STOKE, a small township and highly picturesque district, 1½ miles N.E. from Stoney Middleton, and contains 506 acres of land, and in 1851 had 12 houses, and 62 inhabitants, of whom 34 were males, and 28 females; rateable value £415 10s. The Hon. Henry Bridgman Simpson, of Babworth, Nottingamshire, is the sole owner, and lord of the manor. Tithes were commuted in 1847 for £51 10s. 3d.

Stoke Hall is a beautiful ancient stone mansion, embosomed in foilage, and situated on a gentle acclivity that forms the bank of the Derwent, the property of the Hon. H.B. Simpson.

Knouchley is a pleasant farmhouse.

Goatscliff formerly a noted millstone quarry, consists of a few scattered houses.

The manor of Stoke was sold by Henry Lord Grey, of Codnor, about the year 1473, to Robert Barley, Esq., whose, posterity resided at Stoke for several generations. In the reign of Charles I., it was one of the manors of William Cavendish, Earl of Newcastle. Jacinth Sacheverell was lord of this manor in 1656. The first Lord Bradford acquired it in marriage with the heiress of Simpson, from whom it has descended to the present possessor.

Directory.- Joseph Bennett, farmer, Goatscliff; Wm. Grant and Richard Gravenor, farmers, Knouchley; William Oates, wood steward, The Hall; George Outram, cowkeeper; Robert Outram, Peak and French, millstone maker, Padle[y] Wood Quarry, Grindleford Bridge; Thomas Outram, woodman.
[White's History, Gazetteer & Directory of the County of Derby, 1857]