MUKER, a chapelry in that part of the parish of
GRINTON which is in the western division of the wapentake
of GILLING, North riding of the county of YORK
6 miles (N. W. by N.) from Askrigg, containing 1435
inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed
to the vicarage of Grinton, in the archdeaconry of
Richmond, and diocese of Chester, endowed with £800
royal bounty, and £ 1000 parliamentary grant. The
chapel, dedicated to St. Mary, was consecrated in
1580. The river Swale runs through the parish, and
forms a romantic cataract, called Keasden Force. Anthony
Metcalfe, in 1678, bequeathed a messuage for the
foundation of a free school, the income arising from
which is about £20. 10. a year. A subscription library
was formed here in 1819. A customary market is held
on Wednesday, and a fair for sheep, &c., on the Wednesday
preceding Christmas - day. The parish abounds
with lead and iron ore, coal, and limestone.