The preface discusses the author's efforts to compile scattered information about local charities, historical documents, and reports. The focus is on the district’s history, particularly its charitable institutions and their reflection of the communal and moral systems of earlier times. It emphasizes the importance of preserving these records for future generations.

Contents:

• Waldershelf Charities (Parochial and Ecclesiastical): Various "doles" or donations, including those named after notable individuals and purposes (e.g., bread, money, education).

• Hunshelf and Langsett Charities: Descriptions of specific contributions and their allocations, such as bread and ale for the poor.

• Samuel Fox's Stocksbridge Charity: Listed as significant.

• S. Wordsworth’s Charity and Penistone Grammar School: Includes detailed accounts of endowments, reports, and the school's role in community development.

Illustrations:

• Depictions of key figures and locations, such as Nicholas Saunderson, a blind mathematician from Thurlstone.

• Interior views of churches, heirlooms like the "Wordsworth Ark," and historical sites like Nabbs Hall.

• Specific charitable distributions, such as "One Quarter of Rye" and "Bread and Ale."

• A decree from 1678 regarding Penistone Grammar School and other noteworthy visuals.

Summary

The documents provide a historical overview of charitable activities, educational institutions, and notable individuals in the Waldershelf, Hunshelf, and Langsett areas. They highlight the social and moral structures of earlier communities through detailed records of donations, endowments, and their purposes. The illustrations complement this by offering a visual connection to historical figures, artifacts, and places tied to these charities and educational efforts.

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