A wapentake is a small part of a parish which was partially self sufficient admin wise. Richmond Archdeanery for Wills has it's records at the lancashire County Record Office and there are good bound indexes. The census returns 1841 - 1901 will be useful but being North Yorkshire you may find some 1801-1831 partial survivals. the 6" Ordenanace Survey map will be extremely useful as it is a rural area. the tithe maps of around 1854 will be brilliant too actually.