FOOLOW, township and small ancient village, chiefly inhabited by farmers and miners, 1½ miles W. from Eyam, 2¾ miles E. by N. from Tideswell, contains 979 acres of land, 60 houses, and 249 inhabitants, of whom 135 were males, and 114 females; rateable value, £1000. The Duke of Devonshire is principal owner and lord of the manor. The executors of E.B. Smith, Captain Thomas Hallows, Misses Carlyle, William and Robert Wyatt, Esqs., and Peter Wright Esq., are also owners, besides whom are several small freeholders. The tithes were commuted in 1839 for £34, to the rector, who has a small claim on all the lead ore. The Methodists have a small chapel, built in 1810. Bretton, a few farms on a bold eminence, 1 mile N.E. from Foolow. Bretton Clough is partly in this and partly in Woodland Eyam township. Broster Field, a district ¼ of a mile south, and the Water Grove lead mine, are in this township.

Transcribed by Rosemary Lockie in June 2012.

Transcribed by Paul Bradford in March 2001.