SILSDEN, a chapelry in the parish of KILDWICK, eastern division of the wapentake of STAINCLIFFE-and-EWCROSS, West riding of the county of YORK, 4 miles (N. by W.) from Keighley, containing 1904 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the peculiar jurisdiction of the manorial court of Silsden, endowed with £400 private benefaction, £400 royal bounty, and £400 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of the Earl of Thanet. The chapel is dedicated to St. James. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. The manufacture of woollen cloth, calico, and nails, is carried on. Five poor children are taught for £3. 6. 8. a year, the bequest of William Laycock, in 1612.