Hilston (St. Margaret)
HILSTON (St. Margaret), a parish, in the union of Patrington, Middle division of the wapentake of Holderness, E. riding of York, 14 miles (E. by N.) from Hull; containing 41 inhabitants. This place has been variously written; in Domesday book it occurs as Heldoveston, and at subsequent periods is called Hildofston and Hildeston. The parish comprises by survey 578 acres, of which about 350 are arable, and the remainder meadow and pasture; the soil is of a clayey quality. The village is situated about a mile from the sea. A little to the north of it is Hilston Mount, a considerable eminence, on which is an octagonal tower of light brick, with a circular turret on its northern side, surmounted with a flag-staff and vane, and well known as a landmark for mariners; the prospect is very extensive. The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at £5; net income, £50; patron and incumbent, the Rev. C. Sykes. The church is a small structure in the early English style, simple and massive, with some fine Norman remains, including a doorway on the north of the nave, which has a zigzag moulding.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.