The town of Brampton is situated in a deep and narrow vale, round which the country swells into considerable eminences; the town is very ancient, and was formerly a Roman station, of considerable note in the second and third centuries. According to Camden, the Romans called it Bremeturacum. It is still the capital of the barony of Gilsland, belonging to the Earl of Carlisle; and the town courts are held here twice a year. It principally consists of one spacious street, irregularly built; but a few modern houses, and a good inn, have been lately erected. A chapel has likewise been built with the materials of the church, which stood on an eminence about a mile from the town; the chancel yet remains, where the burial service is generally read. Here is an hospital for six poor men, and six poor women; it has a good market on Tuesday, and an inferior one on Saturday. This town contains 515 inhabited houses, and 2921 inhabitants.

Immediately on the north-east of Brampton is a high hill called the Mote, the summit of which is cast up, and appears to have been a beacon to alarm the country in times of danger. This beacon forms a link in the chain of communication between Penrith and other places on the south, and Burnswork and other parts of Scotland. Hence a range of country to the extent of 50 miles and upwards could be informed of an invasion in the space of a few minutes. From the summit of this mount there is, perhaps, the most extensive view in the north of England. The prospect extends down the pleasant vale of Irthing, over the city of Carlisle, Solway Firth, as far as Whitehaven, and even to the Isle of Man. This mote is now ornamented with a thriving wood.

A mile to the south of Brampton runs the small stream of Gelt, where there is a fine free-stone quarry, from whence a part of the Roman or Picts’ wall was built; and on the face of a high cliff hanging over the same stream, is an inscription left by the Romans while they were stationed in Brampton; it is greatly mutilated, but seems to have been written by a lieutenant of the second legion Agusta, under Agricola the Proprietor. A little higher up, on the banks of this river, at a place called Helbeck, was fought a bloody battle between the forces of Queen Elizabeth, and those of Leonard Dacres, her rebellious subject, wherein the royal army gained the victory.

BRAMPTON is a small market town, township and parish, and the head of a union and comity court district, 2 miles from Brampton Junction station on the Newcastle and Carlisle section of the North Eastern railway, 9 ½ east-north-east from Carlisle, 46 west from Newcastle-on-Tyne and 303 from London. It is in the Northern division of the county, Eskdale ward and petty sessional division, rural deanery of Brampton, and archdeaconry and diocese of Carlisle. The town is attractively situated in a deep and narrow valley between the rivers Gelt and Irthing, tributaries of the Eden, and on the road from Carlisle to Haltwhistle, and is about 2 ½ miles from the confluence of these streams, and 2 miles south of the Roman wall; it consists of two principal streets and a spacious market place; the houses, for the most part, are irregularly built, but many have now been rebuilt, and the place has generally a neat appearance: the town is lighted with gas from works belonging to a company formed in 1836, and is supplied with excellent water obtained from the glacier spring at Farlam, and conveyed in pipes to a reservoir a mile east of the town; this scheme was carried out in 1875—6 at a cost of £3,500, and a complete system of sewerage was also carried out at the same time at a cost of £4,000. The Earl of Carlisle’s railway, which extends from the town to the coal and lime works on Tindal Fell, is used only for the conveyance of those minerals. The ancient parish church of St. Martin, appropriated by Robert de Vaux to Lanercost Abbey soon after 1169, was pulled down, with the exception of the chancel, in 1788; this portion, now in use only as a mortuary chapel, stands on an eminence about 1 ½ miles north-west, overlooking the valley of the Irthing, and is a building of stone, with some Norman features, a porch, and a turret containing one bell, cast by Mears during the present century: the piscina and an aumbry remain, and there are several inscribed floor stones: on the south wall of the porch is a stone discovered in 1842 by the late Mr. Robert Bell, of The Nook, Irthington, and inscribed to Richard de Caldecote, vicar here, ob. 1346, and on the same wall is another stone, with inscription to Richard Culcheth, vicar, 1702, with a rhyming epitaph of six lines; on the north wall of the porch is fixed the side slab of a panelled altar tomb, disinterred from the churchyard in 1858, and displaying within quatrefoils three shields of arms:-1st, a bend chequy, for Vaux of Triermain; 2nd, three escallops, 2 and 1, for Dacre of Naworth; and 3rd, a cross fleury, with an escallop in the dexter chief, for Delamere: in the exterior south wall of the chapel is a segmental arch, and beneath it the entrance to a vault, and two ancient stones, one of which bears an incised cross of graceful character; on the south side of the churchyard lies another stone, carved with a cross and sword and the letters A. M. below the arms of the cross: at the base of the north slope of the churchyard are remains of Roman masonry, forming a considerable block, and near this is St. Ninian’s or the Priest’s well; some other portions of Roman work have been met with in the ground added to the churchyard in 1858, and a Roman amphora was dug up by the sexton in 1886: the churchyard was further enlarged by one acre in 1861, and in 1890 nearly two acres more were added; it now covers an area of somewhat less than four acres, and serves as a public cemetery.

On the removal of the greater part of the old church in 1788, the materials were used in enlarging the hospital chapel, which, together with four of the almshouses, was reconstructed to serve as a parish church, and consecrated by Bishop Douglas in the same year; this church was considerably enlarged in 1827—8, at a cost of £1,800, when a peel of 6 bells was hung, 4 of these, besides the organ, being the gift of the Rev. Thomas Ramshay, then vicar.

The present church of St. Martin, erected in 1877—8, at a cost of £8,643, occupies the site of the former structure, and is a building of red sandstone from the gelt quarries, in the Transitional Early English style, from designs by Mr. Philip Webb, architect, of London, and consists of chancel, nave of four bays, aisles, vestry of two stages at the end of the north aisle, north porch, and an incomplete western tower, containing the 6 bells from the previous church; the lower portion of the tower forms a porch and baptistery, and there is a heating chamber below the vestry. The chancel is separated from the nave by a low stone screen; the stained east window was erected by subscription in 1881 as a memorial to the Hon. Charles Wentworth George Howard M.P. d. it April, 1879; there are also numerous other stained windows, eight of which were designed by Sir E. Burne Jones bart. A.R.A, and some of these are memorials to William Carrick esq. coroner for East Cumberland, d. 14 July, 1877; Alex. Thom esq. surgeon, d. 1880; John Lee, of West Hill, d. 25 March, 1880, and Mary Ann, his wife, d. 25 Nov. 1875; and to Elizabeth Dacre, daughter of the present Earl and Countess of Carlisle: there is a tablet, with bust, to the Rev. Thomas Ramshay B.C.L. vicar here, d. 20 Dec. 1840, and Maria, his widow, d. 3 Nov. 1846; and in the baptistery are other tablets: the communion plate includes two flagons, a silver chalice, paten, alms dish and three plates, and is mostly of the last century, the chalice being rather earlier: the church has been restored at a cost of £204, and affords 500 sittings. The register dates from the year 1663; average tithe rent charge, £34. The living is a vicarage, with Midgeholme annexed; net yearly value £320, with 200 acres of glebe, but without residence, in the gift of the Earl of Carlisle, and held since 1884 by the Rev. Samuel Falle M.A. of Balliol College, Oxford, and surrogate. The Presbyterian congregation here dates from 1662, in which year the Rev. Nathaniel Burnard, then vicar of Brampton, was ejected from the living, and 10 years after was licensed as a Presbyterian minister. The church, built in 1854, at a cost of £1,100, £800 of which was contributed by Mr. Barbour, of Manchester, is a structure in the Gothic style. The Moot Hall, which stands in the centre of the market place, was erected by Frederick, 5th Earl of Carlisle, in 1817, on the site of a former building, and is an octagonal edifice of stone, with a cupola containing a clock; the lower portion, which forms a piazza, is used on market days for the sale of butter and eggs; above this is a spacious hall, the entrance to which is approached by two flights of stone steps. In this hall the Earl of Carlisle’s courts for the Barony of Gilsland are held at Easter and Michaelmas, and it is also used for parochial and public meetings. On the east side of the Moot Hall still remain the old iron stocks, and on the west side is the bull ring. The magistrates’ office and police station form a building of red sandstone, erected in 1856, on the site of the old National School; the petty sessions are held here every alternate Wednesday. St. Martin’s Hall, in Front street, erected, at a cost of £4,000, as a memorial to the late Lieut.-Col. Thompson, of Milton Hall, consists of a large hall capable of seating 500 persons, a library, kitchen, lavatories, dressing rooms and other conveniences, the whole being attached to the Church of England in perpetuity. Two Oddfellows’ Lodges are maintained here. There are two breweries and a skin-yard. The market is held on Wednesday, in the spacious market place. Fairs for sheep and cattle are held on April 20th, the second Wednesday after Whitsuntide, the second Wednesday in September and the 3rd Friday in October. Hiring and pleasure fairs are held on Whit Wednesday and on the first Wednesday after the 11th of November. The Cumberland Union Bank, Front street, is a building of Ted sandstone, and was erected in 1883. The London and Midland Bank, in the same street, was erected in 1880, and) is a building of white stone. The Savings Bank is open every alternate Wednesday at the Armoury, from 12 noon to 1.30 p.m. The principal hotel is the Howard Arms. The Tweed mill, burnt down in 1874, and since rebuilt, is the property of Lady Carlisle, and is used as a public hall, but a part has been converted into store rooms and warehouses. The Central Hall, in Main street, will seat 300 persons. The Brampton Agricultural Society was formed in 1854, and numbers about 165 members; the society holds an annual show of live stock &c. on the third Thursday in September. The Literary and Field Naturalist Society was established in 1880, for the study of botany, geology and other natural sciences; excursions are made during the summer, and during the winter session papers are read and lectures delivered. Talkin Tarn Amateur Rowing Club was formed in 1854, and numbers about 165 members, under the presidency of the Earl of Carlisle. The headquarters of the club are at Talkin Tam, where there is an excellent boat-house, a bathing-house and 16 racing and pleasure boats. A regatta is held annually in August. The club season opens on Easter Monday in each year. There is also an Angling Association. The Floral and Horticultural Society, formed in 1893, hold their show annually about the latter end of August. The Total Abstinence Society, formed in 1882, numbers 300 members. The Junior Temperance Society, formed in connection with the above, numbers 100 members. In 1891 a scheme of allotments was carried out, and 7 acres of land, situated south-west of the town, appropriated for the purpose; an addition of 12 acres of land, contiguous to the vicarage, has since been made. It is controlled by the Garden Allotments’ Committee and Small Holdings’ Association.

Talkin Tarn, a lake covering an area of 64 ½ acres, is pleasantly situated two miles south of the town, and in the parish of Brampton. The banks on the north and east are covered with thriving plantations, and the lake is well stocked with fish. There is a boat-house, a bathing-house and a temperance hotel, affording a pleasant resort for visitors and the inhabitants. The Brampton Amateur Rowing Club have their headquarters here. East of the town is a conical hill, called the “Mote,” 360 feet high, and surrounded by a fosse, and is thickly overgrown with trees. On the summit, which affords a very extensive view of the surrounding country, is a bronze statue of George, 7th Earl of Carlisle, erected in 1870, and designed by the late J. H. Foley esq. R.A.; on the pedestal of white sandstone is the following inscription:-“Erected by the people of Cumberland to commemorate the public service and personal worth of George William Frederick Howard, seventh Earl of Carlisle K.G.; born April 18, 1802, died December 5th, 1864.” The name of this bid encourages the idea that it was used as a place for meeting or parley, or as an open-air court, for the dispensing of justice. On the north bank of the river Gelt, two miles south-west of Brampton, is a rock called “The Written Rock,” on which are the remains of an inscription, only a few words of which can now (1897) be made out with the naked eye. The inscription, cut by the 2nd Augustan legion, stationed here, under Agricola, the propraetor, A.D. 270, is doubtful, but appears to signify that the Vexillarii of the second legion, under Agricola the “optio” (adjutant), were here employed in hewing stone.

About a quarter of a mile south-east of Brampton old church, and a mils and a quarter south of the wall, is the site of a Roman camp or station, connected with that at Walton House (Castlesteads) by a military road; the area of the station is about 1 ½ acres, but its outlines are now only distinguishable by a few slightly elevated portions of the ramparts; the interior is bestrewn with debris, and within it Homan pottery and coins have often been met with. In a field on the south side, now (1897) farmed by P. Hewetson and Son, are several barrows. Mr. H. McLauchlan, in 1857, fixed on it as the “Amboglanna” of the “Notitia”; but the late Rev. John Maughan, in 1870, preferred to regard it as “Congavata.” In 1826 a large earthen jar was turned up here by the plough, and found to contain not fewer than 5,000 coins, all of the later empire. The bronze matrix of the common seal of Penrith was found at Brampton about 1824, having been carried away, as is supposed, during an incursion of the Scots; it is now (1897) in the possession of the Town Commissioners of Penrith. In November, 1715, a largo force under the command of Mr. Forster, who had received a general’s commission from Prince James Edward Stuart, entered the town, where they proclaimed the Pretender, and hence marched to Penrith; during the rebellion of 1745, Prince Charles Edward Stuart led his troops hither to observe the movements of General Wade, who was erroneously reported to be marching from Newcastle to the relief of Carlisle; after remaining here for a week at a house in High Cross street, in which is still pointed out his council chamber, be proceeded to Carlisle, which had previously surrendered; the keys of the city were presented to the Prince at Brampton by the mayor and corporation on their knees. Among the distinguished persons born here may be mentioned James Wallace esq. who, by his talents and industry, raised himself from very humble circumstances to the office of Attorney-General, which he held in 1780, and again in 1783, but died at the age of 53 in the height of bis reputation, and” when the highest honours his profession could offer or his country bestow were within his grasp.” Dr. Guy Carleton, also a native of this parish, was Bishop of Bristol 1671—8, and of Chichester 1678—85; and died in 1685, after suffering much for his loyalty previous to the Restoration. The Earl of Carlisle, who is lord of the barony of Gilsland, comprising several manors, and George J. Johnson esq. of Castlesteads, Walton, are the principal landowners. Charles Howard esq. of Naworth, who was highly instrumental in the restoration of King Charles II. was created, 30 April, 1661, “Baron Dacre of Gilsland, Viscount Howard of Morpeth, and Earl of Carlisle,” and subsequently went as an ambassador to Russia. Courts leet are held in the Moot Hall at Easter and Michaelmas. Between the years 1702 and 1731, Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle, built the splendid mansion of Castle Howard, near Malton, in Yorkshire, where bis successors have since resided. The area of the township is 6,332 acres of land and 134 of water; rateable value, £16,534. The population in 1891 was 2,790, including Easby and Naworth.

Petty Sessions are held at the Magistrates’ Office every alternate Wednesday at 11 a.m.

The following places are included in the petty sessional division:-Askerton, Brampton, Burtholme, Carlatton, Castle Carrock, Denton Nether, Denton Upper, Farlam, Irthington, Lanercost, Kingwater, Talkin, Walton High, Walton Low, Waterhead, Midgeholme, Little Corby, Cumrew, Cumwhitton, Fenton & Faugh, Hayton & Northsceugh.

VOLUNTEERS

1st Cumberland Volunteer Battalion, The Border Regiment (F Company), The Armoury, Gapt. Arthur Lee, commanding; Jas.Arnott, lieut.; Wm. Symington M.B., C.M., J.P. surgeon-capt.; Rev. S. Falle M.A. acting chaplain; John McGee, sergt.-instructor.

BRAMPTON UNION

The Board meets at board room on every alternate Wed. at 1.30 p.m.

The Union comprises the following parishes &, townships:-Askerton, Brampton, Burtholme, Carlatton, Castlecarrock, Cumrew, Cumwhitton, Denton Nether, Denton Upper, Farlam, Geltsdale, Hayton, Irthington, Kingwater, Midgeholme, Walton & Waterhead. The area of the union is 97,705 acres; rateable value in 1896, £81,364; the population in 1891 was 9,754 Clerk to the Guardians & Assessment Committee, George Birkett, Holly house.

The Workhouse, on the east side of the town, & near to it, was erected in 1875, at a cost of about £15,000, and is a structure of red brick with stone dressings, covering an area of 1 acre, with attached grounds of 2 acres; it will hold 200 inmates, but at present there are only 50.

Places of Worship, with times of Service.

St. Martin's Church, Front street, Rev. Samuel Falle M.A. vicar; 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Presbyterian (English), Main street, Rev. Gustavos J. Goodman; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Thur. 8 p.m.; seats 220.

Congregational, Main street; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Thur. 8 p.m.; seats 250.

Primitive Methodist, Mote side; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Thur. 8 p.m.; seats 400.

Wesleyan Methodist, Gilt Road, Rev. William Keating; 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Gospel Hall, Main street; seats 200.

Schools

A School Board of 5 members was formed here, 28 May, 1874; Rev. S. Falle M.A, chairman & hon. clerk to the board; Samuel Hetherington, attendance officer.

Board School, to the north-east of the town, erected with master’s house, in 1856, at a cost of £1,260, towards which a government grant of £700 was obtained; in 1868 the infants’ school & mistress’s house were added, & in 1875 a class room was built, the whole of the additions costing £2,500; the building will now hold 600 children; average attendance, 135 boys; 156 girls; & 116 infants.

Technical classes were formed here by the County Council in 1892. The subjects taught are 7 hygienics, agriculture, poultry-keeping, cookery & laundry work; there are drawing & continuation classes.