The Milton Ironworks was opened between 1799 and 1802 (Jones 1995, 80) by Darwin and Co. on land that was part of Earl Fitzwilliam's estate. The ironworks was the major customer for the nearby Elsecar Old Colliery and took 77% of its coal (Medlicott 1987, 111). The exact position of the colliery is uncertain as it had been replaced by Elsecar New Colliery by first edition (1855) maps but was slightly to the north east of the this site. Earl Fitzwilliam took direct control of the ironworks in 1827 when the firm went bankrupt. In 1849 when both Elsecar and Milton Ironworks were leased to the Staffordshire firm of W.H. and G. Dawes. The Ironworks had closed by 1927. (www.a2a.org.uk [accessed 23/08/07] Sheffield Archives Ref: SY/738/Z - Administrative History). Previously this land would have been part of the medieval town field. There is no legibility of the enclosed landscape but there is partial legibility of the ironworks as two ponds survive in the landscaped park although these may have been associated with the corn mill.