STAVELEY is a township and large village, pleasantly situated on an prominence over-looking the river Rother, 44 miles N. from Chesterfield, and 10 miles SE. from Sheffield. The Church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is an ancient structure, with a nave and chancel of considerable length and square embattled tower, with 8 Bells, situated on a bold prominence north of the village. A window in the chancel was ornamented with stained glass, in 1670, by Lord Frecheville. It contains many antique monuments, particularly a fine brass figure, in plate armour, over which is worn a surcoat emblazoned with heraldic bearings; the offensive arms are a sword and dagger, and the figure stands upon a greyhound. From the mutilated inscription which encircles the slab, it appears to he to the memory of Piers Frecheville, who died in the year 1400. Another monument is enriched with brass figures of Piers Frecheville and Maude Wortley his wife, who are kneeling on cushions, facing each other. The male figure is cased in plate armour, has long hair, and wears his spurs ; behind him are seven sons also kneeling. The lady is clothed in a long gown, confined at the waist by an embroidered sash; she wears the pointed head dress, and is provided with a lectern, upon which lies an open book. She is followed by seven daughters all kneeling. Also one to John Frechville, son of Piers, who died in l609.

The living is a rectory, valued in the King's book £12 7s. 6d., now £706. The Duke of Devonshire, patron. Rev. James D. McFarlane, MA., incumbent, and resides at the rectory, an old mansion, erected in 1726, near the church, and has 92A. 2R. 31P. of glebe land. The tithes have been commuted for £619 9s. 7d. A moiety of the church was given by Ascoit Musard to the Hospitallers. There was formerly a chantry chapel of St. John in this parish, founded by the Frecheville family for the use of the manor; the revenues in the reign of Edward VI. were estimated at £2 13s. 4d. per annum. The site is now occupied by the library of the Mechanic's Institution. The Rev. Francis Gisborne, whose name so often occurs in this work for his munificent charities, was years rector of Staveley.

The Methodists have a neat brick chapel, erected in 1826. In 1844, a school was established principally through the munificence of the lord of the manor. It is a handsome stone building situated near the church, and forms two sides of luare, with an octagonal residence for the master and mistress at the angle.

The Hall, an ancient mansion near the church, embosomed with lofty trees, after suffering many modifications and alterations under the hands of its proprietors, is now a genteel residence, unoccupied. It was formerly the seat of the Frechevilles, afterwards of Lord James Cavendish. It then became the residence of Mr. Foxlow, afterwards of Dr. Dixon, and lastly of the Rev. F. Foxlow. The Feast is the Sunday before Midsummer day.

The Manor of Staveley, at Doomsday survey, belonged to Ascoit Musard, ancestor of baronial family who gave name to Musarden in Gloucestershire. Two sisters of Baron Musard, brought their shares of Staveley to Cromwell and Frecheville, in the reign of Edward II. Cromwell's share paseed to the Clifford family, by whom it was forfeited to crown. King Edward IV. granted it to Sir John Pilkington, who died seized of it in 1749. Henry VIII, in 1544, granted it to Francis Leake. who the year following conveyed to to Sir Peter Frecheville, already possessed of two-thirds of it.

Staveley was for many generations the chief seat of the Frecheville family. Sir Peter Frecheville was knighted for his services at the battle of Musselborough. CoIonel Frecheville, a most active royalist, garrisoned his houise at Staveley in the civil wars, and distinguished himself various occasions. In a skirmish with Captain Revel's and two other troops, he drove them for shelter into Mr. Eyre's house at Hassop, where he took them all prisoners. In August, 1644, Staveley house was taken by Major-General Crawford and a party of the Earl of Manchester's army, by capitulation. It is said to have been strongly garrisoned; 12 pieces of ordnance, 230 muskets, and 150 pikes were taken in the house. After the Restoration, Colonel Frecheville was created a peer, in 1614, by the title of Lord Frechville of Staveley. In 1681 He sold the manor and estate of Staveley to the first Duke of Devonshire, from whom it has descended to its present noble possessor. There was formerly a park at Staveley. The barony was held by the service of finding two soldiers the King's army in Wales.

Staveley Works, 1 mile E. from Staveley, is an ancient iron smelting establishment; there are documents in existence proving it to have been a place of considerable importance centuries ago, but its early history will not bear any comparison with the vastness of operations in the present day. Here are the collieries and extensive ironworks of Richard Barrow, Esq., with blast furnaces, producing 200 tons of metal weekly. Castings and foundry work of all kinds are executed at this extensive establishment Neat residences for the clerks and overlookers have been built in the vicinity, besides a great number of cottages.

The Hollingwood, Springwell, and Victoria collieries produce superior coals, which are sent railway to all parts of England, besides supplying the iron works. The Chesterfield canal passes the furnaces, and the Midland railway passes on the east side of the works, where there is a station, with lines of rail running to the works.

The Hagg, a handsome Elizabethan stone mansion, I mile N.N.W. from Staveley, erected about 1630, for a Hunting seat, is the property of the Duke of Devonshire, and residence of Mrs. Elizabeth Crawhaw.

Inkersal, I mile S., Mastin Moor, l½ mile; and Norbriggs, a small well-built village 1 mile S.E of Staveley. Here is the spade and shovel manufactory of Messrs. Dudley & Son. Ringwood Hall, a beautiful modern mansion, situated on an eminence, with tasteful pleasure grounds, ornamented with shrubs and evergreens, is the seat and property of Richard Barrow, Esq.

The Three Handleys form the north west side of the parish, and contains the villages of Middle, Nether, and West Handley. Handley, (including perhaps what is now known as Middle Handley, and West HAndley,) for the most part belonged anciently to Beauchief Abbey, as such they were seized on by Henry VIII., and granted to Wm, West, Esq. In 1577 they were sold by Edmund West, Esq., to Francis Rodes, whose name is more familiar hearabouts, (for as a native of this parish,) as Judge Rodes. Nearly the whole of the sites of the Three Handleys is now the property of his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, and the manor which was formerly separate from, is now merged in that of Staveley.

New Schools were erected here in 1856, by Richard Barrow, Esq., at a cost of £3,000, It is a handsome stone building, in the Elizabethan style of architecture, situated on a good elevation, near the Works, and comprises a large lecture room 40 feet by 10 feet in length, and 45 feet high, a boys and a girls school room, each 56 feet by 20 feet 6 inches in length, and 25 feet high, with a porch attached to each 3 feet by 3 feet square. The Lecture room contains an excellent organ, and from the roof rises a square tower, containing a bell. The whole of the building is heated with hot water. No master has yet been appointed. A Library was established here in 1852, which now contains 1600 volumes of books; Mr. Wm. Hibbert, librarian.

Savings Bank was established in 1853, which is open every Monday afternoon, from 4 to 5 o'clock. The Rev. Blain Mandale, actuary.

Gas Works are in course of erection on the banks of the canal, a little SW. of the village, at a cost of £1800, by a company of £10 shareholders.

MIDDLE HANDLEY is a pleasant village on a bold elevation, 2½ miles NW. from Staveley. A Chapel of ease was erectcd here in 1838, principally by the Duke of Devonshire. It is a neat substantial edifice, in which Divine service is regularly performed by the rector or his curate. His Grace also erected, about the same time, a commodious School of stone, to which he allows £20 per annum towards the support of a master, for which 16 children are educated free.

Nether Handley is a very small hamlet, two miles NW, from Staveley.

West Handley is an agricultural village, three miles NW. from Staveley. The Wesleyan Methodists have a chapel here, erected of stone in I796. Netherthorpe, a hamlet and small village ½ mile E. from Staveley. A Grammar School was founded here in l537,-(see charity report). This school has fallen into disuse.

Woodthorpe is a considerable village, 1½ mile E.S.E. from Staveley. The Hall was the ancient seat of the Rodes family before they removed to Barlborough: they acquired it in marriage with the heiress of Cachehors, before the years 1290. It was purchased of Sir John Rodes, about the year 1599, by the Countess of Shrewsbury, and passed afterwards to the Earl of Newcastle, from whom it descended to the Duke of Portland. It appears formerly to have formed a manor or barony with Bolsover; but it is now the property of the Duke of Devonshire. The ancient seat of the Rodes family was in part pulled down, and most of the materials used for the building at Bolsover. Judge Rodes, who commenced Barlborough Hall, died at Woodthorpe; his son John removed to Barlborough. Sir Peter Frechville, in 1632, founded a chapel and hospital here. The chapel was pulled down in 1849, and a new Chapel of ease, erected on its site at a cost of £1700, by the Duke of Devonshire, in which Divine service is performed once every Sunday, by the Rev. Blain Mandale, curate of Staveley. It is a neat Gothic building, with nave, chancel, turret, and one bell, and has sittings for 260 hearers, all of which are free.

CHARITIES

Rev. Ralph Heaththcote gave £57 15s. 6d., Peter Brown £57 15s. dd., Francis Glossop £44, and John Smith £20, and old stock to the amount of £20 9s., making a total of £200. The amount was laid out on a rent charge of £9 per annum, on land in Brimington. Of this sum £5 4s. is expended in bread for the poor; 3! 4s is given to a schoolmaster, and the remainder is distributed amongst poor persons.

Anne Jackson, in 1749, gave the interest of £100 to instruct poor children, and directed a Bible, Common Prayer Book, and Whole Duty of Man, to be given to each scholar out of the interest. The Rev. Francis Gisborne augmented it to £130, which was, with other sums, in the whole £400, laid out in £658 16s. stock three per cent. consols. In 1804, like stock to the amount of £102 11s. 3d. was purchased with £30, left by Dorothy Foxlow, and an accumulation of interest. A further sum of £5 was left by Mr. Gisborne. £8 of the dividend is applied in educating poor children of Staveley, Handley, and Woodthorpe.

Rev. Francis Gisborne, in 1759, gave the interest of £30 to one poor man or woman.
Anne Gisborne, in 1762, gave the interest of £50 to 2 poor parishioners.
John Alcroft, in 1768, gave £10 to the poor.
Thomas Brailsford, 1770, gave the interest of £50 to two poor families.
Paul Rodgers, 1784, left £10.
Henry Smith, 1787, gave the interest of £50 to two poor persons.
James Hodkin left £20 for a distribution of bread.
Elizabeth Brailsford, 1794, left £30 for the benefit of two poor inhabitants.
Catherine Dixon, 1796, left the interest of £10 to one poor person.

In the whole, £285 was laid out in 1796, as stated, with Anne Jackson's charity. Lieutenant-General Wm. Murray, in 1820, bequeathed £100, with which stock was purchased, making the whole £889 3s. 3d., three per cent. Consoles; the dividends amounting to £26 13s. 4d., of which £1 17s. 4d., is distributed to the poor, and the remainder as directed.

Rev. Robt. Hitch, Rev. Anthony Marshall, Rev. John Heathcote, John Froggatt, and others, gave sums of money amounting to £90, which, in 1676, was invested in land at Unstone, which consists of two closes, and about an acre of wood, in the whole 13A. In 1802, these lands, for a sum of £17 13s. 6d. were exonerated from tithe. In 1815, wood to the amount of £90, was sold, of which sum £86 11s. was expended in draining and otherwise improving the land, now let for £10 per anncim, which is distributed to the poor.

Netherthorpe School.-Franscis Rodes, by will, 29th of Elizabeth, left a yearly rent charge of £20 per annum, to be taken forth of his manor of Elmton; £8 thereof to the Grammar school, at Staveley Netherthorpe, £8 for two scholarships in St. John's, Cambridge, and £4 for the relief of soldiers who should be sent to the wars out of Staveley, Barlborough, and Elmton.

Robert Sitwell, by will, 41st Elizabeth, gave a messuage in Killmarab, on trust, to pay £6 yearly to the schoolmaster.

Lord James Cavendish, 1742, left a rent charge of £6, issuing out of closes at Hollingwood, for this maintenance of the schoolmaster. In addition to these, the Rev. Francis Gisborne gave £10, to he invested in stock. The income of the various benefactions amounts to £29 per annum. All the sons of parishioners are considered as entitled to classical instruction; but the master makes his own charge for other branches.

Woodthorpe Hospital.-Peter Frecheville, in 1632, erected a certain dwelling house, to be for ever used as an hospital, for four poor women and four poor men, all to be unmarried, and chosen from the parishes of Barlborough and Staveley; and he directed his heir to pay £4 a-piece towards their maintenance, and a like sum of £4 to a Deacon for reading Morning and Evening Prayers, and to have his lodgings in a chamber at the west end of the Almahouse. Richard Robinson, 1777, gave a sum sufficient to purchase land of the yearly value of £18, to advance the pay from £4 to £6 of the inmates. Another rent charge of £18 a year has been appropriated to the inmates, supposed to have been left by some of the Gisborne family. The yearly income, £72 a year, is all paid out of different estates belonging to the Duke of Devonshire. The hospital consists of four tenements, with chambers above, and small gardens adjoining.

Judge Rodes, 1584, gave the interest of £40, in aid of the assessment of Woodthorpe and Hage Quarters.
Thomas Brailsford. 1711, gave. £10 to the poor.
The Rev. Mr. Heathcote, 1715, gave £50 for buying six goats for poor people.
Thomas Wade, 1715, gave £6 for the benefit of the poor.
Mrs. Yates, 1721, left £50 for teaching poor children to read.
The poor have also the benefit of £10 left by Thomas Holingworth, 1728;
£10 by John Shipstone, 1722;
£5 by Widow Hollingworth, 1728;
£10 by Anne Croft, 1729;
£10 by Roger Hewitt, 1731;
£5 Robert Milnes, 1731;
£15 by Mrs. Brailsford, 1733;
£5 by Jph. Rodgers, 1735,
£5 5e. found in the poor's box, 1733; and £8 15s. raised by subscription, 1736;
Lady Cavendish, 1734, gave £100, to be applied in teaching poor children to read.
These sums, amounting to £360, were laid out in 1737, in a rent charge of £12 I10s. issuing out of lands in Scarcliffe, which are given agreeable to the donors' intentions.

Post Office, at Wm. Hibberts', letters arrive from Chesterfield at 7 a.m., and are despatched at 6.30 p.m.; Money Orders granted and paid from 9 am, to 5 p.m.

Post Office at, Middle Handley, at Thomas Fox's, letters arrive at 9.30 am., and are despatched at 4 p.m.

Those marked 1 are at Inkersall; 2 Inskersall Green; 3 Middle Handley; 4 Nether Thorpe; 5 Staveley Works; 6 Staveley Woodthorpe; 7 Nether Handley; and 8 West Handley.

Aliwood Wm. beerhouse, Lowagate Barrow Richard, Req., iron and coal master, and London; h. Ringwood Hall Barton Jph., beerhouse, .Mastin moor 3 Bates Mr. George 5 Bedow Edwin, clerk Biugham Hy., overground viewer Bingbam Mr. Joseph Biughain Thos., cashier, Reinshaw works 5 Buxton Wm., underviewer Clarke John, station master 5 Cooper Daniel, underviewer Cooper David, colliery agent Cox John, woodturner Crawshaw Mrs. Elizabeth, The Hagg 5 Disney Charles C., accountant 4 Dudley Mrs. Karren Dudley and Son, spade mfrs., Norbriggs Dyson Thomas, beerbouse 3 Fentem Thos., scythe strickle manufactr. and oil and colour dealer Fletcher Paul & Sons, tanners, curriers, saddlers, and harness makers 6 Gibson Thos., manager, iron department 5 Gillatt John, superintendent 3 Harrison George, builder and contractor 5 Hartley Thomas M., clerk 5 Heaton John, Req., The Cottage Henderson Alex. F., farm steward Henstock Frederick, clerk Hibbert William, clerk 5 Howard Wm. Frdk., surveyor 5 Ireland Charles P., manager, coal dpmt Lunn Richard, gardener S Knighton Win., foreman, Foundry McFarlane Rev. J. B., MA., rector, Rectory 5 Nicholls Edw., clerk Pickburn John, brazier and tinner Ridgway James, constable 8 Ridgway John, filesmith 5 Robinson Thomas, cashier 4 Rodgers Miss Frances Rodgers John, superintendent of the Duke's works Ryder Allen, gamekeeper 5 Swarbrick George, clerk 4 Swift Richard, gent Thorpe George Bower, surgeon 3 Turner Jph., joiner & cahinet maker 5 Watson W. A., architect Wilkinson Win., surveyor, Poplar Cottage Williamson Edward, beerhouse. Canal row Inns and Taverns Crown Inn, Sarah Swift 3 Devonshire Arms. Benjamin Rodgers Devonshire Arms, John Crofts Gate, John Belfitt, Mastin moor Jovial Collier, Benj. Tomlinson, Mastin moor 5 Moulder's Arms, Mary Lee Nag's head, Brown Heane 6 Nag's Head, Robert Watkin New Inn, William Garfitt, Netherthorp Academies Fisher George 3 Free, Thos. Fox National, William Fisher Blacksmiths. Crofts Jno., Lowgate 3 Evans Samuel 6 Johnson George Plant Thomas Swift Godfrey Boot & Shoemkrs 8 Cowley John 8 Cowley Thomas, jssn Dronfiefd Wm. Frith Peter 4 Richardson Ralph 4 Rhodes Wm. 6 Smith Charles 8 Warrener James Brushmakers Fletcher John & Son Butchers Crofts Francis Fenton Robert Hoole Edward Marples Sarah Corn Millers Crofts Brothers, (and seed & bone croshert) 6 Fidler James Farmers 6 Anderson Thos. 2 Bennett William Abraham 6 Brightmore Mary 4 Brocksopp Harriet 8 Cowley Thos., Crawshaw Robt, Wilkinson, The Hagg Crofts John Cutts Joseph 6 Fidler James 4 Frith Wm.

4 Garfltt Wm. Glossop Wm., Woodthorpe Old Hall 1 Goodwin Thos. Haudhury Esther 2 Harrison Benj. 6 Haslam Benj. Haywood John Thos. Hazlehurst Joseph, Ringwood 4 Hitch Thomas Hollingworth Wm. 4 Hudson David 6 Jervis James 6 Johnson George 4 Johnson Wm. 4 Kirk John Kitchen Thomas, The Breck 6 Lee John 8 Lowe Henry Marples John Marples Sarah Marples Thomas 8 Meynell Wm. Middleton Ann White Lion Milner William Nuttall John 6 Ollivant James 6 Pattison John Plant Charles, Mastin moor 6 Renshaw Jph. 6 Renshaw Saml Rodger B. Rodger John Rodger Robert Rodger William 1 Rodgers John 8 Rodgers Thomas 8 Siddall Samuel Slagg Thomas, Red Lodge Staniforth James, Mastin moor Steele George, (and coal master) Steele Thomas Hollingworth, Common 8 Swift Richard Taylor Ewd., Pond House 2 Taylor Wm. Turton Job 2 Turton Job, jun. 7 Walker John, Nether Handley Widdowson George, Mastin moor Williamson Edward 7 Wisternoff Peter Grocers & Drapers mkd. * are Druggists Brookes *Cartwright James Dickens Hannah *Dutton Wm. Edwin Hail James 5 Lee Mary Longworth Thomas Smith & Fisher Painters & Glzrs. Cutts John Cutts Joseph Shopkeepers 6 Anderson Thos. Bacon Thos. Mastin moor 6 Brightinore Wm. Broadhead John Dyson Thomas Gascoyne Christiana Guest Jane 3 Harrison Geo Holmes Thomas, Mastin moor Mullins William, Lowgate Spirit Merchant Cartwright James Stone Masons 2 Harrison George Marriott Matthew Waterhouse John Tailors Mkd. * are Drapers Furniss Benj. *Gunn John 5 Hawkins David *Longworth Thomas (& tallow chandler) Nuttall Thomas Wheelwrights and Joiners Mullins Alexander, Lowgate Mullins William, Lowgate Stone Samuel 3 Turner William Turton Joseph Railway Conveyance The Midland Railway Co.'s Station, Barrow Hill, from whence there are trains btwn. Derby, Sheffield, & Leeds; 3 each way daily; John Clarke, station master. Carriers To Chesterfield, Jas. Siddall, Wed. & Sat To Sheffield, John Broadhead, Tu. Th. and Sat.; and Jas. Siddall, Sat