Embleton

Chapelry and township in Brigham parish, Allerdale above Derwent ward, Cumberland.

Acreage:

3,948 acres [1,598 ha]. Commons totalling 3,150 acres [1,275 ha] in Embleton and Setmurthy enclosed 1824.

Population:

rising from 292 in 1801 to 442 in 1831, then slowly declining to stand in range 350-380 for much of later 19th and first half of 20th century; further decline to 297 by 2001.

Landownership:

manor of Embleton (which excluded surrounding wastes in forest of Derwentfells) granted to Orme de Ireby 1195. Descended through Ireby family for several generations; later purchased by Thomas Brathwaite of Warcop (after 1589); his grandson Richard sold it to Philip Lord Wharton before 1688.

Economy:

predominantly agricultural. Drainage tile manufacture at Hundith Hill mid-19th century; short-lived lead-mining near Stanley Hall 1853 to 1860. Granite quarrying at Close Quarry (also known as Embleton Quarry), opened 1907; closed 1950.

Places of worship:

medieval chapel of ease, recorded c.1210; St Cuthbert’s church, built 1806, probably on same site. Wesleyan Methodist chapel built 1863; rebuilt 1903; closed 1970

Schools and other institutions:

school taught in chapel by curate in early 18th century. Embleton and Wythop Voluntary School (situated near Wythop Mill) built 1808; closed 1978. Village hall, rebuilt 2009.