White's Directory of Nottinghamshire, 1853

Bilsthorpe

Bilsthorpe village is pleasantly seated on the Ollerton and Southwell road, five miles south of the former, and the same distance north-west of the latter town. The parish comprises 217 inhabitants, and 1,558 acres of land, including 26a of roads. the strong clay land, forming the north-east portion of the parish, has been greatly improved the last few years by draining, and the sandy soil on the western part has become rich and fertile from superior cultivation. The Earl of Scarborough is lord of the manor, patron of the rectory, and owner of all the land, except the glebe, 78a 1r 34p, now enjoyed by the Rev. Frederick Savile Lumley, to whom it was awarded in 1847, as a commutation of all the tithes in the parish, £350 18s.

The living is a rectory, valued in the King's books at £5 1s 8d. The church, dedicated to St Margaret, stands on an eminence, and the tower, which has three bells, appears to have been built in 1663. The chancel contains several ancient monuments, and one dated 1649, to William Chappell, Bishop of Cork and Ross, in Ireland, who spent some time here during the rebellion and is noted at Laxton. A great part of the village was burnt down in 1726, and by a Latin inscription on Mrs Outram's house, we are informed that it was restored from the ashes of the fire by Elizabeth Broughton.

Before the Conquest, Bilsethrope was the property of Ulph, the Saxon, but was given by William the Conqueror to Gilbert de Gand, being at that time soc to Rufford. From him it passed to the Tregos, Broughton and other families, till it came to that of the present owner. An ancient house near the church is said to have been one of the many hidingplaces of King Charles I. The church land, left in 1662, consists of 1½ acres at Eakring, but the rent is now paid to the schoolmaster. The overseers distribute 5s yearly, as the interest of £5 left to the poor in 1732 by James Lynman, and also the interest of £100 left by Miss Benson.

Lumley Rev. Fdk. Savile, rector Holmes John, shoemaker Rouse Thomas, parish clerk Rouse William, shoemaker Smith John, shoemaker Tesh William, wheelwright Ward Samuel, tailor Wood WIlliam, shopkeeper     Farmers. Ashmore, Wm. Buckles Edward Bucklow John Flower Elizabeth, Grifton Lodge Hage William Jackson Mathew, Wickerleys Outram Mary Petty Z. M. Ryalls Henry Watson John, (& blacksmith)     Carrier. John Buckles, to Newark wed., & Mansfield thur.

[Transcribed by Clive Henly]