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Ackworth, a parish town, in the wapentake of Osgoldcross, liberty of Pontefract; 3 miles from Pontefract, 5 from Ferrybridge, 8 from Wakefield, 28 from York. – Pop. including Low-Ackworth, 1,575. The Church is a rectory, dedicated to St. Cuthbert, in the deanery of Pontefract, value 22l. 1s. O½d. Patron, the King, as Duke of Lancaster. Ackworth is nominally divided into two villages, called High and Low, adjoining each other. The parish and township are co-extensive, in which are the following seats, viz. :- Ackworth Park, John Petyt, Esq. Ackworth House, John Goldsworthy, Esq. Ackworth Villa, Thomas St. Quintin, Esq. Ackworth Lodge, The Rev. George Maddison; Ackworth Moor-Top, Thomas Gee, Esq. Ackworth Grange, Richard Wilson, Esq. and at Ackworth, D’Oyley Sanders, Esq.

The school at this place was originally an appendage to the Foundling Hospital in London, and built partly by original subscription, and partly by aid of Parliament. In 1777 the premises and lands were offered for sale; when Dr. Fothergill, and some of the Society of Friends, purchased the whole for 7,000l, and converted it into a seminary for the children of Quakers. The school has since been supported by legacies, donations, &c. The sum paid for board, education, and clothes, is regulated by a committee. There are generally about 300 pupils on this establishment; and nothing can exceed the order and regularity that prevails in the school, which stands in a beautiful and pleasant situation. The management is under the direction of Mr. Robert Whitaker, superintendant, subject to the direction of the committee.

Source: A Topographical Dictionary of Yorkshire By Thomas Langdale. Second Edition. Printed and Sold by J. Langdale; and sold by T. Langdale, Ripon. 1822.