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

SEDBERGH:
Geographical and Historical information from the year 1834.

"SEDBERGH, is a respectable little market town and township, in the parish of its name, in the wapentake of Ewcross, West Riding, 269 miles from London, and 10 east from Kendal, in Westmoreland ; situate in a secluded and fertile vale, in a mountainous district. The cotton and woollen manufacture exists here to a limited extent ; coal is obtained a few miles distant ; and the river Rother passes about two miles from the town. The places of worship are the parish church, dedicated to St. Andrew, and a chapel each for independents, Wesleyan methodists, and the society of friends. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the gift of the master and fellows of Trinity College, Canbridge. The most important institution of Sedbergh is its amply endowed grammar school, founded by Roger Lupton, D.D. provost of Eton, in the 5th of Edward 6th, with exhibitions to the universities. The appointment of the master is in the master and fellows of St. John's college, Cambridge, who are visiters. The poor of Sedbergh are benefited by several charitable bequests, and there is a charity applied to the relief of decayed householders, belonging to the township, not receiving parochial assistance. The town is governed by a constable, elected annually by the ley payers, and there is a court for the recovery of small debts. The market day is on Wednesday ; and the fairs are March 20th, the first Wednesday after Whit Sunday, and the 29th of October, chiefly for farming stock. The parish contained at the last census, 4,711 inhabitants, and the township 2,214 of that number."

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"DENT, is a small market-town and township, in the parish of Sedbergh, in the western division of Staincliffe wapentake, West Riding, 5 miles s. from Sedbergh, 11 s.w. from Hawes, and 17 w. by s. from Askrigg; situated near to the borders of Westmoreland, in a vale which abounds with veins of black and grey marble, of superior quality and great beauty: great quantities of this article are sent to London and many other parts of the kingdom. In this township is a considerable manufactory for finishing and polishing the marble, obtained here, upon new and improved principles, conducted by the proprietor, Mr. Paul Nixon. The only manufactory besides, is that for worsted hosiery. Under the Boundary Act (connected with the Reform Bill) Dent is appointed one of the stations for receiving votes at the election of members to represent the West Riding of the county. The places of worship are a chapel of ease, dedicated to St. Andrew, and one for independents. The living of Dent is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of the Vicar of Sedbergh. The general appearance of the country round here is pleasing, diversified by hill and valley; the soil is fertile, and the land chiefly appropriated to grazing. The market is held on Friday, and the fairs on the 2nd and 16th of February, 26th of September, 29th of October, the first Friday after Old Bartholomew's day, and the first Friday and Saturday after Whit-Sunday. The township contained, by the parliamentary returns for 1821, 1,782 inhabitants; and by those for 1831, 1,840."

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