HARTINGTON, Derbyshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"HARTINGTON, a parish in the hundred of Wirksworth, county Derby, 7 miles S.W. of Bakewell. The parish, which is very extensive, is divided into the Town, Middle, Nether, and Upper Quarters, with the townships of Biggin and Earl-Sterndale. It is situated near the river Dove, and the Cromford and High Peak railway passes on the E., at the distance of about 3 miles. The village, which was formerly a market town under the Ferrers, who held the castle, is still very considerable. In the reign of Charles I., it became the property of the Villiers family.

Ironstone and lead are worked, and limestone is extensively converted into lime. The tithes were commuted for land at the time of the enclosure of the common lands. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Lichfield, with a glebe of 205 acres, value £150. The parish church, dedicated to St. Giles, is an ancient cruciform structure.

There is also a chapel-of-ease at Earl-Sterndale. The Wesleyans have a chapel, and there is a small school. The charities produce about £40 per annum, including the endowment to Brand Top school. At Wolf's Cote hill is a barrow. Hartington gives the title of marquis to the family of Cavendish, dukes of Devonshire, who now possess the manor. Fairs are held on the second Tuesday in September, and on the 30th October."

"BENTY GRANGE, a village in the parish of Hartington and hundred of Wirksworth, in the county of Derby, 5 miles from Bakewell."

"RAVEN ROCK, a peak of the Axedge hills, in the parish of Hartington, county Derby, 2½ miles S.W. of Buxton. From its summit is a view of Snowdon and Lincoln cathedral, and near its foot the river Dove has its source."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin HINSON ©2003]