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"AYSGARTH, a parish in the wapentake of Hang West."
"ASKRIGG, with the village of Bainbridge and neighbourhood,
Askrigg is a small market-town and township, in the parish of Aysgarth, in the western division of Hang wapentake, in the North Riding; 241 miles from London, and 57 W.N.W. from the city of York; situated near to the north side of the river Ure, and consists of two small streets, built on the sides of the roads leading to Lancaster on the west, and that running to Kirkby Stephen on the north-west. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in husbandry, and others in wool-combing, the manufacturing of knit hosiery and dressing of flax. In the neighbourhood are lead mines, but they are not very productive. Askrigg is one of the stations appointed by the new Boundary Act for receiving votes at the election of members of parliament for the north riding of the county. The places of worship are a chapel of ease, under Aysgarth, dedicated to St. Oswald, & one belonging to the Wesleyan methodists. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of the vicar of Aysgarth; the present minister is the Rev. Richard Wood. Here are six alms-houses, for as many poor widows, founded and endowed by Christopher Alderson, and a free grammar school, founded by Anthony Benson, in the 43rd of Elizabeth. The appearance of the country around here is of a romantic character, wild and mountainous, its natural beauties enhanced by many waterfalls that dash over precipices, and whose waters enrich the valleys as they run murmuring through them. The market-day here is held on Thursday; and the fairs are May 12th, the first Thursday in June, the 11th and 12th of July, and October 28th, for cattle. The population of the town-ship, in 1821, was 765, and in 1831, 737. Bainbridge is a small village, in the same parish as Askrigg, one mile S.W. from that town, situated upon the river Ure. Here are a methodist chapel and a friends' meeting-house; also a free grammar school, which has a small endowment. The township contained, in 1821, 872 inhabitants, and in 1831, 881."
"HAWES, a small market town and chapelry, in the parish of Aysgarth, in the western division of Hang wapentake, North Riding, is 252 miles from London, and six from Askrigg. The town is situated on a branch of the river Ure ; the houses being chiefly built of stone, have altogether a neat and respectable appearance. The manufactures here are not of a various character ; they consist principally of knit hosiery, caps, &c. with some other woollen articles, two extensive water mills being employed in their fabrication. Lead mines are in the neighbourhood, but they are not worked to much profit. The places of worship are a chapel, under the establishment, and one each for the society of friends and the Sandemanians. The curate of the church is the Rev. John Whaley, and the living is in the gift of the land owners. In 1764 a free school was founded, with a small endowment, and the school house was erected by subscription : there is also a well selected subscription library.
The general aspect of the country is mountainous and barren, interspersed with fertile spots -- a relief to the prospect, which otherwise would be quite destitute of interest. In this vicinity is a magnificent water fall, called 'Hardraw Scarr' or Force, well worth visiting ; the perpendicular fall is 102 feet.
The market day is on Tuesday, and the fairs are, Tuesday in Whitsun week, and the 28th and 29th of September. There are also cattle fairs held on every alternate Tuesday, from the last Tuesday in February to Whitsuntide. In 1821 the number of inhabitants in the chapelry amounted to 1,408, and in 1831, 1,559. Gayle, or Gale, is nearly adjoining to Hawes, and may be said to be a member of that town, its population being returned therewith."
[Transcribed by Steve Garton ©2000 from
Pigot's directory (Yorkshire section) 1834]