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Ashford in the Water

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As the Parish Council tells us:

"Ashford-in-the-Water is a village and Civil Parish situated in the heart of Derbyshire, and the Peak District National Park. Located on the banks of the River Wye about two miles upstream from the market town of Bakewell."

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Archives & Libraries

The Library at Bakewell is an excellent resource with a Local History section and a Family History section.

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Bibliography

Ian Pykett, "The Life and Times of Revd JR Luxmoore (1829-1917)", Country Books, ISBN: 978-1-910489-82-6. Includes references and biographical details relating to many local families, including particularly the Brushfield, Nadauld, Birley, Shore and Sterndale Bennett families.

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Cemeteries

We have a pae of Parish Register burials in a file for your review. Your additions are welcomed.

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Census

  • The parish was in the Bakewell sub-district of the Bakewell Registration District.
     
  • The table below gives census piece numbers, where known:
     
Census
Year
Piece No.
1851H.O. 107 / 2149
1861R.G. 9 / 2539
1891R.G. 12 / 2773
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Church History

  • The Anglican parish church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity.
     
  • The church was built in the Decorated Style.
     
  • A Chantry was founded in this church in 1257.
     
  • Portions of the church have been dated to the 12th century.
     
  • The church tower dates from the 13th century.
     
  • The ecclesiastical parish was formed from Bakewell's ecclesiasticl parish in 1840.
     
  • The church was restored in 1867-1870.
     
  • The tower, roof and pinnacles were thoroughly restored in 1901.
     
  • The church seats 300.
     
  • Garth NEWTON has a photograph of Holy Trinity Church on Geo-graph, taken in October, 1999.
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Church Records

  • The Anglican parish register dates from 1688.
     
  • The church was in the rural deanery of Bakewell.
     
  • Here is a list of Ashford Parish Registers available on Microfilm from LDS Family History Libraries. Film Numbers are reproduced on GENUKI by kind permission of the Genealogical Society of Utah.

     

    Parish registers, 1687-1959.Microfilm Number
    Baptisms, 1687-1880
    Marriages, 1692-1803, 1818-1881
    Burials, 1688-1812
    1041631
    Banns, 1875-1881
    Burials, 1813-1881
    1041677
    Baptisms, 1879-1901
    Marriages, 1880-1902
    Banns, 1880-1900
    1751974
    Baptisms, 1899-1958
    Marriages, 1899-1959
    2081110
     
    Bishop's transcripts, 1669-1864.Microfilm Number
    Baptisms, marriages, and burials, 1669-18120422180
    Baptisms, marriages, and burials, 1813-18640497375
    Transcripts 
    Marriages, 1669-1767 / copied by the Society of Genealogists.0823616

     
  • The Baptists built a chapel in Ashford Lane prior to 1857, but it stood unused for several years.
     
  • The Congregationalists built a chapel in 1700, later used by the Unitarians. This building was rebuilt in 1841, but disused by 1900.
     
  • A Wesleyan Methodist chapel was built here in 1830 and was still in use in 1891.
     
  • Mike SMITH has a photograph of the new (1899) Wesleyan Chapel on Geo-graph, taken in April, 2011.
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Civil Registration

  • Civil Registration began in July, 1837.
     
  • The parish was in the Bakewell sub-district of the Bakewell Registration District.
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Description & Travel

"ASHFORD, or Ashford-in-the-Water, from being seated on the Wye, is a small village, and chapelry to Bakewell, about one mile from that town, on the road to Buxton. There are many lead mines in the neighbourhood, several of which are now working; and at the entrance of the village from Buxton are the marble-mills and show-rooms of Messrs. Oldfield & Co. established near a century ago, where the sawing of marble, by improved machinery is carried on in all its various branches, for chimney-pieces, monuments, tables, &c., from quarries on the estate of the Duke of Devonshire."

[Description from Pigot and Co's Commercial Directory for Derbyshire, 1835]

The parish covers just over 2,500 acres. The village is now bypassed by the A6 road. There is more about the village and parish at the Peak District site.

You can see pictures of Ashford in the Water which are provided by:

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Directories

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Gazetteers

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Genealogy

Robert Armitage STERNDALE (June 1839 - October 1902), naturalist, artist, writer and statesman who worked in India before becoming Governor-general of St. Helena, was born in the village.

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History

  • Ashford is well-known for the black marble quarried here over the centuries.
     
  • Great Finn mountain, about two miles from the village, was a former Roman encampment and has two large barrows.
     
  • The Sheepwash Bridge over the River Wye is a former 17th century packhorse bridge.
     
  • Philip HALLING has a photograph of The Sheepwash Bridge on Geo-graph, taken in August, 2005.
     
  • There are the remains of an ancient "preaching" cross on the south side churchyard; three octagonal stone steps and a two foot tall base.
     
  • Transcription of section of Lysons' Topographical and Historical Account of Derbyshire, 1817, for Ashford by Barbarann AYARS.
     
  • In the 1800s most of the parish land was given over to pasturage.
     
  • The village held a traditional village feast on Trinity Sunday each year.
     
  • The Ashford Female Friendly Society was founded here in June, 1788, at the house of William COCKAYNE, an innkeeper. Its aim was to help members who contributed money regularly to the club out of difficulties when sick or when a husband or wife died. It had various rules and regulations and it was possible to be excluded for not paying dues or having illegitimate children.
     
  • The Ashford Mens Friendly Society also existed. This was similar to other "sick clubs" that were established in communities to aid residents who were sick or injured. I have no sources that tell me the dates that they were established or operated, but Mike SPENCER has supplied these undated lists of members.
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Manors

Ashford Hall dates from 1785.

In 1912, the Hall was occupied by Sir Frederick LEES.

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Maps

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SK183701 (Lat/Lon: 53.227523, -1.72739), Ashford in the Water which are provided by:

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Military History

  • At the end of Fennel Street is a pump site, usually referred to as the Top Pump, covered by a shelter. This shelter was added in 1881 and the seat was installed after the First World War as a celebration of Peace.
     
  • Terry ROBINSON has a photograph of the WWI Memorial Cross in the churchyard on Geo-graph, taken in September, 2012.
     
  • Terry ROBINSON also has a photograph of the WW2 Memorial Plaque in the churchyard on Geo-graph, taken in September, 2012.
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Names, Geographical

In the 1086 Domesday Book the name appears as Aisseford.

The addition of "in-the-Water" occurred in the late 17th century, and reflected the nearby River Wye.

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Periodicals

Ashby-in-the-Waters has a monthly newsletter which used to be mailed out to all residents. I believe recent copies are online, but the Bakewell Library may have older copies.

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Politics & Government

  • This place was an ancient Chapelry in Bakewell parish in Derbyshire and became a separate modern Civil Parish in December, 1866.
     
  • This parish was in the ancient High Peak Hundred (or Wapentake).
     
  • You may contact the Ashford-in-the-Water Parish Council regarding civic or political issues, but they are NOT staffed to assist with family history searches. Not: The link isn't working in July, 2022.
     
  • District governance is provided by the Peak District Council.
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Poor Houses, Poor Law

  • Bastardy cases would be heard in the Bakewell petty session hearings.
     
  • There is a list of about ten Ashford Bastardy Papers held at the DRO on the Yesterdays Journey website. Select "Bastardy Papers" on the left side, then "Ashford in the Water" from the list displayed.
     
  • As a result of the Poorlaw Amendment Act reforms of 1834, this parish became a member of the Bakewell Poorlaw Union.
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Schools

A Public Elementary School (mixed) was founded here in 1630 by William HARRIS. It was enlarged in 1895 to hold 117 boys and girls. Atendance in 1912 was about 110.