Rylstone Project
The Two Figures below Compare the Occupations in Rylstone with those in Four other Local Rural Parishes
The division of labour shown in this study is what is expected to be found in rural areas from the first part of the 18th century.
It is clear from these figures that in the rural parishes after 1780, agricultural
employments decline everywhere at the same time as industrial activity grows
rapidly.
In the registers for Rylstone, Conistone and Ilkley there were eight references to linen
workers in the period 1721-40, but none in 1801-12.
The above information is taken from the excellent and interesting study by May Pickles, for which the full reference is:
Pickles, M.F. (1976). 'Mid-Wharfedale 1721-1812: economic and demographic change in a Pennine dale'. Local Population Studies. No.16. Spring,1976. pp.12-44.
