Brampton Cumberland Family History Guide
Brampton is an Ancient Parish and a market town in the county of Cumberland.
Other places in the parish include: Easby, Great Easby, and Naworth.
Parish church: St. Martin
Parish registers begin: 1663
Nonconformists include: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Independent/Congregational, Presbyterian Church in England, Roman Catholic, and Wesleyan Methodist.
Table of Contents
Adjacent Parishes
Parish History
Brampton
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales 1870
BRAMPTON, a small town, a township, a parish, a subdistrict, and a district, in Cumberland. The town stands in a deep narrow vale, near the confluence of the rivers Irthing and Gelt, 1½ mile N of Milton r. station, 2 S of the Roman wall, and 9 ENE of Carlisle.
It is thought by Camden to occupy the site of the Roman station Brementuracum; it rose early to some importance, as a seat of population, and a centre of strength; it sustained much damage during the wars in the time of Edward II.; it was occupied, in 1715, by the troops of the Pretender, and in 1745 by those of Prince Charles Edward.
It is long, and irregularly built; and has few modern houses. The town hall is an octagonal structure, resting on piazzas; and was erected in 1817. The parish church is a spacious edifice, of 1788, built in lieu of an ancient one about a mile distant. The grammar school, near the church, occupies the site of an hospital, founded in 1688. The workhouse was erected at a cost of £1,250. There are chapels for Presbyterians, Independents, and Methodists.
The town has a post-office under Carlisle, and two chief inns; and is a seat of petty sessions, and a polling-place. A weekly market is held on Wednesday, and fairs on 20 April, Trinity Wednesday, the second Wednesday of Sept., and 23 Oct. Some cotton manufacture and extensive brewing are carried on. A mineral railway goes to Tindal fell; and a railway to Longtown was authorised in 1866. Pop., 2,379. Houses, 514.
The township extends into the country. Real property, £10,742. Pop., 2,933. Houses, 619. The parish contains also the township of Easby and Naworth. Acres, 16,970. Real property, £16,871. Pop., 3,585. Houses, 733. The property is much subdivided. The manor belongs to the Earl of Carlisle. Naworth Castle is the Earl of Carlisle’s seat; and was formerly that of the Dacre family. Freestone is quarried. A famous Roman inscription, noticed by Camden, is still visible on a rock overhanging the Gelt. An ancient camp occurs on Castle-hill, with very extensive views. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Carlisle. Value, £466. Patron, the Earl of Carlisle.
The subdistrict contains the parishes of Brampton, Farlam, Nether Denton, and Upper Denton, the extra-parochial tract of Midgeholm, and part of the parish of Lanercost. Pop., 5,501. Houses, 1,097. The district comprehends also the sub. district of Walton, containing the parishes of Walton and Irthington, and part of the parish of Lanercost; and the subdistrict of Hayton, containing the parishes of Hayton, Cumrew, Cumwhitton, and Castle-Carrock, the extra-parochial tract of Carlatton, and part of the parish of Wetherel. Acres, 95,473. Poor-rates in 1866, £4,488. Pop. in 1861, 10,866. Houses, 2,170.
Marriages in 1866, 55; births, 307, of which 53 were illegitimate; deaths, 195, of which 42 were at ages under 5 years, and 12 at ages above 85. Marriages in the ten years 1851-60, 443; births, 3,211; deaths, 1,838. The places of worship in 1851, were 12 of the Church of England, with 2,987 sittings; 1 of the Presbyterian church in England, with 200 s.; 1 of Independents, with 250 s.; and 12 of Wesleyan Methodists, with 1,250 s. The schools were 11 public day schools, with 532 scholars; 7 private day schools, with 392 s.; and 15 Sunday schools, with 1,102 s.
Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].
A Topographical Dictionary of England 1848
BRAMPTON (St. Martin), a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in Eskdale ward, E. division of Cumberland; containing, with the townships of Easby and Naworth, 3304 inhabitants, of whom 2754 are in the town, 9½ miles (N. E. by E.) from Carlisle, and 305 (N. by W.) from London. According to Camden, this was the site of the Roman station Bremetenracum, which some modern writers, with more probability, have fixed at Old Penrith.
The town sustained extensive damage during the wars of Edward II.; of which, as well as of its earlier importance, it still exhibits evident marks. In Nov. 1715, a large force under the command of Mr. Forster, who had received a general’s commission from James Stuart, entered the town, where they proclaimed the Pretender; and hence marched to Penrith. During the rebellion of 1745, the young Pretender led his troops hither, to observe the motions of Gen. Wade, who was mistakenly reported to be marching from Newcastle to the relief of Carlisle; and after remaining here several days, he proceeded to Carlisle, which had surrendered to his arms.
The town is situated between the small rivers Irthing and Gelt, tributaries to the Eden, about one mile south of the former, and two and a half from the point where they unite; and lies about two miles south of the Picts’ wall. It occupies a deep narrow vale embosomed in hills, and consists principally of two streets irregularly built, and a spacious market-place; the houses have been mostly rebuilt, and are of handsome appearance: the inhabitants are well supplied with water. The manufacture of gingham employs nearly 700 persons: there are two breweries.
The railway between Newcastle and Carlisle passes a mile and a half to the south, and is connected with the town by a good road, and also by means of the Earl of Carlisle’s railway, which reaches to the extensive coal and lime works at Tindal Fell, and by which coal and lime are brought hither in abundance. The market is on Wednesday, and is well supplied with corn, admitted toll-free; fairs are held on April 20th, the second Wednesday after Whitsuntide, the second Wednesday in Sept., and the 23rd of Oct., for horned cattle, horses, and pigs.
The county magistrates hold a petty-session every alternate Wednesday; and courts leet and baron for the barony of Gilsland are held at Easter and Michaelmas, in the town-hall, a neat octagonal edifice with a cupola, erected by the Earl of Carlisle in 1817, on the site of the former hall, in the market-place, the lower part being formed into a piazza, under which butter, eggs, poultry, &c., are sold on the market-day.
The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s books at £8; net income, £466; patron and impropriator, the Earl of Carlisle: in 1777, land was assigned in lieu of tithes. The present church was built in 1788, out of the chapel and tenements of an almshouse, and with the materials of the old church, the chancel of which is still remaining on the southern bank of the river Irthing, about a mile west of the town, being used for the performance of the funeral service for those who are interred in the cemetery. The church was greatly enlarged in 1827 at an expense of £1800: on which occasion the Rev. Mr. Ramshay presented five bells and an organ.
There are places of worship for Independents, Primitive and Wesleyan Methodists, and Presbyterians. The poor law union comprises 14 parishes or places, and contains a population, according to the last census, of 10,525.
Two miles east of Brampton, and about a mile south of the Irthing, commanding a fine view of the vale of St. Mary, through which that river flows, is Naworth Castle, the ancient baronial seat of the lords of Gilsland, the earliest notice of which occurs in the 18th of Richard II. The walls, including two large square towers in the front, besides others at the angles, inclose a quadrangular area, each side of which measures 40 paces: the hall, 70 or 80 feet in length, and of proportionate width and height, displays all the magnificence of feudal grandeur; and the chapel, to which there is a descent of several steps, is decorated with a profusion of armour. The dungeons of the castle, which were the prison for the barony, are in their original state; they consist of three cells underground, and one above, and the strong iron rings to which the prisoners were chained are yet remaining. A great portion of this splendid castle was burnt down on the 18th of May, 1844; but it has been restored, as far as practicable, by Viscount Morpeth, eldest son of the Earl of Carlisle.
To the north-east of Brampton is a high conical hill called the Mote, about 300 feet above the level of the streets, and from the summit of which, now planted with trees, a most extensive view of the surrounding country is obtained: at some distance from the base are vestiges of an intrenchment, and a breastwork of considerable strength. It is supposed to have been originally a Danish encampment, or probably a place of security for the removal of property in case of invasion, as, from the steepness of the acclivity, a small number of men on the summit might overpower an assailing multitude. It was used as a seat of justice for the barony of Gilsland, and at present forms a link in the chain of telegraphic communication between the northern parts of England and the southern parts of Scotland.
To the south of the town is a fine quarry of freestone, where the Romans obtained part of the materials for building the great wall, vestiges of which are still visible. Walton House occupies the site of a station on the wall; and on the rocky banks of the Gelt are some inscriptions of the time of Agricola, one of whose legions was stationed near Brampton.
Source: A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis 1848
Naworth
Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales Circa 1870
NAWORTH, a township in Brampton parish, Cumberland; on the river Irthing and the Newcastle and Carlisle railway, near the Roman wall, 2 ½ miles ENE of Brampton. Real property, £4,714. Pop., 557. Houses, 97.
Naworth Castle was built, in the 13th century, by Ranulph Dacre; continued in the possession of the Dacres till 1569; passed then, by marriage, to Lord William Howard, the “Belted Will” of traditional lore, and warden of the marches in the time of Elizabeth; and belongs now to the Earl of Carlisle. It stands on the edge of a platform, nearly insulated by a deep gulley; was originally designed for protection against raids from the Scottish Border; was much enlarged and strengthened about 1316; underwent further improvement by Lord William Howard; was severely injured by fire in 1844; has been carefully restored, with retention of its ancient features.
It consists chiefly of two large square towers, with intervening buildings, and with interior quadrangular court; includes a great hall with walls 7 ½ feet thick, the private apartments of Lord William Howard, a concealed passage from his oratory to a grated aperture at the top of dungeons, and these dungeons themselves with their old appliances of imprisonment; and contains curious old paintings, pieces of tapestry, and suits of armour. An ancient earth-work, probably British, with two encircling ramparts, is S of the castle and near the railway.
Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].
Parish Records
FamilySearch
Directories
Kelly’s Directory of the Leather Trades 1880
BRAMPTON
Market day Saturday
Boot & Shoe Makers & Dealers
Armstrong John Back street
Atkinson Joseph Back street
Bell John Moat side
Clementson Edward Market pl
Elliott Robert Back street
Hardy William Back street
Harrison George Arthur Front st
Hetherington Samuel Back st
Humble Mrs Margaret High Cross street
Martin Mrs Babara High Cross st
Nixon Jacob Back street
Parker Joseph Back street
Russell James Front street
Rutherford William Moat side
Sloan Robert Back street
Clog & Patten Makers
Bell John Moat side
Bell Joseph Moat side
Rutherford William Moat side
Walker Edward Front street
Currier & Tanner
Routledge Thomas Front street
Fellmonger
Ridley John Brampton Tannery
Furrier
Burton George High Cross st
Saddlers & Harness Makers
Barnes Robert Front street
Mitchinson Thomas Back st
Reid John Back street
Johnstone John Back street
Skinner
Bell James Long Town road
Pigot and Co.’s National Commercial Directory 1828-9
BRAMPTON AND THE PARISHES OF HIGH & LOW CROSBY NETHER DENTON & NEIGHBOURHOODS
BRAMPTON is a small market town, in a parish of the same name, in the ward of Eskdale, and is the capital of the barony of Gilsland. It is 9½ miles from Carlisle, the like distance from Longtown, 27 from Penrith, by Longtown, and 21 by way of Kirkoswald, and 311 from London. The town is long and straggling, of considerable antiquity, situated in a deep and narrow vale, round which the country swells into considerable eminences.
The working class here are chiefly employed in weaving checks, ginghams, &c. for the manufacturing houses in Carlisle, and spinning and wearing linen for domestic uses.
The church is a neat stone building, and has lately been repairer at considerable expence, when a square tower was added to it and a peal of good bells hung therein, presented by the Rev Thos. Ramshaw the vicar. Here are also three dissenting chapels and an hospital for six poor men.
The lord of the manor or honour is the Earl of Carlisle, who holds a court in April and October, over the market place. The market day is on Wednesday, which is well supplied with corn and provisions of all sorts, woollens drapery &c. The two chartered fairs are the 13th June and 12th September, for cattle and merchandize.
In 1821 the population of the whole parish of Brampton was 2,921, of which number about 2,450 were in the township.
HIGH CROSBY, four miles, and LOW CROSBY, three and a half miles east from Carlisle, are two small villages, in the parish of Crosby upon Eden, and in the ward of Eskdale. The parish contains about 400 inhabitants, and the two townships about 300 of that number.
DENTON NETHER is a parish and village, in the same hundred as Crosby, four miles from Carlisle, containing in 1821, about 400 inhabitants.
POST OFFICE, Market place, BRAMPTON, Edward Moses, Post Master. – The LONDON, South of ENGLAND, IRELAND and Scotch letters arrive at a quarter past eight every morning, and are despatched about one at noon. From NORTHUMBERLAND, DURHAM, and part of the East and North Riding of YORKSHIRE letters arrive at a quarter past one in the afternoon, and are despatched on the arrival of the LONDON mail in the morning.
GENTRY & CLERGY
Armstrong Wm gent Crosby
Carrick John esq Brampton
James Thomas esq Brampton
Lawson Res Anthony Brampton
Lowry Rev Dr Thomas vicar Crosby & magistrate Crosby
Patrickson Wm esq Crosby
Phillips Jobo esq Crosby
Ramnshaw John esq Brampton
Ramshaw Mrs High Crosby
Ramshaw Rev Thomas vicar and magistrate Brampton
Robinson Anthony gent Brampton
ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS
Coulthard Joseph national school
Gow Barbara infant’s
Graham James boy’s day
Hodgson Ann girls day school
Lawson Rev Authony grammar
Noble Joseph Crosby
ATTORNEYS
Carrick John Brampton
James Thomas and agent to the Atlas fire & life office Brampton
BLACKSMITHS
Armstrong Samuel
Baly Thomas Milton
Crozier Christopher
Hobson Thomas
Leighton John Crosby
Winthrope James
BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS
Corbett Thomas
Forster James
Jackson Joseph Croshy
Little Joseph
Nixon James Market place
Nixon John
Sloan James
Sloan William
Tinling Thomas
Walker James & parish clerk
BRAZIERS AND TINMEN
Blaylock Joseph
Lawrie John Market place
BREWERS
Ramshaw Thos & Co Brampton
BUTCHERS
Baird Joseph
Baird William
Bell Thomas
Bell William
Graham William
Kenion William
Parker Christopher
Parker Thomas
Tinling William
CARTWRIGHTS &C
Bell Wm & plough maker & joiner
Hall William
Lee Joseph
Wallace William
CHYMISTS & DRUGGISTS
Dobson Henry
Townley Elizabeth
CLOG & PATTEN MAKERS
Gaddas Andrew
Highmoor George
Robinson Joseph
COOPERS
Hewitt William
Mark Joseph
CURRIERS
Halliburton Thomas
Richardson Joseph
Routledge Joseph
GLASS AND EARTHENWARE DEALERS
Hall William
Marrs Thomas
Rutherford James
GROCERS &C
Bell George & bacon factor
Dargue Edward
Forster Joseph
Haugh Thos & oil & colour dealer & tobacco manufacturer
HAT MAKERS
Hewitt George
Park Thomas
Modlen Thomas
Thirlwall Thomas
INNS
George Joseph Graham
Howard Arms & posting house Mary Bell
Scotch Arms Robert Halliburton
IRON FOUNDERS
Gibson Richd & Co Bank hall
IRONMONGERS
Atkinson Edward & nailer
Gill Thomas
Milburn William
Richardson Thomas
JOINERS &C
Heward John & cabinet maker
Hodgson John & builder
James Robert
Lattimer James
Turpin Ww Blue bell
LINEN & WOOLLEN DRAPERS
Bell Adam
Best John
Graham Charles B
Hudson Thomas
James Robert
Lawson William
Moses Thomas
Waugh John
Wighman Robert
MILLERS
Ewart Isabella Abby bridge
Gillespie Archibald Denton mill
Hetherington Thos Milton hill
Hope Thomas New mill
Mc Knight Thomas Howe mill
Robson Nathaniel Irthington
Routledge Matthew Gelt mill
Waugh John Walton mill
MILLINERS & DRESS MAKRS
Flemming Jane
James Rachael
Tinling Margaret
NAIL MAKERS
Atkinson Edward
Gill Thomas
PAINTER, GLAZIERS &C
Blaylock Joseph
Hall Isaac
Richardson William
SADDLERS
Bowman John
Richardson Richard
Routledge Nicholas
SHOPKEEPERS & DEALERS IN SUNDRIES
Atkinson John
Baty William
Bell John
Bell Joseph
Bell William
Bendle Isaac
Colquhoun James
Corry Sarala
Dargue Edward
Dixon Adam
Dixon Isaac
Forster James
Forster John
Forster Joseph
Goodburn Christopher
Graham George
Hetherington Ann
Hetherington Thomas
Hewitt Robert
Hobson Thomas
Holme Margaret
Lattimer Hannah
Lawson Ann & Jane
Lawson John
Marrs Thomas
Martin Margaret
Martin William
Moses Edward
Reed John
Rountree William
Routledge Mary
Routledge William
Simpson Jane
Starling Isaac
Stephenson Elizabeth
Tinling James
Tinniswood Elizabeth
Wilkinson Anthony
STRAW HAT MAKERS
Hall Sarah
Milbourn Ann
Mitchilson Ann
Moffit Hannah
Walker Ruth
SURGEONS
Dobson Henry
Fleming Wm RN
Gilbanks Thomas
Graham George
TAILORS &C
Goodfellow John
Lawson William
Moffit James
Topping John
TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES
Barley Stack Wm Clarke
Black Bull Isabella Miller
Black Bull Edward Parker
Blue Bell Wm Turpin
Broom Win Edmondson
Bush Walter Dodd
Coal Waggon Richard Rutherford
Crown William Bullman
Crown & Mitre Jos Lenox Crosby
Duke of Wellington Henry Story
Freemason’s Arms Thos Corbett
General Wolfe John Forster
Globe John Hall
Golden Fleece John Cowen
Half Moon Joseph Thompson
Hare & Hounds Margaret Graham
Joiner’s Arms Jane Law
King’s Arms James Bell
Lion & Lamb Thomas Bell
Lord Nelson Samuel Smith
Nag’s Head Joseph Lee
Pack Horse John Edmondson
Punch Bowl Robt Hewitt jun
Quarter of Mutton John Gill
Red Lion Joho Thompson
Sand House William Baty
Ship Thos Thirlwalls
Sportsman James Haston
String of Horses Robert Armstrong
Wellington Jos Taylor Crosby
Wheat Sheaf William Bell
White Hart Joseph Armstrong
White Horse John Goodfellow Crosby
White Lion & excise office Margt Maxwell
WATCH & CLOCK MAKERS
Richardson Thomas
Richardson William
WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS AND TEA DEALERS
Armstrong Walter & Co
Halliburton John
MISCELLANEOUS
Bell David dealer in hay & corn & bacon factor
Crozier Joseph whitesmith
Hetherington John fax dresser & linen manufacturer
Lamley Wm fellmonger
Lancaster Henry bookseller stationer and circulating library
Marrs Thos auctioneer
Parker Joseph tallow chandler
Proud Elizabeth woollen carder & spinner Hardbank mills
Routledge Wm tanner
Thompson James agent to the Earl of Carlisle Kirk house
Thompson Joseph stay maker
Thompson Robert wood warder to the Earl of Carlisle
Thornburn John tea dealer
Topping Wm perfumer & dealer in hardware
Turnbull John rope maker
COACHES
To CARLISLE the Royal Mail from Newcastle calls at the Howard Arms every day at one and the True Briton calls at the Scotch Arms every day at half post twelve
TO NEWCASTLE the Royal Mail from Carlisle calls at the Howard Arms every morning at eight goes through Haltwistle, Haydon bridge, Hexham, and Corbridge, and the True Briton calls at the Scotch Arms every morning at half past six goes the same route as the Mail
CARRIERS
To CARLISLE John Robinson and Jas Carruthers every day (Sunday excepted) from the Pack Horse. Thos. Wright from his own house Monday Thursday and Saturday. Wm Baty from Sand House Inn every Monday. Mark Bell from Brewhouse lane and George Telford every Saturday
To LONGTOWŃ James Baxter from the Scotch Arms every Saturday. Wm Baty from Sand House lnn and Mark Bell from Brewhonse lane every Monday
To NĚWCASTLE UPON TYNE Mark Bell through Halton & Harlow from Brewhouse lane every Tuesday afternoon. Wm Baty same route from Sand House Inn the same day and time. James Baxter from the Scotch Arms every Tuesday. Thos Wright from his own house every Tuesday Wednesday and Friday and George Telford from his own place every Tuesday.
Source: Pigot and co.’s national commercial directory for 1828-9, comprising a directory of the merchants, bankers, professional gentleman [&c.] in the counties of Cheshire, Cumberland [&c.]. By Pigot James and co · 1828
Administration
- County: Cumberland
- Civil Registration District: Brampton
- Probate Court: Court of the Bishop of Carlisle (Episcopal Consistory)
- Diocese: Carlisle
- Rural Deanery: Carlisle
- Poor Law Union: Brampton
- Hundred: Eskdale Ward
- Province: York