Seaton

This parish has an area of 1,800 acres, a gross rental of £7,332, and a ratable value of £5,939. It is included in Derwent ward; the petty sessional division of Workington; the union and rural district of Cockermouth; the county council electoral district Workington Rural; and the county court district of Workington and Cockermouth. For ecclesiastical purposes Seaton is included in the parish of Camerton. The principal landowners are, the Earl of Lonsdale, the Trustees of the late Miss Cook, John S. Parker, Joseph Cape, J. Conaway, F. Moordoff, Thomas Jackson, and S. Thompson. The parish is bounded by Workington, Camerton, Broughton Moor, Flimby, and the river Derwent. At Borough Walls stood the ancient mansion of the Culwens, previous to their removal to Workington about the 13th century. In 1279 Thomas de Culwen obtained a charter for a market on the Thursday at Seaton. The manor passed by bequest to Charles Pelham, Esq., from whom it was purchased by a late Earl of Lonsdale, and still belongs to that family. The land is all held on customary tenure, and manorial courts are held yearly at Seaton. At Moor House Guards in this parish are the works of the Seaton Fire Brick Co., which employs about 100 hands.

The Church. - The inconvenient situation of the parish church has long been felt by the inhabitants of Seaton, who form the greater part of the congregation. The late Bishop Percy, of Carlisle, licensed the schoolroom for full Sunday evening services. These have been well attended, and have produced, no doubt, abundance of fruit. The desire for a more appropriate and befitting edifice, was universally felt; and after strenuous efforts and much self-sacrifice, a church was erected during the year 1883, which, though small, is a convenience to the inhabitants. It is in the Early English style, and consists of nave, chancel, and tower, with accommodation for about 300 worshippers. The total cost was nearly £2,000. The Wesleyans also have a place of worship in the parish.

Between Seaton and the sea is a place called St. Helens, formerly fortified; it is said to have been the site of a chapel, a tradition which its name appears to sanction.

The National School in High Seaton, for girls, boys, and infants, has accommodation for 350 children, and is attended by 300. There is also in the village a Reading, and Recreation Room lately erected. The late Miss Sarah Mordaunt, of this parish, left the sum of £500, towards the erection of the Good Templars' Hall. This, together with a further amount of £400, was invested in the present suitable building, which was raised in 1884.

Bulmer's History & Directory Of Cumberland, 1901

30 July 2006

© Steve Bulman