Kirk Bampton Parish5
> | This parish is bounded by Aikton, Burgh, Orton and
Bowness, and extends over about five square miles of high, but tolerably level land, the
soil of which, in some parts, is of a sandy or gravelly nature, incumbent on a rich clay,
and in other parts cold clay and moorish earth predominate, especially on the common; but
the latter has been greatly improved during the last few years by drainage, and a part is
planted with Scotch fir. According to a survey made in 1840, the parish contains 3681A.
1R. 19P., rated at £2868 5s. and its population in 1841 was 536 souls. The parish
comprises the three townships of Kirk-Bampton, Little Bampton, and Oughterby.
Kirk-Bampton is a pleasant village, six miles W. of Carlisle, and seven miles N.N.E. of Wigton. The views from parts of this township on a clear day, are delightful. They embrace a large tract of country, with several of the Scottish mountains, Sir John Malcolm's monument1, Gretna, Annandale, the Cheviot hills, Burns' walk2, Criffel mountain &c.
There seems to have been numerous defensive works in the parish, against the predatory incursions of the "mosstroopers." The remains of the most considerable of these are situated south of Kirk-Bampton village, on a rising ground commanding an extensive view along the shores of the Solway. It consists of a strong enclosure covering more than 1A. 1R. of ground. The greatest portion of it appears to have been defended by a double rampart of earth and a double ditch; the other portion, which probably was appended to the principal work, was surrounded by a single rampart and ditch. Tradition says that the cattle of the district were driven to this place for protection, on the appearance of the mosstroopers; and in consequence, the work is commonly ascribed to the time of these freebooters. The irregularity of the work favours this supposition, but the discovery of a stone, with the following Latin inscription on it, in the adjoining field, in the year 1843, seems to connect the Romans with this locality - DEAE Further examination may probably establish a connection between this and works of a similar character in the neighbourhood; or, at all events, may show that a line of defense, consisting of an earthen rampart and a ditch, extended from it to a considerable distance, as they can be clearly be traced in the adjoining field, which is called "Fold-steads." Not far from this a notorious mosstrooper, called Boothill, was killed in a singular manner. He was found asleep on the ground, by a person of Kirk-Bampton, called Hody, who determining not to let the opportunity slip of freeing himself and neighbours of a formidable enemy, coolly drew the freebooters sword out of its scabbard, and with it severed his head from his body. The body of the Scot lies interred in Kirk-Bampton churchyard, and his grave is covered with a stone, on which is engraved a sword. Little Bampton is a small village, 2½ miles W.S.W. of Kirk Bampton, and five miles N. of Wigton. Its township contains 1339 acres, rated at £929 10s. Here are several yeomen, and the other principal land owners are Messrs. John Twentyman, John Hewson, Thomas Milton, and Joseph Todd. The township also includes the hamlet of Ploughlands. Oughterby, containing 1000A. 3R. 2P., rated at £760, has a village of its own name, occupying an elevated situation, 1 mile S.W. of the parish church, and 6 miles S.E. of Wigton. The whole of this township, except 314 acres, the property of Mr. W. Brown, Mrs. Fallowfield, and E. Bell, belongs to resident yeomen. Studholm4 is a small hamlet of four houses in this township, three miles west of Kirk Bampton village.
Mannix & Whellan, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Cumberland, 1847
|
> |
Notes
1. Sir John Malcolm's monument is at
Langholm.
2. Burns' Walk must surely be Burnswark, a prominent flat-topped hill and the site of a
hill-fort and Roman camps.
3. Flatt is now Flat.
4. Studholm is now Studholme.
5. Now always rendered Kirkbampton.
Photo © Steve Bulman.
19 June 2015
© Steve Bulman