Bygones of Bilsdale Exhibition, 2010

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In 2009 Joan Richardson discussed an idea with some local people to prepare an exhibition at St Hilda’s church. The agreed theme, “Bygones of Bilsdale”, was to depict Bilsdale over the last hundred years with artifacts, memorabilia and flowers.

27 different themes were agreed and small groups started to research their topics. Some useful information was taken from “Bygone Bilsdale” published by the Bilsdale Study Group in 1992.

The exhibition took place from 29th to 31st May, 2010. It was a great success with more than 1000 people visiting the church and over £2,000 was raised for church funds.

The main headings for the exhibition were:

  • Tea in the Hayfield
  • Bilsdale Forges and Jet Mining
  • Bilsdale Midcable Primary School
  • The Inkerman Free Gift
  • Font Flowers
  • Christenings
  • Royal Observer Corps
  • Remembrance
  • Milk Production
  • Sheep Farming
  • Corn Mills
  • St Hilda’s Altar
  • Authors and Poets
  • Sunday School
  • Bilsdale Brides
  • Bilsdale Hunt
  • Chop Gate Cricket Club
  • Flowers in memory of Michael Lines
  • Vestments and Vicars
  • Altar flowers
  • Bilsdale Silver Band
  • Churchwardens Past and Present
  • Flowers in memory of Ruth Scott
  • Weddings
  • Bilsdale Agricultural Show
  • People of Bilsdale
  • The Bennison Family
  • Old Maps & Surveys

The contributors are listed below:

Tea in the Hayfield – Dory Read

Bilsdale Forges and Jet Mining – John Rees

Bilsdale Midcable Primary School – school children & teachers

The Inkerman Free Gift – Colin Harrison

Font Flowers – Margaret Brown, Kath Callen and Anne Ford

Christenings – Katherine Smith

Observer Corps – Dory Reed

Rememberance – Davina Barker

Milk Production – John and Freda Hunwick & Vicki Bowker

Sheep Production – John and Freda Hunwick & Vicki Bowker

Corn Mills – Roy Barker

St Hilda’s Altar – Doris Atkinson

Authors and Poets – Joan Richardson

Sunday School – Jill Cunningham

Bilsdale Brides – Margaret Harrison

Bilsdale Hunt – Carol McGee

Chop Gate Cricket Club – George Cook

Flowers – Joan Richardson

Vestments and Vicars – Anne Rees

Altar Flowers – Margaret Brown, Kath Callen and Anne Ford

Bilsdale Silver Band – Ida Atkinson

Churchwardens – Past and Present – Jeffrey Richardson

Flowers in memory of Ruth Scott – Dory Reed

Weddings – Carol McGee

Bilsdale Agricultural Show – Ruby Garbutt & Sue Barker

People of Bilsdale – Margaret Harrison

The Bennison Family – Margaret Harrison

Old Maps and Surveys – Malcolm Bowes

Published: 04 2015 (Updated: 26 2022)

Jet Mining

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The spoil heaps produced by the jet miners are clearly visible along the sides of Bilsdale and Raisdale.  They are at about the 900 ft level in the Lower Jurassic shales which were laid down about 180m years ago when the area was located closer to the equator.  The dominant species of tree was the Araucaria (Monkey puzzle tree).  These were washed down the rivers into the Liassic Sea, gradually became waterlogged sank into the mud and, over time, became the small seams of jet within the shale.  Bilsdale was well known for the quality of its jet deposits, particularly around Hasty bank and Garfitts.  Jet mining started in the 1850s after the death of the Duke of Wellington but the jewellery became much more popular after Queen Victoria wore it as a sign of mourning for Prince Albert.  In 1861 11 jet miners were recorded in Bilsdale.  By 1871 there were 42 miners living in the dale but 10 years later there were only four.  Many came from outside the dale and it is reported that more than 100 worked at Hasty Bank and Garfitt.  It is probably that the extensive jet mining on Hasty Bank was partly responsible for the great landslip which swept the road away in 1872.

Published: 01 2015 (Updated: 25 2022)

Surveys and Census

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Surveys of Bilsdale were carried out in 1637, 1642, 1781, 1814 and 1826 for the owners of the Helmsley estate and deposited in the County Records office. These have been edited and transcribed by M Y Ashcroft and Audry M Hill and were published by North Yorkshire County Council in 1980, together with some maps. Details from the 1851 census are also included.

Details from the 1841 census can be seen at 1841 census

The Bilsdale Local History Group has carried out some research into these surveys and details will be summarised later.

If you have any further research you would like to share please let us know.

Published: 19 2016 (Updated: 26 2022)

Bilsdale Survey, 1781

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“A correct survey of Bilsdale in the county of York, the estate of Charles Slingsby Duncombe Esqr. with reference to a plan of the same (numbered),  Taken in the year of our Lord 1781 by William Calvert of Sutton upon Trent, Notts.”

The following extract gives details of the farms and tenants in the order they appear in the survey:

1   Garfit             Richard Tate

2   Hasty Bank   John Carter

3   Hasty Bank   Richard Medd

4  West Park       Anthony Coverdale

5   Arrow            John Ward

6   Arrow            William Hart

7   Arrow            Jonathan Ward

8   Arrow            James Coverdale

9   Arrow            Thomas York

10   Arrow          John Hugill in 1781

Thoms leng, Thomas Hugil & William Barker in 1782

11   Arrow          Thomas Dawson

12   Arrow          John Tate

13   Bread Field  Leonard Leng

14   Bread Field  Richard Leng

15   Norwoods     William Hart

16   Bank House  Jonathan Hugil

17   Cows Hill     Joseph Ward, senior

18   Akit              Joseph Ward, jun.

19   Stocking       Mark Long

20   Hill House    Thomas Leng

21   Mill Farm     Richard Garbutt

22   Tranmer       Thomas Hugil

23  Seave Green  Joseph Trousdale

24  Sevae Green  Thomas Garbut

25   East Moor Bank  Thomas Ward

26  Stoners Court  William Ward

27   Esp House     William Leng

28   Clay House    Robert Garbut

29   Potter House   John Barton

30   Cockfleet       John Ainsley

31   West Cote      Robert Mead

32   Ewe Hill        John Hugil

33   Low Crislets  William Wood

34   High Crislets  John Medd

35  Raisdale Mill Farm  William Garbut

36  Clough           William Hunton

37  Staindale        James Brittain

38  Staindale        Stephen Brittain

39  Wait house     George Priestman

40  Upper Boomfleet  George Atkinson

41  Nether Broomfleet  William leng

42  Clay House     George Hart

43  HallGarth       John Garbut

44  Cold Moor Court  William Garbut

45  Beakhills        Richard Garbut

46  Beakhills        David Saunderson

Cottages

149 House at Orrow

281 Shoulder of Mutton public house  John Medd

278 House & garden   Grace Saunderson

218 House & garden   Thomas Leng

318 House           Jane Wood

315 House           James Raiby

316 School House   Bilsdale Overseers

312 Bakers Coffee House & Garden   John Baker

254 House & garth   Thomas Saunderson

390 House & garth   Paul Hunton

 

1   Breckhouse      John Garbut

2   Hawtherley      Thomas Wilson

3   Hawtherley       Jas. Garbut

4   Hawtherley       Stephen Atkinson

5   Williambeck    William Atkinson

6   Ellermire         William Hugil

7   Ellermire          Joshua Hugil

8   Cham House & Broad Ing   Joseph Hugil

9   Crookley         Ann Medd

10  Crookley        William Hoggard

11  Beaconguest   Thomas Hoggard

12  Carle head       John Leng

13  Stingamires     John Garbut

14  Stableholm      William Hart

15  Grange            John Raiby

16  Grange            William Garbut

17  Crossholm       Geo. Hoggard

18  Thornhill         Isaac Trowsdale

19  Oak house       Geo. Hoggard

20  Studfast hill     John Hoggard

21  Hag House      John Garbut

22  Cow Helm       Wm. Atkinson

23  Low helm        Wm. Atkinson

24  Cow helm        William Ward

25  Appletree hurst   John Hoggard

26  Studsty            John Nags

27  High Ewe Coat   John Garbut

to be continued

Published: 19 2016

Survey of Bilsdale, 1637

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The 1637 survey is entitled”The rentail & survey of divers mannors, lands, tenements & hereditaments in the countie of York beinge in the inheritance of the Right Honourable George Earle of Rutland and now in his posession, taken the 28 day in the twelth (sic) yeare of the raigne of our soveraigne lord Kinge Charles that now ys etc., upon the severall presentments made by divers auncient & sufficient men of every manor & lordshipp & by survey of Henry Pelham, Francis Harker & John Wells esquires, commissioners authorized in that behalf by the said Earle etc.”

The survey lists the various holdings in Bilsdale Kirkham and Bilsdale Rievaulx.  Each entry indicates the tennant, the dwelling, the individual fields rented and the total rent payable.  Many farm names are recognisable, but some are not, or are unclear.  The Bilsdale Local History Group has used these surveys to identify “lost farms”

Below is a list of the entries in the 1637 survey in the order in which they appear.  This may help in researching family history or farm ownerships.  Please let us know if you carry out any research using this information.

Properties in Bilsdale Kirkham are listed first followed by Bilsdale Rievaulx.

Manerium de Bilsdale Kirkham

William Hoggard      Oakeheade
William Wood          Bankehowse
said William Wood   Seavegreene Howse
Anthony Laynge       Preesthouse
Richard Blackett sen. Brodefeild
Richard Blackett      Norwoodes
William Garbutt jun   Garthwaite
Thomas Launde       Lonynge House
Richard Hewgill       Hastybanke
John Hewgill            Waterstone House
John Carter              Spouthowse
William Watson        Dockinggarthe Howse
Anthony Coverdell   West Parkes
Richard Blackett jun Burtre Howse
Thomas Jenkenson   Middlehead
Elizabeth Flintofte     North Howse
John Carter              Burtre Hill
Margrett Laynge      Guilde Howse
Katherine Laynge    Chissell Hill
Thomas Laynge       Reggitt Howse
Lawrance Wood     Elmetre Howse
Alce Webster          Seave Outgane
Richard Mann         Bilsedale Hall
said Richard Mann  Howse on the Greene
Lawrance Laynge    Hill Howse
William Garbutt       Stonehowse Coate
John Wood             Pootehowse
same John Wood    Broade Heade
Mathew Wood        Potter Howse
Elizabeth Kirk         Todd Howse
Leonard Laynge      Espehowse
Henry Garbutt one intack, ten acres
William Kilvart        Cockflatt
Thomas Atkinson    West Coate
William Kilvart        Jophowse
Stephen Hewgill one intack ten acres
Mary Barle one intck 15 acres
William Webster one corne mill

Manerium de Bilsdale Ryvalx

Robert Cooper 1/2 of Stony Slack Howse
Ralfe Cooper 1/4 of SSH
Widdowe Spooneton 1/4 of SSH
John Freer               Bawdwin Heade
William Snawden     Stangley Howse
Margery Jackson     Farehill
William Warde        Newgate Foote
Alexander Watson   Fether Holme
Thomas Ayton          Breckhead
George Bates           Lascgill Howse
Richard Boyes         Oak Close House
Edward Daile          2/3 of Pinder Howse
Mary Coates           1/3 of PH
Roger Smyth           Carr Coate
Katherine Leynge    New House
John Helme             Braconhow
Roger Easton          Burton Shawe
Anthony Garbutt      Levarackhall
John Kirke              Spoothowse
Richard Watson      Hollinge Bower
Richard Dobson      1/2 of Crofthowmate
John Dobson           1/2 of Crofthowmate
Thomas Addamson 1/2 of Bracon hill
Margrett Helme widdowe 1/2 of Bracon hill
Jane Coates            Stutstyes
John Duck              Yowe Coate
said John Duck       1/2 Cowholme
Thomas Trowsdale  Abbott Howse
Richard Moone       Buthowse
Francis Marshall      Crosholme
Christopher Trowsedale Appletree Hurst
John Hart                 1/2 Cowhellme
Christopher              Trowsdale one intack
John Fletcher           Hagge Howse
John Fletcher jun     2/3 Studfast Hill
Richard Kirke         1/3 Studfast Hill
John Fletcher sen    Oake Howse
Richard Trowsdale  Thorne Hill
Richard Carter         one little tenement
Thomas Barker        one intack called Gill Howse
George Warde         Ellermyre
John Garbutt            Omanes Lodge
Jane Barley widdowe Bakell Greenes
Thomas Atkinson      one intack
Ralfe Atkinson          William Beck
Crathorne Ashley      Cold Moore Coate
Thomas Garbutt        Middle Howse
William Garbutt         Hall Garthe
John Hewitson          Clay House
Robert Garbutt          1/2 Broome Flatt
Isabell Garbut widdowe 1/2 Broome Flatt
Leonard Saunderson  Broade Twhaite House
Christopher Flintofte  Staindale Coate
Christopher Bowes, John Bowes,
William Bowes Mawkin Bower

Roger Bowes           Fangill Beck
John Garbutt            Helme House
Samuell Easton        Wool House Crofte
Ralfw Flintofte         one cottage on the moor
Anthony Flintofte     Wether Coate
William Chapman     Lockton House
said Samuell Easton  Bridge Howse
William Chapman jun Yow Coate
Roger Dobson          Timberholme
William Coates         Grimes Holme
John Boy dec            one cottage on the moor
John Saunderson       Raisdale Mill House
said John Saunderson Clonge Howse
Mary Barley widdowe Crosletts
Stephen Hewgill        Hewhill
Henry Garbutt           Brick House
Richard Kirke           Hawtherley
Roberte Watson        Sable Holme
Percival Harker         Bruckley
William Lion              Beakengest
William Kirke            1/2 Carwell Head
John Hewthwaite       1/2 Carwell Head
William Coulson        Nether Mill Howse
Richard Moone         Coniser
William Greenside     1/2 Stonehowse
Peter Slightholme       1/2 Robert Crofy
William Hutchinson    1/2 Stonehowse
William Easton           Fangaile Becke

Published: 19 2016 (Updated: 26 2022)

Landscape

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The rocks of Bilsdale were laid down about 180 million years ago during the Jurassic period.  The area was covered by sea and located closer to the equator.  Conditions varied as the sea level changed.  Sometimes the land rose above the sea and was covered in dense foreasts.  Geologists have identified 3 distinct phases, the Lower, Middle and Upper Jurassic periods.

These flat sea beds were eventually pushed up and twisted when the Alps were forming in Europe, so they now tilt gently to the south.  The continuous process of erosion has removed more than 3,000 ft of rock, so the streams in the northern part of the dale now cut into the Lower Jurassic lias shales.  The surrounding dale and moors consist of layers of Middle Jurassic rocks and, to the south, the climb up Newgate Bank takes you onto the Upper Jurasiclimestones and sandstones.

Within the Middle Jurassic layers are the ironstone, jet and alum deposits which have been extensively mined and formed the basis for early industry in the dale.

During the last ice age which finished about 12,000 years ago, the ice sheets did not cover the moors.  Lakes formed between the ice and the northern scarp face so melt waters regularly flowed down Raisdale and Bilsdale creating the gaps between Live Moor, Cringle Moor, Cold Moor and Urra Moor.  As the water flowed down Bilsdale a V-shaped valley was created.  Springs emerged along the valley sides between the Lower and Middle Jurassic rocks and eroded the valley sides further to produce the present U-shaped valley.

As the ice receded, trees and vegetation spread over the area and changed as the climate warmed.  The moor tops were heavily forested, and the valley bottons were wet and boggy.  Bronze Age man created tracks across the moors and cleared the forests.  This lead to severe erosion and the formation of the peat.

With the development of the heather moors, the area became popular for grouse shooting and the moors are now managed to support this.

We would like to develop tis brief summary further.  If you would like to help please contact us

Published: 13 2016 (Updated: 24 2017)

People

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This section explores the relationship between man and the landscape.  After the last ice age, hunter gatherers moved onto the moors from the continent about 8,000 years ago.  Since then there has been a complex interaction between man and the environment of Bilsdale.  More recently there are surveys of Bilsdale residents in the 17th – 19th century published by North Yorkshire County Council.  Recently the local community created an exhibition in St Hilda”s church, “Bygones of Bilsdale” about the social history of the dale.  There is also information about families from the census, commencing in 1841 which provides a source for future research.

  • Early Man
  • Angles, Saxons, Vikings and Romans, including St Hilda
  • Normans, Plantagenants and Tudors
  • Monastic Life
  • Industrial Revolution
  • Bilsdale Surveys
  • Census
  • 20th Century

Please let us know if you would like to write about any of these topics or provide details about your family history.

Published: 13 2016 (Updated: 26 2022)

Iron Smelting

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There is evidence of iron working in the Middles Ages in Bilsdale. The iron stone seams in the Jurassic rocks of the surrounding area provided the raw materials for the steel industry in Middlesbrough, but they were also mined in Bilsdale.

The university of Bradford carried out research during 1994-2002 and sites of medieval bloomaries have been found at Timberholme, Woolhouse Croft, Oak House, Smithy Ellers south of Low Crossett Farm, Low Crosset and at the Grange at a field called “Cinder Hills”.  A brief reference to this research is below, but further information is required. Please let us know if you can help : ed.

Further details of the iron making process to be included.

At Laskill there was a major bloomery. Need to check the relationship with Rievaulx Abbey. Bygone Bilsdale indicates “a blast furnace was built in 1576-77 and produced about 13cwt a day. A new furnace in 1587increased output to over a ton”.

The Main seam outcrops west of the river Seph at Spout House and Fangdale Beck.  At Stingamires the seam is 1ft 6ins high, which is quite good for the area.  The Dogger seam is exposed on Snilesworth moor and is about 5ft thick.  A small band of the Eller Beck Bed crosses the road above William Beck Farm and there are outcropsof the Avicular seam near Low Crossett Farm. (check these details – any comments welcome : ed)

Published: 22 2016 (Updated: 26 2022)

Inkerman Free Gift

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The Inkerman Free Gift friendly society was active from 1855 until 1985.

Bygones of Bilsdale exhibition

Published: 22 2016 (Updated: 26 2022)

The Buck Inn

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One of the earliest records of the Buck Inn is from the survey of 1781/2 which identifies the building as Bakers Coffie House (ref 312).  The occupant, John Baker farmed 10 acres of land. In  1826 it was a public house (ref 1302) and in the 1841 Census Michael Johnson was the Innkeeper.

For the latest information about the Buck Inn click here

Published: 22 2016 (Updated: 25 2022)