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Matlock & Matlock Bath : Water Cures
Smedley's Hydro today
Rockside Hydro in the 1950's
Matlock Bath - the spa
Smedley's in 1928
Chesterfield House
Oldham House and Prospect Place Hydro
Bank House Hydro, later became Wyvern House Hydro and then Ernest Bailey's
 
Water cures made Matlock and Matlock Bath famous.
Matlock Bath was a famous Spa.
Matlock developed as a centre for Hydropathy.

A spa is a place where there is a mineral spring. Matlock Bath's curative drinking water came from medicinal springs.

Hydropathy, or hydrotherapy, is a kind of medical treatment, with water being prescribed both internally and externally. Though the drinking of water was recommended for those undergoing hydropathic treatment, the water that was consumed by the patients did not necessarily contain medicinal properties. A Hydro was a building (hotel) where these treatments were carried out.
The water cures are discussed below under the following sub headings:
 
 
The following may be of interest
Matlock
Matlock Bath
Images of Matlock
"The Gem of the Peak"
Wolley Manuscripts
Did you know ...?
"The Varied Fortunes of
a Derbyshire Spa"
"There Was Red Tape at
Smedley's Hydro Then"
FAQ
Find a Name
The Spa of Matlock Bath

'The waters were first applied for medicinal purposes about the latter end of the seventeenth century. The old bath, which was of wood, lined with lead, was made in 16981'. The quotation refers to the discovery of a warm (thermal) spring at Matlock Bath.

This first spring, with a water temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, supplied what became the Old Bath Hotel and later the Royal Hotel. Four people were involved with building this first bath: they were Rev. Joseph Ferne, the Rector of Matlock Church, Mr. Benjamin Hayward of Senior Field, Cromford, Mr. Adam Wolley of Allen Hill, Matlock and Mr. George Wragg, also of Matlock. It was called 'Wolley's Well'. The lease was later bought by Messrs. Smith and Pennel of Nottingham, who erected two buildings and opened a coach road to Matlock Bridge. The village developed as a watering place after the coach road was made in 1702.

A second spring was discovered and the New Bath Hotel (Saxton's Hotel) was erected. A third, slightly colder, spring was then found and the Fountain Baths were built and opened to the public, with hot baths also available. The discovery of these springs was the beginning of Matlock Bath's prosperity as a spa.

To give an example of size, the more modern Fountain Bath, built after an earlier bath was demolished in 1881, was 50 feet long and 20 feet wide; the water's depth went from 4 feet to 6 feet and the bath held 33,687 gallons of water.
There is more information contained in The Wolley Manuscripts, Matlock
There's a leaflet for the Fountain Baths onsite

Matlock Bath became a famous and fashionable spa resort, with several large hotels where people went to take the water cure. Prices of a bath and a lists of the hotels can be found under Matlock Bath in 1840.
See Gem of the Peak, Matlock Bath in 1840

The table below gives an analysis of the water that people found beneficial to their health.

Analysis of the water taken by Dr. A. Dupré, Lecturer on Chemistry at Westminster Hospital, London. Sample taken from the Fountain Bath Spring.2
Temperature of water 68 degrees.
Specific gravity 1003. Grains per Gallon
Chloride of Sodium . .
Sulphate of Magnesium
(Containing Magnesium)
Sulphate of Calcium . . .
Carbonate of Calcium ..
Silica . . . . . . . . . . .

Organic Matter - Traces of Alumina,Potassium, etc. . . . .

Totally dry residue . . .
..
..
..
..
..
..

..}
..}
4.57
9.73
(1.946)
2.04
14.68
0.71
31.73

1.03

32.76


Some of the most famous of the visitors to Matlock Bath in earlier times are listed on the main Matlock Bath page.
Matlock Bath

And on the right are some observations and recommendations by nineteenth century writers about water consumption.

Matlock Bath declined in popularity for the health cures of its medicinal springs as Matlock, and the hydropathic treatments it became famous for, expanded. There were only two hydros in Matlock Bath, and these were developed much later than those in Matlock, as the inhabitants of the village failed to grasp the economic importance of hydrotherapy.

There's more onsite information:
Matlock, Matlock Bath and Matlock Dale in 1802 describes how things were 200 years ago, the complaints and diseases and contemporary debates about the water's properties
Cumming's Old Bath Hotel
The Royal Hotel was built on the site of the Old Bath
New Bath Hotel
   


What Nineteenth Century writers said:

  • 'Matlock [Bath] water, drunk freely as a common beverage throughout the day, to be likely to prove highly beneficial in dyspeptic and nephritic affections'.
    Dr. Granville: "The Spas of England".

  • 'Don't bathe [in winter], but drink the warm running water with milk or cream, and sometimes add the chalybeate, which issues at the north end of the valley, and we think they will do you good'.
    Dr. Adam: Article in an unnamed local newspaper (mid nineteenth century).

  • The waters 'are said to be particularly valuable as curatives in rheumatism, consumption, gout, and pulmonary and nervous disorders'.
    Jewitt: "Nooks & Corners of Derbyshire".

  • 'The usual method of drinking the water is a glass or two before breakfast, and about five in the afternoon. The next day three glasses before breakfast, and as many in the afternoon...'
    Dr. John Elliott: "An Account of the Medicinal Virtues of the Principal Mineral Waters of Great Britain & Ireland".


The Hydros and Hydropathy, Matlock's Expansion

The real expansion of the industry in Matlock followed the building of the railway line and was as a result of John Smedley, a believer in water and fresh air, buying, in 1853, a house on Matlock Bank from Mr. Davis. Davis prescribed hydropathic treatment. Prior to this date, Smedley had advised Davis about the treatment of his patients, but it was Smedley who became the driving force in the industry's development in Matlock.

Even a few years later, in 1857, White's Directory3 shows there were still only three establishments. These were Mr. John Smedley's, described as 'near Matlock Bridge Station', Mr. Ralph Davis's on Matlock Bank and Mr. John Rogers', Matlock Green. See the full quotation on the right.
Also see Matlock's Residents and Businesses in White's 1857 Directory

It is worth looking at the population figures, extracted from the census returns, to see the extent of the growth.
See nineteenth century expansion, population and councils

The ten yearly census may not have been taken at peak holiday periods but there were plenty of visitors and Smedley's visitors eventually began to be recorded in a separate book.
1901 Census, Smedley's Hydropathic Establishment
   
  • "BATHS - The Baths which have been established at Matlock Town, within the last few years [1850s], have not as yet attained that wide spread celebrity, which has been obtained by its more fortunate neighbour Matlock Bath; nevertheless, the support which they have hitherto received affords strong evidence that the HYDROPATHY system is not without its friends and supporters; and from their close proximity to the beautiful and picturesque scenery of the Dale, it is more than probable, that in a few years they will prove a formidable yet friendly rival, for a share of the public patronage which is enjoyed in such an eminent degree by its elder sister.

    There are at this time three HYDROPATHIC establishments here, viz, Mr John SMEDLEY's, near Matlock Bridge Station; Mr Ralph DAVIS's, Matlock Bank; and Mr John RODGERS', Matlock Green; the largest of which is under the management of Mr SMEDLEY. The situation of this house is highly advantageous to health, being sheltered from the north and east winds, by a lofty range of hills; the interior is comfortably furnished, and has all the necessary apparatus for carrying out the treatment, with water of the softest and purest nature."
    "History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Derby", by Francis White and Co., 1857, p.431, under the main heading of Matlock Parish
    (Contributed by Sonia Addis-Smith)


John Smedley's New Venture - An Alcohol Free Zone!

Mr. Smedley, who was born at Wirksworth and died at Riber (12 Jun 1803 - 27 Jul 1874) ran a successful business at Lea Mills manufacturing woollen underclothes. He'd personally experienced a water cure, which is why he resolved to provide the facilities help others to be cured of their ailments.

Smedley's new venture in Matlock proved an immediate success and the original building rapidly became inadequate. Work began on the present building on the Bank, still known locally as Smedley's Hydro, in the late 1850's and the premises continued to be enlarged until 1890.

The water supply came from the gritstone moorland above the hydro and was stored in large tanks; it did not contain the medicinal properties of Matlock Bath's water.

It was also after his own treatment that Smedley became 'an energetic Primitive Methodist4'; he preached both religion and temperance when touring round the countryside with his tent. Whilst he was an eccentric and would not listen to the opinions of others if they didn't agree with him, he and his wife were also very kind, caring people and he was a considerate employer.
Read inquest of former employee

His workers, whom John Smedley already paid to attend a half hour service every Sunday, were his guinea pigs. Once he had decided to do so Smedley devoted himself to healing the sick poor. Although he was very single minded, he would, nevertheless, change his mind and experimented with different ideas and treatments. At first he charged just three shillings a day and his establishment was non-profit making but, as the demand increased and more accommodation was needed, the daily rate was increased to six shillings.

The patients were not allowed to "compare notes" and talk to fellow patients about what ailed them - in fact, Smedley roundly told off people who did so, whatever their social standing.

No alcohol was allowed on John Smedley's premises; the probable result of this was that off-licences which sold wines and spirits flourished in the town, particularly around Smedley's Hydro! The sale of alcohol in surrounding shops wasn't the only trade to prosper and there were also tailors and hatters, hairdressers, tobacconists, booksellers and bootmakers. So did shops such as "Tinker" Wright's, the local ironmonger who supplied the hydro rather than the guests.

Smedley's book, "Practical Hydropathy", ran into a good many editions.

After Smedley's death the concern was purchased by a limited company, who spent about £70,000 on "structural alterations and adornments".

John Smedley certainly left his mark on Matlock with his building projects; just as Riber Castle dominates the Matlock skyline, so Smedley's Hydro dominates the panoramic view of Matlock Bank. Someone writing when it was first built described the building as having the characteristics of a workhouse, a factory and a barracks! But, clearly, Smedley was hedging his bets as if the hydropathy venture had failed he could have turned the building into another mill.
Read about Riber Castle

According to Benjamin Bryan, writing in 1903, Smedley's Hydro was the focus for Matlock's leisure activities5. Between 1860 and 1939 everything from firework displays and the circus to concerts and sports took place there.

Whilst Smedley's Hydro was much the biggest, it wasn't the only Hydro in Matlock and Matlock Bath and there were some 20 hydropathic establishments providing treatments at one stage! These are shown in the table of Hydropathic Establishments lower down the page. In 1888 Matlock House advertised Table d'hôte at 6 p.m. alongside musical and dramatic entertainments, lawn tennis and billiards2. Things had changed from just curing the sick. By 1918 the role reversal of guests serving the staff at Christmas time was established and was even reported in the National press.

Read "There Was Red Tape at Smedley's Hydro Then"
The Enduring Folly of Riber Castle
See the onsite extracts from the London Gazette about John Smedley's patents in 1853
   
  • 'Matlock Bank is noted for its hydropathic establishments, the introduction of which is due to the late J. Smedley of Lea Mills and Riber Castle who, having himself derived great benefit by the treatment, founded an institution here for the practice of hydropathy in 1851; this establishment, the property, since 1875, of Smedley's Hydropathic Company Limited, is most complete and extensive, and is available for over 200 visitors; alterations and improvements have been made at a cost of £25,000. Rockside House and Matlock House are hydropathic establishments of the first class; there are several smaller ones, all of which are delightfully situated.'
    Kelly's Directory, 1891

From John Smedley's "Practical Hydropathy":
Matlock: Smedley's Hydro, Public Drawing Room
Matlock: Smedley's Hydro, Starting Out
Matlock: Smedley's Hydro, Extending the Hydro

"Morning worship in our marquee at Lea Mills"
Mr. Smedley's tent where his employees worshipped
Also from his book "Practical Hydropathy"

  • 'The success achieved by Mr SMEDLEY stimulated others to enter the field in competition:-
    - Rock Side Hydropathic Establishment was erected by Mr Charles ROWLAND, in 1862, and subsequently considerably enlarged. It is situated further up the hill at a height of 800 feet above the sea level, and can be reached conveniently and comfortably by the new cable tram.
    - Prospect and Popular Cottage Hydros were established by the Messrs DAVIS.
    - Shortly afterwards Mr BARTON opened Jackson House for the same purpose.
    - Subsequently, he erected commodious and handsome premises called Dalefield Hydropathic Establishment, in which he introduced many improvements suggested by his experience, and furnished it in first-class style. The house stands within its own grounds, and commands delightful prospects along the valley of the Derwent. The dining-hall, drawing-rooms, &c, are all spacious, well ventilated, and handsomely furnished, and various indoor and outdoor amusements are provided. The heating arrangements are a special feature to ensure an equable temperature in winter and stormy weather. The establishment is not exclusively a sanatorium; it affords accommodation to families and others who desire to spend a holiday amidst the beautiful scenery of the English Switzerland and it is also a delightful winter resort for those delicate individuals who dread the severities of our English climate.'
    "History, Topography and Directory of Derbyshire" (1895) by T. Bulmer and Co., p.417, Matlock
    (Contributed by Sonia Addis-Smith)

You may also like to see the following:
Claremont, Matlock, and Mr. Rowland
Charles Rowland built Rockside
Advert for Matlock House in 1869
Smedley's Hydro, Matlock, 1906
Matlock: Rockside Hydro, 1933
A top quality hotel, with information about the people who ran it
Rockside Staff Ball, 1939
 
Photograph of Smedley's Hydro, with Rockside on the top left
© Andy Andrews 2000 - 2003

Photograph of Smedley's Hydro, with Rockside on the top left of the picture
© Andy Andrews


Some of the Treatments Available

Qualified doctors and nursing staff practised hydropathy. Some of these treatments are still perfectly acceptable in a modern world, but others will be now considered barbaric. It is little wonder St. Giles Churchyard is so full of non Matlock residents. Some examples of the types of treatment available were:
  • Head Bath - lying with the back of the head immersed in cool or cold water for a period of time.
  • Sitz Bath - sitting in cold water for a period of time, sometimes with running water which would have been even colder.
  • Steam Box - sitting in a wooden box full of steam with only the head poking out from the top.
  • There were douches of various strengths available, baths for legs and chests, mustard packs and even a concoction using chilli paste.

Hydropathy Establishments, 1891, when Matlock was in its heyday

from Kelly's Directory, p.4421891

Location Name of Establishment Owner/Proprietor
Matlock Bank Bank House, Smedley Street Henry Ward
" Belle Vue Mr & Mrs Allsopp
" Chesterfield House R Davis & Co.
" Church view, Smedley Street Henry Ward
" Dalefield (later Lilybank) Geo. B. Barton
" Jackson House J. L. Dean
" Malvern House, Smedley Street Job Smith
" Matlock House Hydropathic Establishment (Robt. Hall, sec)
" Prospect House & Poplar Cottage Thomas Davis & Sons
" Rock side Wm. Atkins, proprietor
(also the proprietor of Darley Dale Hydropathic Establishment);
William Moxon L.R.C.P., physician
[also see Darley listing]
" Rose Cottage, Dimple Aaron Rigard
" Smedley Hydropathic Co. Lim. Alfred Douglas, sec;
William B. Hunter M.D.
& Charles Jos. Whitby B.A., MD, physicians
" Smedley Memorial Hydropathic Hospital Miss Ann Jackson, matron
" Smedley Street Miss E Knowles
" Sycamore House, Smedley Street John Dawes
" Tor House, Jackson Road George Davis & Sons
Matlock Bath Clarence House Rev Richard Nicholson
(see also Matlock Bridge)
" Tansley House Wm. Mycock
Matlock Bridge Bridge Hall Rev Richard Nicholson
(see also Matlock Bath)

Note: Also listed under Matlock Bank was the Derby & Derbyshire Convalescent Home (Miss F. Peet, matron)


Needless to say, the Hydros and hotels of Matlock and Matlock Bath needed a large number of employees to make them function properly and workers were drawn to the area from all over the country. Some came for the season and some stayed permanently. Many came from the cotton areas of Lancashire. I have already mentioned above how Smedley's Hydro was a centre for leisure activities. It had its own orchestra and musicians, as did the Royal Hotel in Matlock Bath. Rockside held musical evenings and musicians were also employed at the Palais Royal in Matlock Bath. Some musicians came from overseas and settled in the town with their families.

The Hydros had developed into high class hotels, with Smedley's and several other establishments having both a national and an international reputation. Many visitors were very wealthy.

In 1916, Rockside was a rated as first class hotel and was described as '800 feet above sea level1916'. The larger Smedley's Hydro was below this, at 500 feet above sea level. There were 13 hydros still listed in Kelly's Directory at that time, plus the Hospital and the Convalescent Home. In the directory dated 1932 it stated that Smedley's Hydro had room for 350 visitors, and Chatsworth (formerly Jeff's Poplar Hydro), Rockside and other, slightly smaller, establishments were also listed1932. However, by the 1941 directory there were only three establishments advertising and the water treatments were almost at an end1941.
   
  • The excerpt below illustrates how they tried to extend the season to encourage winter visitors as well as summer ones.

    'It is the general impression that the WATER CURE is applicable only in the summer time. This is, however, incorrect, for almost all diseases are quite as readily cured in the winter as in the summer; and here at all seasons both visitors and invalids will find a most comfortable home.'
    "History, Topography and Directory of Derbyshire" (1895) by T. Bulmer and Co., p.417, Matlock
    (Contributed by Sonia Addis-Smith)

Chesterfield House Hydro, 1918
Ralph Davis and John Smedley were the first two people to open hydros on Matlock Bank. This was Davis's second independent hydro
Lilybank Hydro (Dalefield) - opened by George Bernard Barton. With information about the Barton family
Smedley's Hydro, Matlock - The Terrace, 1927
Smedley's Memorial Hydropathic Hospital


So who came?

"Noel Coward and novelist John Wyndham came. Dame Clara, mother of Ivor Novello, lived there. At afternoon tea in the Winter Garden, Violet Carson played the piano6."
This writer's father bought Dame Novello's piano from the sale when Smedley's closed, though it is no longer owned by the family.

The curator at the Colour Museum in Bradford says that 'William Henry Perkin, discoverer of the first synthetic dye, Mauveine*, was at Smedley's Hydropathic Establishment in December 1881. H. Caro, a renowned European dyestuff chemist, wrote to Perkin whilst he was at Smedley's. The letter is dated 10th December 1881' and Caro's letter is at Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.
*"Perkin's discovery of Mauveine, also led to the birth of the pharmaceutical and perfume industries."
   


See Smedley's Hydropathic Establishment Enumeration Book in the 1891 census
Look at 1901 Census, Smedley's Hydropathic Establishment
In 1901 Grimsby Town football team were staying at Jeff's Poplar Hydro


What happened to the Hydros


The First World War (1914-18) was a turning point in the fortunes of the many of the hydros, though treatments continued at Smedleys. Social changes followed the war and then the Depression in the 1930's dramatically affected the industry.

However, it was the Second World War (1939 - 1945) that really ended everything.

During the Second World War Rockside, or 'Hatters Castle', became a psychiatric hospital for sick airmen. Pilots or their crew, suffering from nervous breakdowns after managing to return to England with their aircraft and their fellow crew members either severely wounded or dead on board, came to Rockside for treatment. Suicide amongst these patients was not uncommon and ECT therapy was used to treat the men.

Smedley's Hydro was used as an intelligence centre by the army. The late actor and author Dirk Bogarde was one of the trainees there.

Chatsworth was taken over by a textile firm from Manchester (C & A Modes), and was used for offices. Chatsworth did reopen after the war and continued as a hydro for a short time.
 
The Smedley Street entrance to Smedley's Hydro, now Derbyshire's County Hall. Covered walkways at second floor level connect buildings on the opposite side of the road
© Ann Andrews 2000 - 2003
Smedley's entrance - now Derbyshire's County Hall
So did Smedleys, but eventually Smedley's Hydro closed for business and the building was taken over by Derbyshire County Council. In the 1950's the Council Offices relocated to Matlock from Derby, and Matlock became the county's administrative centre. The hydro building is now County Hall and is affectionately nicknamed 'The Kremlin' by the locals.

Rockside, Chatsworth and a number of large houses became part of the Matlock Teacher Training College, which was a highly respected institution. Unfortunately for the town, the students eventually moved to the larger Derby when the Derby and Matlock Colleges amalgamated.

Former student Janet Mitchell, who was studying in Matlock at that time, writes that "we protested against the move and the college allowed us to remain for three years but we finally had to move to Derby for our fourth year. We would have liked to remain there to complete our course. My college friends and I remember Rockside and the town of Matlock with much affection and we were sorry to leave." She also corrects a misunderstanding: "the decision to move students to Derby was one taken by the college authorities."
   

  • "I understand that the County Council are suffering from claustrophobia in Derby, and are coming to Matlock for a dose of hydrophobia."
    Alan Wilcox, Round Table Area Chairman at the Charter Anniversary Dinner. Quote of the week, on Derbyshire CC / Smedley's Hydro project, The Derbyshire Times, 13 Apr 1956

Smedley's - Great Britain's Greatest Hydro, 1950, an advertisement published in "The Derbyshire Countryside"
Smedley's Hydro and Grounds, 1952
Rockside Hall of Residence, 1956

The once very beautiful and prestigious Rockside Hall, shown on the right, was in a dreadful state of repair for some considerable time, despite the Grade II listing it has to protect it.

It had been vandalized and has suffered from fire damage; the side facing Cavendish Road seemed to be falling down on itself. This view, on the Matlock skyline, shows windows that were partly boarded up as most of the glass has been smashed.

Sheer neglect meant that this building was nearly lost which would have been dreadful as it is part of Matlock's heritage.

Other former hydros fared better than Rockside and some suffered similar mishaps, even if only for a short time.

Clarence Hydro in Matlock Bath closed about 1938 when the people running it simply walked away, even leaving the pots on the table. It became very derelict. After the war it was sold and was then converted into flats. Restoration of the building began in 2007.
    Rockside Hall, Matlock, DBY - a listed building
© Ann Andrews 2001
Rockside before it was rescued and refurbished © Ann Andrews

See Paul Kettle's photographs, read more about Rockside's fate and see pictures of the restoration

Also read: Rockside Hydro - "Watered-Down Future for a glorious icon of the age of the hydro"

Bridge Hall, at the bottom of Bank Road, became the Town Hall in 1899. Wyvern House in Matlock, which was for a time called Bank House Hydro and afterwards became Ernest Bailey's Grammar School, is now the Derbyshire Record Office (pictured right). Some other buildings have also changed use. One example is Laburnum Hydro which ceased to be a hydro about 1933-4, then became an old people's home and has more recently also been converted to flats. The large hydro in the nearby parish of Darley became St. Elphin's girl's school although has recently also been sold and converted to flats and cottages.
About Ernest Bailey's School
How to contact Derbyshire Record Office
See Kelly's 1891 Directory of Darley
 
Ernest Bailey's Building on New Street
Copyright © 2007 Paul Kettle

Oldham House and Prospect Place Hydro on Wellington Street was also requisitioned by the RAF one weekend at the outbreak of the war. It had been run for many years by the Davis family, but was bought after the war by two sisters and turned into a private school, which closed in 1965.

The Presentation Convent took over two other old hydro buildings. Lilybank (formerly Dalefield) was the last hydro to close and was purchased by the Convent in 1962. Lilybank first became the Nagle Preparatory School and then later changed its use, becoming a residential home for the elderly. About thirty six years earlier Chesterfield House, pictured below, had become their Convent and School. Though Chesterfield House has been extended and altered, Ralph Davis's original building is still obvious in the right hand section of this photograph.
About the Presentation Convent
   
Woodlands School (Miss White's) & Oldham House Hydro - formerly Prospect House & Poplar Cottage
Matlock, Lilybank Hydro - Menus, 1958 - 60.
Three images, very kindly provided by Colin Goodwyn
"Taken Back In Time - Lilybank", by Sally Mosley, is an article about her schooldays as a pupil in the 1960s. It describes what the inside of the Hydro was like shortly after it was sold to the Convent
Matlock Lido, "Liquidating a Former Tourist Asset"


The former Chesterfield House Hydro and later part of the Presentation Convent, Matlock, DBY
© Caroline Cantor
The Presentation Convent, formerly Chesterfield House Hydro
Caroline Cantor is a former pupil and this photograph was taken at a reunion

Some medical web sites are (external links open in a new window):
Glossary of Diseases from Genealogy Quest - for explanations of old medical terms
Old Disease Names Frequently found on Death Certificates
Antiquus Morbus - Rudy's List of Archaic Medical Terms
Medical Heritage of Great Britain by Bath & Wessex Medical History Group

The excellent Archaic Medical Terminology site that was written and researched by Paul Smith seems to no longer work.


And also about water
The Victorian Turkish Bath Databank. A not-for-profit educational project in the UK

Photographs kindly provided by and © Andy Andrews, Caroline Cantor, Paul Kettle and the webmistress.
Information researched by and © Ann Andrews. Intended for personal use only



References:
1 Lysons, Rev Daniel and Samuel Lysons Esq. (1817) "Topographical and Historical Account of Derbyshire" London: Printed for T. Cadell, Strand; and G. and A. Greenland, Poultry, p.20
2 "Black's Tourist Guide to Derbyshire" (1888) pub. Adam and Charles Black Edinburgh, p.220
3 White, Francis (1857) "History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Derby", Francis White & Co.
4 Firth, J.B. (1908) "Highways and Byways in Derbyshire" MacMillan & Co., London, p.399
5 Bryan, Benjamin (1903) "History of Matlock - Matlock, Manor and Parish" London by Bemrose & Sons, Limited
6 'The Derbyshire Village Book' published by the Derbyshire Federation of Women's Institutes & Countryside Books, 1991. ISBN 1 85306 133 6. The book itself is now out of print, but the quotation is published here with the kind permission of the Derbyshire Federation of Women's Institutes.
1891 "Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire", 1891 } There are online transcripts: 19th century directories
1916 "Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire", 1916 } There are online transcripts: 20th century directories
1932 "Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire", 1932 } -
1941 "Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire", 1941 } -


© 1996 - Ann Andrews (click link to contact). All Rights Reserved. Last Update: 1 July, 2008
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