BENTHAM, a parish in the western division of the
wapentake of STAINCLIFFE-and-EWCROSS, West riding
of the county of YORK, comprising the chapelry of Ingleton,
and the townships of Bentham and Langcliffe,
and containing 3824 inhabitants, of which number, 2102
are in the township of Bentham, 12 miles (W. N.W.)
from Settle. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry
of Richmond, and diocese of Chester, rated in
the king's books at £35. 7. 8., and in the patronage
of T. L. Parker, Esq. The church, dedicated to St.
John the Baptist, has lately received an addition of two
hundred and eighteen sittings, one hundred and twentyseven
of which are free, the Incorporated Society for
the enlargement of churches and chapels having granted
£100 toward defraying the expense. Here are mills
for the spinning of flax and the manufacture of linen;
there are also some potteries in the parish. William
Collingwood, in 1726, bequeathed property for the endowment
of a free school for boys in Upper Bentham,
and an hospital for six men and six women, which was
vested in trustees under a decree of the Court of Chancery,
in 1733, and now produces £240 per annum;
some trifling donations have since been made to the
school.