For centuries Darfield was a quiet agricultural village. The census of 1851 shows that the population was 600; there were 300 men and 300 women. The breakdown of the population by "job" - there were 6 landowners, 105 farm labourers, 100 scholars (these being children between the ages of 3 to 13), 44 domestic servants, 35 quarrymen and 24 railway workers.

On the western boundary two coalmining companies sank mine shafts. Darfield Colliery Company sunk one 10 ft. shaft and one 11 ft. shaft to a depth of 380 yards. Within one mile, Mitchell Main sunk similar shafts to the same depth; their target being the "Barnsley Bed", a seam of coal 7 ft. 6 in. thick. Many pits in the area worked this seam and proved it to be a very profitable investment.

While this development was taking place, Houghton Main Colliery Company was developing a major colliery on the north-east border. As Darfield entered the 20th century its population had increased to over 4,000 and coalmining had become its main employer.

In 1851 Darfield had been a quiet agricultural village with a population of 600. By 1901 the population had increased to over 4,000 with coalmining having become its major activity. About 60% of the men and boys worked in local pits. There were no pits within Darfield itself. The male population became a labour pool for surrounding pits, but the problems such a population explosion demanded careful research. Where did the people come from?, how were they to be housed and fed?, where were the children to be taught and how was health to be safeguarded?

The obvious question to ask is, how was such a growth of population possible? The answer is that it was based on families moving into the village.

Where did they come from? It would be a very interesting exercise to give a positive answer; no official research has been done on this subject, but having associated with this population over a lifetime and conversed about family background, the areas of Lancashire, Staffordshire and Durham have been dominant.

From a close examination of maps, they showed that the growth of Darfield was based on a three-stage development.

1. The "Old Darfield", built on "the top of the hill", surrounding the parish church still remained.

2. Housing for the incoming miners at Darfield and Mitchell Main was built in the low-lying land on the south/west part of the village.

They were built within easy reach of the pit and were of brick construction (two up and two down). The houses were very small in size and built to a very high density in long, continuous rows. Miners had, in the main, very large families and the size of the families begs many questions as to the sleeping arrangements.

Water was supplied by one cold water tap within the house. Sanitary arrangements were very primitive and were housed in brick buildings some 20 yards from the dwellings. These were open-earth closets and shared by three or four families.

Such conditions gave rise to many health hazards. The incidence of infant mortality were very high, rickets was a very common condition among the young. The working conditions of the miner led to early deaths, life expectancy was very low. This part of the village became known as "LOW VALLEY".

3. Housing for the miners of Houghton Main and Dearne Valley was built on the hillside between "Old Darfield" and Low Valley. They followed the same pattern as Low Valley, but were bigger in size, less densely built and the sanitary conditions much improved. This part of the village became known as "SNAPE HILL".

In due course, the three districts merged into one village. Over the years, each of the districts developed its own characteristics. Various shops and stores catering for food, fruit and clothes were opened to meet the needs of the district. The Barnsley British Co-operative Society opened a large store between Low Valley and Snape Hill, which was opened in 1880. Subsequently other Co-op stores were built in Darfield.

Snape Hill (road link with Wombwell), this was the commercial centre for the area shops to supply any need. The street on the left hand side was Havelock street and on the opposite side was John Street, higher up the hill was Hill Street and on the opposite side was New Street that formed the residential housing sites for the area. A shop on the right hand side with the sign WHITWORTH over the door was a "Beer off". The shop next door was the barber with a red and white pole attached to the doorframe.

To state that the A635 is the main route through Darfield is a bland but factual statement it describes the location of Darfield within the modern highway network structure. It is much more interesting and challenging to research the use and users of those travelling through Darfield over centuries. Entering Darfield from the west (from Barnsley) the first Housing estate you come to on the right hand side is Quern Way which has a strong Roman influence. Roman coins have been found within this estate (Barnsley Road, Clarney Place, Fensome way) according to one source 981 silver coins and 540 copper coins were found, a selection was placed at the Darfield Foulstone School and the bulk being located at Sheffield Museum.

Moving down the main road from Quern Way one joins Saltersbrook Road. In the 18th and 19th centuries there was much trading between market towns either side of the Pennines. In the 1740's one major route across the Pennines was developed via Woodhead, it formed a link between the salt mines of Cheshire to Doncaster. Salt was carried by packhorses along this route. Salt was a very important commodity (there were no fridge's and freezers in those days!), it was used to preserve meat as well as to flavour it.

The route can be identified by the attachment of the term salt e.g. Psalter, Saltersgate, Saltersbrook Road etc…

Leaving Saltersbrook Road to join with Shroggs Head and Middlewood, there is much more conjecture about the Roman activities within our area, there appears to be some evidence to support an East/West link, a route from the fort at Doncaster with the minor fort at Penistone, but the North/South route offers a major challenge to any researcher, it appears that the Romans made Templebrough a strong encampment and they moved Northward to Castleford.

In 1660 the King abolished all the private armies. He claimed that the civil wars were damaging land, crops and villages as well as the loss of life of the younger generation. In its place he proposed to set up the Kings Militia, an army to be financed by the rich gentry.

He introduced laws that decreed:

Any man with £600 and/or land valued at £6,000 should donate and maintain a horse and rider (a cavalryman)

Any man having £60 and or land valued at £600 should provide and upkeep a footsoldier (Musketeer or Pikeman)

The gentry of Darfield provided:

One cavalry man - Rob Wainwright

Four footsoldiers - William Marsden and Fran Rayne (Musketeers) Thomas Marsden and P. Dixon (Pikemen)

The commanding officer was Lord Lieutenant of the county, Sir Michael Wentworth whose regiment is well documented. Much of their mustering and training was done at Shroggs Head and Middlewood.

At the bottom of Shroggs head and Middlewood hall hill one comes to the lower reaches of Darfield. The old Darfield bridge inn was situated at this spot.

According to the ancient monument department of the Ministry of Works this inn was built in the 17/18th century. It was an old coaching inn.