1822 - Dictionary of Towns, Villages & Hamlets in Yorkshire

The following entry is contained in the "Dictionary of Towns, Villages and Hamlets in Yorkshire" by Thomas Langdale, Dated 1822 (Page 254).

CASTLEFORD, a parish-town, in the wapentake of Osgoldcross, liberty of Pontefract, 3 miles from Ferrybridge, 3½ NW. of Pontefract, 22½ from York. Pop. 1,022. The Church is a rectory, dedicated to All-Saints, in the deanry of Pontefract, value, £20. 13s. 1½d. (£20.66p) Patron, the King, as Duke of Lancaster.

Castleford, situated on the Ermine Street, near the confluence of the rivers Aire and Calder, is called by Marianus, Casterford. Here was a Roman station, named Legeolium, by Antoninus; and which Hovedon, the historian, expressly calls a city. Here many Roman ruins, and other antiquities have been frequently found; and at this place a battle was fought, between the Danes and Saxons, under Edred, in 950, in which the former were entirely defeated. The Danes, after having experienced the clemency of Edred at York, followed the Saxons from that city to Castleford, unnoticed, where they fell upon his rear with great fury; but such was the invincible valour of Edred, that he completely defeated them, and severely punished them for their ingratitude. Few or no traces of the antiquities of Castleford are now to be seen. - Camden. - Drake.

Thomas de Casterford, a Benedictine Monk, who flourished about the year 1326, and who wrote a history of Pontefract, was a native of this place.

The Tithes of this parish are settled by Act of Parliament; the rector receives twenty eight quarts of wheat, for every pound rent paid by the tenant to his landlord, on Arable land, and twenty quarts for every two pounds rent, on Grass land.

In the 'History, Directory & Gazetteer, of the County of York' by Edward Baines dated 1822 (Page 478) the entry of 'professions and trades' for CASTLEFORD were as follows:

(Gentry etc.)

Barnes Rev. Theophilus, rector Garlick John, post master Heptonstall Thomas, corn miller Hodgson William, saddler Holmes Robert, hair dresser Ingham David, corn & flour dealer Ingham Samuel, schoolmaster Kemp Matthew, grocer Long Thomas, spirit merchant Parkinson Thos., victualer, George & Dragon Prince John, Sen., victualer, Ship Inn Prince John, Jun., lime merchant Sykes Wm., bricklayer Thornton John, victualer, Spangled Bull Wadsworth James, victualer, Mexbro' Arms Walker William, wheelwright Watson Elizabeth, victualer, Keel

(Blacksmiths)

Etherington Jph., & farrier Moorhouse Matt. Simpson John

(Butchers)

Carniss Alexander Howard William Hurst John Simpson Charles

(Cabinet makers)

England Matthew Hewett William

(Pot makers)

Fletcher I., (black) Russell T.S., (stone)

(Shoemakers)

Burn Joseph Walton Benjamin

(Shopkeepers)

Brook Alice Ellis Richard England Paul Redmayne Sarah Sharp James Turner Sarah Wilson Thomas

(Tailors)

Feetham A., & draper Howen Thomas

(Vessel Owners)

Ashton Joseph Boulton Thomas Darling William Dickinson Francis Firth Richard Firth William Hanson Thomas Hodgson Isaac Howen Thomas Johnson George Kemp Matthew Parkinson Thomas Pennington Robt. Steel Thomas Taylor David Townsley Valent. Townsley Richard Townsley Mary Winn George Wright Francis Wright George

In the "Dictionary of Towns, Villages and Hamlets in Yorkshire" by Thomas Langdale, Dated 1822 (Page 319) A separate entry was made for Houghton, or Glass-Houghton:

HOUGHTON, or GLASS HOUGHTON, in the parish of Castleford, wapentake of Osgoldcross, liberty of Pontefract; 2 miles from Pontefract, 3 from Ferrybridge, 9 from Wakefield. - Pop. 412.

In the 'History, Directory & Gazetteer, of the County of York' by Edward Baines dated 1822 (Page 507) the entries of 'professions and trades' for Glass Houghton were:

Carr John, butcher Davison Thos., victualer, Shoulder Mutton England Matth., victualer & wheelwright, Woodman Inn Oldroyd Geo., victualer, Traveller's Inn Walton William, vessel owner

Both of the books mentioned above can be located in the Harvard College Library.

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