SOUTH NORMANTON, Derbyshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"SOUTH NORMANTON, a parish in the hundred of Scarsdale, county Derby, 2¼ miles E. of Alfreton, its post town, and 2 N.W. of the Pinxton railway station. The village, which is large, is situated on an eminence, and is chiefly agricultural. It formerly belonged to the Willoughbys and Revels, which latter family resided here from the time of the Conquest. The surface is elevated and the scenery diversified. The substratum abounds in coal, of which some mines have been opened. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £285.

The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Lichfield, value £375. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a large ancient structure with a square embattled tower crowned with pinnacles. The parochial charities produce about £5 10s. per annum, which is distributed in flannel to the poor. There is a National school for children of both sexes. The Primitive and Wesleyan Methodists have each a place of worship. Carnfield Hall, the old seat of the Revel family, is the principal residence. Thomas Radford, Esq., is lord of the manor."

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