Alfreton, Derbyshire Family History Guide

Alfreton is an Ancient Parish and a market town in the county of Derbyshire.

Other places in the parish include: Swanwick, Summercotes, Somercotes, Greenhill Lane, and Birchwood.

Parish church: St Martin

Parish registers begin: 1706; Separate registers exist for Swanwick 1860

Nonconformists include: Baptist, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Particular Baptist, Primitive Methodist, Roman Catholic, Wesleyan Methodist, and Wesleyan Methodist Reform.

Adjacent Parishes

Parish History

The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales 1870

ALFRETON, a small town, a parish, and a subdistrict, in the district of Belper, Derby. The town stands on the brow of a hill, about a mile from the new branch railway connecting the Erewash line with the main Midland, and 14 miles NNE of Derby. It is said, but without good reason, to have got its name and origin from a residence of King Alfred. Its form is irregular and straggling; and many of its houses are old.

The parish church is variously early, decorated, and later English; and was restored and enlarged in 1869. The town has a railway station, a head post-office, two banking offices, and two chief inns; and is a polling place. Stocking manufacture is carried on; and potteries, stone-quarries, collieries, and iron-works are in the neighbourhood. A weekly market is held on Friday, and fairs on 26 Jan., Easter-Tuesday, Whit-Tuesday, 31 July, 8 Oct., and 22 Nov.

The parish contains also the villages of Greenhill-Lane and Birchwood, the manor of Riddings-with-Ironville, and the hamlets of Summercotes and Swanwick. Acres, 4,550. Real property, £27,414, of which £7,472 are in mines, and £2,000 in iron-works. Pop., 11,549. Houses, 2,082. The property is divided among a few.

The manor of Alfreton belonged to successively the De Alfretons, the Chaworths, the Babingtons, and the Zouches; and now belongs to W. P. Morewood, Esq. Roman relics have been found at Greenhill-Lane.

The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Lichfield. Value, £150. Patron, W. P. Morewood, Esq. The p. curacy of Swanwick, the vicarage of Ironville, and the vicarage of Riddings-with-Summercotes, are separate benefices. The ancient parish church belonged to Beauchier Abbey. There are chapels for Independents, Baptists, Wesleyans, and Primitive Methodists. An endowed school has £50 a year, and other charities £145. The subdistrict is co-extensive with the parish.

Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].

Leonard’s Gazetteer of England and Wales 1850

Alfreton, 6 miles E. Wirksworth, Mrkt., Mon. P. 7577

Source: Leonard’s Gazetteer of England and Wales; Second Edition; C. W. Leonard, London; 1850.

Crosby’s Complete Pocket Gazetteer of England and Wales 1815

Alfreton, (Derb.) ia a small market town, situated almost in the middle of the county, on an elevated and healthy spot. It is related by Camden and confirmed by tradition, that king Alfred was the founder of this town, and the remains of his castle are now shewn to the inquisitive traveller. The truth of this tradition, however, is doubtful: Alfreton did not receive its present name until about the 14th century.

The town consists of two streets, crossing each other at right angles, in the centre of which is the market place, where formerly stood an ancient market cross, remarkable for having been cut out of one solid block of stone. At Swanswick in this parish is a free school; founded in 1740 at the expense of Mrs Eliz. Turner, and endowed by her, for the instruction of 24 children in reading and writing. This number has since been augmented by the trustees to 40.

The parish church of St. Mary is an ancient structure, built before the reign of Henry II. There is one meeting house for dissenters. The number of inhabitants (including Alfreton-Outseats) is 3396; who are chiefly employed in the manufacture of stockings and calicoes, and also in working the neighbouring collieries. There is also a brown-ware pottery. Bankers. Messrs. Wylde and Bolyer, draw on Fraser and Co. Cornhill.

Market Day and Fairs. The market day, formerly held on Monday, is now on Friday, for which day it was originally chartered. Fairs, 31st July and 24tb Nov. Distance from London. By Derby and Smithy houses, is 140 miles; by Derby and Oakenthorpe, 142; from Becher 6; Chesterfield, 10; Derby, 14; Mansfield, 9; and Nottingham, 16. Post. The post arrives from the north at 7 in the morning, and from the south, at 5 in the afternoon.

Principal inns. The George and the Angel, at both of which there are good accommodations for travellers. Gentleman’s Seat. Alfreton Hall, (Rev. H.C. Morewood)

Source: Crosby’s Complete Pocket Gazetteer of England and Wales 1815; Baldwin, Cradock & Joy.

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