Description: Until 1837 this was the site of Duffield Workhouse. It is unlikely that any part of the original poorhouse survives because the Forge Cottage was quite an extensive building. When a forge, the Abell's traded here. William Abell, Whitesmith and Locksmith, 1820s. He probably took over the building in the 1930s. Thomas Abell carried on as a blacksmith in the 1880's. Robert Abell took over as a Whitesmith when Thomas died in 1915. He was assisted by Eric Brenthall, a Farrier. Mr Crittenden took over the business in the 1940's working in wrought iron. The forge closed in c. 1957 after seeing over 150 years use as a smithy.