Oldstead
OLDSTEAD, a township, in the parish of Kilburn, wapentake of Birdforth, union of Helmsley, N. riding of the county of York, 7 miles (N.) from Easingwould; containing 125 inhabitants. The township comprises 1361 acres, of which 400 are laid out in woodland, and 284 are common or waste. Oldstead Hall is an ancient stone mansion, pleasantly situated. On the summit of a rock, in an elevated part of a thick wood, is an observatory, a strong pile of stone, forty feet high, 1146 feet above the level of the sea, and nearly the same height above the vale of York; it was erected by John Wormald, Esq., as appears by an inscription on the north side, to commemorate the first year of the reign of Her present Majesty. The village, which is of ancient date, is within a mile of Byland Abbey, and is romantically situated at the opening of a richly-wooded valley with lofty acclivities; a small stream runs through the dale. The tithes have been commuted for £139.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.