BILBY, a township, joint with Barnby-Moor, in
that part of the parish of BLYTH which is in the Hatfield
division of the wapentake of BASSETLAW, county
of NOTTINGHAM, 4 miles (W. N. W.) from East' Retford.
The population is returned with Barnby-Moor.
BILDESTON, or BILSON, a parish (formerly a
market-town) in the hundred of COSFORD, county of
SUFFOLK, 14 miles (W. N. W.) from Ipswich, and 66
(N. E. by N.) from London, containing 814 inhabitants.
The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Sudbury>
and diocese of Norwich, rated in the Idng's books at
£12. 16. 10., and in the patronage of the Rev. Charles
Johnson. The churchj dedicated to St. Mary,. is -a
handsome spacious structure. There is a place of worship
for Baptists. The manufacture of blankets and
woollen cloth was formerly carried on here;- but at
present the chief employment of the inhabitants consists
in spinning yarn. The market, now disused, was
held on Wednesday: there are fairs on Ash-Wednesday
and Holy Thursday. In 1535, a school-house was given
to the parish, but the name of the donor has not been
preserved.