Tickhill in 1843
Tickhill is a small market and post town in the West Riding of Yorkshire, in the wapentake of Strafforth and Tickhill, on the borders of Nottinghamshire, 157 miles from London, and 45 south from York. The substratum of the town is limestone, which gives the place a very clean appearance.
The streets are disposed nearly in the form of a cross by the roads from Doncaster to Worksop, and from Rotherham to Bawtry. The town is neither paved nor lighted, and the market, which is simply for butter, egg &c., was nearly disused until revived a few years ago. The market-cross is a plain circular stone-building erected in 1776. There is a fair in August for cattle and merchandise. Tickhill was a place of importance in the middle ages, as may be inferred from its giving a name to the wapentake. Camden says that "Tickhill was of such dignity heretofore, that all the manors hereabouts appertaining to it were called the Honour of Tickhill."
The castle is said to have been erected by Roger de Busli, one of the Norman followers of William the Conqueror, but several times reverted to the crown. John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, at one time resided at the castle. In the civil wars, after holding out two days for the king, it was taken, and by order of parliament was dismantled : a part of the structure is now converted into a modern residence.
On a pleasant situation at the west end of the town are the remains of an Augustine Priory, founded in the reign of Henry III (1216-1272). The parish church, erected in the 13th century, is a very handsome edifice with a noble tower. Having been damaged by lightning in 1825, it has been repaired at an expense of nearly £2,000. There are several interesting monuments and an altar-tomb in the church, the latter of the date of 1386. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of York ; net value £261. The Independents and Wesleyan Methodists have large chapels.
In 1833 there were three Sunday-schools and six daily schools. There is an almshouse, of uncertain foundation, for 14 poor widows. The parish of Tickhill comprises an area of 6,470 acres, and includes the small township of Stancill, with Wellingley, which contain 1,140 acres : the population of the parish was 1,884 in 1821, 2,084 in 1831, and 2,040 in 1841, including 19 in tents, the population of the township of Tickhill being 1,981 : and it is stated that 60 persons were absent. |