Whittington (Derbyshire) A Topographical Dictionary of England, 1848

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A Topographical
Dictionary of England

Whittington, Derbyshire

Courtesy of Sonia W Addis-Smith who we are grateful to
for providing so much information for our websites.
THANK YOU.

WHITTINGTON (St Bartholomew), a parish, in the union of Chesterfield, hundred of Scarsdale, northern division of the county of Derby, 2¼ miles north from Chesterfield; containing 751 inhabitants [in 1848].

A former public-house here is distinguished by the name of the Revolution House, from the adjournment to it of a select meeting of friends to liberty and the Protestant religion, held on Whittington moor early in 1688, at which the Earl (afterwards Duke) of DEVONSHIRE, the Earl of DERBY (afterwards Duke of Leeds), Lord DELAMERE, and Mr John D'ARCY, eldest son of the Earl of Holderness, attended. When the centennary anniversary of that event was commemorated in Derbyshire, in 1788, the committee dined on the preceding day at this house; and on the anniversary, a sermon was preached in the parochial church by Dr PEGGE, the celebrated antiquary, then Rector, before the descendants of those illustrious persons, and a large assemblage of the most distinguished families of the county, who afterwards went in procession to take refreshment at the Revolution House, and then proceeded to Chesterfield to dinner. The house, with the venerable chair which has stood in the "Plotting Parlour" since 1688, and which was occupied by the Earl of DEVONSHIRE during the memorable conference, was recently sold for 725 pounds. The building is in a most dilapidated state, and has long ceased to be available for an inn: its sign is now borne by a substantial newly-built house adjoining.

The PARISH comprises 1,573 acres 2 rods and 25 perches, a considerable portion being uninclosed moor, on which the Chesterfield Races are held; potters' clay of good quality is found, and the manufacture of earthenware is carried on to a considerable extent. The Chesterfield canal and the Midland railway pass through the parish.

The living is a rectory, valued in the King's Books at 7 pounds 10 shillings and 10 pence; net income, 302 pounds; patron, the Bishop of Lichfield. The tithes were partly exchanged for corn-rents, under an act of inclosure, in 1821, and the remainder have been lately commuted for a rent-charge of 183 pounds 6 shillings; the glebe comprises 33 acres. The church is an ancient structure; the chancel was rebuilt in 1827. There is a place of worship for Wesleyans. A free school was founded in 1674, by Peter WEBSTER, who in 1678 gave 200 pounds to purchase land for it; and Joshua WEBSTER, in 1681, gave some land for teaching ten children : the total income is 73 pounds. A chalybeate spring here was formerly much resorted to.

[Transcribed by Sonia W Addis-Smith. Reproduced with kind permission]