took possession of the site and demesnes, as lessee, probably under the crown, purchased the altar, crucifix,
organ, gravestones, &c., and all the live and dead stock. In the year 1550, the abbey clock was sold for 6s.;
the iron, glass, paving and grave stones, for £18. There were six bells weighing 47 cwt. In 1544, he  had a
grant of the abbey in fee, and the same year conveyed it to Sir John Port, one of the justices of the King‟s
bench. Dorothy, one of his son‟s co-heiresses, brought it to her husband, Sir George Hastings. Sir Henry
Willoughby, of Risley, purchased the estate of the representative of Sir George Hastings, who was afterwards Earl of Huntingdon, and died in 1605. Sir Henry Willoughby having left three daughters, coheiresses, one of whom left no issue, the manor of Dale and the abbey demesnes were held in moieties by
the noble family of Grey, and that of Dewes, into which262 MORLESTON AND LITCHURCH HUNDRED.
the other co-heiresses married. One moiety of the estate was purchased, 1716, by the trustees of Philip, then
late Earl of Chesterfield, of Sir Symon Dewes, for his son Alexander, father of the first Earl of Stanhope.
The other moiety was purchased, 1778, of the Earl of Stamford. The hermitage, or cave, cut in the rock by
the poor baker, is a short distance S. from the church. It is a large excavation in the rock, having a rude
doorway, and two windows, which latter are of modern formation. In May, 1845, two ovens or kilns were
discovered, on the premises of Mr. William Hollingworth. They were used for the baking of tesselated
bricks, several of which were found in them, who has also in his possession an antique sacramental cup of
singular construction. The Methodists have a chapel, which was nearly destroyed by fire in 1844, but has
been rebuilt. The Feast is on the Sunday before 5th November, or that day, if Sunday.
CHARITIES.—The poor of Dale Abbey are entitled to partake of the benefit of  Smedley’s  alms‟
houses, Ilkeston; of the school at West Hallam, founded by the Rev. John Scargill; and the school at Risley,
founded by Elizabeth Gray; for particulars, see places named.
Bacon, Vincent, sawyer, Cat & Fiddle
Bloor John, shopkeeper