Arthuret Genealogical Records

Arthuret Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Cumbria Birth Index (1837-2009)

A growing index of births registered in the region. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.

British Birth and Baptism Records (1400-2010)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

FreeBMD Births (1837-1957)

An index to births registered at the central authority for England & Wales. The index provides the area where the birth was registered, mother's maiden name from September 1911 and a reference to order a birth certificate.

British Army Birth Index (1761-2005)

An index to births registered to British Army personal at home and abroad.

Arthuret Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Cumbria Marriage Index (1837-2009)

A growing index of marriages registered in the region. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.

Quaker Marriages in Cumberland (1772-1910)

Marriages recorded in the register of the meetinghouse at Beckfoot. Most records list the name of both parents.

British Marriage Records (1392-2011)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of marriage records that cover over 160 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

UK Divorce Records (1858-1911)

Digital images of documents from civil divorce cases. The cases cover both the cause of the case and the outcome, such as division of property and visitation rights. These records also contain details of illegitimate children. Cases can be searched by a name index.

Arthuret Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Cumbria Death Index (1837-2009)

A growing index of deaths registered in the region. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

British Death and Burial Records (1379-2014)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of death and burial records that cover over 140 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

FreeBMD Deaths (1837-1964)

An index to deaths registered at the central authority for England and Wales. To 1866, only the locality the death was registered in was listed. Age was listed until 1969, when the deceased's date of birth was listed. Provides a reference to order a death certificate, which has further details.

Arthuret Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Cumberland Lay Subsidy (1332-1333)

A tax levied on the wealthier inhabitants of Cumberland.

1901 British Census (1901)

The 1901 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1891 British Census (1891)

The 1891 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Newspapers Covering Arthuret

Carlisle Journal (1833-1866)

A local newspaper including news from the Carlisle area, family announcements, business notices, advertisements, legal & governmental proceedings and more.

Carlisle Patriot (1817-1855)

This fully searchable newspaper will provide a rich variety of information about the people and places of the Carlisle district. Includes family announcements.

Northern Echo (1870-1900)

Britain's most popular provincial newspaper, covering local & national news, family announcements, government & local proceedings and more.

Cumberland & Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions (1781-1959)

A collection of transcribed extracts, particularly BMD columns, from over 20 newspapers.

Furness Railway Magazine Index (1921-1923)

An index to personal notices in a railway employee magazine.

Arthuret Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

York Peculiar Probate Records (1383-1883)

Digital images, indexed by testor's name, of 28,716 wills, administrations, inventories and other probate documents. The records can shed light on an individual’s relations, possessions, land holdings, legal agreements and more. They cover various jurisdictions throughout the north of England.

Cumbria Will and Probate Index (1751-1941)

An index to wills, administrations and inventories proved by the Diocese of Durham and Carlisle District Probate Registry. The index provides a reference, which can be used to view original documents.

York Prerogative & Exchequer Court Probate Index (1688-1858)

An index to 263,822 wills, administrations and other probate documents proved by an ecclesiastical court in York. The index included the testor's name, residence, year of probate, type of document and reference to order copies of the referenced document(s.).

York Prerogative & Exchequer Court Probate Index (1267-1500)

An index to 10,195 wills, administrations and other probate documents proved by an ecclesiastical court in York. The index included the testor's name, residence, occupation, will & probate year, language, type of document and reference to order copies of the referenced document(s.).

Arthuret Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Arthuret Military Records

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

British Army WWI Medal Rolls (1914-1920)

Index and original images of over 5 million medal index cards for British soldiers It can be searched by individual's name, Coprs, Unit and Regiment. Due to the loss of many WWI service records, this is the most complete source for British WWI soldiers

British Army WWI Service Records (1914-1920)

This rich collection contains contains records for 1.9 million non-commissioned officers and other ranks who fought in WWI. Due to bomb damage in WWI, around 60% of service records were lost. Documents cover: enlistment, medical status, injuries, conduct, awards and discharge. A great deal of genealogical and biographical documentation can be found in these documents, including details on entire families, physical descriptions and place of birth.

Silver War Badges (1914-1920)

An index to nearly 900,000 military personnel who were awarded the Silver War Badge for sustaining injures. Records include rank, regimental number, unit, dates of enlistment and discharge, and reason for discharge.

Register & Records of Holm Cultram (1150-1400)

The cartulary and other records of the important Cistercian house of Holm Cultram. The records cover many places in Cumberland.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Central Criminal Court After-trial Calendars (1855-1931)

Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.

England & Wales Electoral Registers (1832-1932)

Digital images of ledgers recording those registered to vote, searchable by an index of 220 million names. Entries list name, address, qualification to vote, description of property and sometimes age and occupation.

Prison Hulk Registers (1802-1849)

From the late 18th century many prisoners in Britain were kept on decommissioned ships known as hulks. This collection contains nearly 50 years of registers for various ships. Details given include: prisoner's name, date received, age, year of birth and conviction details.

Arthuret Taxation Records

Cumberland Lay Subsidy (1332-1333)

A tax levied on the wealthier inhabitants of Cumberland.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Red Book of the Exchequer (1066-1230)

A compilation of records from the Court of the Exchequer primarily dealing with taxes and land. These records are in Latin.

Arthuret Land & Property Records

Register & Records of Holm Cultram (1150-1400)

The cartulary and other records of the important Cistercian house of Holm Cultram. The records cover many places in Cumberland.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem (1236-1291)

Abstracts of records detailing the estates and families of deceased tenants from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.

Arthuret Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Cumberland & Westmorland Directory (1929)

A directory of settlements in Cumberland & Westmorland detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Cumberland (1929)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Cumberland (1925)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Cumberland (1921)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Cumberland & Westmorland (1914)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Arthuret Cemeteries

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Rail & Canal Photographs Catalog (1880-1970)

A searchable database of photographs relating to railways and canals in Britain.

Arthuret Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Arthuret Histories & Books

Longtown History (1150-2008)

A short history of Longtown, including contemporary photographs and a map.

Cumbria Image Bank (1870-2000)

A collection of thousands of images, largely postcards and photographs of the former counties of Westmorland and Cumberland.

Photographs of Cumbria (1865-2009)

A large collection of photographs depicting the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, arranged by place.

Cumbria Gazetteer (1845-1851)

Detailed descriptions of Cumbria parishes from Mannix & Whellan, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Cumberland and Westmorland.

The Ejected Cumberland & Westmorland (1660-1662)

A history of a period when ministers who did not conform to the Common Book of Prayer were ejected from their positions. This after a period of religious tolerance under Cromwell. The book also includes biographies of the several hundred ejected ministers.

Arthuret School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Arthuret Occupation & Business Records

Industrial History of Cumbria (1500-1950)

An extensive website detailing over forty different industries connected with the former counties of Westmorland and Cumberland.

Collieries of The North (1869-1991)

Profiles of collieries in the north of England, with employment statistics, profiles of those who died in the mines and photographs.

Cumbria Railway Images (1940-1980)

Over 1,000 photographs relating to railways in the former counties of Westmorland and Cumbria.

Cumbria Railway Employees (1821-1929)

An index to records detailing hundreds of railway employees in Westmorland and Cumberland.

Northern Mining Disasters (1705-1975)

Reports of mining distastes, includes lists of the deceased and photographs of monuments.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Arthuret

Cumberland & Westmorland Heraldic Visitation (1666)

Pedigrees of gentry families from Cumberland and Westmorland. Also describes their coats of arms.

Victoria County History: Cumberland (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Cumberland Quakers (1634-1740)

Biographic and genealogical information of early Quakers in Cumberland.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Arthuret Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Cumberland & Westmorland Heraldic Visitation (1666)

Pedigrees of gentry families from Cumberland and Westmorland. Also describes their coats of arms.

Victoria County History: Cumberland (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Visitation of England and Wales (1700-1899)

Over 600 pedigrees for English and Welsh families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.

Arthuret Church Records

The Ejected Cumberland & Westmorland (1660-1662)

A history of a period when ministers who did not conform to the Common Book of Prayer were ejected from their positions. This after a period of religious tolerance under Cromwell. The book also includes biographies of the several hundred ejected ministers.

Churches of Cumberland and Westmorland (600 BC-1910)

Historical and architectural dictionary to churches in the two counties. Contains numerous sketches of church features.

Cumbria Church Histories (651-Present)

Histories and photographs of churches in Cumbria and the Lake District.

England Parish Registers (1914-2013)

Documentation for those baptised, married and buried at England. Parish registers can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

England Parish Registers (1538-1934)

The primary source of documentation for baptisms, marriages and burials before 1837, though extremely useful to the present. Their records can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

Biographical Directories Covering Arthuret

The Ejected Cumberland & Westmorland (1660-1662)

A history of a period when ministers who did not conform to the Common Book of Prayer were ejected from their positions. This after a period of religious tolerance under Cromwell. The book also includes biographies of the several hundred ejected ministers.

Cumberland and Westmorland M.P.'s (1660-1867)

A history of Cumberland and Westmorland's influence and affairs in Westminster. Also contains short biographies of the counties' members of Parliament.

Who's Who in Northern Mining (1852-1910)

Abstract biographies of people connected with mining in the North of England.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Arthuret Maps

Cumberland and Westmorland Parish Map (1851)

A map delineating Church of England parishes in the two counties.

Guides to the Lakes (1576-1865)

A collection of maps and descriptions of the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland – their settlements and features.

Maps of Cumberland (1608-1897)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

Maps of Cumbria (1307-1899)

Several maps depicting parts of Cumbria.

Collery Maps of The North (1807-1951)

A number of maps of northern England with the locations of collieries plotted.

Arthuret Reference Works

Cumbrian Manorial Records (2008)

Two guides for locating and using manorial records for family and property history.

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

Historical Description

Arthuret, a village pleasantly situated about half a mile to the south of Longtown, forms part of the barony of Liddel, which, soon after the Conquest, was granted by Ranulph de Meschines to one of his dependents, named Brundey, which grant was confirmed by Henry I. It was afterwards given to the Abbey of Jedburgh, in Scotland; but in the reign of Edward III. it was seized by that king, on the principle that the Abbot of Jedburgh was then in rebellion.

The Church, which stands on an eminence, was erected in the year 1609, and consists of a nave, chancel, side aisles, and square tower: its length is considerable, and the whole structure is embattled. In the church-yard is a rude cross, which Mr. Pennant observes is "the exact figure of the cross of the knights of Malta, and was probably erected by one of that order." In this parish was born and buried Archibald Armstrong, Jester to James I. and Charles I. By an accident suitable to his profession, the day of his funeral was the first of April. He was banished from court for speaking too freely of Archbishop Laud’s measure of introducing the liturgy into Scotland, which had produced a considerable tumult. On the arrival of the news in England,, Archy facetiously asked his grace, "Who’s fool now?"—This joke was resented by the prelate, who procured an order of council, "That the King’s fool be banished the court, for speaking disrespectful words of the Archbishop of Canterbury."

Longtown, a modern market-town and township in the parish, situated on the banks of the Esk, near its conflux with the Liddel. This town, which stands in the midst of the Netherby estate, and of which it forms a part, has a good Charity School, with a market on Thursday: by the population returns of 1821, the inhabited houses were returned at 809 and the inhabitants 1812. At the north end of the town is a good stone bridge; the houses are built in the modern style, and the streets are regular and spacious. It is situated in the parish of Arthuret, 810 miles from London; and contains, according to the late returns, 176 houses, and 1335 inhabitants, of whom 648 were returned as being employed in trades and manufactures.

About two miles to the west of Longtown is the marshy ground called Solway Moss, which between 80 and 40 years since, overwhelmed by a torrent of mud, upwards of 500 acres of land belonging to the Netherby estate. A description of this marshy ground, as well as the particulars of the eruption, have been given by Mr. Gilpin, in the following interesting manner.

"Solway Moss is a flat area, about seven miles in circumference. The substance of it is a gross fluid, composed of mud and the putrid fibers of heath, diluted by internal springs, which arise in every part. The surface is a dry crust, covered with moss and rushes; offering a fair appearance over an unsound bottom, shaking with the least pressure. Cattle by instinct avoid it. Where rushes grow the bottom is soundest; the adventurous passenger, therefore, who sometimes, in dry seasons, traverses this perilous waste, to save a few miles, picks his cautious way over the rushy tussocks as they appear before him. If his foot slips, or if he ventures to desert this mark of security, it is possible he may never more be heard of.

"On the south Solway Moss is bounded by a cultivated plain, which declines gently through the space of a mile to the river Esk. This plain is rather lower than the moss itself, being separated from it by a breast-work formed by digging peat which makes an irregular though perpendicular line of low, black boundary. It was the bursting of the moss through this peat breast-work, over the plain between it and the Esk, that occasioned the dreadful inundation which destroyed so large a district. The more remarkable circumstances relating to this calamitous event were these.

"On the 13th of November, 1771, in a dark tempestuous night, the inhabitants of the plain were alarmed with a dreadful crash, which they could in no way account for; many of them were then abroad in the fields watching their cattle, lest the Esk, which was then rising violently in the storm, should carry them off. None of those miserable people could conceive the noise they had heard to proceed from any cause, but from the overflowing of the river in some shape, though to them unaccountable. Such, indeed, as lived near the source of the eruption, were sensible that the noise came in a different direction; but were equally at a loss for the cause.

"In the mean time the enormous mass of fluid substance, which had burst from the moss, moved slowly on, spreading itself more and more, as it got possession of the plain. Some of the inhabitants, through the terror of the night, could plainly discover it advancing like a moving hill. This was in fact the case; for the gush of mud carried before it, through the first two or three hundred yards of its course, a part of the breast-work: which though low, was yet several feet in perpendicular height; but it soon deposited this solid mass, and became a heavy, fluid. One house after another, it spread around, filled, and crushed into ruin; just giving time to the terrified inhabitants to escape. Scarcely any thing was saved except their lives, nothing of their furniture, few of their cattle. Some people were even surprised in their beds, and had the additional distress of flying naked from the ruin.

"The morning light explained the cause of this amazing scene of terror, and shewed the calamity in its full extent; and yet among all the conjectures of that dreadful night the mischief which really happened had never been supposed. Who could have imagined that a breast-work which had stood for ages, should at length give way, or that those subterranean floods, which had been bedded in darkness since the memory of man, should ever burst from their black abode?

"This dreadful inundation, though the first shock of it was most tremendous, continued still spreading for many weeks, till it covered the whole plain, an area of 500 acres; and, like molten lead poured into a mold, filled all the hollows it, lying in some parts 30 or 40 feet deep, reducing the whole to one level surface. The overplus found its way into the Esk, where its quantity was such as to annoy the fish; no salmon during that season venturing into the river. As we descended from the higher ground to take a nearer view of this scene of horror, it exhibited a very grand appearance. The whole plain was covered by a thick smoke, occasioned by a smothering fire, set to it, in various parts, with intent to consume it; and brought before us that simple and sublime idea of the smoke of a country going up like the smoke, of a furnace.

" When we got to the gulf, from whence all this mischief had issued, the spectacle was hideous. The surface of the moss itself had suffered little change; near the chasm it appeared indented through a space of several yards, but not in any degree, as might have been expected from so vast a discharge. The mouth of the chasm was heaped round with monstrous piles of ruin, formed by the broken breast-work and shell of the moss, on the first great burst; and a black mossy tincture continued still to issue from it.

"As we stood on the higher ground we obtained a clear idea of the plain, and of the course of the irruption over it. Many fragments of a very large size, which had been carried away in the first full stream of the discharge, appeared thrown to a considerable distance. Fragments of a smaller size, and yet many of these considerable, appeared scattered over the plains, as the heavy torrent was able to carry them. Here and there the broken rafters of a house, on the top of some blasted tree, were seen; and made an odd appearance, rising as it were cut of the ground. But through the whole waste, there was not the least sign left of any culture, though this plain had once been the pride of the country. Lands which in the evening would have let for 20s. an acre, by the morning light were not worth sixpence. On this well-cultivated plain 28 families had their dwellings, and little farms, every one of which, except perhaps a few, who lived near the skirts of it, had the world totally to begin again."

Mr. Pennant, in his account of this occurrence, has in some measure explained the occasion of the accident: he says,The shell, or crust, which kept this liquid within bounds nearest to the valley, was at first of sufficient strength to contain it; but by the imprudence of the peat diggers, who were continually working on that side, at length became so weakened as not longer to be able to resist the weight pressing on it. To this may be added, that the fluidity of the moss was greatly increased by three days’ rain of unusual violence, which preceded the eruption, and extended itself in a line as far as Newcastle, took in part of Durham, and a small portion of Yorkshire, running in a parallel line of about equal length. After the black deluge had burst its confines, many cattle were suffocated: but the case of a cow that escaped deserves mention, from its singularity. She was the only one out of eight in the same cow-house that was saved, after having stood 60 hours up to the neck in mud and water: when she was relieved, she did not refuse to eat, but would not taste water, nor could even look at it without shewing manifest signs of horror. The surface of the moss received a considerable change: what was before a plain, dow sunk in the form of a vast bason, and the loss of the contents so lowered the surface, as to give Netherby a new view of land and trees unknown before.

"The eruption burst from the place of its discharge like a cataract of thick ink, and continued in a stream of the same appearance, intermixed with great fragments of peat, with their heathy surface; then flowed like a tide, charged with pieces of wreck, filling the whole valley, running up every little opening, and on its retreat leaving upon the shore tremendous heaps of turf, memorials of the height this dark torrent arrived at."

"The vast morass,

Dissolv’d hy floods, and swoln with mighty rains,

Pour’d its black deluge o’er the neighb’ring plains;

Ah! see, thro’ yonder beauteous vale it spreads, Whelming at once an hundred fertile meads:

Then bearing onward with resistless force,

Sweeps herds and houses in its dreadful course,

Till Esk’s fair tide its loathsome billows stain,

That roll with added fury to the main."

Maurice.

By the exertions of an illiterate Yorkshireman, of the name of Wilson, whose self-taught genius at once conceived the plan, and directed its execution, this plain, which was covered with this stygian torrent, has been reclaimed, and is again covered with verdure. The simple means by which Wilson effected his purpose, has been thus described by Mr. Gilpin: "Near the front of Dr. Graham’s house, at Netherby, stood a knoll, which made a disagreeable appearance from the windows; being desirous, therefore, of removing it, he sent to Newcastle for a person accustomed to works of this kind. The undertaker came, surveyed the ground, and estimated the expense at 1300l. While the affair w as in agitation, Dr. Graham heard that Wilson had affirmed the earth might be removed at a much easier rate. He was examined on the subject, and his answers appeared so rational, that he was set to work. He had already surveyed the higher grounds, where he first collected all the springs he found into two large reservoirs; from which he cut a precipitate channel, pointed at an abrupt corner of the knoll. He cut also a channel of communication between his two reservoirs. These being both filled, he opened his sluices, and let out such a continued torrent of water, the upper pool feeding the lower, that he very soon carried away the corner of the knoll, against which he had pointed his artillery: he then charged again, and levelled against another part with equal success. By a few efforts of this kind he carried away the whole hill, and told Mr. Graham, with an air of triumph, that, if he pleased, he would carry away his house next. The work was completed in a few days, and Mr. Graham himself informed us, the whole expense did not amount to twenty pounds!"

Wilson, by a plan formed on the same principles, cleared the whole of the ground overflowed by Solway Moss. "From the reservoir made," continues our author, "By a little stream on the highest part of the overflowed ground, he cut channels in various directions to the Esk; and when the water was let off, he placed numbers of men by the side of the stream, who rolled into it large masses of the mossy earth, which was hardened by the sun." By this simple contrivance the whole of the extraneous matter was carried away, and the whole plain restored to its former state."

Solway Moss is celebrated in history for the defeat of the Scots, in Henry VIII.’s time, by Sir Thomas Wharton, when the whole Scotch army were either taken or dispersed, and several of the fugitives are supposed to have perished in this very moss, into which they had plunged in their endeavor to escape, as some peat-diggers are said to have found in it, a few years ago, the skeleton of a trooper and his horse in complete armour.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

Most Common Surnames in Arthuret

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Eskdale Ward
1Graham1581:173.94%1
2Bell1121:233.09%2
3Little1071:255.31%11
4Carruthers901:299.58%26
5Johnston821:323.73%9
6Scott711:373.66%13
7Irving691:383.79%15
8Wilson561:471.67%3
9Dixon491:542.58%14
10Tweddle471:5616.43%140
10Beaty471:5615.72%135
12Edgar381:699.31%93
13Armstrong371:711.32%5
14Baty341:7719.77%259
15Murray321:823.48%28
15Jardine321:8224.24%328
17Wright301:874.67%45
18Peel291:9013.55%207
19Robinson281:941.13%7
20Davidson271:972.37%22
20Ferguson271:974.33%46
22Jackson241:1091.23%12
22Richardson241:1091.64%18
22Forster241:1094.82%66
25Kirkup221:11940.74%747
26Atkinson201:1311.48%19
26Lamb201:1317.49%156
26Reay201:1314.05%68
29Thompson191:1380.65%4
29Coulthard191:1383.65%63
31Brown181:1460.87%10
31Foster181:1463.24%56
33Fisher161:1641.89%34
33Benson161:1644.56%111
33Musgrave161:1648.94%245
33Blaylock161:1645.80%151
37Watson151:1750.84%16
37Morton151:1757.81%226
37Harkness151:17510.34%303
40Coates141:1877.87%246
41Kerr121:2194.67%166
41Hope121:2192.95%95
41McKie121:2199.38%338
41Beattie121:2193.41%110
41Tinning121:21914.81%524
41Plenderleath121:21960.00%1,609
47Smith111:2390.42%6
47Hamilton111:2394.03%154
47Hodgson111:2390.47%8
47Lawson111:2392.09%62
47Geddes111:23922.92%827
47Deans111:23927.50%967
47Barnfather111:23910.19%394
54Ward101:2622.15%75
54Elliott101:2622.26%83
54Dodd101:2622.39%90
54Nixon101:2621.17%32
54Byers101:2624.61%203
54Plenderleith101:262100.00%2,597
54Bater101:262100.00%2,597
61Hill91:2922.26%97
61Miller91:2921.56%52
61Blackburn91:2924.00%196
61Dickson91:29213.64%625
61Patterson91:2923.93%191
61Head91:2924.95%243
61Salmon91:29232.14%1,273
61Fenwick91:29215.00%678
61Goodfellow91:2924.55%220
61Mitchelhill91:29225.71%1,057
71Gray81:3284.62%256
71Mason81:3282.34%116
71Walton81:3281.68%70
71Baxter81:3283.11%166
71Law81:3286.40%343
71Sewell81:3281.33%48
71O'Neil81:3284.65%259
71Easton81:32816.67%827
71Telford81:3281.68%71
71Kirkpatrick81:3283.11%166
71Baldy81:328100.00%3,079
71Angley81:32888.89%2,793
83Walker71:3750.56%21
83McDonald71:3752.04%115
83Gibson71:3750.93%37
83Elliot71:3751.39%64
83Storey71:3753.13%197
83Forsyth71:3754.86%304
83Calvert71:3754.27%274
83Wilkie71:37563.64%2,421
83Milligan71:3758.54%514
83Story71:3752.02%112
83Pigg71:3759.86%595
83Moscrop71:3755.98%365
83Glendenning71:37535.00%1,609
83Cartner71:3755.22%324
83Farries71:37525.00%1,273
83Gaddes71:37516.67%932
83Huggon71:37519.44%1,036
100Harrison61:4370.48%20
100Wilkinson61:4370.67%31
100McKenzie61:4372.69%199
100Matthews61:4373.57%267
100Barrett61:43713.64%888
100Kennedy61:4371.30%77
100Sutherland61:43715.38%985
100Douglas61:4371.66%107
100Hogg61:4372.31%164
100Rutherford61:4373.14%230
100Chalmers61:43724.00%1,379
100Kitchen61:4372.42%173
100Livingston61:43719.35%1,174
100Creighton61:4375.50%391
100Slee61:4374.51%326
100Monkhouse61:4373.19%235
100Stockbridge61:43735.29%1,791
100Millburn61:43730.00%1,609
100Wannop61:4373.24%238
100Syrie61:43785.71%3,452
100Duncumb61:437100.00%3,884
121Henderson51:5250.90%58
121Dobson51:5251.80%147
121McPherson51:52515.15%1,112
121Turnbull51:5251.63%130
121Tait51:5255.05%444
121Stubbs51:5253.25%290
121Cowan51:5251.99%171
121Coulson51:52511.90%932
121Moor51:5252.21%195
121Dawes51:52521.74%1,485
121Rigg51:5251.66%133
121Crozier51:5257.46%619
121Gilbertson51:5258.47%690
121Moncaster51:525100.00%4,423
121Roddan51:52545.45%2,421
121Vallely51:52533.33%1,948
121Gardnar51:525100.00%4,423
138Phillips41:6561.62%175
138Palmer41:6561.93%211
138Butler41:6564.94%524
138Oliver41:6563.60%384
138Wallace41:6561.03%100
138Gordon41:6562.65%294
138Frost41:65612.12%1,112
138Hewitt41:6562.19%242
138McMillan41:6564.00%439
138Montgomery41:6568.89%876
138Forrester41:6562.06%223
138Holliday41:6560.60%43
138Hetherington41:6560.38%23
138Ainslie41:65630.77%2,156
138Wardrope41:65628.57%2,034
138Furguson41:656100.00%5,112
154Johnson31:8750.67%82
154Clark31:8750.30%25
154Parker31:8750.43%40
154Marshall31:8751.20%171
154Nicholson31:8750.20%17
154Lambert31:8755.56%747
154Tyson31:8750.45%42
154Hind31:8750.89%117
154Nichol31:8751.23%179
154Routledge31:8750.40%36
154Lockhart31:8756.98%914
154Burrow31:8753.23%474
154Marriner31:875100.00%5,889
154Dacre31:87550.00%3,884
154Curle31:87560.00%4,423
154Faulder31:8751.58%232
154Vevers31:8758.11%1,022
154Jardin31:87550.00%3,884
154Pringal31:875100.00%5,889
154Cartener31:875100.00%5,889
154Cristo31:875100.00%5,889
175Young21:1,3120.30%44
175Pearson21:1,3120.21%27
175Reynolds21:1,3122.22%484
175Carr21:1,3120.49%92
175Burgess21:1,3121.27%288
175Black21:1,3120.54%104
175Norman21:1,3120.63%123
175Gibbons21:1,3124.00%798
175Hutton21:1,3121.36%302
175Donaldson21:1,3122.50%535
175Currie21:1,3122.25%489
175Bowman21:1,3120.35%54
175Vickers21:1,3121.04%226
175Craven21:1,31228.57%3,452
175McLachlan21:1,31211.76%1,791
175McAllister21:1,3121.72%366
175Newby21:1,3122.47%524
175Conner21:1,3126.25%1,144
175Backhouse21:1,3125.00%967
175Philip21:1,312100.00%6,688
175Hayton21:1,3120.71%145
175Birrell21:1,3123.33%678
175Rome21:1,3123.03%625
175Mattison21:1,31218.18%2,421
175Atchison21:1,31214.29%2,034
175McVittie21:1,3122.82%595
175Mars21:1,31218.18%2,421
175Edison21:1,312100.00%6,688
175Rodan21:1,312100.00%6,688
175Blaiklock21:1,31225.00%3,079
175Blaycock21:1,31213.33%1,948
175Snowdan21:1,312100.00%6,688