Musgrave

CP in East ward, Westmorland, created 1894 by union of ancient parish of Great Musgrave and township of Little Musgrave in Crosby Garrett parish.

Acreage:

Great Musgrave ancient parish contained 3,190 acres [1,291 ha]; Little Musgrave township, 1,208 acres [489 ha]. Commons in Great Musgrave (1,382 acres [559 ha]) enclosed 1859; Little Musgrave Intake (94 acres [38 ha]) and Little Musgrave common (378 acres [153 ha]) enclosed 1853.

Population:

Great Musgrave’s population fairly stable, in range 160-190 across 19th century; Little Musgrave’s population fell from peak of 80 in 1821 to 52 by 1891. Population of Musgrave CP stood at 240 in 1901; then declined across 20th century to low point of 128 in 1991 before rising to 152 in 2001.

Landownership:

manors of Great Musgrave and Little Musgrave held by Musgrave family from 12th century to 20th.

Economy:

predominantly agricultural.

Places of worship:

medieval parish church of St Theobold (Great Musgrave); rebuilt 1844-6. Wesleyan Methodist chapel at Great Musgrave built 1895; now demolished.

Schools and other institutions:

Great Musgrave endowed school (on common near Langrigg) established before 1778; rebuilt after new endowment by Rev. Septimus Collinson, provost of Queen’s College, Oxford, 1828; closed late 20th century. Musgrave parish institute built 1920s.