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Whittington

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WHITTINGTON, a parish and township in the hundred of Scarsdale, county Derby, 2 miles N. of Chesterfield. It is a station on the Midland railway. The village is situated near the Chesterfield canal and river Rother. Some of the inhabitants are employed in the collieries and potteries. Brick making and scythe making are carried on.

The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Lichfield, value £210, in the patronage of the bishop. The church, dedicated to St. Bartholomew, is being rebuilt. The Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists have chapels, and there is a school partially endowed. On Whittington Moor, in this parish, is the "Cock and Pynot Inn", where the Duke of Devonshire and others met in 1688 to support the revolution.”

from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

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Archives & Libraries

The Old Whittington Library at Swanwick Memorial Hall on High Street is normally open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. They have a Local Studies and Family History section to help you with your search.

J. THOMAS has a photograph of the Library and information centre, Old Whittington on Geo-graph, taken in March, 2015.

New Whittington hamlet is served by the Mobile Library on route N, which makes a stop every fourth Wednesday just after noon at Devonshire Avenue North.

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Bibliography

  • BATES, Tom - A History of Old Whittington. New Age Poetry Press, 2008. ISBN 09522108 6 X.
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Cemeteries

Andrew HILL has a photograph of the Churchyard, Old Whittington on Geo-graph, taken in October, 2012.

We have a pop-up window of Whittington burials in a file for your review. Your additions and corrections are welcomed.

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Census

  • The parish was in the Chesterfield sub-district of the Chesterfield Registration District.
     
  • The table below gives census piece numbers, where known:
     
Census
Year
Piece No.
1841H.O. 107 / 976
1851H.O. 107 / 2147
1861R.G. 9 / 2532
1891R.G. 12 / 2765 & 2766
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Church History

  • The Anglican parish church is dedicated to Saint Bartholomew.
     
  • The church was built in 1863, near the site of the old church, pulled down that same year.
     
  • The church seats 610.
     
  • A brick mission chapel was built in the hamlet of New Whittington, dedicated to Saint Barnabas.
     
  • An iron mission chapel was built in the hamlet of Broomhill Park.
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Church Records

  • The Anglican parish register dates from 1620 but have been damaged by fire.
     
  • The church was in the rural deanery of Dronfield.
     
  • The Wesleyan Methodist chapel was built in 1828.
     
  • The Primitive Methodist chapel was built in 1849 at Old Whittington and replaced in 1865.
     
  • A Free Methodist chapel was built at Whittington Moor.
     
  • A Seventh Day Adventist Church was built on North Church Road, but no history is available.
     
  • J. THOMAS also has a photograph of the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Geo-graph, taken in March, 2015.
     
  • The Baptist Chapel at New Whittington was built in 1862 to seat 300. .
     
  • Richard VINCE has a photograph of the former Baptist Chapel in New Whittington on Geo-graph, taken in January, 2017.
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Civil Registration

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

"WHITTINGTON is a small parish, in the same hundred as Staveley, about three miles and a half west from that village, and about two and a half north from Chesterfield. The village is one to which some note is attached, as having been the place where the Earl (afterwards Duke) of Devonshire, the Earl of Derby (afterwards Duke of Leeds), Lord Delamere, and Mr. John Darcy, eldest son of the Earl of Holderness, assembled to concert measures for effecting the revolution of 1688."

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

The parish covers almost 1,600 acres and includes the hamlets of New Whittington, Whittington Moor and Sheepbridge.

Passenger bus service is available from Chesterfield.

You can see pictures of Whittington which are provided by:

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Directories

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Encyclopaedias & Dictionaries

From "A Topographical Dictionary of England", by Samuel LEWIS, 7th Edition, 1848, Vol 4, p.557:

"WHITTINGTON (St Bartholomew), a parish, in the union of Chesterfield, hundred of Scarsdale, northern division of the county of Derby, 2 1/4 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."
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Gazetteers

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Genealogy

Jon CANTRILL provides this announcement from the Derbyshire Tims of July 23rd, 1921: "Births: On July 19th at Hawthorne Villa, Old Whittington, To Mr. and Mrs. W. KIRK - A son.

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History

In this village stands the small stone cottage known as "Revolution House," being the place where, in 1688 the Duke of Devonshire, the Earl of Danby and John D'Arcy esq. met and planned the rising which overthrew King James II.

  • In 1857 there were five Inns in the parish:
YearInn or HotelProprietor or Victualler
1857Bulls HeadHannah COOK
1857Cock and MagpieJohn MOTTAM
1857Miners ArmsSidney ORWIN
1857Sheep Bridge InnHenry THORNTON
1857White HorseJoseph HARTLEY

In 1895 we have:

YearInn or HotelProprietor or Victualler
1895Bulls HeadJoseph THORPE
1895The Crown P. H.Joseph THORPE
1895Old Revolution HouseMrs. Elizh. HAWKINS
1895Royal Hotel P.H.Henry PARKER
1895Sir Colin Campbell P.H.George DODD
1895White HorseMiss Matilda LONGDEN

Neil THEASBY provides a photo of the Cock and Magpie at Geo-graph, taken in April, 2012.

Graham HOGG has a photo of the Rising Sun in New Whittington at Geo-graph, taken in April, 2016.

J. THOMAS has a photo of the Wellington on High Street in New Whittington at Geo-graph, taken in March, 2015.

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Manors

Whittington Hall is the traditional Manor House of this parish.

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Maps

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SK386751 (Lat/Lon: 53.27149, -1.422665), Whittington which are provided by:

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Military History

  • Alan HEARDMAN provides a photo of the War Memorial at Geo-graph. This memorial stands near the Cock and Magpie Public House.
     
  • J. THOMAS provides a photo of the War Memorial at Geo-graph. This memorial stands on Brimington Road North near Whittington Moor.
     
  • Gordon GRIFFITHS also has a photo of the Whittington Moor Cenotaph on Geo-graph.
     
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Military Records

These are the WWI Casualties:

  1. Private I. ABELL. Lincs. Regt., 1st Garrison Btln., died 15 Sept 1916. Listed in CWGC database as "J. ABELL".
  2. Private E. BOOTH. 1st. Btln. Sherwood Foresters, age 27, died 15 May 1915, son of Mr. J. BOOTH.
  3. Private E. BRADLEY. RAMC, age 36., died 27 June 1916, husband of Emma BRADLEY.
  4. Sapper J. BUNTING. Royal Eng., age 37., died 10 Dec 1918.
  5. Private L. W. DAVIDSON. Sherwood Foresters, 3rd Btln., age 22, died 9 Feb 1919, son of John William and Clara DAVIDSON.
  6. Private H. GREEN, Sherwood Foresters, 53rd Btln., age 18, died 25 May 1918, son of John and Edith GREEN.
  7. 2nd Lieut. W. HUSBAND, Northumberland Fusiliers, 53rd Btln., age 28, died 25 June 1918.
  8. Private James SHAWCROFT, Sherwood Foresters, 3rd Btln., age 19, died 8 Aug 1918, son of John and Hannah SHAWCROFT.
  9. Private John Edward STRAW, Scottish Rifles, age 42, died 12 Dec 1918, son of John and Jane STRAW.
  10. Private E. WATTS, Sherwood Foresters, 2nd Btln., age 22, died 28 Jul 1915, son of Mr. J. T. and Mrs. M. E. WATTS of Springwell, Mid Handley, Sheffield.

World War II:

  1. Driver Ernest BURGIN, RASC, age 43, died 22 Dec 1945. husband of Ida Alice BURGIN.
  2. Private Charles Edwin BUXTON, Seaforth Highlanders, age 31, died 19 Feb 1944, husband of Kathleen May BUXTON.
  3. Lance Cpl. Jean ELLIOTT, Auxiliary Territorial Service, age 23, died 18 April 1946, daughter of James A. and of Georgina ELLIOTT.
  4. Cadet Geoffrey HUGHES, Air Training Corps, age 16, died 16 Jul 1942, son of Frederick Horace and Sarah Elizabeth HUGHES.
  5. Signalman A. MATCHETT, Royal Corps of Signals, age 29, died 25 Aug 1947, husband of Phyllis May MATCHETT.
  6. Private Joseph WRIGHT, Pioneer Corps, died 20 Sept 1940.
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Newspapers

Jane TAYLOR in Redcar provides this notice from the Derby Mercury of 29 August 1804: "MISC: On Sunday last, as two persons of the names of Richard RIDER and William PARKINSON, were proceeding from Whittington, near Chesterfield, in this county, towards the race ground, the former having the curiosity to look into a coal shaft accidentally fell to the bottom and was instantly killed; the latter (wishing to render every assistance to his friend,) called to four or five boys who were at some distance from the place, stripped off his coat and hat, and desired them to let him down the shaft; one of them said to him "there is one dead, and if you go down you will share the same fate." Intreaties were vain, he placed himself in the bucket and was let down, and the damp or foul air being strong, he immediately became insensible and died. Every assistance was given, and some hundreds of persons were soon collected together to witness the shocking scene. An attempt was made to let a person down the shaft with a lighted candle, but before he had got three yards the candle went out, and he was immediately drawn up. RIDER was brought up by a hook let down the shaft which caught his clothes, and PARKINSON by a rope which caught his neck. On Tuesday last they were both buried in one grave at Whittington; PARKINSON being one of the Chesterfield Volunteers, was interred with military honours. What is singular, there is a coal mine within half a mile of the above, in which one man was lately killed, and three more dreadfully scorched by the foul air taking fire, which goes off similar to the explosion of gunpowder.

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Obituaries

Rose KELLAND offers this notice from the Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald of Wednesday, 18 November 1903:

"A Fatal Short Cut, Whittington man drowned at Staveley
P.C. SIDNEY HUMPHRIES
THOMAS ECCLES (deceased) 36 years, labourer of Station Road, New Whittington. “Strong man, in good health and seldom the worse for drink.”
Dr. GREEN district coroner
Brother was JAMES ECCLES
SARAH ANN STAMFORTH washed the body.
JOHN ARUNDEL, 25 Brewery Street, Chesterfield a pianist
MATTHEW ROBERTS (reported the body in the river)"

Stephen KIMBERLEY reports that the Derbyshire Times of 19th August 1999 has an obituary for: MELLORS Herbert 73 Whittington Moor.

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Politics & Government

  • In the Domesday Survey, this place is described as a hamlet of Newbold.
     
  • This place was an ancient parish in Derby county and became a modern Civil Parish when those were established.
     
  • This parish was in the ancient Scarsdale Hundred (or Wapentake).
     
  • In 1911, part of Newbold-cum-Dunston was amalgamated with this parish to form Whttington-with-Newbold Urban District.
     
  • The Civil Parish was abolished in November, 1920, and all 1,581 acres incorporated into the Chesterfield Civil Parish.
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Poor Houses, Poor Law

  • Bastardy cases would be held in the Chesterfield petty session hearings every Saturday.
     
  • The Common Land was inclosed here in 1821.
     
  • As a result of the 1834 Poorlaw Amendment Act reforms, this parish became a member of the Chesterfield Poorlaw Union.
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Schools

Old Whittington (mixed) School. founded and endowed in 1679, rebuilt in 1849 and enlarged in 1871 and 1879 to hold 293 boys and girls and 150 infants. Average attendance in 1911, 290 boys and girls and 150 infants.

New Whittington (mixed) School. built in 1876 and enlarged in 1889 and again in 1890 to hold 600 children.

Alan HEARDMAN has a photograph of the New Whittington Primary School on Geo-graph, taken in June, 2008.

New Whittington Infants School. built in 1912 to hold 320 children.

Whittington Moor (mixed) School. built in 1876 and enlarged in 1893 to hold 400 children.

Whittington Moor (Infants) School. opened February 1911 to hold 430 infants.

The Bushes Endowed (Infants and junior mixed) School. built in 1910 to hold 224 children.