MELBOURN is a parish, in the hundred of Repton and Gresley. The village, which is a considerable one, and of some antiquity, is situate seven miles and a half S.S.E. from Derby, and about six N.N.E. from Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Camden notices this place as having a castle, wherein John Duke of Bourbon, of the blood royal of France, was incarcerated nine years, having been taken prisoner at the battle of Agincourt.

The only vestige now remaining of this edifice is a wall of considerable thickness and height, about twenty yards in length. Lord Melbourn, who derives his title from this place, has a seat here, the gardens of which are laid out with exquisite taste, and are accessible to the inhabitants and strangers: the tourist will derive ample gratification from visiting this delightful spot. The inhabitants, many of whom were formerly employed in combing and spinning wool and working upon the stocking-frame, are now principally engaged in the manufacture of blonde lace. Melbourn is one of the stations named in the new Boundary Act, for receiving votes at the election of knights of the shire to represent its southern division.

The places of worship are, the parish church, and chapels for presbyterians, methodists, calvinists and general baptists. The church, which is dedicated to St. Michael, is one of the oldest in the kingdom, as well as one of the finest specimens of Saxon architecture: it is said to have been founded by Ethelred, King of Mercia, who came to the throne A. D. 675. During the same year his Queen was murdered at which crime he was supposed to have connived; and, to atone for his guilt, began to found churches.

This church, one of the first which he erected, was built in the year 677. St. John's church, at Chester, is in the same style of architecture, and was completed by him in between the years 682 and 689. Upon the capital of one of the pillars may be recognised similar characters to those seen on the coins of Ethelred. The living of Mebourn is a vicarage, in the patronage of the Bishop of Carlisle. A school for infants, and one conducted upon the national plan, are in the village.

The parish (which has no dependent township) contained, at the census taken in 1821, 2,027 inhabitants, and by that for 1831, 2,301.

REPTON is a parish, in the hundred of Repton and Gresley: the village, which is seven miles S.S.E. from Derby and four and a half N.E. from Burton-upon-Trent, is situate upon the declivity of a hill. The habitations are, for the most part, detached, and extend about a mile in length, having a fine trout stream running by them, which flows into the Trent. This parish is celebrated by antiquaries, as the head of the Saxon kingdom of Mercia, and the burial-place of several of her sovereigns.

It is supposed to have been the Roman station Repandunum, and was anciently called Repington. This place is not distinguished by manufactures; there are several malting concerns of consequence, and a respectable brewery; but agriculture is the prevailing occupation of the inhabitants. The church, which is dedicated to St. Wyston, stands at the lower. part of the village, pleasantly elevated above the meadows; it is a large and handsome structure, principally of Norman architecture, with an elegant, lofty spire, forming a very beautiful and prominent object in the surrounding scenery. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Sir George Crewe, Bart. In the area before the church is an old stone cross, terminating in a column; and a plain pointed arch or gateway, leading into the school yard. Near the church are the remains of a priory, now converted into a free-school, richly endowed by Sir John Porte, of Etwall.

This establishment is most ably conducted, and gives promise of rising into great consequence among the scholastic institutions of the country. There is also a Sunday-school for boys and girls, erected and patronised by Sir George Crewe. Anciently, a market and fair were held here, and there is still a statute meeting at Michaelmas for hiring servants; and an annual court-leet is held by the lord of the manor.

The parish contained, in 1831, (exclusive of the hamlet of Bretby, 325), 1,758 inhabitants.

TICKNALL is a parish and village, in the same hundred as Repton, the village being about 4 miles S.E. from Repton, and about 5½ N.N.W. from Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Within the parish are very extensive lime-works, wrought to great advantage, together with kilns for burning their produce. The lime is conveyed by rail-road to the Ashby canal, and from thence distributed to more remote parts of the country.

The church, which is dedicated to St. Thomas à Beckett, has within these few years been repaired and beautified: the living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Sir George Crewe, Bart. The principal charities are, a free school, in which forty boys are instructed by means of land conveyed in 1774, by Dame Catherine Harpur, and now producing £25. per annum; and an hospital for seven decayed housekeepers, founded and endowed with £2,000. in 1771, by Charles Harpur, Esq. Here is a chapel for Wesleyan methodists. The parish (which has no dependent township) contained, in 1821, 1,274 inhabitants, and in 1831, 1,278.

CAULK is a very small parish, in the same hundred as Melbourn, two miles therefrom. Caulk hall and park, the seat of Sir George Crewe, Bart. (before mentioned) [Ed: with REPTON] a gentleman of great benevolence, is about three quarters of a mile from the village. The church here was erected at his sole expense, and the living is in his gift. This parish for the last thirty years has been retrograding in its population. At the census taken in 1801 it contained 96 inhabitants, and in 1831 only 58.

CHELLASTON is an inconsiderable parish, in the same hundred as Melbourn, 3½ miles N. from that village, and 4½ S.E. by S. from Derby. The places of worship are, the parish church, dedicated to St. Peter, and a chapel for Wesleyan methodists. The living of Chellaston is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of the Bishop of Carlisle. Population, 352.

FOREMARK, three miles W. from Melbourn, is distinguished as having within its precincts the beautiful seat of Sir Francis Burdett, most judiciously and romantically placed, amidst scenery of a rich, bold and varied character, upon the southern banks of the Trent - the hanging hills being crowned by thriving plantations. The house is spacious, and its appearance imposing to a considerable degree; the pleasure-grounds are very tasteful, and lead down to a valley, through finely wooded avenues to the banks of the river. The church, here, which is dedicated to our Saviour, is a small, plain edifice: the living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Sir Francis Burdett. The parish of Foremark (including INGLEBY township, 163) contained, in 1831, 221 inhabitants.

SMISBY, a small parish bounded on the east by the county of Leicester, is four miles S.S.W. from Melbourn. The church is a small building: the living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Marquess of Hastings. Population of the parish 324.

STANTON-BY-BRIDGE, so named from an ancient bridge, which crosses the Trent here, and connects this parish with that of Swarkeston, is nearly 7 miles S.E. from Derby, and about two N.W. from Melbourn. The church, which is dedicated to St. Michael, is partly in the Norman and partly in the decorated style of architecture: the living is a rectory, in the patronage of Sir George Crewe. The population, at the census for 1831, was 215.

SWARKESTON, as before-mentioned, is an adjoining parish to Stanton, in the same hundred as Melbourn, about three miles from that village. Swarkeston bridge is supposed to be the longest in Europe, extending nearly a mile over the meadows and low grounds to Stanton; it was originally very narrow, but has been widened so as to allow carriages to pass each other. The Trent and Mersey canal runs through the parish, and is here joined by the Derby canal. The church is dedicated to St. James: the living is a rectory, in the same patronage as Stanton. Population, by the returns for 1831, 308.

TWYFORD is a village, and with STENSON, form a chapelry, in that part of the parish of Barrow which is in the hundred of Appletree, pleasantly situate on the banks of the Trent, five and a half miles S.S.W. from Derby. The chapel is dedicated to St. Andrew, and the living is connected with the vicarage of Barrow. The chapelry contained, In 1821, 235, and in 1831, 219 inhabitants.

WILLINGTON is a parish, in the hundred of Morleston and Litchurch, about five miles N.E. from Burton-upon-Trent, and about two N.W. from Repton. The river Trent and the Grand Trunk canal pass through the parish. The church is dedicated to St. Michael: the living is a discharged vicarage, in the patronage of the corporation of Etwall and Repton. Population of the parish, in 1821, 411, and in 1831, 402.

POST, MELBOURN:- Letters arrive from DERBY by William Statham's caravan every afternoon, and are despatched every morning.
POST, SWARKESTON. - Letters arrive from DERBY every afternoon about half-past two, and are despatched every morning at nine.

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