Winlaton in 1837
Winlaton is a manufacturing village between the Tyne and the Derwent. The township of Winlaton in the parish of Ryton in Chester ward comprehends an area 4,540 acres, and had in 1831 a population of 3,951 persons. Sir Ambrose Crowley, an alderman of London, established here about 1690 the extensive iron works which still bear his name. Sir Ambrose seems to have been peculiarly anxious for the well-being of his workmen, establishing regulations for their guidance, appointing a court of arbitrators to settle disputes, establishing schools, providing medical attendance for the sick, and advancing money to them, pensioning the superannuated, and providing for the families of the dead. All his charities, however, ceased in 1816. A chapel was built at Winlaton in 1705, as it is said, on the foundation of one destroyed in the rebellion of the northern earls against Elizabeth. The chapel was abandoned by the company carrying on the iron works, and having gone to decay was pulled down in 1816, and a national school-room built in its place, in which the rector of Ryton or his curate voluntarily performs service. There were in 1833 two national schools with 190 children, seven other day-schools with 239 children, and two Sunday-schools with 100 children.
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