CORRECTIONS & UPDATES
| Page & topic | Notes | |||||
| 5-6: pier sketch map | Here's an extract from the original letter about the proposed new Parton pier in 1674/5, which I have seen since completing the book artwork, in
WRO microfilm of correspondence between Thomas Tickell & Sir John Lowther 1642-1706 (original, CRO D/LONS/W.2/1) "Mr Trolopp ye younger, Architect of Newcastle has beene lately at Moresby to view ye intended harbor of Parton and proceeded thus far that Mr Ffletcher must give him abt. 60£ to direct that work &c. and Mr Ffletcher to pay all matterialls & labor, wch. was computed above 2000£, who hath taken one months time to consider of it how to raise moneye". The moral of this story is, make time to follow up leads properly- because that one sentence puts a whole new perspective on the events of 1674-80. | |||||
| ADDED: 1674-1706 | And the sequel to the story is that an informative article by Blake Tyson titled "Some harbour works in West Cumberland before 1710", containing much more on the events of 1674-5 and other related topics, was published in the Transactions of the Ancient Monuments Society, New Series volume 29 (1985). | |||||
| 9: NEW unanswered question | The Leconfield archives contain a quitclaim [D/Lec/Box 249 (packet A.23), available through WRO or CRO] dated 18 Jun 1680 by Sir John Lowther of Whitehaven to Arthur, Earl of Essex (trustee for Lady Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Ogle) of all title to 2 miles of the sea foreshore between Bransty Beck and Moresby Beck, which was granted to him by Letters Patent dated 19 Mar 1679 (subject to Crown rent of 20s). How does this fit in with everything else? | |||||
| ADDED: 1697-99 | According to the "Victoria History" of Cumberland, a copper smelting works was erected at Moresby in 1697 by the owners of mines in the Duddon valley. There is an interesting article on this enterprise and other early coal-fired smelters in "The Cumbrian Industrialist", volume 2, again by Dr Blake Tyson who states that it lasted until about 1699, but does not mention whether the new port of Parton was used in any way. | |||||
| ADDED: 1695-1700 | John Moses (who leased the oldest known house in Parton) is probably the same John Moses who was one of the workmen building the pier in 1695, with William McDonald, Thomas Jackson, Anthony Johnson & x Smith- see Hainsworth, D.R. (editor) "The correspondence of Sir John Lowther of Whitehaven 1693-1698" (1983), letter 257, dated 18 Nov 1695 | |||||
| 21: Lowther v Lamplugh | The voluminous Lowther notes for the long-running battle with Thomas Lamplugh after 1716 are at Carlisle Record Office (D/Lons/W16/box 1824). They would probably be sufficient to permit the writing of a book or thesis... | |||||
| 25: more on Thomas Fletcher | Additional information on Thomas Fletcher's renunciation of Roman Catholicism now in Act 2 notes. | |||||
| ADDED: 18th century | I had hoped to feature a few details of local smuggling activity in the book, but was unable to find any relevant records. It seems that Ronald Gibbon, whose book "To the King's Deceit: A study of smuggling in the Solway" was published by the Friends of Whitehaven Museum in 1983, fared little better. The earliest substantial Customs and Excise records for this area date from the 18th century, by which time Parton had its own tide-waiters, and smugglers had the choice of sneaking goods past them or landing at unlikely locations elsewhere on the coast (such as the shore below Wotton Wood, south of Harrington). Gibbon does tell a few Parton stories- the capture of a smuggling sloop fleeing from Silloth in 1724; the seizure of a mystery cask of coffee off Redness Point (pragmatically claimed by the Lowthers, entitled to items of wreckage in their capacity as Lords of the Manor) and the problem faced by Parton tanner Mr Hodgson in 1785 when he was commanded to assist the customs officers in seizing a horse and cart near Bransty Gate in 1785- an official notice subsequently had to be published stating that he was NOT an informer. | |||||
| ADDED: 1783 | Items found in the "Cumberland Pacquet" newspaper: 29 Apr 1783: "The new bridge at Parton is now opened for foot passengers, and is found of the greatest convenience. We hear this is shortly to be followed by other improvements in that place." 7 Oct 1783: "Sunday afternoon, between three and four o'clock, the brewery at Parton was broken into. A fellow who stood in the field near it (watching while his companion was employed in the above) was perceived by some boys, and immediately gave the signal to him, when both rascals made off. The alarm was given, and they were immediately pursued, but without success.- They had got no booty." | |||||
| LOWCA FOUNDRY UPDATE | The family relationship between Lowca shareholders Thomas Milward and Betty Ritson has now been confirmed. Notes updated accordingly. | |||||
| 36: Williamson's School opening | Reported in the "Cumberland Pacquet", 15 + 22 Jun 1819 Another example of public-spirited action is reported in the issue of 25 May 1819: A little girl was saved from drowning at Parton by Mr Joseph Miller. | |||||
| 36: Peile's test borings | The original reports on the "1822" boreholes (CRO ref. D/Lons/W7/1/351, which includes all Lowther boreholes around Whitehaven from the late 18th to the mid 19th century) show that they were carried out for Peile between 1815 and 1817 by Stephen Blacket. This suggests that the 1817 Tannery purchase was made with colliery development already in mind. Further details in Act 4 notes. | |||||
| 38: Pubs etc. | The only Parton licensee in the Alehouse-keepers' recognizances for 1753 (CRO CQL 2/1) is Mary Kelly- bond £10. A small aside from the 1822 recognizances: Joseph Wilson, tobacconist of Parton, stood surety for both the Lowther Arms, Workington, and Crown at Whitehaven | |||||
| 38: Mary Jackson's charity | By special request, here are some more details of the Jackson charity (with thanks to Anne Dick for pointing out the most accessible source of information): Allen, Rev. H.J. "History of the Church and Benefice of Moresby" [as quoted in Caine, Caesar "A History of the Churches of the Rural Deanery of Whitehaven" (1916)] "In 1837, Mary Jackson, widow, granted unto the Reverend Fletcher Woodhouse and six others and their heirs, "two houses in Parton, one of which was then occupied as an Inn, called the Lowther Arms" upon trust, the rents, after deduction of reasonable expenses of collection and of repairs of the houses, to be all distributed in the vestry of Moresby Parish Church on some day "between Christmas and Candlemas" each year, among "such and so many poor widows resident in the several townships of Moresby and Parton," as the trustees should deem proper objects to participate in that charity. The distribution was left to the discretion of the trustees, who might give money or food, "and vary the same both in amount, quantity, and description of relief whenever and so often as they, in their judgment, might deem most judicious." The custom in recent years has been to give an equal sum (or its equivalent in groceries &c.) to each of about 50 widows, the amount averaging about 10s. each. A new scheme has just been drawn up by the Charity Commissioners, which, if followed, will completely alter the mode and time of distribution, and the amounts distributed. I append one section:" "Subject to the payments aforesaid (cost of repairs, &c.) the yearly income of the charity shall be applied by the trustees in making payments under one or more of the following heads... : I. Subscriptions or donations in aid of the funds of and dispensary ... whether general or special II. Contributions towards- a) The provision of nurses for the sick and infirm. b) The travelling expenses of patients to and from such institutions as are above mentioned in paragraph I. III. The supply of- a) Clothes, linen, bedding, fuel, tools, medical or other aid in sickness, food or other articles in kind. b) Temporary relief in money in case of unexpected loss or sudden destitution. Poor widows are to be the only recipients of aid from this charity, both under the deed and the scheme." | |||||
| 41: Lowca after 1900 | I have been informally informed that Harry Bentley was not a Lowca employee when he took over the firm, but ran his own business. He does indeed seem to have moved to Parton specifically for the takeover- in the 1906 Kelly's directory his residence was in Whitehaven. The same rather reliable source has suggested that Peter Gunn worked at Lowca under Bentley, though again the 1906 Kelly indicates that he had ceased to be company secretary by that time- was he invited back in 1908 to help get the revived firm off the ground? Incidentally, the 1907 collapse is reported in the Carlisle Journal, 10 Dec 1907 (page 5) Even more incidentally, the Carlisle Journal also tells the story of an "old soldier in Whitehaven workhouse": 19 Nov 1897 (p5) + 23 Nov 1897 (p3)- after discharge from the army in 1865 he had settled at Parton and worked at Lowca foundry, then after his wife died in 1893 he entered the workhouse, though he was not a pauper | |||||
| 43: The Dalzell family | I never ascertained precisely how Thomas Dalzell of the Tower Brewery was related to Joseph Dalzell of Parton Brewery, but here's some information from the 1851 census record for the "Corkickle Brewery": John Dalzell, age 56, brewer employing 3 labourers (born Scotland) Sarah, his wife, age 56 (born Lamplugh) Thomas, his son, age 24, brewer (born Whitehaven) Sarah, his daughter, age 19, dressmaker (born Whitehaven) Mary, his daughter, age 18, apprentice milliner (born St. Bees parish) Jane, his daughter, age 15, (born St. Bees parish) Ruth, his daughter, age 14, (born St. Bees parish) Joseph, his son, age 12, scholar (born St. Bees parish) Daniel Smith LLB, boarder, age 26, independent minister (born Colne- Lancs) | |||||
| ||||||
| 47: Bugle Horns | At least we have some idea how the two Bugle Horns came to be united under one family at the end of the 19th century. Discussions with three descendants of the Carruthers family have established, from censuses, birth and marriage records etc., that John Carruthers, born at Parton in 1780, had several children including George (born at Parton 1820). George and his wife Mary, had several children including another John (born 1842). Young John (trained as a boiler-maker, probably at Lowca) married Flimby-born Frances Clements in 1873 and by 1876 they were running the Bugle Horn which later became the Station Hotel, and Frances kept it on after John's death in 1892, eventually bringing her son Joseph (born 1878) back from his work as an electrical engineer Down South to help run the hotel. Sadly, Joseph only lived another seven years after his mother's death in 1917- but in 1929 his brother James married his widow. Meanwhile, George's elder brother James (born 1809) moved his family to Bedlington in Northumberland in the early 1860s, and his son William (born at Lowca in 1848) fathered yet another John, christened at Lambton, Durham in 1871. At the end the 1870s, William brought his family back to the Parton/Lowca area, and his John eventually fell for one of the Bugle Horn servants, Rebecca Colvin (daughter of William and Eleanor Lawrence Colvin). They married about 1895, and took over the other Bugle Horn. It may also be worth noting that this John's sister Lizzie was living at Beach House when she married for the second time (to Paddy Ferguson) in 1944. There's lots more information available and I suspect that, with their descendant's permission, I'd better devote a chapter of my next Parton book to the Carruthers family. | |||||
| News items from the 19th century- a selection | Thanks to D.P. for these local news references: Cumberland Pacquet 7 Feb 1832, p2: ADVERT- Experienced workmen wanted for the sinking of a pit near Parton. Cumberland Pacquet 10 Sep 1833, p2: William Hulton, aged 10, fell to his death down a disused pit shaft near Parton while collecting brambles. Cumberland Pacquet 22 Oct 1833, p3: Death of Crosby Heslop of Lowca, of the firm of Heslop, Milward & Co., in his 66th year. Cumberland Pacquet 9 Sep 1834, p1: Advert- Schoolmaster wanted at Parton; salary £38 yearly + residence belonging to the school. 60 scholars- permitted to take 20 more. Cumberland Pacquet 14 Oct 1834, p2: Infomation on registration of voters & property valuations in Parton , with owners & tenants. Carlisle Examiner 29 Aug 1857, p3: The Lowca Iron Works were sold on Thursday for £8,100, to J.W. Fletcher of Tarn Bank. Carlisle Examiner 24 Aug 1858, p2: Henry Barnes (son of the late Robert Barns of Parton, who died in an accident with a thrashing machine), now of Richmond River, Australia, has been appointed a magistrate. | |||||
| Two contrasting Victorian news items | Cumberland Pacquet, 5 Jul 1864: "A REGATTA will take place at PARTON, on Saturday, July 16, 1864, when various PRIZES will be given for SAILING, ROWING, &c. (open to all), of which further particulars will be announced in future advertisements. Subscriptions will be thankfully received by the Committee. (Signed) CHR. TAYLOR, Chairman, Parton. June 24, 1864" [DETAILS IN JUL 12 issue] Cumberland Pacquet, 16 Aug 1864 "Diabolical outrage upon a young girl at Parton" (the rape of Jane Martin, daughter of Mary Martin of the Ship Inn) | |||||
| Victorian industry- surprising news | A couple of Carlisle Journal items (many thanks D.P.) reveal that the railway had not entirely destroyed Parton's maritime tradition: 14 Jul 1871, p7: On 30 Jun, the 'Maggie' herring boat of Parton (belonging to John Yeates) out of Harrington harbour suffered an accident. 22 Jun 1880, p3: Large catch of herring at Parton, 5 to 8 for 6d | |||||
| News from 1884 | Some references from the Whitehaven News, found for me by Philip Ashforth as a nifty by-product of his search for news items on the iron industry: WN 10 Apr 1884, p?: Parton Haematite Company WN 17 Jul 1884: p4 c5; 2 articles: "Terrible fall of a child at Parton"; "Parton Congregational Sunday School" WN 4 Dec 1884 p4 c7 "A Novel Liquidation: A Composition of 20s to the Pound", about John Clements of Parton WN 20 Nov 1884, p8 c3: Football Match, Distington first XV and Parton second XV (letter) WN 13 Nov 1884, p4 c6, Parton Liberal Club | |||||
| A news assortment from 1887 | Carlisle Journal items found by the indefatigable Dennis Perriam: 28 Jan 1887 p5 col 2: Telephone concert- J.W. Brown played several tunes on the Cornet at Parton exchange, which were heard in the Assembly Room at Maryport by members of the Maryport Literary and Philosophical Society; a "great success". 6 May 1887 p5: Parton Conservative copyright song dispute, settled by payment of £4 13 May 1887 p5: Model of Lowca haulage system on display at Newcastle exhibition 20 May 1887 p4: Advert for above exhibition, the Royal Mining, Engineering and Industrial Exhibition. | |||||
| 48: Cornthwaites | Only one of the Victoria Foundry partners, Miles Cornthwaite, was trained as an ironfounder; according to the 1871 census, John was then a sailor (though their younger brother George was an engine fitter) | |||||
| 49: Ironworks decline & fall | Dennis Perriam, historian, TV star and wondrous Carlisle Journal indexer, has found several references to the ironworks, which I have inserted in the main notes. | |||||
| 50: Lonsdale ironworks and Lonsdale Terrace | In 1872, James Baird came down to Cumbria from Ayrshire, one of many Scots who took up key posts in the Cumbrian iron industry in the 19th century. Initially a manager of iron ore mines, he became managing director of The Lonsdale Hematite Iron & Steel Co., a firm established in 1883 to replace the former Lonsdale Iron Co. (the first investors in the new company were from Scotland including three coalmasters from Kilmarnock). He personally acquired the Ropewalk land and had Lonsdale Terrace built to house some of the firm's workers. This picture of the Terrace, and the related information, is kindly supplied by James's great-grandchildren.
The company went into liquidation in 1896 and formally wound up in 1904, unable to compete with cheap iron ore imports. However, James Baird stayed in the Whitehaven area for the rest of his life, and is buried in Whitehaven Cemetery (near the main gates, his grave marked by a celtic cross). | |||||
