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Stainforth

STAINFORTH, a township, in the parish of Giggleswick, union of Settle, wapentake of Staincliffe West, W. riding of York, 2 miles (N.)' from Settle; containing 261 inhabitants. A considerable part of the land here belonged to Sawley Abbey, and at the Dissolution was granted to Sir Arthur D'Arcy. The township, including the hamlet of Little Stainforth, comprises about 3480 acres, laid out in pasture, and divided among various proprietors, subject to small quit-rents payable to Pudsey Dawson, Esq., of Hornby Castle. It is beautifully situated in the fertile valley of Ribblesdale, which abounds with romantic scenery; and between Great and Little Stainforth is a fine waterfall, formed by the Ribble in its passage over the limestone rock, a short distance above which an ancient bridge spans the river with one lofty arch, adding greatly to the effect. About a mile above the village of Great Stainforth, on a brook which flows into the Ribble, is another fall of water, of very considerable elevation, embosomed in magnificent scenery, and called Catrig force; immediately from the foot of which, the water again rushes down the precipitous rock, in several successive falls of varying height and character, the banks on either side being overhung with bold and broken rocks, interspersed with wood. There are some good houses in the village. A district church was erected in 1841, by Mr. Dawson, at an expense of £2500, on a site purchased by subscription; it is in the Tudor style, with a square embattled tower, and contains 250 sittings, all free. The living is a perpetual curacy, endowed by subscription with £2100, and in the patronage of five Trustees.

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

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