To clarify why the reference to Hepton(stall), earlier on this page, may actually be a reference to Wadsworth (or Stansfield or Erringden), we can turn to the succinct explanation provided by John Stansfeld in his
History of the Family of Stansfeld of Stansfield p14-15.
At the present time, also, the parish of Halifax is subdivided into three ancient chapelries:—First. The district attached to the mother church of Halifax, including the townships of Halifax, Sowerby, Warley, Ovenden, Southowram, Hipperholme-cum-Brighouse, Midgley, Skircoat, and Shelf. Second. The parochial chapelry of Elland, consisting of the townships of Elland-cum-Greetland, Barkisland, Fixby, Norland, Rastrick, Rishworth, Soyland, and Stainland with Old Lindley. Third. The parochial chapelry of Heptonstall, containing the townships of Heptonstall, Erringden, Langfield, Stansfield, and Wadsworth.
It is necessary that these should be clearly understood, as, unfortunately for the antiquary without some local experience, each chapelry is called after the leading township within it. The way this affects the subject is as follows. Any person described, say, in his will, as of Halifax, might have been resident either in the township of Halifax, the parochial district of Halifax, or in the parish of Halifax at large. And in the same manner, a person described as of Heptonstall, may have been resident either in that particular township, or in any of the townships of Erringden, Stansfield, Langfield and Wadsworth.
