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Guisborough, Yorkshire, England. Geographical and Historical information from 1829.

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GUISBOROUGH:
Geographical and Historical information from the year 1829.

"GUISBOROUGH, or Gisborough, anciently called Gisburn, or Guisburn, is a market and parish-town, in the east division of the liberty of Langbaurgh, north riding, 243 miles from London, 107 from Manchester, 49 from York, 35 from Richmond and 14 from Yarm. The town is situated about four miles from the mouth of the Tees, where is a small bay, forming a harbour for ships. The alum works of this neighbourhood (the first ever carried on in this country) were very profitable at one period, but they have long since declined, and the general trade of Guilsborough is of a confined nature. Here was formerly an abbey, and the present church, forming a part of it, seems to have, at one period, vied with many cathedrals in point of elaborate sculpture and beauty of architecture. The east window of the priory exhibits a peculiar elegance, inducing regret with every lover of antiquity that more of this fine structure has not withstood the ravages of time. The church is dedicated to St. Nicholas; the benefice is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the archbishop of York, and incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Pym Williamson. Here are besides a chapel each belonging to the independent and Wesleyan Methodists and Quakers; a free grammar school, and a hospital for six men and the like number of women, who shall have attained the age of sixty years and unmarried. A court is held here occasionally, for the recovery of debts under forty shillings, and a manorial court once in the year. The views around here are very beautiful, the land fertile, and the atmosphere pure and invigorating. The market-day is Tuesday; and the fairs are the last Tuesdays in June and July. Public markets for wool take place the last Tuesdays in April, Tuesday before Whit-Sunday, third Tuesdays in August and September, second Tuesday in November and last Tuesday in March. By the census of 1821 the whole parish of Guilsborough contained 2,180 inhabitants, and the township 1,912 of that number."
Note: The directory entry for Guisborough in Pigot's 1829 Directory is included with Stokesley.

[Transcribed from Pigot's National Commericial Directory for 1828-29 ]
by Colin Hinson ©2007