Bewaldeth And Snittlegarth

Form a joint parish containing 1,534 acres, of the, ratable value of £853, and gross rental £940; in the ward of Allerdale-below-Derwent; the petty sessional division of Derwent; the poor law union and rural district of Cockermouth; and the county council electoral division of Bridekirk.

The Manor of Bewaldeth, or Bowaldeth, was a dependant of Allerdale. and was granted by Waltheof, lord of Allerdale, to Gilmin, whose posterity, residing at Bothel, assumed the name of Bowett. It subsequently came into the possession of the Mulcasters, and, after a few descents, was granted by Robert de Mulcaster in 1400-1, to Robert de Highmore, and continued in that family until sold by Benson Highmore, to James Spedding, Esq. From the Speddings it was purchased by Sir F. Fletcher Vane, Bart., of Hutton Hall, by whose descendant it is now owned. It appears, from an inquisition taken in 1312-3, that this manor was held by the service of maintaining one of the King's servants once for every three weeks. The principal landowners are E.H. Railton, John Boustead, John Nelson, John Birbeck, Rev. C.H. Gem, Thomas Hartley, and Sir W. Lawson.

The Village of Bewaldeth is situated behind a lofty mountain, called Binsey Fell, two miles N. of the foot of Bassenthwaite Lake, and four miles S.S.W. of Ireby.

Snittlegarth, the property of E.H. Railton, Esq., and the residence of Lord Gillford, is supposed to have been formerly a village of considerable magnitude. The word "Snittlegarth" is thought to signify an enclosure.

For ecclesiastical purposes Bewaldeth and Snittlegarth are included in the parish of Torpenhow.

CHARITY. - John Simpson, by will, dated 20th November, 1753, gave £55 to the poor [of] Bewaldeth, the interest thereof to be distributed yearly on Good Friday.

Bulmer's History & Directory Of Cumberland, 1901

29 July 2006

© Steve Bulman