Stanwix

Ancient parish in Eskdale ward, Cumberland, embracing townships of Cargo, Etterby, Houghton, Linstock, Rickerby, Stainton, Stanwix and Tarraby. Brunstock township, detached portion of Crosby-on-Eden parish, transferred to Stanwix CP 1887. Each of the nine townships is treated separately below.

Acreage:

ancient parish extended to 6,251 acres [2,500 ha]. Part of parish transferred to Carlisle MB 1887 and further transfer took place 1951. Conversely Stanwix CP gained territory by absorbing part of Crosby-on-Eden 1934. Renamed Stanwix Rural CP 1966.

Population:

Stanwix and Etterby townships became suburbs of Carlisle from later 19th century. Population of ancient parish grew from 1,039 in 1801 to 2,877 in 1881, last census year before boundary changes (for population of individual townships, see below). Population of Stanwix Rural CP stood at 3,043 in 2001. CARGO (1,166 acres [472 ha]). Population: rising from 237 in 1801 to 292 in 1851.

Landownership:

manor of Cargo held by Robert de Ross, lord of Wark, 1274; descended in Ross family until 1338 when it passed by marriage to Parrs of Kendal. Exchanged for other lands with Elizabeth I c.1573. Granted to Sir John Whitmoor early 17th century, descending in that family until after 1688; later purchased by Dacres, who sold it to Joseph Lamb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1793.

Economy:

farming; fishing. Fording point (Doudle Ford) across River Eden. Industrial estates by railway later 20th century.

Places of worship:

Wesleyan Methodist chapel built 1857; closed 1968.

Schools and other institutions:

school built 1856; used for worship on summer Sundays 1860; closed c.1977. Recreation hut in village in 1920s.

ETTERBY

(302 acres [122 ha]).

Population:

rising from 49 in 1801 to 452 by 1871 (last census year for which separate figure available).

Landownership:

part of manor of Westlinton (q.v.), held under barony of Burgh.

Economy:

farming; nurseries mid-19th century; brick-making late 19th century.

Places of worship:

Presbyterian mission hall built 1881; extended 1890; closed 1940s and sold for use as youth centre 1948; demolished c.1970. Convent of the Sacred Heart built 1891-2. St Mark’s mission church (Anglican), on Belah housing estate, built 1951-2.

Schools and other institutions:

school intended for girls built at convent 1891-2; opened as Chadwick Memorial Industrial School for Roman Catholic boys 1903; closed 1924 and became Nazareth House orphanage and home for aged poor; sold 1951 and became Austin Friars School, now co-educational independent secondary day school.

HOUGHTON

(1,516 acres [614 ha]).

Population:

rising from 226 in 1801 to 381 in 1851; stood at 339 in 1871 (last census year for which separate figures available).

Landownership:

descended with Tarraby (see below).

Economy:

farming; early 19th-century villas for Carlisle’s élite (Houghton Hall, Houghton House and Knells).

Places of worship:

Anglican church of St John the Evangelist, built 1840-2. Wesleyan Methodist chapel built 1893; closed 1953.

Schools and other institutions:

school close to church rebuilt 1841; repaired and improved 1897. Reading room recorded 1865; replaced by village hall built 1903, used as reading and recreation room and for public meetings.

LINSTOCK

(1,127 acres [456 ha]).

Linstock and Crosby Commons enclosed from 1691; Crosby Holme, The Tofts, Little Hill and Willows common fields enclosed 1772.

Population:

comparatively stable across early and mid-19th century: 167 in 1801; 207 in 1871 (last census year for which separate figure available).

Landownership:

manor or barony of Linstock or Crosby granted by Henry I to Walter his chaplain, who gave it to Carlisle Priory. Assigned to bishop of Carlisle at partition of priory’s lands 1249, descending with bishopric thereafter. Linstock Castle was seat of bishops in 13th century.

Economy:

farming; tile manufacture mid-19th century.

Places of worship:

chapel of St Peter, near Linstock, recorded 1362. Mission room recorded 1910 may have been ‘small place of worship’ built by G. H. Head, recorded 1860.

Schools and other institutions:

Women’s Institute Hall opened 1922.

RICKERBY

(623 acres [252 ha]).

Population:

in range 80-110 in earlier 19th century, standing at 113 in 1871 (last census year for which separate figure available).

Landownership:

sub-manor under barony of Linstock (see above), held with Scaleby (q.v.). Came to George Head Head 1834 and to his heir Miles McInnes in 1870s; estate largely split up in 1900s.

Economy:

farming; dominated by Rickerby House estate and park from 1830s.

Places of worship:

none.

Schools and other institutions:

school built by G. H. Head 1836; separate boys’ and girls’ schools recorded 1865. Rickerby House became children’s home by 1920s; converted to boys’ preparatory school c.1935; closed c.1952; building bought by Cumberland Education Committee and re-opened as Eden School 1953; closed 1993. Rickerby Park bought by Carlisle Citizens League 1920 as war memorial; Memorial Bridge across River Eden opened 1922.

STAINTON

(604 acres [244 ha]).

Population:

in range 60-70 from 1801 to 1841.

Landownership:

held under manor of Westlinton by Musgrave family of Crookdake until sold to Sir John Lowther 1686.

Economy:

agricultural.

Places of worship:

none.

Schools and other institutions:

none.

STANWIX

(419 acres [170 ha]).

Population:

rising from 337 in 1801 to 1,013 in 1871 (last census year for which separate figure available).

Landownership:

part of manor of socage of Carlisle Castle.

Economy:

Knowefield Nurseries (covering 150 acres [60 ha]) belonging to Little & Ballantyne, established 1860s; said to be one of largest in country; lost to housing development from 1930s.

Places of worship:

medieval parish church of St Michael, on site of Roman fort of UXELODUNUM; rebuilt 1841-5; apse added 1893.

Schools and other institutions:

National school built 1843, near Knowefield; replaced by Board school off Church Street, built 1886; enlarged 1898; now Stanwix Primary School. Cumberland Reformatory for Boys built by G. H. Head 1854; closed 1882; site taken over by Carlisle College of Art 1951; now University of Cumbria Brampton Road Campus. Reading room by 1860. Stanwix Community Centre, refurbished 2012.

TARRABY

(493 acres [200 ha]).

Population:

rising from 110 in 1801 to 150 in 1851; had fallen back to 86 by 1871 (last census year for which separate figure available).

Landownership:

manor of Tarraby held of barony of Levington (Kirklinton) by Aglionby family until exchanged with Sir John Lowther for Nunnery 1690s; exchanged again with Dalston family who enfranchised tenants 1764. Drawdykes Castle remained seat of Aglionby family until 1789.

Economy:

farming. Military training camp (Hadrian’s Camp) opened 1939; closed 1969; became travellers’ camp 1980s.

Places of worship:

none.

Schools and other institutions:

none.

BRUNSTOCK

(637 acres [258 ha]), detached portion of Crosby-on-Eden parish, transferred to Stanwix CP 1887.

Population:

rising from 65 in 1801 to 108 in 1831, then falling back to 67 in 1871 (last census year for which separate figure available).

Landownership:

part of bishop of Carlisle’s manor of Crosby on Eden (q.v.). Brunstock House built 1828-30 for Carlisle lawyer, George Saul.

Economy:

agricultural.

Places of worship:

none.

Schools and other institutions:

none.