| Alkborough,
or Aulkborough, 2.5 miles N. of Burton
Stather, is a pleasant village on the
east side of the Trent Falls, the point
where the broad united waters of the
Ouse and Trent take the name of Humber.
It stands near the northern termination
of the long and lofty hill, or cliff,
from which it has its name. Its parish
contains 492 souls, and 2767a 1r. 15p.,
of land, including the hamlet of Walcot,
in which is Walcot Hall, a pleasant
mansion, with beautiful grounds on the
cliff side, about a mile south of the
village, commanding extensive prospects,
and built about 40 years ago by the
late Thomas Goulton, esq., but now the
seat of his nephew, Marmaduke Constable,
Esq., the present lord of the manors
of Alkborough-Hallgarth, and Alkborough-Spalding
Priory, which are parcels of the Duchy
of Lancaster. He is also owner of a
great part of the soil; and the remainder
belongs to J. Dent Esq., and many smaller
freeholders and copyholders; the latter
subject to certain small fines. On the
summit of Alkborough Hill, south of
the town, is a circular Roman Labryinth,
called the Julian Bower; the winding
trenches of which are often threaded
by visitors, and are still very distinct,
though at least 14 centuries have elapsed
since their formation. This maze, like
many others in this island, was constructed
for the exercise of one of the Roman
games, introduced from Troy by Julus,
the son of Eneas. Adjacent to it, are
traces of a large encampment, which
Stukeley considers the Aqius of Ravenus,
and describes as being 300 feet square,
and having on its west side the steep
cliff overhanging the Trent, and commanding
the entrance to that river. The vallum
and ditch may still be distinctly traced
in what is now called "Countess
Close;" and during some recent
excavations, wrought stones were dug
up, which had evidently been jambs and
mullions, and proving that a custrum,
or watchtower, has stood here to guard
the entrance to the Trent and Ouse.
Kell Well is a remarkable spring, issuing
from a cave in the cliff, overhanging
with trees, chiefly for the star stones
found in its channel, and said to be
similar to those which were carried
about by the ancients as amulets, or
lucky stones. the parish has generally
a sandy soil, and the low grounds near
the Humber have been much improved by
warping.
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Directory
Atkin Alexander, Gardener
&c.
Arnold Robert, Beerhouse and
Baker
Betts John, Carrier to Brigg
Booth martin, Tailor
Carr Thomas, Wheelwright
Constable Mdk., Esq., Walcot
Hall
Dickinson John, Schoolmaster
Dickinson William, Parish
Clerk
Easton Mrs. Susannah
Foster Wm., Butcher
Harris Wm., Shopkeeper
Reynolds Thomas, Tailor
Spilman John, Shopkeeper and
Carrier
Sutton John, Gentleman
Teanby Isaac, Wheelwright
Topham Wm., Blacksmith
Winn Wm., Corn Miller
York Benj. & John, Bricklayers
Farmers
*are Cattle Dlrs.
Andrew Robert
*Brumby John
Betts Thomas
Coopland Wm., Chief Constable,
Walcot
Dickinson Ann & Ellen
Foster John
*Fulstow John
*Hill Richard
Huteson John
Johnson gregory
Naylor John
Tock Wm.
Tripp Thomas
Walker Wm.
*Wray Wm.
Shoemakers
Hobson John
Neal Thomas
Stephenson Rt.
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