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Stanwix, Cumberland

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Description from T. Bulmer & Co's History, Topography and Directory of East Cumberland, 1884

History, Topography and Directory of East Cumberland, comprising Its Ancient and Modern History; A General View of its Physical Features; Agricultural Condition, Mines and Minerals; Statistics, &c., &c.
by T.F. Bulmer, T. Bulmer & Co., Manchester, 1884. Transcription by Don Noble © 1998


STANWIX.

STANWIX township comprises an area of 495 acres which are assessed to the poor at £5,530. Its name is highly suggestive whilst the surrounding villages were composed of clay dabins, a mode of building as we have already seen but recently discontinued, there was here on the banks of the Eden a town of small dwellings, Stanwic A.S. 'stone town', and therefore one of considerable consequence at an early period. "Stanwix is held as parcel of the manor of the socage of the castle of Carlisle, the lands being all freehold." The most extensive landowners are the Duke of Devonshire and Miles Maclnnes, Esq. The village which now forms a suburb of Carlisle, is delightfully situated on the north bank of the Eden, which is here crossed by a fine stone bridge, connecting Stanwix with the city. It occupies a rather elevated position, commanding excellent views of Carlisle and the surrounding country. There are many handsome terraces and numerous detached and semi-detached villas which are favourite residences of the merchants, professional men, and retired trades- people of Carlisle. CARGO, or more correctly CARGUOW, derives its name from Carig Howe, the rocky eminence; and here we have another example of the wisdom of our forefathers in bestowing upon places, names that were descriptive of some physical or distinguishing feature. The township covers an area of 1,196 acres, which are assessed at £2,775. The first recorded owner of this manor is John de Lacy, constable of Chester, who held it directly of the crown by cornage This John granted Cargo and Cringledyke to William de Vescy, lord of Alnwick, in Northumberland, to be held of the donor and his heirs for a mewed hawk yearly, in lieu of all services. William de Yesey exchanged it with Sir Ewan Carlisle for some land in Yorkshire, reserving, however, to himself and his heirs the same services. In the second year of Edward I. (1274), we find the manor in the possession of Robert de Ross, lord of Wark, in Northumberland, who rendered a hawk or mark in lieu of all services. It was held by this family for many generations, until 1338, when Elizabeth Ross inherited the estate in default of male issue, and transferred it to the Parrs of Kendal, with whom it remained until dame Ellen, marchioness of Northampton, exchanged it with Queen Elizabeth for other lands. In the following reign it was granted by the crown to the Whitmores, from whom it was purchased by the Dacres. In 1793 the manor was sold by Mr. Dacre to Joseph Lamb, Esq., of Neweastle-upon-Tyne. It is now held by the Earl of Lonsdale. The principal landowners are T. James, Otterburn Tower, Thos. Robinson, John Mounsey, F. Holland, Mrs. Twentyman, Robert Ferguson, and the Caledonian Railway Co. For ecclesiastical purposes the township of Cargo has been detached from Stanwix and added to Rockcliffe The village is about three miles N.N.W. of Carlisle. The school, erected in 1854 at a cost of £258, was transferred to the School Board in 1882. It is attended by about 50 children. ETTERBY township comprises an area of 297 acres, rated at £3,978. The name appears to have been anciently written Arthuri- burqum, or Arthur's town, which has led to the belief that Etterby was once a place of importance. A tradition, probably invented to account for the name, states that King Arthur, the hero of many a battle and the subject of many a ditty, abode here about the year 550, when he was in the north pursuing his victories over the Danes. But no remains of antiquity have been found to give even the appearance of probability to the tradition. Etterby is parcel of the manor of Westlinton and barony of Burgh, under the Earl of Lonsdale. The principal landowners of the township are John Wright, W. Pattinson, and the Caledonian Railway Company. The village is one mile N.N.W. of Carlisle ; another bearing the name of Edentown is chiefly inhabited by retired tradespeople. LINSTOCK. - This township comprises about 1,133 acres, which are assessed for county and other rates at £1,822. Linstock is now ecclesiastically under Crosby, but for all civil and parochial business it is still included in Stanwix. The Manor, which was formerly styled the Barony of Linstock or Crosby, includes, besides the parishes just mentioned, Walby, Rickerby and Newby. It was granted by Henry I. to Walter, his chaplain, to be held of the crown by cornage silver paid yearly. Walter afterwards quitted the royal court for the cloister, and became a canon regular in the priory of Carlisle, to which convent he transferred his manor, and was appointed its second prior. Carlisle in 1133 was honoured with separate episcopal jurisdiction, and Athelwald, prior of the newly founded convent, was appointed the first bishop, retaining at the same time the office of prior. This circumstance was afterwards the cause of much confusion; whilst the same individual held the double appointment of bishop and prior, the possessions of both were regarded as common property; but subsequently, when the see was filled by ccclesiastics having no connection with the priory, disputes and contentions arose as to their respective rights to certain lands. The matter was referred to the arbitrament of Gualo, the papal legate, by whom Linstock, among other manors, was appro- priated to the see, and the bishops of Carlisle have continued ever since to be lords of the manor. For a long time Linstock Castle was the only episcopal residence, and many stirring scenes it must have witnessed in those rough old days, when the bishop could wield the sword as effectively as his crozier. Within its walls, about the year 1293, the famous Bishop Hilton is said to have entertained, for a considerable time, Johannes Romanus, Archbishop of York, with his train of followers, numbering above 300 persons. In 1307, Edward, with his queen, spent six days here whilst on his way to Scotland. The castle occupies a slight eminence at the end of the village, and within a short distance of the Eden. With the exception of its height and its ponderous walls, there is little to remind us of its ancient stateliness. A so-called modern improvement, effected upwards of a century ago, has utterly destroyed its castellated appearance and architectural beauty. The castle has been curtailed of its fair proportions, and all that now remains is a square tower-like massive structure which was probably the donjon or keep. An examination of the walls will enable us to form an idea of the strength of these old feudal piles here they are eight or nine feet thick, a breadth sufficient to admit of passages and staircases within the wall. Two or three Gothic doors remain, but the loop-holes, by which the interior was dimly lighted, have been walled up, and modern windows inserted. The castle is now the abode of a farmer. The principal landowners of the township are S. G. Saul, Esq., G. Bainbridge, John Nixon, J. J. Watts, Joseph Martindale, T. H. Parker, John Boustead, Miss Coleman, and W. Oram. RICKERBY is a small township comprising 560 statute acres belonging to Miles MacInnes, Esq., and the Carlisle Corporation. Its rateable value is £1,439. The Manor of Rickerby or Richardby was formerly a dependant on the barony of Linstock or Crosby, but the land is now all enfranchised. It was part of the large possessions of the Tilliols, from whom it passed successively to the Pickerings, Westons, Musgraves, Stud- holmes, Gilpins, Richardsons and Grahams. Rickerby House, the residence of Miles MacInnes, Esq., J.P., is a beautiful mansion occupying a delightful situation, about a mile east of Carlisle. The present proprietor succeeded to the estate of the late G. Head Head, Esq., in 1876. The village of Rickerby is pleasantly located about one and a half miles E. by N. of Carlisle. There is a small school here, erected in 1835 by the late G. Head Head, Esq., and now almost entirely sup- ported by Miles MacInnes, Esq. STAINTON is another small township in this parish. Its super- ficial extent is about 580 acres, which are assessed for county and other rates at £1,316. Stainton is a mesne manor within the barony of Burgh, and was formerly parcel of the manor of Westlinton. It belonged to the Mus- graves of Crookdake, in this county, from whom it was transferred by sale, in 1686, to Sir John Lowther, the greater part of it having been previously enfranchised. It is now held by the Earl of Lonsdale, but the principal landowners are Thomas James, H. A. Allison, Exors. of T. K. Atkinson, and Mrs. Norman. The village is situated about two miles W.N.W. of Carlisle. TARRABY is a small hamlet and township l 1/2 miles N.E. of Carlisle, containing 484 acres, of the rateable value of £1,020. The Manor of Tarraby was given in exchange, by John Aglionby, Esq., to Sir John Lowther, who again exchanged it with the Dalstons, for an estate in Westmoreland. Sir William Dalston, about the year 1764, sold it to the tenants. The chief landowners are R. S. Ferguson, Esq., G. H. H. Oliphant-Ferguson, Esq., T. Graham and W. Robinson. Drawdykes Castle, the ancient seat of the Aglionby family, is in this township. Tbough bearing the name, there is little about it to remind the spectator of those fortified structures with which the mind is accustomed to associate the appellation of Castle. The old castle was taken down about the middle of the eighteenth century, and rebuilt in its present form by John Aglionby, Esq., at that time Recorder of Carlisle. This castle and domain were amongst the earliest possessions of the family in this county, which could boast of an almost unprecedented length of inheritance. The last heir-male, Christopher Aglionby, Esq., died in 1789, and from the Norman Conquest until the demise of the said Christopher, the estate had never been held by any other family. The castle occupies a position on the site of or near the wall of Hadrian, and many inscribed stones have been found here, amongst others one bearing the following inscription "COH IIII PRO POS IVL VITALES," which was thus read by Horsley, Cohortis quartre Pretorrana posuit centuria Julii Vitalis. Three large stone busts on the parapet attract the attention of the curious visitor. The popular belief is that they were taken from the Roman wall, but some aver that the trio represent "Major Aglionby, his Attorney, and His Satanic Majesty." Into the garden wall is built a sepulchral slab, bearing a Roman inscription, as given on a former page. Drawdykes Castle is now a farm house. The estate is free of toll of the city of Carlisle, a privilege which has been frequently resisted by the mayor and corporation, but was confirmed to the tenants at the assizes in 1775."
"THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Michael, is a handsome edifice, cruciform in shape, and in the Early English style of architecture. It was erected in 1841, and consists of nave, aisles, transepts, and fine tower, surmounted by pinnacles. The entire cost of erection, inclnding £300 for an organ, was £3,030, which was all raised by subscription except £200, given by the Incorporated Society of London. On the 21st December, 1843, the church was partially burnt, in consequence of the over heating of the stoves or fires, and the pews, windows, and organ were totally destroyed. It was insured for £600, which with £100 collected by subscription was expended on its renovation. A new organ by the eminent maker Hill, of London, was purchased at a cost of £500, and was considered at that time one of the finest in the north of England. The chancel is lighted by a beautiful stained glass window containing figures of our Saviour, the Archangel Michael, and St. John the Evangelist The clock in the tower, whose dials may be read from three points of the compass, was presented by Richard Ferguson, Esq., of Harker Lodge. This church is a very ancient foundation, but the period of its original erection is lost in the obscurity of antiquity. It was in existence as early as the reign of Henry I., and was given by Walter, the king's chaplain, to the prior and convent of Carlisle. Speaking of the old edifice which was taken down in 1841, Hutchinson writing in 1794, says, "The church is gloomy, being only part of the original structure, as appears by the arches of the north aisle, built up in the outward wall. This fabric has been built of the materials of the Roman valIum, and stands upon the station." The benefice is a vicarage, valued in the King's Book at 9, but now worth £320 per annum, arising from a rent charge of £200 in lieu of tithes, £42 from the bishop and his chapter, Easter dues, &c. The living was rectorial until appropriated to the Augastinian priory of Carlisle, by which that convent became possessed of the tithes, and the ministerial duties of Stanwix were performed by their nominee at a fixed stipend. Since the suppression of monastic institutions the corn tithes have been shared by the dean and chapter and the bishop, the latter of whom is patron of the living, which is now held by the Rev. John Ravenshaw Wood, MA., Oxon. The vicarage house, erected about fifty years ago, occupies a pleasant situation contiguous to the churchyard. The interments here have been so numerous that the whole space is crowded with graves, and the yard will probably soon be closed against further burials. Of the tombstones there is one which excites a melancholy interest it records the deaths, within the space of five weeks, of five children of the Rev. Dr. Tait, Dean of Carlisle, and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury." The school, erected in 1843 at a cost of £1,500, has been placed under the management of the School Board, and will be replaced by a new and handsome suite of buildings on another site, towards the end of the present year. The Border Counties Home for Incurables, situated at Stanwix, was founded in 1877, and is intended for the reception of persons who, on account of incurable disease, are hopelessly disqualified from fulfilling the ordinary active duties of life, and who cannot otherwise obtain the home comforts which their condition requires. This admirable institution is supported by subscriptions and donations, and the object of its promoters is well deserving of the sympathy and co-operation of the public. The Home for Friendless Girls, another most praiseworthy institution, is also located here. Its object is to provide, a home for friendless girls, where they may be trained for domestic service. This, like the former, is dependent for its support upon public charity."

Houghton Ecclesiastical District

This district comprises the township of Houghton and the extra-parochial place of Kingmoor, and was constituted a separate and distinct parish for all ecclesiastical purposes, by an order in Council dated 22nd November, 1841. The district assigned to the church covers about 2,685 statute acres, and contains a population of 820. The area of the township of Houghton is computed at 1,478 acres, which are assessed at £2,359. Houghton, united with Tarraby, formed a manor, the descent of which has already been given. (See Tarraby). The principal landowners are Joseph Ferguson, the Rev. J. A. Fell, T. H. Hodgson, J. J. Sutton, R. Patrickson, the trustees of the late John Foster, G. H. H. Oliphant-Ferguson, and Joseph Jefferson. Houghton, a neat village, containing about 300 inhabitants, is two miles N. by E. of Carlisle. The church, erected by subscription in 1840, is built of white freestone, from the Shalk quarries, near Dalston. It consists of nave, chancel, and tower, and has sitting accommodation for 286 worshippers. The tithes were commuted in 1842 for £138 8s., viz.: - the corn tithe for £128 7s. Gd., and the vicar's tithe for £10 8s. 6d. The church is also endowed with £40 a year, arising from land given by John Dixon, Esq. The living is worth about £285 per annum, of which sum £230 are received from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, £40 from a rent-charge payable out of the Knells estate, and the rest from other sources. The school, contiguous to the church, is a small stone structure, rebuilt in 1841.
Extract from History, Topography and Directory of East Cumberland, T. Bulmer & Co., Manchester, 1884.
[Transcribed by Don Noble on 3 Jan 1998. ]