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Wilsden

WILSDEN, a township, and, with Allerton, a district parish, in the parish and union of Bradford, wapentake of Morley, W. riding of York, 5 miles (N. W.) from Bradford; the township containing 2684 inhabitants. This township is divided into Lower and Upper, the former including part of the ancient manor of Allerton, and the latter the Hallowes or Hallas estate, Manuels, Birchin-Lee, and a small portion of Cullingworth. It comprises by measurement 2607 acres. The lands are distinguished as the old and new cultivations, the old separated into small farms, and the new greatly extended and improved by the growth of the worsted manufacture; the soil is various, but principally adapted to dairy purposes, and the arable land to the production of oats. The neighbourhood abounds with coal, of which several mines are in operation, and with freestone of good quality, which is extensively quarried, and with which the inhabitants are supplied from one of the quarries, for building, free of expense. The scenery is striking, and in the north-eastern part beautifully picturesque, embracing towards Bingley an extensive prospect. At Manuels is a stream of water rising from numerous springs, and discharging about 400 gallons per minute; it belongs to the New Water-works' Company at Bradford. On Harden Beck is a cascade called the Hallas Lumb, falling from two several heights of five and fifteen feet, and, from its partial concealment by precipitous and thickly-wooded rocks, having a singularly romantic appearance. The village, which is chiefly modern, consists of a long line of detached and irregularly-built houses, stretching along the northern acclivity of an eminence rising from Harden beck. Its inhabitants are chiefly employed in the worsted manufacture, which is carried on to a very great extent, there being not less than eleven mills and factories. A mechanics' institution was erected in 1827. The church (St. Matthew's), erected near the village, in 1823, by the Church Commissioners, at an expense of nearly £10,000, was consecrated on the 1st of November, 1826; it is a handsome structure in the later English style, with a square embattled tower crowned by pinnacles, and contains 1400 sittings, of which 600 are free. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Vicar of Bradford; net income, £150. There are places of worship for Independents and Wesleyans.

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

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