KIRKBY-RAVENSWORTH, a parish in Richmond district, N. R. Yorkshire; on Gilling beck, 5 miles NW by N of Richmond. It contains Ravensworth township, which has a post office under Richmond, Yorkshire; contains also the townships of Kirkby-on-the-Hill, Washton, New Forest, Gayles, Dalton, and part of Newsham. Acres, with the rest of Newsham, 15, 911. Real property, with the rest of N., £15, 085. Pop., with only the part of N., in 1851, 1, 406; in 1861, 1, 248-Houses, 275. The property is much subdivided. The manor belongs to Cradock, Esq. Ruins of an ancient castle, once the seat of the Fitz-Hughs, are in Ravensworth. The living is a p. curacy in the diocese of Ripon. Value, £160.* Patron, the Bishop of Ripon. The church is of the close of the 14th century; superseded a previous church of Saxon date; has lost one of its aisles; and contains an ancient font, and monuments to Gerardns de Hornby and Dr. Dakyn. An hospital for 24 aged persons, and a grammar school for K. R. and neighbouring places, were founded by Dr. Dakyn in 1556, and have an endowed income of £1, 234.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))