ECKINGTON is a populous village and township, in the parish of its name, and hundred of Scarsdale; the village is situate seven miles N.E. from Chesterfield, the like distance S.E. from Sheffield, and three N. from Staveley. The lands of this parish are chiefly appropriated to agriculture; in some of the townships scythes and sickles are manufactured in considerable quantities, and nails, in the village, but not so extensively.

The places of worship are, the parish church, and chapels for Wesleyan methodists and Roman catholics. The living of Eckington is a rectory, (with Killamarsh, at which place there is a chapel of ease), in the patronage of the crown, and incumbency of the Rev. Frederick Ricketts, whose curate is the Rev. A. C. Bromehead. The parish contained, in 1821, 3,598 inhabitants, and in 1831, 3,948; at the latter period there were not separate returns made for the township, but, at the preceding census, its population amounted to 1,013 persons.

BARLBOROUGH is a parish (having no dependent township) in the same hundred as Eckington, about three miles S.S.E. therefrom, nearly eight N.E. from Chesterfield, and about three W. from the village of Whitwell. In the neighbourhood are extensive collieries and mines of iron-stone; and the turnpike roads from Chesterfield to Worksop, and from Sheffield to Mansfield, cross, near the Village, at right angles.

‘Barlborough Hall’, situate about a mile hence, is a spacious and interesting edifice, erected about the time of Elizabeth. The church is dedicated to St. James; the living is a rectory, in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. C. H. R. Rodes, who is joint lord of the manor with S. C. Pole, Esq. The charities comprise a school for the instruction of twenty poor children, towards the support of which the Rev. C. H. R. Rodes contributes £30. annually; and an hospital, founded, in 1732, by Margaret and Mary Pole, of Park Hall, for six poor women, who are allowed three shillings and sixpence per week, besides coals

The parish contained, in 1821, 675 in inhabitants, and in 1831. 713.

MOSBOROUGH is a township and straggling village, in the parish of Eckington, about a mile N. therefrom. The manufacture of scythes and sickles prevails extensively in this township, and forms the chief employment of the inhabitants. The township contained, in 1821, 818 inhabitants; at the last census (1831) the population returns were made up with Eckington parish.

RENISHAW is a township in the parish of Eckington, about seven miles and a half N.E. from Chesterfield. Here are extensive iron works, belonging to Messrs. Appleby, Walker & Co., from which a considerable number of the inhabitants derive employment. The Chesterfield canal passes through this township. Population. in 1821, 551.

RIDGEWAY is a hamlet, in the parish of Eckington, about two miles and a half N.N.W. therefrom. It partakes, with Mosborough, in the manufacture of scythes and sickles. Population included with the parish of Eckington.

TROWAY is a township, in the parish of Eckington, about two miles and a half west therefrom. The only articles manufactured here are of the same kind as those produced at Mosborough and Ridgeway. The population, in 1821, was 1,216.

POST:- Letters for all the above places arrive from and are despatched to Chesterfield daily, except Sunday.

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