SILKSTONE, a parish in the wapentake of STAINCROSS,
West riding of the county of YORK, comprising
the chapelries of Barnesley and Stainbrough, and part
of those of West Bretton and Cumberworth, and the
townships of Dodworth, Hoyland-Swaine, Silkstone, and
Thurgoland, and containing 13,728 inhabitants, of which
number, 807 are in the township of Silkstone, 4 miles
(W. by S.) from Barnesley. The living is a vicarage, in
the archdeaconry and diocese of York, rated in the,
king's books at £17. 13. 4., and in the patronage of the
Archbishop of York. The church, dedicated to All
Saints, is partly Norman, and partly of later date, with
some elegant screen-work. There is a place of worship
for Wesleyan Methodists. In this parish the various
kinds of linen are manufactured; wire-drawing is also
carried on, and there are extensive iron-foundries and
collieries in the neighbourhood. The Rev. John Clarkson,
in 1734, assigned his interest in the profits arising
from certain messuages and lands, under lease for five
hundred years, for the education of poor children of
the township of Silkstone; the income is £28.15.,
and there are at present fifteen free scholars.