BAGSHAW'S DIRECTORY (1846)
What it says about Crich Parish
CRICH, an extensive parish partly in the Morleston and Litchurch, partly
in the Scarsdale and partly in the Wirksworth hundreds. It contains the township of Crich
in Morleston and Litchurch, the township of Wessington in Scarsdale, and the hamlet of
Tansley in the Wirksworth hundred. The entire parish contains 6,180 acres of land, rich in
minerals, and of every variety of soil. Rateable value, �4,381. Population in 1801,
1,413; in 1831, 2,215; in 1841, 3,698. A picturesque district of lofty hills and deep
vallies. At the Norman survey the manor belonged to Ralph FitzHubert, from whom it passed
to the Frecheville's. Sir Roger Belers, who died seized of a fit in 1380, left 2
daughters, who possessed it in moieties; but the whole ultimately devolved to the
decendants of Sir Robert de Swillington, who married the elder ; it afterwards passed to
Ralph Lord Cromwell, who in the reign of Henry VI. sold the reversion to John Talbot
second Earl of Shrewsbury. On the death of Gilbert Earl of Shrewsbury in 1616, it was
divided between his daughters and coheiresses, the Countesses of Kent, Pembroke, and
Arundel; since which time it has been sold to various persons.
CRICH, a township and considerable village pleasantly situated at the cross of roads from
Alfreton to Cromford and Wirksworth, 5 miles W. b. S, from Alfreton, 4 miles S. E. from
Cromford, and 5 miles N. from Belper. It contains 3,770 acres of land, 577 houses, and
2,619 inhabitants, of whom 1,346 were males and 1,273 females. The land is freehold, and
owned by many individuals, Earl of Thanet, F. Hurt, Esq., S. Travis, Esq., and many others
are lords of the manor of the liberty of Crich, for which John Charge, Esq. is the Steward
of the court leet and court baron within the manor and liberty of Crich, and holds a court
at Crich for the hearing of complaints, and settling disputes relating to the mines,
according to the custom of the liberty; Mr. Joseph Mather is bar master. The Church, St.
Michael's, was appropriated to Derley abbey, by Robert de Ferrers, Earl of Derby. It is a
vicarage, valued in the King's books �6 10s, 10d., now �98, has been augmented with
�200 benefactions, �200 Queen Anne's bounty, and �600 parliamentary grant. Sir Wolstan
Willoughby Dixie, Bart., is the patron, Sir R. Wilmot. the impropriator, and the Rev.
Thos. Carson, B.A., the incumbent. The church, a handsome structure, situated on a
commanding eminence, has a nave, chancel, and two side aisles, with a tower and 5 bells,
and formerly had 2 chantries in it. The Vicarage is a neat modern house a little west of
the church. The Methodists have a handsome chapel here, and one at Wheatcroft. The
Primitive Methodists occupy a room erected by the Independent Friendly Society in 1835,
and they have also a chapel at Fritchley. The Independents also have a handsome chapel at
Fritchley, erected in 1841, of which the Rev. Wm. Christie is the pastor. Crich school,
the property of Robert Lee, Esq., of Dimple house, was occupied by Mr. John Walker for
about 50 years, is now in the occupation of Mr. W. Walker, B.A.
This was formerly a market town, and still has 2 annual fairs, on Lady-day, and on Old
Michaelmas-day, when the feast is held. The inhabitants are principally employed in the
lead mines and lead works, in the limestone quarries and lime-burning, and partly in the
hosiery trade, here being about 90 frames. Crich Cliff mines, known by the names of Glory,
Pearson's venture, and Wakebridge, with several others in the neighbourhood, have been the
most productive of any in the county for the last 30 years, and one-ninth is given to the
lords of the manor. W. E. Nightingale, Esq., receives one-sixth of the ore raised at
Wakebridge mine as lessor, Messrs. Wass and Cox are lessees. Calamine is got at Bonsall
and in the neighbourhood, but spelter having superseded it, the mines are very little
worked. The Ridgway sough, from Crich cliff to the river Derwent, clears the Crich cliff
mines, and a steam engine of 50 horses' power pumps the water at the Wakebridge mine into
this sough. They also have an engine of 10 horses' power to draw and crush the ore.
Meerbrook sough, 1 mile N. from Whatstandwell bridge, runs in a westwardly direction
towards the rich mining field near the town of Wirksworth. It was commenced in 1772 by a
company of adventurers. It is now in the hands of 400 shareholders of �50 each, which are
now at a premium of �30 per share. When completed it will be about 2 miles in length, the
average height 6 ft. and 4 ft. wide. Its object is to drain the water front the lead
mines. It has already cost �70,000, and is estimated to cost �8,000 more. The
proprietors are incorporated under an act of parliament passed 31st June, 1841, which
enables them to raise tolls for the maintenance thereof, and by which they are enabled to
take any portion of the ore not exceeding one-sixth. The shaft is now, (1835), drawing up
the material from a depth of 211 yards, by a steam engine of 10 horses power. There are
smelting furnaces at Bonsall, Lea, and Meerbrook Lead works, with red lead manufactories,
and rolling mills at Lea leadworks and Bonsall. Crich Stand, half a mile N. from Crich. It
stands on very high ground, and from its top a prospect is obtained extending over several
counties, and it is said into Wales. It is the property of F. Hurt, Esq.
Crich Lime is noted for its superior quality. The Butterley Iron Company have extensive
quarries, and George Stephenson & Co., at the Cliff, have extensive works at Bull
Bridge, near the Ambergate railway station. The stone is brought from Crich Cliff on two
inclined planes worked by wire ropes, one of which is supposed to be the steepest in the
kingdom; it is 500 yards long, and rises about 1 in 10. Waggons are let down by a break
attached to a drum. The other, 600 yards long, rises1 in 36, worked by a wire rope round
an horizontal shield, about one mile of railroad, and another inclined plane longer than
either of the above 80 men arc employed, aided by a steam engine of 10 horse power. The
sale of lime and stone is 40,000 tons during the year, which is continually increasing.
Here are 20 kilns of between 30 and 40 feet in depth and 11 diameter, with cones 20 feet
high. G. Stevenson, Esq. the noted railway engineer, is the principal proprietor, and with
his accustomed boldness and energy, is about to increase his number by at least one half.
CHARITIES. - John Kirkland, in the year 1562, left 40s. per annum, payable out of a farm
called Wheat Croft, to the poor of this parish for ever. This farm is the property of Mr.
James Swettenham of Wood, and his tenant pays the rent charge. The amount is distributed
on St Thomas' day.
Rent Charge. - It is recorded on a tablet in the church, that some person unknown gave 5s.
a-year out of Sheldon Pingle, which sum is paid by the owner, Samuel Stocks, on the 21st
of December, one moiety thereof to the vicar and the other to the parish officers, who
distribute it on St Thomas' day. Two other rent charges are mentioned, but they have been
lost before the memory of any person now living.
Francis Gisborne charity, (see Bradley.) - The yearly sum of �5. 10s. is received by the
vicar in respect of this, and laid out in the purchase of flannel and cloth, and given to
the poor.
The principal villages and houses, with their distances and bearing, in Crich, are - Bull
Bridge, 1 3/4 miles S.E.; a village and bridge over the Cromford canal, the North Midland
railway passing close on the E. Here are the extensive lime works of George Stephenson and
Co., and Curtis and Harvey's gunpowder magazine. - Coddington, 3/4 miles W. - Crich Carr,
3/4 miles W. - Crich Chase, 2 miles S. - Fritchley, a small village 1 1/4 miles S. on a
branch of the Cromford canal. - Hat Factory, a small village 3/4 miles S. Here the
Butterley Iron Company have extensive limestone quarries. - Holloway, Nether and Upper, 2
miles N.W. from Crich, but principally in the liberty of Lea. - Park Head, 1 mile S.E.,
Plaistow Green, 1 mile N. from Crich. - Wakebridge Mines, 1 mile N.W. from Crich. -
Whatstandwell Bridge, 1 1/4 miles W. sometimes called Hotstandwell, a small village on the
Cromford road, situated in a delightful vale, with lofty eminences rising from the
Derwent, well clothed with trees, noted for the Bull's Head Hotel, 3 miles S.E. from
Matlock Bath, fitted up with every accommodation, and visitors to it are permitted to fish
in the Derwent. - Wheatcroft, a small pleasant village, 2 miles N. from Crich.
TANSLEY, a township, chapelry, and village in the parish of Crich and the Wirksworth
Hundred, 1 1/2 miles E. from Matlock, 5 miles N.N.E. from Crich, in the Bakewell Union,
contains 1,150 acres of land. of which 5000 are unenclosed, 111 houses, and 549
inhabitants, of whom 267 were males, and 282 females. A cotton mill was erected here at an
early period, and here is now an extensive smallware manufactory, and one for candlewick.
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. Rev. John Woolley, and Mr Thomas Shipley, are
owners. A district church was erected here in 1839, and opened for divine worship 1840. It
is a neat stone structure with a tower and pinnacles, contains 800 sittings, of which 120
are free. The living, a perpetual curacy of the value of �107, having been endowed, and
received a parliamentary grant. Rev. Henry Smith, incumbent. A handsome parsonage is to be
erected near the church, at a cost of �1,000, of which sum �500 is furnished by the
commissioners for building parsonage houses, and �200 by the society for the same
purpose, the remainder raised by subscription. A handsome Gothic school, with a house for
the master, has been erected (through the exertions of E. Radford, Esq.) by the
incorporated society for establishing schools, and opened in 1843. It is principally
supported by the children, who pay from 2d. to 8d. per week, of whom about 60 attend, with
occasionally small grants from the society. The Methodists have a neat chapel.
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.
WESSINGTON OR WASHINGTON, is a township and village in the parish of Crich, pleasantly
situated on an open green, and in the Scarsdale hundred, 3 miles N. from Crich, 3 1/2
miles N.W. by W. fmm Alfreton. It contains 1,250 acres of land, 112 houses, and 525
inhabitants - of whom 292 are males, and 233 females. Mr. George Wragg, of Road Nook hall,
which is situated in the liberty of Brackenfield, is the lord of the manor, freehold and
principal owner. Miss Hopkinson is also a considerable owner. The soil is clay. The
village contains about 90 stocking frames, and the Feast is the second Sunday in August. A
Sunday school was erected by subscription in 1841, which is now licensed as an Episcopal
place of worship, and the vicar of Crich officiates in it. At the Domesday survey, this
manor was held by Levine, under Ralph Fitz Hubert. It was given to the monks at Derley, by
Ralph Fitz Odo, and Geoffrey de Constantine. King Henry VIII, granted it in 1514 to Thos.
Babington, Esq. In 1611, Gilbert Earl of Shrewsbury was lord of the manor; in 1657 it was
sold by the Earl of Arundel, grandson of one of his co-heiresses, to Richard Taylor and
William Hill.
CHARITIES. - Hunter's charity, (see Horsley.) The yearly sum of �1 5s. is received by
this township, and distributed with 5s. from Rean's charity amongst 15 poor families of
the township.
Edward Rean, in 1786 gave to the poor of this township half a house and land vested in
Thomas Marsden, producing 5s. a year.
William Hill, in 1772, gave land producing 10s. per annum to widows not receiving parish
relief. It is paid by John Wood, in respect of some part of his lands in Wessington, and
the amount given according to the donors intention.
CRICH
POST OFFICE. - Mr. Joseph Witham, Postmaster.
Letters arrive at 9 o'clock morning, and are despatched at 30 minutes past 5 afternoon.
Those marked 1, reside at Bull Bridge; 2, Crich Carr; 3, Crich Chase: 4, Coddington; 5,
Culland; 6, Fritchley; 7, Hat Factory; 8, Holloway; 9, Lindway Lane; 10, Park Head; 11,
Plaistow green; 12, Thurlow Booth; 13, Wakebridge; 14, Whatstandwell Bridge; 15,
Wheatcroft.
Allsop Mrs Lydia, Cliffwood
Boden Wm. miner
Bowmer Joseph, stone leader
7 Butterley Co. lime-stone quar
2 Buxton Mr Henry
Carson Rev. Thos. B.A. vicar
Cartledge Mrs Elizabeth
6 Christie Rev. Wm. Indep. Minister
Cooper Mr John
Curzon George, miner
Dawes Thos. coal dealer
1 Else Wm. corn miller
Fletcher Mrs P.
13 Frost Wm. jun. whitesmith
3 Hay Robert, Canal wharf
Haynes Mrs Rachael
Hazlewood Mr Francis
1 Jowett Job, grit stone quarry owner
1 Mather Joph. barmaster for Crich, and lime and gunpowder agent
Mold John and Chas. iron and coal masters
2 Nightingale Maria
Pearson Peter, lime burner
1 Poyser Robert, maltster
Redfern Mrs. Mary, The Hall
Rutland Reuben, stone getter
Saxton John, Esq. Mansion hs
Smith Chas. gent, Grove house
1 Stephenson Geo. & Co. lime burners
Stocks George, hosier
Taylor Thos. saddler and harness maker
1 Topham Benjamin, cooper
Travis Thomas, Esq.
1 Webster James, canal agent
Wetton John, parish clerk
13 Wass & Cox mine lessees
Webster James, canal agent
Wheatcroft Saml. boatbuilder
Wheatcroft Thos. corn miller
6 Wightman Ann, bobbin mkr
Young Rd. plumber, glazier, and painter
Young Mr Samuel
INNS & TAVERNS.
Black Swan, James Smith
14 Bull's Head, Ann Burley
Bull's Head, Dvd. Towndrow
1 Canal Inn, Phoebe Poyser
Greyhound, Joseph Roe
Jovial Dutchman, Joseph Fritchley
King's Arms, Richd. Young
6 Red Lion, Wm. Sims
Rising Sun, Eliz. Bestwick
Wheat Sheaf, Charles Baker
4 Wheat Sheaf, Joseph Sims
BEERHOUSES.
6 Barrett William
8 Buxton Ann
2 Foster Joseph
1 Holmes William
Jackson Thomas
1 Masbey William
Rolley William
Severns John
2 Spencer Daniel
Towndrow Thonas
13 Walker Elizabeth
Walker John
8 Young Sarah
ACADEMIES.
6 Maykin Joseph
Walker W. B.A.
Wigley Sarah
Witham Joseph
AGENTS, &C.
Cooper Joseph, Forge
Frost Wm. mineral, Cliff h. Bridge hill
Jeffries James, lime works
Summersides Thos. lime, h. Amber grove
BLACKSMlTHS.
6 Beresford Francis
14 Bunting John
Poyser William
Smith James
6 Stubbing Thomas
BOOT & SHOE MAKERS.
Bollington William
Cartledge James
Holmes George
6 Poyser James
BUTCHERS.
6 Fritchley Joseph
Blunstone Francis
1 Henstock William
Hicton William
Smith R. W. and maltster
6 Taylor John
CORN MILLERS.
6 Bowmer Thomas
1 Else William
6 Harrison Mary
Wheatcroft Thomas
FARMERS.
Amnat Thomas, Leashaw
2 Annable Joseph
Bacon John
Baker Charles
Bestwick Henry, Thorpe hill
Bowmer John, Barn close
6 Bowmer Thomas
Bownes George
Bryan John, Bent's hill
* Burley Ann
Clay Francis, High moor
Collins, Samuel, Hagg
4 Cowlishaw George
8 Else John
11 Greatorex William
11 Hall Joseph
10 Hartshorn John
3 Hay Robert
15 Hill George
15 Hopkinson John
Hopkinson Wm. Moorwood
6 Leam Joseph
Lee Robert, Dimple House
11 Lovegrove William
5 Ludlow Samuel
Lynam George
9 Marsden William
Marshall Mary, Pot house
Marshall Wm. Edge moor
Nightingale John, Mt. pleasant
Porter William, Edge
12 Poyser Hannah
3 Poyser Israel
Severns John
Shipston William
11 Sims Joseph
5 Slack Charles
Smith R. W.
8 Smith William
13 Spendlove Gervase, The Hall
Spendlove Isaac, Hollins
Taylor Ann
15 Tomlinson Martha
Towndrow David
10 Wall Jacob
10 Wheatcroft George
Walker George
Walker James
8 Wheatcroft Mary
15 Yeomans Thomas
FRAMESMITHS.
Forman Thomas
Smith Fidler
FRAMEWORK KNITTERS.
Sellars Thomas
Walker Thomas
Wheatcroft David
Woolley Joseph
GROCERS.
Beardah Thos. and druggist
Burton Jeremiah
Burton John, and baker
Cockayne Samuel
Lee George, and seedsman
Lee John W.
Lee Thomas, and chandler
Nightingale John
JOINERS.
Britland Joseph
Grundy Anthony, Carr
Haynes John
Nightingale John
Wyvell Samuel
LINEN DRAPERS.
Beardall Thomas
Lee Thomas
MILLINERS & DRESS MAKERS.
Roe Mary
Taylor Ellen
MILLWRIGHTS.
6 Chell Benjamin
6 Chell John
SHOPKEEPERS.
Bramley Samuel
Flint Abraham
6 Leam Edward
2 Lee Joseph
1 Radford Samuel
Wheatcroft Thomas
STONE MERCHANTS.
Merchant William
14 Sims Samuel
STRICKLE MAKERS.
Britland Joseph
SURGEONS.
Hall T. W.
Mackarsie William J.
TAILORS.
Bunting Robert
Jenkinson William
Smith Francis
Wetton James
WHEELWRIGHTS, &C.
Leam Samuel
1 Poyser Israel
Smith John
CARRIERS
Belper, Chas. Jackson, Sat
Derby, Ralph Poyser, Friday
Wirksworth, Bainbridge and Topham, Tuesday
COACHES
From the Bull's Head Hotel.
Mail to Manchester, 10 A.M. and to Derby 5 P.M.
Champion, to Manchester, 30 min. past 10 A.M. and to Nottingham at 30 minutes past 4 P.M.
Peak Guide, to Amber Gate at 12 noon, and to Buxton at 30 min. past 4 P.M.
Omnibus to Amber Gate and Matlock, 4 times a-day
TANSLEY
Bobauks Jas. groc. & chandlr
Bown Anthony, blacksmith
Bown Bower, vict. Gate
Calow Francis, wood turner
Calow William, shoemaker
Cook John, shopkeeper
Crossly John & Edwin, wood turners
Crofts John, schoolmaster
Farnsworth John, bleacher, h. Matlock
Farnsworth Rd. book-keeper
Gregory Benjamin, shopkeeper
Hackett John & Son, smallware manufacturers
Hibbert George, book-keeper
Potter John, mason
Radford Edw. Esq. Wood
Radford John & Sons, candlewick manufrs. Tansley mills
Shipley Thomas, clerk
Slack William, beerhouse
Smith Rev. Henry, incumbent, Parsonage
Smith Joseph, nurseryman
Smith Samuel, dyer
Spencer William, shoemaker
Thatcher John, shopkeeper
Twigg Thomas, vict. George and Dragon
FARMERS.
Bown Bower
Eaton Ann
Fox James
Fox John
Hicklin William
Lomas John
Staley George
Spencer Job
Twigg Thomas
Twigg William
Watts Daniel
Wetton George
WESSINGTON
Askew John, stonemason
Frost John, corn miller, Bunting house
Haslem William, vict. Three Horse Shoes
Hodgson Jas. wheelwrt. Brooks
Knowles Mr Robert
Lane William, shoemaker
Lilley John, frmwk. knitter
Mountney Jas. shopkeeper
Noble Mark, framewrk. knitter
Rawson Thomas, shopkeeper
Taylor James, vict. & butcher, Horse & Jockey
Taylor Tim. boot & shoe maker
Wheatcroft Wm. shoemaker and beerhouse
FARMERS
Bansall Mathew
Bryan Matthew
Camm Mathew
Fox John
Goodwin William
Marriott Mary
Marshall Elizabeth
Rawson Elizabeth
Sims Charles
Wain James
Wetton William
White Joseph
Willott George
Wragg Edward