WINDERMERE.

UNDERMILLBECK AND APPLETHWAITE.

1348 15 September. Archbishop Zouche issued a commission for the dedication of a church-yard at Windermere. Reg. Zouche, ff. 71, 78, 79.

1377–1401 John Newthorp who was instituted to the church of Windermere in 1377, resigned in 1387, whereupon the Crown nominated John Ebchestre on 15th February, 1387–8, and Richard Pittes on the 22nd following. (Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1385–9, p. 401). Whether either of these two held the rectory is not recorded. John Bohun must have succeeded to it very shortly after, and on 18 September, 1391, John Burbryg was presented by the abbot and convent of St. Mary's on the resignation of John Bohun. Burbryg resigned in 1396 when John Bohun was again presented on 6 December, 1396. (Reg. Arch. of Richmond, Yorks. Arch. Socy., vol. 25, pp. 190, 195). Bohun resigned in 1399 when on 10 April John de Barwell was presented, on the nomination of the Bishop of London a month before he surrendered the de Coucy property to the lineal heiress. Barwell's estate in the rectory of Windermere was ratified 14 April 1399, and again on 12 January, 1400–1. Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1396–9, p. 528; 1399–1401, P. 373.

1535 Rural Deanery of Kendall. Rectory of the Church of Wyndeandermer. Adam Carus, incumbent.

The aforesaid Rectory is worth in—

Valor Ecclesiasticus, vol. 5, p. 267.

1535 Wyndandymer Lib'a Capella (fn. 1) —William Monforth, incumbent. The aforesaid Chapel is worth in

Valor Ecclesiasticus, vol. 5. p. 268.

1546 On 14 February, 1545–6, a commission was issued to Robert Aldrich, bishop of Carlisle, Thomas Lord Wharton, Sir John Lowther and Edward Edgore, Esq., to make a survey of the chantries in Cumberland and Westmorland. Their Return is amongst the Rentals and Surveys kept at the Public Record Office, roll 846. It gives the following particulars of the Free Chapel. There is a free Chapel within the parish of Windermere called Our Lady Chapel of the Holme, distant from the said parish church half a mile, and they say that Sir William Mountforthe is clerk and hath to his wages £6 13s. 4d. paid him yearly by the lands of Christopher Philipson, Receiver of the King's Majesty's rents of Windermere. And further they say there are two tenements belonging to the said Chapel of 8s. ferme by year in the tenure of Roland and Thomas Dicsone.

1620–1639 Among the loans from the clergy for the use of the CountPalatine of the Rhine, the king's son-in-law, Mr. Buffeild as parson of Windermere in 1620 paid £1 4s. 4d. In 1622 as rector he contributed toward the recovery of the Palatinate the sum of £3 16s. 6d. In 1624 James Wakefield as rector of Windermere paid a subsidy of £4 4s. od. For the three years 1634–1636 Mr. Wakefield contributed yearly the sum of 10s. toward the repair of St. Paul's Cathedral. In 1639 James Wakefield as rector contributed £4 in aid of the war against the Scots. Lanc. and Cheshire Record Soc., vol. xii,, pp. 58, 69, 82, 96, 124.

1661 1 November. A hard frost continued from this date until 8 March 1662, during which time it was common to draw timber over the ice on the lake. Wharton's Chronicle.

1666 26 December. William Wilson, rector of Windermere, sends information against a Quaker woman, who on Christmas day stood up in the middle of the Church during his sermon and used slanderous language against him. Hist. MSS. Com., 12th Rep. 44.

1678 23 August. Christopher Philipson to Daniel Fleming, saying that the Quakers of Windermere since the imprisonment of Thomas Williamson are grown very peremptory, and presumptuously meet in great assemblies in opposition to the parson and intend nolens volens to have another meeting on Sunday three weeks. Hist. MSS. Com., 12th Rep. 147.

1692/3 13 January. John Philipson of Callgarth, Esq., aged 25 years, on 29 October last at Kendal, in a case pending in the Bench between John Mounsey attorney of the King's Bench, plaintiff, and the same John Phillipson, defendant, made a false affidavit duly set forth touching the employment of John Mounsey in some business. (K. Indictment Book 1692–1724). On the 6th October following the recognizance of John Phillipson Esq., was ordered to be escheated, he having neglected to prosecute his traverse for perjury. Ibid.

1696 14 July. William Wilson, rector of Windermere, signed the antiJacobite "Association," formed throughout the Kingdom for the protection of William III. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724.

1701 2 July. Agreement made by Dame Elizabeth Otway, of Ambleside, to George Braithwaite of High Wray, granting her privilege of fishing upon Windermere Water, with the privilege of carrying a boat with any goods whatsoever from the head to the foot of the said water, for one year, in consideration of the sum of 5s. The said Dame Elizabeth reserves only to herself the twenty chars which the fishermen are to give her every year. (Hist. MSS. Com. 10th Rep. 354). There were three customary ferries across the Lake but that from Claife was the principal; it was long held by the Braithwaite family, who paid a rent to the lord of the Richmond fee as owning the waters. For Thomas Dummers purchase with Ambleside Hall and Sir William Fleming's repurchase see Transactions, C. & W. Antiq. Soc., N.S. vol. VI, pp. 34, 35, 79–81.

1706 11 October. A Meeting House in Windermere is licensed as a place of religious worship for the people called Quakers. K. Order Book, 1696–1724.

1710/11 12 January. Complaint of Geo. Braithwaite that whereas he and those whose estate he had, from time immemorial lawfully possessed a common ferry-boat upon Windermere Water, to carry and recarry passengers across from K. Kendall and other places in co. Westmorland to Hawkshead and other places in co. Lancashire, and that no other person ought to keep a ferry-boat to carry passengers upon that water, nevertheless Thomas Elleray of Stords, John Ellerary of the same and George Robinson of Undermillbeck, yeomen, forcibly kept a ferry-boat upon the said water, on 7 January last, and on divers days before and since, to the damage of the said George. Traversed 20 July, 1711, by all three. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724.

Also James Kendall of Bownes, yeoman, was indicated for keeping a ferry-boat to carry passengers, with their goods, on Windermere Water, where he has no liberty, to the damage of George Brathwaite; fined one penny. (Ibid.). George Brathwaite of Nabb, in Furness Fells, co. Lancashire, yeoman, was indicted for an assault at Windermere upon James Kendall and Nicholas Dixon, and for taking and throwing into the water an oar of theirs, so that it was lost; fined 2s. 6d. (Ibid.). Also, the said George Brathwaite of Nabb, Christopher Roberts of the same and William Roberts of Green, parish Windermere, yeomen, were indicated for an assault upon James Kendall, Nicholas Dixon and Elizabeth Dixon, at Windermere, and obstructing them with their ferry-boat and passengers on Windermere Water. George Brathwaite fined 2s. 6d. and the others to be discharged. Ibid.

1712 15 July. James Kendall and John Kendall of Undermilbeck, yeomen, indicted for carrying a quantity of slate in a boat upon Windermere Water, in places called High Cubble and Middle Cubble belonging to George Brathwaite, who has the sole right to carry goods in the said places. James Kendall fined 6d. Ibid.

1714 Joseph Symson, a senior alderman of Kendal and who kept a druggist's shop in Stricklandgate (at the corner of what is now the market square) wrote to a Mr. Robert Shard, dated 7 February, 1714, "I have sent you a pott of charrs, our only north country rarity, of w^ch we begg your acceptance, I hope 'twill please in eating, being done by a nice hand." On the 14th he sent another" pott of charrs" to Mr. Peter Desilter saying, "ye sawce wee generally use to eat therewith is vinager sugar. I'm sure 'tis cleanly put up." K. Notes and Queries, n. 501.

1719 4 August. Presentment upon view of Rev. Hen. Fleming, D.D., J.P. that the highway upon the common, from the north corner of Kentmere Park wall to the top of Garburne, being about 300 yards in length, is very much out of repair. (K. Indict. Book, 1692–1724.). See also Kentmere under same date.

1719/20 6 February. Whereas upon complaint in writing made unto us John Archer and Anthony Askew, justices of the Peace, by John Barton, gent, executor in the Will and Testament of William Barton, late rector of the parish of Windermere, concerning arrears in tithes from the Quakers, etc. On 5 December, 1724, similar complaints made by William Crosby, rector. And on 24 April, 1731, and the 11 December, 1741, similar complaints made by Girlington Butler Barton, rector of the parish of Windermere. Browne MSS., vol. xiv, pp. 83, 84, 85, 86 and 91; vol. iii, n. 55.

1720/1 13 January. Thomas Philipson late of Rayrigg and James Bis^s late of Windermere, yeomen, indicted for forcibly ejecting Thomas Brathwaite, senior of Longholme, yeoman, from a messuage, barn and tenement called Longholme alias Le Island whereof he was seised as of an estate called "Tenantright." K. Indict. Book, 1692–1724.

1726/7. 13 January. The highway between the house of Thomas Brathwaite and the Brat (or Boat), presented at the Xmas Sessions, 1724, to be ruinous, has not been repaired; order for repair under pain of £10. (K. Order Book, 1725–1737). On 17 January, 1728/9, an Order was issued to the Surveyor of highways to repair the highway leading to the Great Boat in the Nabb before next Sessions under pain of £5. (Ibid.). On 16 January, 1729/30, the above order was repeated. Ibid.

1730/1 15 January. In pursuance of an Order made at this Sessions, Benjamin Browne, high constable, reported that the way from the foot of St. Catherine's Brow to the top was very narrow and a bad road and so on to Misslet Moor very narrow and bad. Browne MSS., vol. i, n. 220.

1735 10 October. Presentment that part of the highway from Misslet Gate towards Troutbeck Bridge and laying in Applethwaite, being half a mile in length, is in decay. Minute Book, 1733–37.

1754 31 May. Presentment that Under Milnbeck Bridge is one of the public bridges and that the same bridge and 300 feet at each end is in great decay and ought to be repaired at the public expense of the county. (K. Indictment Book, 1750–60). Order to the two high constables to view and report the condition thereof at the next Sessions. (Ibid.). On the 16th July following it was ordered that the high constables do forthwith contract at as low a rate as possible with some able and experienced workmen for the repair of the above bridge. (K. Order Book, 1750–60). On the 10 October, 1755, the bridge was reported as sufficiently repaired. (K. Indictment Book, 1750–60) and an order was issued to the two high constables to pay William Sharp the sum of £11 for the repair of Undermilnbeck Bridge. K. Order Book, 1750–60.

1768 11 April. Petition of the Surveyor of highways within the township of Applethwaite setting forth that the highways there are greatly out of repair and that the 6 days labour is insufficient to effectually repair the same; it is ordered that an assessment of 6d. in the pound be levied upon the several inhabitants, owners and occupiers and that in case of refusal or non-payment within 10 days after demand upon distress and sale of goods, etc. (K. Order Book, 1760–70). On the 3rd April, 1769, and again on 8 January, 1770, similar orders to the above were made. Ibid.

1774 Robert Philipson sold Long Holme to Thomas English who pulled down the old house and built the present bastard classic structure. The remains of a Roman pavement composed of small pebbles and many Roman antiquities were discovered during the excavations. In the Spring of 1781 Isabella Curwen bought the island which has since been known as Belle Isle. Curwen Pedigree, pp. 64, 70.

1780 3 April. Rev. W. Barton, rector of Windermere took the oaths of Allegiance, Supremacy and Abjuration, and subscribed the same according to law. K. Indictment Book, 1770–80.

1797 7 October. Deputation 2 September last from Rt. Rev. Richard, Bishop of Llandaff, lord of the Manor of Calgarth, appointing John Fleming of Rayrigg, esq., his game keeper for the Manor. K. Order and Indictment Book, 1786–98.

1815 9 January. Filed on the Rolls a plan and order to divert and turn a certain part of the highway within the village of Bowness lying between a barn of Mr. Robert Collinson and the lake of Windermere, also an order to stop up the old way and sell the same. K. Indict. Book, 1811–17.

1815 10 July. Filed on the Rolls of this Sessions a plan and order to divert and turn a certain part of the highway between Blackbeck and Braithwaite Fold in the township of Undermilbeck for the length of 2230 yards, also the consent of John Bolton through whose grounds the said road is intended to be diverted, also an order to stop up the old road and to grant the land and soil there to the said John Bolton as a compensation. Ibid.

1816 22 April. Presentment that Millbeck Stock Bridge is one of the public bridges and that the said bridge and the 300 feet of the road at each of the ends is in great decay, and ought to be repaired at the expense of the County. (K. Indict. Book, 1811–17). And John Braithwaite one of the Bridge Masters praying for a suspension of judgment is granted such until the next Session. Ibid.

1821 8 January. Presentment that there is a certain common King's highway, leading from a certain common King's highway, leading from Kendal to Bowness, towards and unto a certain other common King's highway leading from Kendal to Ambleside, and that a certain part of the same situate in the parish of Windermere beginning at a part opposite the land of one Peter Collinson and extending thence in a northerly direction and containing 355 yards in length and in breadth 15 yards, is very ruinous, etc., and ought to be repaired by the inhabitants of the parish of Windermere. K. Indict. Book, 1817–24.

1822 15 July. The Award of the Commissioners appointed for enclosing certain lands within the township of Undermilbeck was enrolled. K. Indict. Book, 1817–24.

1822 14 October. Filed an order with plan annexed for widening part of the highway in the village of Bowness, by adding 20 yards in length and 10 feet in breadth from the lands of John Ullock. Also the order with plan annexed for diverting part of the highway in the township of Applethwaite, in length 375 feet and 15 feet in breadth, through the lands of John Wilson, Esq. K. Order Book, 1817–24.

1824 12 January. Richard Fleming, rector of Windermere, took the oaths of allegiance, supremacy and abjuration, made the declaration against Transubstantiation and subscribed the same according to law. K. Indict. Book, 1817–24.

1826 13 January. See Crosthwaite under this date.

1844 24 August. Notice of a prospectus of an intended new railway to run from Kendal into the Lake District. The capital required is £125,000, to be raised by £15 shares. It is proposed to leave the Lancaster and Carlisle line near Oxenholme and proceed westward of Parkside to Kendal and thence skirt along the eastern side of the river Kent to a point near its junction with the Mint and thence pass Burneside, through Ratherheath Plantation, by Staveley, Middle Fair Bank, Black Moss, Droomer Style, Birthwaite and Troutbeck Bridge Mill to the side of Windermere beyond the woods of Rayrigg and Calgarth, about one mile short of Ambleside. On 5 November, a meeting of shareholders decided to abandon the idea of carrying the line to Lowwood, the engineering difficulties of the last 3¼ miles being too great. (K. Mercury). On 30 June, 1845, the Act received the royal assent. (Annals, 301) and on 16 July the first sod was cut. On 20 April, 1847, the railway was opened by two trains from Kendal to Windermere, conveying upwards of 800 passengers. The first consisted of 16 carriages and the second of 18, and each was drawn by three engines. K. Mercury.

1854 20 October. Order for the diverting of a certain portion of a public footway at Elleray in the township of Applethwaite. K. Order Book, 1839–76.

1858 22 October. Application for the stopping up and diversion of a certain footway through part of the Glebe land at Undermilnbeck, as delineated on plan, extending from a point opposite the west end of the Cemetery Chapel and 10 yards north of a certain gate across the said footway, thence it passes to the Rectory house on the west side thereof and proceeds along a narrow way between two gardens belonging to the Rectory into another inclosure, part of the Glebe, called Hall Field, a distance of 462 yards from the first mentioned point to a point of the footway in the inclosure 58 feet north of the stile in the fence separating Hall Field from a piece of woodland adjoining on the south side thereof. The proposed diversion to start at the west end of the chapel and to continue on the east side of the Rectory house to the south-west corner of another enclosure, thence through a part of Hall Field for a distance altogether of 441 yards until it joins the present footway at the aforesaid point 58 feet north of the said stile. It being nearer and more commodious to the public the application was allowed. K. Order Book, 1839–76.

1899 1 December. The British Electric Traction Company's proposal to make light railways between Windermere station and the Steamer Pier at Bowness, and also between the said station and Ambleside, was opposed by the County Council unless the following provisions were inserted for the protection of the Council's interests. 1. The Company making at their own cost the carriage way on the promenade 60 feet wide, and not less than 30 ft. on the other sections of the roads in addition to the existing width of footpath. 2. That the railway and 18 inches on either side of it be formed of granite cubes or setts. 3. That the Company shall place electric lamps and maintain the light upon such of the standards erected as the Council shall approve, not exceeding one lamp for every sixty yards of railway. C.C. Minutes, 1899–1900.

Footnotes