Belper

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BELPER - Description from Pigot's 1835 Directory

BELPER is a market town and chapelry, in the parish of Duffield, and hundred of Appletree; 134 miles from London, 54 S.E. from Manchester, 16 S. from Chesterfield, 8 N. from Derby, and the like distance S.S.E. from Matlock. Beaurep'd and Beaureper, were modes of spelling, by which this town was designated in ancient documents; it was then an inconsiderable village, but has now become one of the most flourishing market towns in Derbyshire.

The prosperity of Belper has been mainly owing to the extensive cotton works of Messrs. Strutt; the manufactories for silk and cotton hosiery, and those for nails, all of which are conducted upon a large scale (especially the factories of Messrs. Brettle & Co. and B. B. Ward) and give employment to a considerable portion of the population, both male and female. The potteries, bleaching-grounds, and coal-works which also exist in the neighbourhood, contribute their share to the prosperity of the town. The Cromford canal passes within two miles of the town, and the High Peak railway within six. The town is situate in a valley through which the river Derwent flows, and the view of the town from the hills on the east and west sides of the river is singularly picturesque. At the northern end of the town, a stone bridge of three arches bestrides the Derwent, near which is a beautiful wear (sic) for working the mills of Messrs. Strutt. The cascade near the bridge, combined with the surrounding scenery, form a delightful picture, & the plantations around the mansions of Messrs. George & Jedediah Strutt, called 'Bridge Hill' and 'Green Hall' are highly ornamental to the site of Belper.

The principal inns are the 'Red Lion', and the 'George', both in Bridge-street, in each of which is found excellent accommodation for commercial travellers. Sir Richard Paul Jodrell, Bart. is lord of the manor, and holds courts-leet at Easter and Michaelmas, when the constable, head-borough and other public officers are elected and sworn. Belper is one of the stations named in the new Boundary Act, for taking votes at the election of knights of the shire, to represent the southern division of the county.

A new church, dedicated to St. Peter, has supplanted the old chapel, now used for secular purposes; the situation of this church is fine, and the edifice is a graceful object from the western hills, but the tower is rather too slender for just proportion. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the vicar of Duffield. The other places of worship comprise chapels for Wesleyan and primitive methodists, independents, baptists and unitarians. Here are also alms-houses, and Sunday and infant school rooms; the latter is a neat and commodious building, recently erected by public subscription, and is conducted on the principles of the celebrated Mr. Wilderspin; the management being by a committee, annually chosen. The market-place is situate on an elevated part of the town, at the top of King-street, and is surrounded by handsome shops - the market day is Saturday; and there are fairs for sheep, cattle, &c. on May 12th and October 31st. The population, in 1831, was 7,890, but it is now computed at little short of 9000.

[Description from Pigot and Co's Commercial Directory for Derbyshire, 1835
Transcribed by Rosemary Lockie ©1999]

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