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Sprotborough (St. Mary)

SPROTBOROUGH (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of Doncaster, N. division of the wapentake of Strafforth and Tickhill, W. riding of York; containing, with the township of Cadeby, 534 inhabitants, of whom 381 are in Sprotborough township, 2¾ miles (W. S. W.) from Doncaster. This place anciently belonged to the Fitzwilliam family, one of whom founded an hospital here, dedicated to St. Edmund, which flourished till the Dissolution, when its revenue was returned at £9. 13. 11. The manor subsequently became the property of the Copley family, of whom Sir Godfrey built the present spacious mansion in the reign of Charles II., and whose descendant Sir Joseph Copley, Bart., is now lord. The parish comprises about 3400 acres of fertile land, situated in the vale of the river Don, and abounding in richly diversified scenery. Sprotborough Hall consists of a centre and two wings in the Grecian style, and contains many stately apartments, an extensive library, and a valuable collection of paintings; the grounds are tastefully laid out in lawns, and embellished with plantations. The village is on the western acclivity of the vale; it had formerly a cross, which was removed in 1520. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £44. 18. 9.; net income, £685; patron, Sir J. Copley. The church is an ancient structure with a tower, and contains some monuments to the families of Fitzwilliam and Copley.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.

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