BUTTERLEY is a hamlet, in the parish of Pentrich, and hundred of Morleston and Litchurch, 3 miles from Alfreton, and about 2 from Ripley; it contains but few houses, and derives its importance from being the site of the extensive iron-works of the Butterley Company, where, and at Codnor Park, the manufacture of iron is conducted upon a scale of immense magnitude: all the heavier articles in cast iron a produced at these works, including bridges, steam engines, various kinds of machinery, and water and gas pipes.

The entire process of constructing these, from the raising of the ore, to the completing of the article required, is carried on here. The neighbouring collieries of Langley and Portland, are also worked by the same proprietors. The artificial lake in front of the iron-works, gives a picturesque aspect to the place. The Cromford canal affords a medium for the immense conveyance of goods, by water, to Cromford, where the Cromford and High Peak railway commences. Population returned with Pentrich parish.

CODNOR PARK liberty, with CODNOR CASTLE, form an extra-parochial district, in the same hundred as Butterley, two miles therefrom. The inhabitants obtain their chief support from the employment of the Butterley Company. There is also a considerable pottery in the vicinity, of which Mr. Joseph Bourne is the proprietor. Here was an ancient castle belonging to the noble family of Grey, of Codnor, the last of whom, Henry, a philosopher and alchymist, obtained from the credulous Edward IV, a license to practice the transmutation of metals. Population, at the last census, 637.

DENBY is a parish (having no dependent township) in the same hundred as Butterley, between two and three miles S. from Ripley, and about 8 N.E. from Derby. Coal and iron-works, and a pottery are in the parish. The habitations are thinly scattered to a considerable distance around the church, which is an ancient building, dedicated to St. Mary. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of the Earl of Chesterfield. The parish contained, at the last census (1831) 1,272 inhabitants.

HEAGE is a township and village, in the parish of Duffield, and hundred of Appletree, 15 Miles N. from Duffield, about the like distance S.S.E. from Alfreton, and 3 N.E. from Belper. There is a mineral spring in the neighbourhood, efficacious in ulcerous complaints and for stopping inward bleeding. A chapel under the establishment, and several others for dissenters of various denominations are in the parish. The living of Heage is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the vicar of Duffield. The township contained, according to the returns, made in 1831, 1,845 inhabitants.

HORSLEY is a township and village, in the parish of its name, in the hundred of Morleston and Litchurch, about 6 miles and a half N.N.E. from Derby, and between two & three from Duffield. The church, which is dedicated to St. Clement, though of considerable antiquity, is spacious and handsome, and is surmounted by a spire of curious workmanship. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the patronage of the Earl of Chesterfield, and incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Millward. A national-school was erected in 1828, and is supported by voluntary contributions. The parish contained, in 1831, 1,948 inhabitants, and the township 649 of that number.

HORSLEY-WOODHOUSE is a village, in the parish of Horsley, and contiguous to that township. Nail making prevails here to some extent. The township contains 709 inhabitants.

KILBURNE is a township and village, in the parish of Horsley, from which it is distant about one mile. There are several collieries in this vicinity, the working of which give employment to many of the labouring class. William Hunter Hunter, Esq. is lord of the manor. The township contained, at the last census, 590 inhabitants.

RIPLEY is a township, in the parish of Pentrich, nearly 8 miles S.S.E. from Wirksworth, 5 N.E. from Belper, and nearly 4 S. by W. from Alfreton. Ripley was formerly a market town of some consequence, chartered about the reign of Henry III. The principal buildings of the place form a large quadrangle, consisting of several good shops and well built houses. The iron and coal works in the neighbourhood give employment to a considerable portion of the inhabitants.

A commodious chapel, under the establishment, was erected here in 1820, and consecrated in 1821. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Duke of Devonshire, who contributed liberally towards the erection of the chapel. Here are besides, places of worship for Wesleyan methodists and unitarians, and a free-school (built in 1819) supported by voluntary contributions. There is still a small market held on Saturday; and two annual fairs, one on the Wednesday in Easter-week, the other on the 23d of October, for horses, cattle and miscellaneous commodities.

The township contained, in 1821, 1,635 inhabitants, and in 1831, 1,997.

POST OFFICE:- Red Lion Inn, RIPLEY, Thomas Moore, Post Master:- Letters to BIRMINGHAM and the South and East are despatched every forenoon at half-past eleven, and to SHEFFIELD and parts North and West every morning at ten.

Description(s) from Pigot and Co's Commercial Directory for Derbyshire, 1835.
Transcribed by Rosemary Lockie in May 1996.