Baines' History, Directory & Gazetteer of the County of York had the following entry for Stokesley in 1823:     

STOKESLEY

In the wap. and liberty of Langbargh: 9 miles from Guisborough; 9 from Yarm; and 16 from Northallerton. 

A small market town of Cleveland, consisting chiefly of one broad street, running east and west, and washed on the south by a principal branch of the river Leven, which is a remarkably fine trout stream.  The buildings are neat, and for the most part in the modern style. 

The market is held on Saturday, and is plentifully supplied with provisions on reasonable terms.  Of the fairs which are held here, an account will be found appended to the first volume. 

The lands near the town are chiefly in grass, and occupied in small allotments.  The surrounding lands are rich and fertile, and being a fine sporting country, the situation possesses all the advantages of rural sports and agreeable retirement. 

The beautiful and majestic chain of mountains, called the Cleveland hills, including Roseberry Topping, range at a distance of from four to six miles from the town, with a peculiarly bold and romantic outline, and form a sort of semi-circular amphitheatre, of which Stokesley is the centre. 

A considerable manufacture of linen is carried on here, and that trade is likely to be extended, by a mill, which Messrs. Thomas and John Mease, are now erecting, to be worked by the power of steam.  

In the year 1818, a Society for the promotion of Christian knowledge was established here, under the patronage of the Archdeacon of Cleveland, when a depository of books was formed in the vestry of the parish church, and from which 6000 volumes have already been dispensed.  The establishment of a Savings' Bank is also in contemplation. 

The parish church is a rectory, dedicated to St Peter, in the patronage of the Archbishop of York.  There are also three chapels, one for the Methodists, another for the Independents, and a third, on a small scale, for the Primitive Methodists. 

Here are also two schools, one for boys, and another for girls, in connexion with the diocesan schools, and where Dr Bell's system is adopted. 

The parish is of considerable extent, and comprehends an area of about 7 square miles.  The population of the town amounts to 1897.

Post Mistress, Mrs Elizabeth Storey

Directory

Appleton Helen, gentlewoman
Burdon Simeon, gentleman
Cunningham John, gentleman
Deason Ann, gentlewoman
Easby John, gentleman
Gibson E. gentlewoman
Greensides Misses
Healey George major, North York militia
Hepton Nancy, gentlewoman
Hutchinson & Place, bankers, draw on Sir P. Pole, bart. and Co. and Sir Wm. Curtis, bart. and Co.
Mann Thomas, gentleman
Masterman John, gentleman
Maynard Dorothy, gentlewoman
Maynard John, gentleman
Medd Esther, gentlewoman
Metcalfe Robert, gentleman
Moon Wm. gentleman
Powell Wm. steward to the chief bailiff for the liberty of Langbargh
Robinson Robert, gentleman
Rookes James, gentleman
Simpson Rev. Thomas, curate
Smith Joseph, gentleman
Taylor Wm. agent to Sir Wm. Foulis, Bart.
Taylor Misses H. & D. gentlewomen
Taylerson Robert, gentleman
Turner Wm. gentleman
Watson Mary, gentlewoman
Widdowfield Richard, gentleman 

Academies, Boarding & Day Schools

Gilbertson Mary, (ladies' day)
Grange Wm. (day)
Grammar School, Rev. J. Benson
Leng Wm. (commercial day)
Mason Thomas (day)
National, Richard Baker, master, and Eliz. Stubbings, mistress
Neasham Ann (ladies' boarding)

Booksellers

Armstrong Rt (& agt. for newspapers)
Pratt Wm. printer, agent to the Norwich Union Fire office, circulating library, and stamp office 

Attornies

Appleton & Boulby
Garbutt Wm.
Powell & Harker

Auctioneers and Appraisers

Johnson Wm.
Johnson Geo.

Bakers

Clarke Wm.
Halton Jane
Rayner Wm.
Williamson Geo. 

Blacksmiths

Carling Thos.
Gill Thos.
Halton David
Rontree Robert
Storey Jonathan, Sweeting 

Boot & Shoemakers

Carling Christr.
Harrison Robert
Hebden Thos.
Hugill Wm.
Lee James
Newburn James
Snowden John
Stockton Christ.
Thompson John
Thurkell Robert
Ward John Wright John, (& clogger) 

Bricklayers

Biggins John (& plasterer)
Fawcett Francis
Iveson John
Waller Christr. 

Brick Makers

Biggins John
Richlieu Thos.

Butchers

Appleton John
Biggins James
Braithwaite John
Farrow R. C. (& farrier)
Halton Geo.
Mann James
Myers Wm.
Stephenson Thos. (& cattle dlr.) 

Butter, Cheese, and Bacon Factors

Bowser Matthew, (bacon)
Braithwaite John
Mease John, sen.
Sawkill Robert, (butter) 

Chemists and Druggists

Crummey James (druggist)
Duck John

Clock and Watch Makers

Armstrong Robt.
Kneeshaw Robt.
Stephenson Robt. 

Corn Millers

Fidler Thos.
Stonehouse Hy. 

Corn and Flour Dealers

Bursey Rt. (flour)
Fidler Thomas
Oxley John. (flour)
Williamson Geo. (flour) 

Curriers

Grey John
Stephenson John

Dyers

Havisides John & Son
Martin Thos.

Farmers

Easby Wm.
Flintoff Thos.
Hugill Thos.
Sweeting Jonth.

Flax Dressers

Mann Thomas
Stephenson S.
Watkin Christr. 

Gardeners, &c

Bowser Matthw.
Hutton Richard
Meggison Wm.
Taylor Godfrey 

Glass, China, and Earthernware dlrs.

Barker Christr.
Calvert Sarah
Kneeshaw Robt. (glass)
Williamson Geo.

Grocers and Tea Dealers

Appleton John
Banks John
Barr John
Claxton Benj.
Crummey James
Dixon Wm.
Gill Mary, (tea)
Grange Wm.
Mease Thos.
Richardson Fras.
Taylor James
Taylerson Wm.
Turner George
Winspear John 

Hair Dressers

Appleton Wm.
Turner Wm.
Watkin John

Hat Maker, Dealer and Furrier

Grey Christr. 

Joiners &c

Carter John
Coates John
Richlieu Thos. (& timber mert.)
Ward Thos.
Watkin Wm.
Watkin James 

Linen Manfrs.

Calvert Stephen
Cass John
Coverdale Geo.
Eason J. & J.
Garbutt John
Havisides J. & Son (& stuffs)
Hepton Thos.
Mann Thos.
Stephenson S.
Watkin Christr. 

Linen Merchants

Coverdale Geo.
Eason J. & J.
Haviside Anthony & Co. (stuffs) 

Linen and Woollen Drapers

Appleton John
Barr John
Claxton Benj.
Mease Thos.
Medd Thos.
Taylor James
Taylerson Wm. 

Maltsters, &c

Neasham B. & T.

Milliners and Dress Makers

Baldwin Jane
Eeles Judith
Easby Mary
Gill Mary
Harwood Ann
Richardson Han.
Rolls Ann
Russell Ann

Millwright

Fairburn John 

Painters & Gilders

Cole Thomas
Collings John
Walker John 

Plumbers & Glazrs.

Dennison Christr.
Gowland David
Noton Wm.
Walker John

Saddlers & Collar Makers

Taylor Wm.
Ward Wm.
Watson Ralph

Shopkeepers

Baxter Edward
Dixon Wm.
Hall Jane
Milestone Geo.
Tate Sarah

Spirit and Wine Merchants

Claxton Benj. (British wine)
Neasham B. & T. (spirit)
Winspear John (British wine) 

Stone Masons

Bulmer Wm.
Dixon Wm.
Dixon Valentine
Smith Thomas
Williamson Geo. 

Straw Bonnet mkrs.

Easby Mary (& tea dealer)
Fawcett Sarah
Harwood Ann
Pollitt Eliz.
Richardson Han.
Rolls Ann
Russell Ann 

Surgeons &c

Allardice James
Appleton Rhd.
Duck John (apothecary)
Ward Wm. jun. (apothecary) 

Tailors &c

Banks John (& draper)
Potter Robert
Rumsdale Robt.
Richardson Frs. (& draper)
Robson Robert
Shipley Thos.
Snaith John
Stephenson Thos.
Thompson Geo.
Turner George 

Tallow Chandlers

Stephenson Thos.
Stephenson Snowden

Wheelwrights

Carter John
Hebron John
Sunley Thos.
Walker James

Wood Turners, and Line Wheel mkrs

Appleton Rhd.
Coulson John 

Inns and Taverns

Angel, George Parvin
Bay Horse, Jervas Coates
Black Horse, George Johnson
Black Swan, (posting house) John Wilstrop
Bull and Dog, John Weatherill
Bull and Punch Bowl, Hannah Smith
Chequers, Thomas Fenwick
George & Dragon, Henry Brotherton
Golden Lion (and excise office) John Price
Greyhound, Thomas Ridler
King's Head, Sarah Peart
Masons' Arms, Thomas Smith
Race Horses, Anthony Pearson
Shoulder of Mutton, Thomas Myers
Spread Eagle, Richard Appleton
Three Tuns, William Smith 

Miscellany

Adamson Matthew, flax dresser
Barker Christopher, glover, &c
Bowser Matthew, parish clerk
Burnard John, rope & twine maker
Caile John, tinner, brazier, ironmonger, and hardware man
Cust Thomas agent to J. Haviside and Son
Elders Adam, clog and patten maker
Emery James, veterinary surgeon
Fisher Matthew, professor of music
Fletcher Christ. beadle & bellman
Garbutt Hannah, confectioner
Hall Mary, confectioner
Hepton Thomas governor of workhouse
March Lewis, officer of excise
Mason Benjamin, cooper
Porteus Walter, nail make
Turner Thomas, whitesmith
Watson John, dog trainer
West Charles, dealer in jewellery and British lace 

COACHES

From the Black Swan, John Wilstrop

The CLEVELAND, three days a week from Redcar to Bedale, during the season, on Mon. Wed. and Sat. arr. at 9 morning and ret. at 5 evening

LAND CARRIAGE

Middleton John, to Stockton, Mon. Wed, & Fri. ret. the same day
Peacock Thos. & Fras. to Thirsk, on Mon. and Thur. ret. on Tu. and Fri. and to Stockton on Mon. Wed. and Fri. ret. the same day

Country Carriers attending the Market

Ayton, James Sherwood, to T. Stephenson's, every Sat. arrive at 11, return at 6.
Guisborough, Thos. Johnson, to Three Tuns, Wed. & Sat. arr. 10, ret. 3
Northallerton, John Snowball, to Bull & Dog, every Sat. arr. 10, ret. 3
Yarm, Ralph Reed, to Three Tuns, every Sat. arr. 10, ret. 3