RIPLEY, Derbyshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"RIPLEY, a chapelry and small market town in the parish of Pentrich, or Pentridge, hundred of Morleston, county Derby, 3½ miles S.W. of Alfreton, its post town, 5 N.E. of Belper, and 4 E. of Ambergate railway station. It is situated near the tunnel of the Cromford railway, and at a short distance from the river Derwent. It was chartered as a market town by Henry III., but since that period has considerably declined, and the market day, formerly on Wednesday, has been altered to Saturday.

The chapelry includes the hamlets of Butterley, Hartshay, and Marehay. The town, which wears a neat appearance, contains many good shops. A large portion of the inhabitants are employed in the silk and cotton mills, and others in the extensive collieries at Hartshay, and the iron-works of the Butterley Company. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Lichfield, value £200.

The church was erected in 1821. The parochial charities produce about £3 per annum. There are National schools for both sexes. The Wesleyans, Reformed Wesleyans, Baptists, Primitive Methodists, and Unitarians have each a place of worship. There is also a library, with reading and newsrooms. Coins of Gallienus, Carausius, Victorious, and others were discovered here in 1730. Butterley Hall is the principal residence. The Duke of Devonshire is lord of the manor. Fairs are held on the Wednesday in Easter week, also on 23rd October; and, on the 5th November, a statute fair for the hiring of servants."

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