Description & Travel

Nicolson & Burn: The history and antiquities of the counties of Westmorland and Cumberland. 1777. Transcribed by Anne Nichols

"Gresmere is supposed by some to have had its name from the grassy mere or lake there. But anciently it was never written Grasmere (much less Grasmire); but most commonly Gresmere, sometimes Grismere. From whence one might conclude, that it received its name from the grise or wild swine, with which this country formerly abounded. In like manner as in the adjoining parish of Barton, there is Grisedale, Boardale, Stybarrow, and such like. In Kentmere, Richard Gilpin is supposed to have fignalized [could be signalized] himself... ...for killing a wild boar, which infested all the neighbouring parts. The parish of Gresmere is bounded on the East by Patterdale in the parish of Barton, from which it is divided by the very ridge or top of the mountains; on the South, by the parish of Windermere, from which it is divided in part by Stockbridge water; on the West, by Furness Fells in Lancashire, from which it is divided by the river Brathey; and on the North, by part of Cumberland, from which it is divided by a ridge of mountains called Langdale Fells, as the water runs off to each side of the mountain. The church is dedicated to St. Oswald, as is supposed, from a well called St. Oswald's near unto the church. This parish (as also that of Windermere) was originally a chapelry only within the parish of Kendal; but by length of time, and little or no communication with the mother church by reason of distance, it hath acquired the reputation of a distinct parish. The church of Gresmere is situate in the midst of a large plain, encompassed almost round with high mountains. It is a pretty large building, with a strong steeple and three good bells. The owners of Ridall-hall have a peculiar burying place in the said church. Rydal, Sir Daniel Fleming supposes to be a contraction of Rowthey-dale, from the river of that name running down there. Loughrigg evidently takes its name from the loughs or lakes with which this country abounds. It is a hamlet of itself, opposite to Rydal on the other side of the water: which being conjoined with a bridge, makes as it were one intire village, yet they are two manors. Langdale is divided into Great Langdale and Little Langdale... The chapel stands in Great Langdale, but it belongs also to Little Langdale and Baisbrow. In Little Langdale is a place called Chapel mire, where it is said a chapel formerly stood, which was removed and united to that of Great Langdale. Basebrowne (as it was anciently called) is within the constablewick of Langdale. Ambleside is part in this parish, and part in the parish of Windermere."

Cemeteries

Monumental inscriptions were transcribed in Monumental Inscriptions of Westmorland by E. Bellasis 1888-89 and are available on Westmorland Papers.

Census

Returns do not survive for the 'census' of 1787.

Census returns are available from the usual sources for 1841-1901.

Church History

St Oswald. W tower. N aisle length of nave and chancel by piecing N wall in C17th without mouldings. Monuments to Flemings and to Wordsworth. The poet is buried outside. Font from Furness Abbey

Church Records

Directories

The details for the parish from the Parson & White's Directory for 1829 are transcribed on Edenlinks site.

History

Magna Britannica et Hibernia. Volume 6: Westmorland by Thomas Cox 45 pages, printed 1731. Transcription by S Reveley,  J Fisher and L Schoenwald. (Rootsweb Westmorland Listmembers)  (c)  2003

"Gresmere, the Lordship and Estate of William de Lancaster, Baron of Kendall, who died possessed of it with divers Estates 26 Hen. III but his Wife Agnes de Brus surviving him, she had this Manor with other Estates for her Dowry. He died without Issue, and Peter de Brus and Walter de Lindsey were his next Heirs; yet Roger de Lancaster had, by the Gift of the said William his Half Brother, some of the Lands of his Father; and Margaret de Brus, one of the Daughters and Coheirs of Peter, made over some other Estates of his Ancestors to him, among which was the Common of Pasture for his Cattle in and about this Place, which he procured a Confirmation of from King Edward I. Reg. 3. and so settled them all upon his Heirs."

Grasmere  Records relating to the Barony of Kendale,  CWAAS, William Farrer & John F. Curwen (editors) are available on British History Online
Supplementary Records - Grasmere

The Wordsworth Museum (Dove Cottage) maintained by the Wordsworth Trust has a website

Wills for Grasmere will be at Carlisle since about 1858 but before that will be at the Preston R.O. as it was in the Diocese of Chester until that time.

Taxation

Hearth Tax records for 1674 Grasmere transcribed on Edenlinks.

 Last updated:  Jan 2012 Dave Huddart