.
There are two Sunday schools; one is supported by Mrs HURT, the other by
Miss WATKINSON, of the Forge. The Wesleyan Methodists have a chapel here.
Alderwasley and Ashleyhay form a joint constabulary. From Alport hill
and Alport stone, near the village of Spout, it is said the Wrekin, in
Shropshire, may be seen on a clear day.
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The HALL is a handsome and substantial built stone mansion, situate on
rising ground on the west bank of the river Derwent, surrounded by hanging
woods that crown the neighbouring hills. A deer park and rich lawn,
adorned with venerable oaks, spread before the mansion and affords many
beautiful landscapes. The gardens are well stored with excellent vineries,
pineries, &c. The timber on this estate is considered equal to any in the
kingdom; and trees of great magnitude have been felled. For many years
past Mr HURT has regularly cut down timber producing upwards of 2,000 pounds
per annum.
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The CHAPEL is situate near the hall, and was built in the reign of
Henry VIII [1509-47], by the contribution of Thomas LOWE, esq, and other
principal inhabitants. It is not subject to ecclesiastical jurisdiction,
and has no parochial duties performed in it, nor any endowment. The
minister is paid an optional salary by Mr HURT, who has the appointment.
The Rev Emanuel HALTON is the present incumbent. Over the door of the
chapel, in a recess, is the following shield of arms in alabaster
[expressed in the French/English mix of heraldic language]: Quarterly,
1 and 4, for LOWE: gule, a wolf passant, argent. 2 for FAWNE: argent,
a bugle, sable, between 3 crescents of the last, charged with a besant.
CREST: a wolf's head, erased [cut off at the neck].
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At the VISITATION ordered by the Herald's Office, in the reign of
Elizabeth, AD 1569, and taken by the commissioners, FLOWER and GLOVER, we
find that the Pedigree of the HURT family, then of Ashbourn, viz four
generations, was entered by Thomas HURT, gent, of that place. This family
then appear to have ranked among the chief gentry of Derbyshire, and have
ever since continued to do so. The elder branch was long seated at
Ashbourn. It terminated about the close of the 17th century by the marriage
of the heiress with a BYROM. The younger branches have greatly increased
their wealth and alliances by marriage in families of rank and opulence.
The present Francis HURT, esq, of Alderwasley, and his ancestors during
several generations, for about 180 years, have been resident on that manor.
This gentleman was high-sheriff in 1814, and several of his predecessors
have enjoyed that honourable office. Francis HURT, esq, is a Justice of
the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant of the County.
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[Glover has included a three page quotation from "BLORE's sheet of
Alderwasley, 1797", giving a detailed genealogical descent of the manor
through generations of the families of LOWE, LE FOWNE (or FAWNE) and HURT.
There are also two drop-line pedigrees]:
1. Blore's Pedigree of FOWNE or FAWNE, a fairly brief 9 generations.
2. Glover's own "Pedigree of HURT of Ashbourn, Alderwasley, Wirksworth,
&c", which is a more substantial pedigree, covering about 17 generations.]
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(from Woolley's Derbyshire, c.1715, DRS, 1981, No.99, p.135)
ALDERWASLEE lies about the north-east corner of this hundred [Appletree],
on the banks of Derwent in a rough, hilly country much like the Peake,
a mile above Belper and about six from Derby. It consists of a village
and in many scattering houses about Belper Ward in Duffield Forest. It is
in the parish of Wirksworth. It was part of the FERRER's estate so
25 Edward I [1297] came into the Duchy of Lancaster. I find one John
de ARRAS Sheriff in the time of Edward I for five years. Anno 31 Henry VIII
[1539/40], Ralph SACHEVERELL had lands here which he left to his son Henry,
held under LOW, in which family of the LOWES it continued long but John LOW
died lately without issue male and his daughter and heiress married Charles
HURT, whose son Charles HURT esq now enjoys it and has a good old seat here
with a small park. There are two or three younger branches of this family
of LOWS left at Hazlewood and Derby. They give distinct arms from the Derby
family (viz) Gules, a wolf passant, Argent. The HURT's arms are: a Fesse
between three cinquefoils, Or, a hart proper, horned Or, wounded with an
arrow in flaunch, Or.
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Confusingly,
there are two Biggins in Derbyshire:
|
(from Lewis, 1848, Vol 1, p.238)
A township, in the parish of Wirksworth, hundred of Appletree,
southern division of the county of Derby, 5 1/2 miles east-by-north from
Ashbourn; containing 149 inhabitants [in 1848]. Here was formerly a
church or chapel, not even the site of which is now known. The township
was once considered to be in the parish of Kniveton, but it has been deemed
for nearly four centuries part of Wirksworth.
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(from Glover, vol 2, 1833, p.108)
BIGGIN. A small rural village and township in the parish of Wirksworth,
and hundred of Appletree. It forms a joint constabulary with Hulland,
Hulland Ward, Hulland Ward intakes, and Ideridgehay. In 1831 this village
contained 30 houses, 31 families, and 162 inhabitants, who were chiefly
employed in agriculture. The township consists of 586 acres of land, on a
clay substratum; viz 176 acres arable, 4 1/2 acres of wood, 188 acres of
meadow and 217 1/2 acres of pasture, divided between 5 resident and 11
non-resident freeholders, 7 resident and 15 non-resident copyholders. The
land is watered by Sherburne brook and a strong spring, the water of which
is similar to that of Kedleston well. The tithes are taken by composition,
at an annual fixed rate. The average rental is about 23 shillings per acre.
The estimated annual value of all the land and buildings is 724 pounds and
7 shillings. The average of 7 years of parochial expenses is 136 pounds
8 shillings and 10 pence per annum. It is parcel of the manor and fee of
Duffield, where courts leet are held by the lord of the manor, Sir Richard
Paul JODRELL, baronet.
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There was anciently a chapel at Biggin, or as it was called New Biggin,
which was esteemed to be in the parish of Kniveton, as appears by an old
grant of a chantry in this chapel, to Sir Robert de ESSEBOURN. It has
for four centuries been deemed part of the parish of Wirksworth.
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Note: there is also Biggin in Tibshelf parish, and Biggin in
Hartington parish.
(Taken from 'The Derbyshire Village Book' published by the Derbyshire Federation of Women's Institutes & Countryside Books, 1991. ISBN 1 85306 133 6)
The following refers to the Biggin at SK 155-594: |
Lying mid-way between Ashbourne and Buxton, just off the A515, Biggin was first mentioned in 1223. Then called Newbiggin, it consisted of a grange with several small farms, owned by Garendon Abbey and farmed by monks of the Cistercian order. It flourished for a number of years, but all that is left of that time is a small part of the original buildings at Biggin Grange.
The church, dedicated to St Thomas, was consecrated in 1848 and built of limestone acquired from a nearby field on The Liffs road. On the Sunday nearest to the l2th September the annual Wakes was kept, with special church services, and on the Monday, led by a band and carrying a banner, the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds would parade the village, ending at the Waterloo inn for the traditional roast beef and plum pudding. The school would close at mid-day, but `Wakes' are no more in Biggin. Another custom lost is the locking-out of the teachers. On Shrove Tuesday, the older boys would arrive at school early and tie the doors. When the teachers arrived, the children would chant: `Pancake Day is a jolly day, If you don't give us a holiday, We'll all run away'. The teachers would then pretend to be angry, but when the doors were opened, prayers said and register taken, the school would close for the day.
The Newhaven House Hotel was the last public house in England to have a perpetual licence. King George IV was so impressed by the warmth and hospitality of the then landlord, when he stayed there on his journey north, that he granted the licence, which applied until a few years ago when it closed for repair.
The Newhaven Fair was held on the 20th October and was not only a pleasure and market fair but also a hiring-fair. If you wished to employ or be employed, you would attend and strike a bargain for a year's work. In 1900, as an eleven year old, one villager's father was taken as a farm servant for 25 shillings per year, with one half-day off each month.
Visitors to Biggin, many of whom are walkers from the nearby Tissington Trail, often call at `Pollies Cafe & General Store', owned and run by Mrs Webster (Pollie), now in her eighties, who is a native of Biggin. The little shop is a far cry from a city supermarket, but here you will find large jars of her homemade jams and pickles, free range eggs, fresh grown vegetables, complete with soil from her garden, alongside cakes and canned foods. If you are hungry, she will make you a mixed grill or a plate of fresh sandwiches and a lovely pot of tea, all while chatting to you about a wide range of subjects. Maybe she will tell you of the day when Biggin had a smithy, a wheelwrights and a bone-mill, or how the steep hill on the Grange Lane came to be called `Dampy's Pinch'. If you are interested in ghost stories, she will tell you of the Victorian gentleman who walks down Main Street, in the moonlight, only to vanish into thin air near Biggin Hall gates.
HULLAND WARD INTAKES, township and small village, in the Appletree
Hundred, 6 1/2 miles east by south from Ashbourn, contains 436 acres
of land, 9 houses, and 57 inhabitants - of whom 27 were males, and 37
females. Rateable value, 698 pounds. Thomas GROVES, Esq, is the
owner, except of 40 acres which belong to Lord SCARSDALE, and 16 acres
which belong to an ancient chapel, in which divine service is
performed every fortnight by the Rev Alfred CURZON. It was erected,
and endowed with the land, by Francis BROWN; he died in 1731, having
directed that this chapel should be annexed to Mugginton for ever,
after the death of his widow, his daughter, and her husband, Edward
ALLEN. It is a small substantial building, with a few benches, and
will hold about 30 people.
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From: A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, 7th
Edition, Vol 2, 1848, p.579
HULLAND-WARD, a township, in the parish of Ashbourn, Union of Belper,
Hundred of Appletree, southern Division of the county of Derby, 5
miles east by north from Ashbourn; containing 355 inhabitants. It
comprises 1,405 acres, and is intersected by the road between Ashbourn
and Belper. The township formerly included an extensive, open, and
partly extra-parochial, district, which, at the Enclosure, was
allotted to eight parishes.
HULLAND-WARD-INTAKES, a township, in the parish of Ashbourn, Hundred of Appletree, southern Division of the county of Derby, 6 1/2 miles east by south from Ashbourn; containing 57 inhabitants. It comprises 436 acres; a portion belongs to Lord SCARSDALE, and 16 acres to an ancient chapel in which divine service is performed every fortnight. This chapel was built, and endowed with land, by Francis BROWN, who died in 1731, directing that it should be annexed to Mugginton for ever, after the death of his widow and certain other elatives : it is a small substantial building.
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From: History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Derby, by
Francis White, 1857, p.398 (Ashbourn Parish)
HULLAND WARD, township and district of scattered houses, in the
Appletree Hundred, 5 miles east from Ashbourn, contains 1,400 acres of
land, and in 1851, had 84 houses, and 369 inhabitants, of whom 202
were males, and 167 females. This formerly comprised an extensive
open, and partly extra-parochial district, which, at the Enclosure,
was allotted to eight parishes. The principal owners are Lord
SCARSDALE, and the Rev Charles EVANS.
HULLAND WARD INTAKES, a township and small village, in the Appletree Hundred, 6 1/2 miles east by south from Ashbourn, contains 454 acres 1 rood and 39 perches of land, of which John GROVES, Esq, owns 396 acres; Lord SCARSDALE 40 acres; and 18 acres belongs to an ancient chapel situated on land occupied by Mr George JEPSON, in Ravensdale Park. The chapel was built and the land left for the endowment of it, by Francis BROWN, on condition that Divine service should be held there once a month. The occupier of the land has the power to appoint the Minister. It is a small building capable of seating about 30 persons. The population in 1851, was 8 houses, and 44 inhabitants, of whom 23 were males, and 21 females; rateable value, 700 pounds. Directory: John Charles NORTON, Esq, Smith Hall; and George JEPSON, farmer.
(Taken from 'The Derbyshire Village Book' published by the Derbyshire
Federation of Women's Institutes & Countryside Books, 1991. ISBN 1 85306 133
6)
HULLAND WARD
`Dog Lanes' - now there's an odd name! For its origins we must go back nine
centuries or so when a vast tract of land, including that on which Hulland
Ward now stands, was the Royal Duffield Forest or Frith. Here in 1372 came
John of Gaunt to hunt as did also Kings Edward I and III and King Henry IV.
And in Dog Lanes the hunting dogs of the forest were kept. Even today older
folk remember Hulland Ward as Wardgate possibly Woodgate - one of the gates
into the forest.
The old packhorse road between Manchester and London ran along the ridge here and this was the route used by Bonnie Prince Charlie on his way to Derby in 1745.
But Hulland, or Hoillant as it was called in the Domesday Book, really began on low lying land south of the ridge road where, in 1485, a chantry chapel was founded by John Bradbourne and his wife Anne. The moated mound where their manor house stood can still be seen in the meadows close to the two remaining medieval fish ponds. It is said the house was destroyed in the Civil War, and much of the stone used to build the `Old Hall' on higher ground just south of the ridge road at what is now Hulland. Here also are to be found the Primitive Methodist chapel and the newer Hulland Hall. Christ church, in the Diocese of Derby, was built in 1837/8 and stands on the highest point of the area. Until 1853 Hulland formed an outlying chapelry of Ashbourne. In 1863 a school was built next to the church. Meanwhile Hulland Ward had become the main village. It had grown up along the ridge road about five miles east of Ashbourne and just north of Hulland.
The main occupation in the area has been mixed farming and in years gone by several small businesses flourished. Among them were a milliner's and draper's, a saddler, two butchers, a joiner and wheelwright, shoe repairer, threshing machine proprietor and two blacksmiths (the last of which closed less than 20 years ago) and, in the 1930s, Hulland Gravel Works opened. Today there is a general store, garden shop, saddlery and post office. There are two garages, a cabinet maker, a doctors' surgery and two public houses. Hulland Gravel has become English China Clay and, covering a huge area, is one of the biggest concrete works in the country. Twenty eight council houses were built at Hulland Ward in 1950, and 15 years later a large housing estate and modern primary school on the north side of the main road, thus increasing the population to around 1,000.
The whole area is criss-crossed by numerous footpaths which, in the past, were in constant use by all. Upper and Nether Biggin, Biggin Mill and Millington Green lie to the north of Hulland Ward and are included in the district. Here also is a network of footpaths. In the 1940s an old lady of 90 said these paths were very necessary in her childhood, when the narrow winding lanes were dangerous for walking due to the heavy- laden packhorses going to and from the water mill. This is now a private house, the weir gone and the mill pond silted up. Biggin House at Nether Biggin was built in the reign of Queen Anne. Opposite stood a medieval chapel attached to St Oswald's church, Ashbourne. Many wells were in use in this area until 1953 when piped water was brought. Two wells on higher ground gave water containing iron. Two lower down, both in woodland, gave sulphur water. One of these was buried in a landslide following tree felling in the Second World War. The other, still used, has never been known to run dry or freeze. It steams in frosty weather. Tea made from it is strong and of very good flavour so the wartime ration went a long way.
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From: A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, 7th
Edition, Vol 4, 1848, p.91
SHOTTLE , with POSTERN, a township, in the parish of Duffield, Union
of Belper, Hundred of Appletree, Southern Division of the County of
Derby, 2 1/4 miles west by south from Belper; containing 503
inhabitants. These places form an extensive township, in some parts
four miles across, and comprising 3,712 acres and 39 perches, whereof
1,230 acres are arable, 2,322 pasture, 105 wood, and 55 in roads; the
soil is various. SHOTTLE is a district of scattered houses, forming
the south side of the township; SHOTTLE-GATE is a village on the
Ashbourn road, and POSTERN a small village on the road between Derby
and Wirksworth.
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From: History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Derby, by
Francis White, 1857, p.205 (Duffield Parish)
SHOTTLE AND POSTERN, a joint township and extensive agricultural
district, being in some parts four miles across, contains 3,713 acres
and 33 perches of land, of which 120 acres 2 roods and 9 perches are
in woods and plantations, rateable value 3,921 pounds 6 shillings.
The Duke of DEVONSHIRE is lord of the manor and owner of 3,668 acres 3
roods and 31 perches; John STRUTT, Esq, owns 41 acres 3 roods and 35
perches; and Mr George FROST 2 acres 1 rood and 7 perches. In 1851
it had 90 houses and 467 inhabitants, of whom 245 were males, and 222
females. SHOTTLE forms the south side of the township and a scattered
district of houses. Here is a school to which there is a small
endowment attached, and for which the Master teaches 12 poor children.
In 1824, the old school-room was converted into a dwelling for the
Master, and a new school consisting of two rooms, was erected at the
expense of the inhabitants; in which Divine service is performed
every Sunday, by the Rev James P. DEACON, incumbent of Turnditch. The
Wesleyans have a chapel on the south side of the township, erected in
1816. The General Baptists hold religious services in a room
belonging to Mr Joseph MALIN. SHOTTLE GATE, a small village on the
Ashbourn road, 3 miles west from Belper, and Shottle Gate House, a
large handsome residence, with extensive and superior outbuildings
combining all the most recent improvements in the arrangement of a
farmstead, is the property of John STRUTT, Esq, of Belper, and in the
occupation of Mr William WINSON.
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POSTERN is a small district of scattered houses, three miles
north-west from Belper.
CHARITIES:-
- Ralph DOWLEY, in 1733 gave 40 pounds in trust, for the instruction
of poor children until the sum should be wholly expended. On the
Death of Ralph DOWLEY, his widow, Rebecca DOWLEY, paid the said
legacy; and to augment the charity, she also gave 35 pounds, in order
to have the whole laid out in land and the charity made perpetual.
And for that purpose Adam SIMPSON, in 1749, conveyed to the Trustees 7
roods of land and two beast gates upon Bonsall Leys, and the Green.
This property consists of about 5 3/4 acres, now let for 7 pounds 10
shillings per annum. Of this sum two-thirds is paid to the
Schoolmaster, and one-third by Mrs DOWLEY'S grant, is paid to a
dissenting chapel at Wirksworth. Twelve children are taught free.
- Countess of and William Earl of DEVONSHIRE'S Charities, extend to
various places, and the anual sum of 4 pounds is received by the
Overseers of this township, to be applied in apprenticing poor
children.
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- POTTERELL'S ALMSHOUSES - See Duffield - This chapelry is
entitled to partake of the benefit of these almshouses. [Note:
reference to this Charity was not found under Duffield]
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The Manor of Tansley, which belonged to the Knights Templars, and
afterwards to the Hospitallers, is supposed to have been granted to
George or Francis, Earl of SHREWSBURY. William Earl of PEMBROKE, who
married one of the co-heiresses of Gilbert Earl of SHREWSBURY, sold it
to William Earl of NEWCASTLE, from whom it passed, with Bolsover and
other estates, to His Grace the Duke of PORTLAND.
From: A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, 7th
Edition, Vol 4, 1848, p.299
TANSLEY, a hamlet, in the parish of Crich, Union of Bakewell, Hundred
of Wirksworth, Southern Division of the County of Derby, 1 1/2 miles
east from Matlock; containing 549 inhabitants. A district church has
been erected, the living of which is a perpetual curacy in the gift of
the Vicar [of Duffield], with a net income of 100 pounds. There is a
place of worship for Wesleyans.
From: History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Derby, by
Francis White, 1857, p.256-7 (Crich Parish)
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TANSLEY, a township, chapelry, and scattered village in the parish of
Crich and in the Wirksworth Hundred, 1 1/2 miles east from Matlock, 5
miles north-north-east from Crich, in the Bakewell Union, contains
1,155 acres of land, 126 houses, and 593 inhabitants, of whom 306 were
males, and 287 females; rateable value 1,500 pounds. A cotton mill
was erected here at an early period, and here is now an extensive
smallware manufactory, and one for candlewicks. This place is noted
for the extensive and thriving nursery of Mr Joseph SMITH, and for a
superior grit stone for building purposes. The Duke of PORTLAND is
lord of the manor. Heathcote UNWIN, Esq, Edward RADFORD, Esq, and the
Rev John WOOLLEY, are owners; a district church was erected here in
1839, and opened for divine worship in 1840. It is a neat stone
structure with a tower and pinnacles, contains 300 sittings, of which
120 are free. The living, a perpetual curacy, of the value of 100
pounds, having been endowed, and received a parliamentary grant. The
vicar of Crich is the patron; and the Rev Melville HOMES is the
incumbent. A handsome parsonage was erected in 1847 near the church,
at a cost of 1,000 pounds, of which sum 500 pounds was furnished for
the commissioners for building parsonage houses, and 200 pounds by the
society for the same purpose, the remainder was raised by
subscription. A handsome Gothic National school, with a house for the
master, was erected (through the exertions of E. RADFORD, Esq) by the
incorporated society for establishing schools, and opened in 1843;
since which an Infant school has been added. The money for their
erection was raised by subscription, aided by grants from government
of 121 pounds. It is principally supported by the children, who pay
from 2d to 8d per week, of whom about 85 attend, with occasionally
small grants from the society. The Wesleyan Methodists have a neat
chapel here. The manor of Tansley, which belonged to the Knights
Templar, and afterwards to the Hospitallers, is supposed to have been
granted to George or Francis Earl of SHREWSBURY. William Earl of
PEMBROKE, who married one of the co-heiresses of Gilbert, Earl of
SHREWSBURY, sold to William Earl of NEWCASTLE, from whom it passed,
with Bolsover and other estates, to His grace the Duke of PORTLAND.
Taken from 'The Derbyshire Village Book' published by the Derbyshire
Federation of Women's Institutes & Countryside Books, 1991. ISBN 1 85306 133
6
TANSLEY
The village is situated on the edge of Tansley Moor, about one and a half
miles east of Matlock. In a hollow surrounded mainly by gritstone hills, its
westerly aspect is an open valley to Matlock.
The population today is about 1,300. Tansley has two churches, Methodist and Anglican, three public houses, a primary school with about 100 pupils, the village hall, situated alongside the village green, the youth club building, and the last remaining village shop, the post office general store. There are approximately 350 houses. There is a variety of industrial development, mainly on the periphery of the village.
Industry came to Tansley in the latter part of the l8th century in the form of a variety of mills and associated works, making use of the copious supply of water, flowing down small valleys from the gritstone moors. The streams were dammed to provide water storage and power for the mills. A map of the `Township of Tansley' in 1840 shows ten dams. Several of them remain today and provide the ideal habitat for water birds and a sporting ground for anglers.
Two of Tansley's largest mills, down the old Coach Road, were built in 1783 for the manufacture of cotton tapes and shawls. Both buildings still stand, one being used for storage and the other has recently been divided into several factory units. Older residents of the village recall working in Mr Scholes' tape mills, and of making khaki tape for `the soldiers' puttees' in the First World War.
Perhaps the largest mill complex was that built in 1799, by Edward Radford for bleaching, dyeing and mercerising, in the lower reaches of Lumsdale. This is the only one of the textile mills which is still worked today. Edward Radford was, in 1840, one of Tansley's chief landowners. Nineteenth century Tansley was a self-sufficient village. Several grocers, butchers, greengrocer, market gardener, blacksmiths, boot and shoemakers, a tallow chandler, builder, joiner, plumber, cab proprietor, a yeast dealer and several farmers, must have catered for most people's needs. The parish church was built in 1839/40 on a site which commands such an extensive view that one could imagine that it had been purposely left for just such an important building. Prior to 1840, Tansley people walked the five miles to Crich to attend church. It is interesting to note that the church was extended only 30 years after completion, to accommodate visitors staying at the hydropathy establishments on Matlock Bank. There were 300 seats, when the village population was little over 500!
The first place of worship for the Methodists in Tansley was the octagonal building, now a house, next to the post office. It was reputedly the village cockpit, before being converted to a chapel in 1811.
Tansley House was owned and managed by William Mycock, who had learned the system of hydropathic treatment during his eleven years working at Smedley's famous hydro in Matlock. On coming to Tansley he ran The Grove as Tansley's first hydro, but by 1893 Tansley House was established and being advertised in the most glowing terms. After the `hydros' faded from popularity, Tansley House was a private residence for many years, but it has recently opened as a residential home for the elderly.
Tansley is perhaps best known, to people outside the village, for its garden centres and nurseries. James Smith & Son (Scotland) Nurseries at their hill-top location off the A615, are the oldest established and proudly hold the Royal Warrant. Down the hill towards the village, Matlock Garden and Waterlife Centre is reached. Increased indoor shopping and restaurant facilities have promoted an all-weather interest in both centres. Several other smaller outlets, Lorna Cross Landscapes, Whitelea Nursery and Stan Smith's, all add to the provision for any gardening enthusiast to enjoy `a day out in Tansley'.