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

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THORNE:
Geographical and Historical information from the year 1834.

"THORNE, is a small thriving market town, in the parish of its name (which has no dependent township) and wapentake of Strafforth and Tickhill, West Riding, 165 miles from London, 66 e. from Manchester, 30 s. from York, 10 n.e. from Doncaster, and 7.5 s. from Snaith ; situate on the south bank of the Don ; surrounded by a country for the most part fertile, but in a fenny district, supposed to have been once a forest, from the number of trees in a fossil state, which have at different times been discovered. In the neighbourhood are vast moors and swamps, which, however, are mostly drained and well enclosed. Thorne is a place of considerable trade, which is much improved by its navigation. On the banks of the river, at the quay, and at a place called 'Hangman hill,' are boat builders' and timber yards, and wharfs for the unloading of merchandise, and coal for the supply of the town and neighbourhood. Rope, sail, and sack-cloth and nail making, are carried on here ; in the malt trade are some respectable establishments, and there are several corn mills. The church, which is dedicated to St. Nicholas, is small, but its interior accommodation, cleanliness and simplicity, are inferior to none. It has a tower, with a peal of good bells, and a large handsome clock: the living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Lord Deerhurst, and incumbency of the Rev. Eric Rudd. The other places of worship are for methodists, unitarians, and the society of friends. The charities consist of two schools for poor children, one called ' Travis' and the other ' Brooks' charity. At Crow-trees near this town, resided Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, who, having expended 400,000 in draining Hatfield chase, and an additional sum in litigation, died in indigent circumstances. The market is held on Wednesday ; and the fairs on the first Monday and Tuesday after June 11th and October 11th. The parish contained, in 1821, 3,463 inhabitants, and in 1831, 3,779."

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