Prominent in the foreground is the Georgian Greyhound Hotel
in Cromford's Market Place, built in 1778[1];
when this picture was taken over 100 years later Matthew
Hill was running the hotel[2].
Behind the Inn is the Greyhound Pond, at times also known
as the Mill Pond or Cromford Pond. It was made by Sir Richard
Arkwright about 1785 when he dammed the Cromford Sough
to supply his mills with water[3].
The road to the left of the pond is Water Lane, Cromford.
To the right of the pond is the hamlet of Scarthin which
was for many years part of Matlock Bath. The ancient parish
boundary went along the edge of the pond[4].
In 1892 Scarthin consisted of the row on the waterfront and
the three or four rows of houses further back and was quite
densely populated[5]. |
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References (coloured links are to transcripts and information
elsewhere on this web site):
[1] Glover, Stephen (1830) "The
Peak Guide; containing the topographical, statistical,
and general history of Buxton, Chatsworth, Edensor, Castleton,
Bakewell, Haddon, Matlock, and Cromford; with an introduction" ...
Edited by T. Noble. pub. Derb, p.326. Glover described
the inn as large and handsome.
[2] "Kelly's
Directory of the Counties of Derby, Notts, Leicester
and Rutland"
London (May, 1891) is in a different section of this
website
[3] "The Derwent Valley
Mills and their Communities" (2001), The Derwent
Valley Mills Partnership, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire,
DE4 3AG. ISBN 0-9541940-0-4. Also see the Arkwright section
of "The Beauties
of England & Wales", 1802.
[4] Ordnance Survey Map (1903),
pub H.M.S.O.
[5] The 1891
census returns for Scarthin Nick are elsewhere on this
website
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