History of Hemsworth
By Maureen Ardron
HEMSWORTH, West Yorkshire - is situated almost equal distance from Pontefract, Barnsley and Wakefield on the junction of the A628 (Pontefract/Barnsley) and the A638 (Doncaster/Wakefield) roads. Along with the neighbouring village of Kinsley it is mentioned in the Doomsday Book which was commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name in the Doomsday book is 'Hamelsworde' being the ' worth' of a possible Saxon, named Hamel.
The first Norman overlord of Hemsworth was Ilbert de Lacy he was given Pontefract and much of the surrounding country as a reward for his services to William the Conqueror
The three manors which were included in the Parish of Hemsworth were Hemsworth, Kinsley, and Vissett
HEMSWORTH PARISH CHURCH (St. Helens) The Church is dedicated to St. Helen, mother of Constantine the Great. The date of its foundation is not known but a reference to ' William, Priest of Hemsworth ' occurs in local mHolgate Hospital was rebuilt upon its present site about 1mile west of the town in the mid-19th Century. It was established and endowed with gifts of land and money according to bequests in the will of Robert Holgate, Archbishop of York. The will dates from 1555 and made provision for 10 brothers and sisters drawn from the surrounding parishes of Hemsworth, Wragby, South Kirkby, and Felkirk. In the 1700's the hospital was built behind St Helens Church, and later used as Parish, and Reading Rooms, and demolished in the mid '60s.anuscripts dated about 1200 A.D
Robert Holgate a native of Hemsworth, (1481? - 1555). Was Bishop of Llandaff (1537 -1545) and consecrated Archbishop of York in January 1545. The first Protestant Archbishop of York, and the first to be married. He founded a free Grammar School in Hemsworth in 1546. By his will dated 27th April, 1555 provided for the foundation in Hemsworth of a hospital for 10 poor men and 10 poor women (Holgate Hospital) It is believed he was born in the area around Holgate Hospital. He died in London on 15th November, 1555, and his body was buried in St. Sepulchre. Holborn, London.
Holgate Hospital was rebuilt upon its present site about 1mile west of the town in the mid-19th Century. It was established and endowed with gifts of land and money according to bequests in the will of Robert Holgate, Archbishop of York. The will dates from 1555 and made provision for 10 brothers and sisters drawn from the surrounding parishes of Hemsworth, Wragby, South Kirkby, and Felkirk. In the 1700's the hospital was built behind St Helens Church, and later used as Parish, and Reading Rooms, and demolished in the mid '60s.
HEMSWORTH COLLIERY, Fitzwilliam. Was open at 1876, owned by a R. G. Fosdick and was known as Fitzwilliam Hemsworth Collieries Ltd. Up to 1904 it also had the names of Hemsworth Colliery Co. and New Hemsworth Colliery Co. The Owner of South Kirkby Colliery and Featherstone Main a Major J. R. Shaw who lived at Purston Hall took over the Colliery in 1906.
Hemsworth Hall was opened as a Grammar School in 192l.
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