Patrington

The Ancient Parish of PATRINGTON

[Transcribed information mainly from the early 1820s]

"PATRINGTON, a parish in the wapentake and liberty of Holderness; 10 miles from Hedon, 18 from Hull, 25 from Hornsea, 57 from York, and 188 from London.

Patrington, an ancient town, supposed by Camden to be the Praetorium mentioned by Antoninus in his first Iter: and by Dr. Gale, to be a place, where Justice was administered between merchant and merchant. Drake differs from Camden, and considers the Praetorium to have been merely a moveable encampment, but where, is now impossible to determine; probably long since swallowed up by the sea. However, be that as it may, the inhabitants used to boast of their antiquity, and the former excellency of their harbour; which is now only a small creek forming a kind of a haven for small craft within a mile from the Humber; but there is no canal up to the town. From the churchyard and from several parts of the vicinity, are delightful views of the Humber, and its fertile shores as far as Spurn point, and the opposite shores of Lincolnshire render the prospect more beautiful.

The church, which is a beautiful Gothic structure (see Churches for photograph), in the form of a cross, and has a very lofty spire, which has long been a landmark for seamen on entering the Humber. The, spire, about 190 feet high, was not many years ago repaired at a trifling expense, considering its height, by a very ingenious workman, who erected his scaffolding half way up the spire, by means of a chain on hooks. It is dedicated to St. Patrick, from which Saint the town is said to derive its name. The patronage of the living is in Clare Hall, Cambridge, and the Rev. John Mansfield is the rector. Here is a Methodist Meeting House, and an Independent chapel. The market is on Saturday. Several small vessels trade from hence to Hull and London with corn chiefly, and many vessels are employed in the lime and coal trade from the West Riding. A navigable creek of the Humber, called Patrington Haven, comes within about a mile of this place. Patrington is supposed by Camden to have been the Praetorium of Ptolemy, and about sixty years ago a stone was dug up here, which has evidently formed part of a Roman altar. Population, 1244."

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"ENHOLMES, a farm house in the township and parish of Patrington; 1 mile WSW. of Patrington, 1 mile from Patrington."

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"PATRINGTON HAVEN, a hamlet in the township and parish of Patrington; 1 mile SSW. of Patrington."