Aberford, Yorkshire, England. Geographical and Historical information from 1834.

ABERFORD:
Geographical and Historical information from the year 1834.

"ABERFORD, a small market town in the parish of its name, in the lower division of Skyrack wapentake, West Riding, is 186 miles from London, and about 9 south from Wetherby, situated upon the river Cock, over which is a good bridge, and upon the stream are several corn mills. The town is neat, consisting chiefly of one long street; the country around is remarkable for its salubrity, as the neighbourhood is for its gentility. Richard Oliver Gascoigne, esq. is lord of the manor, and holds a manorial court in October, when constables are appointed; and a meeting of the magistrates' takes place at the Rose and Crown Inn, every alternate Friday. The parish church, which is dedicated to St Richard, is an ancient structure; the benefice is a vicarage, in the gift of Oriel college, and the incumbent is the Rev. James Landon. Here is a chapel for the methodists, and another belonging to the Roman catholics. The children of the poor have the advantage of a national school, originally endowed by Lady Betty Hastings, but now conducted upon Dr. Bell's system. The country around here is beautifully diversified by woods and plantations, and adorned with many elegant residences; the ground gently undulating, and well cultivated, by spirited agriculturists; and the views are generally pleasing, although boasting nothing of the romantic. The market day is Friday; and the fairs are, the last Mondays in April and May, the first Monday in October, the first Monday after St Luke, and the Monday after All Souls. In 1821 the population of the whole parish was 900, and in 1831, 925, of which last number 644 were returned for the township of Aberford."

[Transcribed by Steve Garton ©2000 from
Pigot's directory (Yorkshire section) 1834]