CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH, Derbyshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH, a parish and town in the hundred of High Peak, in the county of Derby, 6 miles N. of Buxton, and 8 miles S. of Glossop. It is situated in a hilly district, and embosomed by the mountains which bound the extremity of the county. The parish includes the townships of Bowden-Edge, Bradshaw-Edge, and Coombe's-Edge. The London and North-Western railway runs through the parish to Buxton, and has a station about three-quarters of a mile from the town. The principal business of the place consists in the manufacture of cotton and paper.

The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Lichfield, value £150, in the patronage of the resident ratepayers. The church, dedicated to St. Thomas-a-Becket, is a stone edifice in the later English style. The Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists have each a place of worship. There are National and infant schools for both sexes. The charities produce about £50 per annum.

There is a savings bank and a mechanics' institute. Petty sessions are held once a month at the townhall, which is a handsome structure, built in 1851. The county court and court-leet are likewise held here. A chapel was built in 1229 by the inhabitants, and in 1317 it was constituted a parish church. There are vestiges of a Roman encampment in the neighbourhood, near which human remains have been found.

William Bagshaw, known as the "Apostle of the Peak", resided in this parish; he published the "De Spiritualibus Pecci". The market, which is now obsolete, was held on Thursday. Fairs are held as follows, viz.: Thursday before 14th February, March 3rd and 22nd, Thursday before Easter, April 30th, Holy Thursday, and the third Thursday after July 7th, Thursday after October 11th, and Thursday before November 23rd."

"BOWDEN-EDGE, a township in the parish of Chapel-en-le-Frith, hundred of High Peak, in the county of Derby, 1 mile from Chapel-en-le-Frith. Bowden Hall, an ancient mansion near the village, is now a farmhouse. This township is within the honour of Tutbury, in the Duchy of Lancaster."

"BRADSHAW EDGE, a township in the parish of Chapel-en-le-Frith, hundred of High Peak, in the county of Derby, 1 mile from Chapel-en-le-Frith. In this township is Bradshaw Hall, the residence of John Bradshaw, president at the trial of Charles I."

"COOMBS EDGE, a township in the parish of Chapel-en-le-Frith, hundred of High Peak, in the county of Derby, 2 miles S.W. of Chapel-en-le-Frith."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin HINSON ©2003]