General history: Population and longevity

Magna Britannia: Volume 4, Cumberland. Originally published by T Cadell and W Davies, London, 1816.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. Public Domain.

Citation:

Daniel Lysons, Samuel Lysons, 'General history: Population and longevity', in Magna Britannia: Volume 4, Cumberland( London, 1816), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/magna-britannia/vol4/xxxiv-lii [accessed 26 November 2024].

Population.

The population of this county at an early period varied greatly, it being at times almost depopulated by the ravages of war and pestilence. In 1421 we find the men of Cumberland representing to parliament that all the country within twenty miles of the borders had been so depopulated by war, pestilence, and emigration, that where formerly there were 100 able men, there were then scarcely ten (fn. n1). Carlisle appears to have been uncommonly populous in the fourteenth century, if we were to regard the number of houses burnt down in 1390, (1,500 in the three principal streets); yet we find that the number of lay persons upwards of fourteen years of age, (exclusive of paupers), in 1377, was only 678. The total number of persons then in the county of that description, was 10,841 (fn. n2). Mr. T. Denton estimates the total number of inhabitants in 1688, at 66,375. Many thousands have been added to the population of the county since that time by the growth of the now flourishing towns of Whitehaven, Maryport, and Workington, and the great increase of inhabitants caused by the flourishing state of the manufactories at Carlisle. The total number of inhabitants in the county in 1801 was 117,230; in 1811, 133,744, according to the returns made to parliament at those periods, making an increase during the space of ten years, supposing the enumeration to have been made at both periods with equal accuracy, of above 16,500 persons. It is certain that in a state of peace the healthiness of the climate, and its consequence, the great longevity of the inhabitants, must, whilst the county is free from pestilential infection, especially since the discovery and use of vaccine inoculation, occasion a rapid and great increase of population.

The following table will shew the state of population of each parish in 1688, 1801, and 1811.



Names of Places.	Inhabited Houses.		Families.		Number of Inhabitants.
Names of Places.	1801.	1811.	1801.	1811.	1688.	1801.	1811.
Addingham parish	—	—	—	—	585	602	550
viz. the townships of
Gamblesby	45	48	45	50	—	222	215
Glassonby	33	26	33	26	—	144	114
Hunsonby and Winskill	24	23	24	23	—	117	113
Little-Salkeld	21	21	24	24	—	119	108
Aikton parish	—	—	—	—	530	582	614
viz. the townships of
Aikton	37	42	37	44	—	185	201
Biglands and Gamelsby	30	33	31	33	—	151	156
Wampool	26	23	26	23	—	119	115
Wiggonby	32	31	33	32	—	127	142
Ainstable parish	85	81	90	81	360	444	431
Alston parish	316	461	713	1,013	555	3,626	5,079
Allhallows parish	30	33	31	33	150	173	179
Arlochden parish, including the townships of Frisington and Whillimore	77	81	77	81	430	354	438
Arthuret parish	—	—	—	—	600	2,418	2,693
viz. the townships of
Brackenhill	97	97	98	97	—	489	510
Lineside	34	35	36	35	—	197	219
Longtown	176	173	300	316	—	1,335	1,579
Netherby	64	59	77	67	—	397	385
Aspatria parish	—	—	—	—	630	770	919
viz. the townships of
Aspatria and Brayton	98	108	106	110	—	327	478
Hayton and Melay	34	40	34	40	—	174	192
Outerside and Allerby	50	47	51	48	—	269	249
Bassenthwaite parish	86	77	89	92	530	450	497
Beaumont parish	42	48	42	49	140	219	270
St. Bees parish, including Whitehaven and all its chapelries	—	—	—	—	3,345	13,246	16,520
viz. the townships of
St. Bees	87	93	88	98	—	409	425
Ennerdale and High-end	50	47	50	48	395	296	268
Eskdale and Wasdale-head	46	47	46	47	—	232	238
Hensingham	124	155	135	170	—	590	826
Kinneyside	36	36	37	36	—	172	209
Loweswater	68	77	68	77	—	294	336
Lowside Quarter	37	43	37	51	—	226	311
Preston Quarter	328	675	330	675	—	1,886	3,261
Rottington	6	5	9	6	—	48	52
Sandwith	48	59	48	62	—	180	283
Nether-Wasdale	28	33	28	33	—	137	159
Wheddicar	6	8	6	8	—	34	46
Whitehaven	1,776	1,940	2,403	2,373	1,110	8,742	10,106
Bewcastle parish	—	—	—	—	420	917	1,069
viz. the townships of
Bailey	47	59	47	59	—	281	311
Belbank	61	68	61	68	—	284	344
Bewcastle	36	35	36	40	—	173	198
Nixons	42	53	42	53	—	179	216
Bolton parish	—	—	—	—	630	695	975
viz. the townships of
Bolton-gate or Highside.	46	60	46	61	—	232	307
Bolton or Bolton-wood	92	119	97	119	—	463	668
Bootle parish	100	113	105	121	555	547	602
Bowness parish	—	—	—	—	830	825	907
viz. the townships of
Anthorn	34	36	34	36	—	170	161
Bowness	49	54	54	64	—	220	318
Drumburgh	61	63	65	63	—	299	299
Fingland	25	23	25	23	—	136	129
Brampton parish	—	—	—	—	630	2,125	2,543
viz. the townships of
Brampton	339	265	402	501	—	1,682	2,043
Easby	20	22	20	22	—	135	136
Naworth	58	66	58	66	—	308	364
St. Bride's parish, and Calder township	92	91	105	98	485	490	469
Bridekirk parish	—	—	—	—	1,020	1,410	1,552
viz. the townships of
Bridekirk	21	19	21	20	—	94	115
Great-Broughton	105	108	105	108	—	408	422
Little-Broughton	53	55	58	57	—	243	231
Dovenby	34	38	36	43	—	153	209
Papcastle	61	70	65	70	—	283	311
Ribton	10	8	10	8	—	47	51
Tallantire	36	35	36	37	—	182	213
Brigham parish, including the chapelries of Cockermouth and Lorton	—	—	—	—	2,870	5,234	5,588
viz. the townships of
Blindbothel	19	17	19	20	—	82	96
Brigham	62	65	62	67	—	238	277
Buttermere	16	20	16	22	—	74	109
Cockermouth	417	602	690	709	650	2,865	2,964
Eaglesfield	69	71	74	74	—	310	333
Embleton	57	66	57	66	—	292	338
Greysouthern	98	97	109	100	—	455	466
Mosser	22	21	22	22	—	101	111
Setmurthy	22	29	32	29	—	164	140
Whinfell	18	20	18	20	—	82	84
Chapelry of Lorton—
Brackenthwaite	23	25	23	25	—	136	144
Lorton	67	78	67	79	—	298	394
Wythop	23	24	23	24	—	137	132
Bromfield parish	—	—	—	—	1,110	1,586	1,808
viz. the townships of
Allonby and West-Newton	150	197	172	201	—	726	878
Blencogo	38	35	38	35	—	167	185
Bromfield	62	51	62	51	—	297	297
Dundraw	50	50	50	50	—	198	236
Langrigg and Mealrigg	38	44	38	44	—	198	212
Burgh upon Sands parish	—	—	—	—	240	780	668
viz. the townships of
Bousted-hill	13	13	15	13	—	84	65
Burgh upon Sands	44	48	43	48	—	180	216
Long-Burgh	23	22	24	22	—	106	111
Moorhouse	55	53	55	53	—	264	135 (fn. n3)
Westend	31	28	31	31	—	146	141
Caldbeck parish	—	—	—	—	955	1,171	1,436
viz. the townships of
Highgrave Quarter	44	53	47	53	—	239	267
Lowgrave Quarter	84	143	124	143	—	505	635
Half-Cliff Quarter	95	109	106	116	—	427	534
Camerton parish	—	—	—	—	340	633	811
viz. the townships of
Camerton	20	18	20	18	—	71	85
Seaton	129	165	132	174	—	562	726
Cross-Canonby parish	—	—	—	—	210	3,252	3,479
viz. the townships of
Birkby, Canonby, and Maryport	540	344 (fn. n4)	781	733	—	3,059	3,272
Crosby	39	38	41	41	—	193	207
Carlatton parish	7	7	7	7	—	50	51
Carlisle, including both parishes	—	—	—	—	5,060	10221	12,531
St. Cuthbert's parish, in the city and suburbs	—	—	—	—	2,420	3,661	4,899
viz. the townships of
Botchardgate	96	103	230	390	—	1,019	1,801
Botchardby	20	20	19	22	—	94	118
Brifco	44	55	44	55	—	224	306
English Street	317	380	520	611	—	2,324	2,674
St. Mary's parish, exclusively of the distant townships	—	—	—	—	2,640	6,560	7,632
viz. the townships or quarters of
Abbey Street	142	111	233	186	—	837	772
Caldewgate	218	389	460	637	—	1,990	2,669
Castle Street	113	114	182	200	—	1,075	890
Cumbersdale	54	85	68	86	—	382	462
Fisher Street	46	59	62	83	—	294	369
Rickergate	106	133	211	244	—	801	997
Scotch Street	158	209	274	315	—	1,181	1,473
Distant townships of St. Cuthberts.
High-Blackwell	45	43	47	43	—	265	253
Low-Blackwell	32	29	25	32	—	105	149
Carleton	35	35	36	38	—	185	173
Haraby	8	7	8	8	—	47	58
Upperby	30	42	31	48	—	119	228
Distant townships in St. Mary's parish.
Middlesceugh and Brathwaite	36	34	36	35	—	176	167
Wreay	22	21	23	24	—	118	104
Castle-Carrock parish	47	52	54	53	360	252	307
Cleator parish	70	94	70	113	330	362	571
Corney parish	40	39	43	39	480	222	231
Croglin parish	46	53	46	54	345	169	234
Crosby parish	—	—	—	—	610	359	410
viz. the townships of
Brunstock	12	10	12	10	—	65	63
High-Crosby	16	19	16	20	—	102	134
Low-Crosby	20	33	20	36	—	156	161
Walby	7	8	7	8	—	36	52
Crosthwaite parish	—	—	—	—	1,560	3,063	3,656
viz. the townships of
Borrowdale	65	64	65	67	—	342	319
Braithwaite	57	43	57	46	—	282	205
St. John's, Castlerigg and Wythbourn	101	97	101	97	—	469	606
Keswick	290	352	296	356	—	1,350	1,683
Newlands and Portingscale	60	68	60	73	—	282	343
Thornthwaite	—	26	—	26	—	—	120
Under-Skiddaw	64	65	64	70	—	338	380
Cumrew parish	—	—	—	—	255	181	194
viz. the townships of
Cumrew-outside	10	14	10	14	—	63	68
Cumrew-inside	26	27	26	27	—	118	126
Cumwhitton parish	—	—	—	—	310	446	478
viz. the townships of
Cumwhitton and Moorthwaite	53	63	53	63	—	244	322
Northsceugh	41	28	41	29	—	202	156
Dacre parish	—	—	—	—	620	712	763
viz. the townships of
Dacre and Soulby	34	35	34	38	—	174	190
Newbigging and Great Blencowe	54	59	57	62	—	291	304
Stainton	51	53	52	56	—	247	269
Dalston parish	—	—	—	—	1,300	2,120	2,369
viz. the townships of
Buckabank	68	89	93	95	—	493	471
Cumdevock	51	62	59	62	—	283	315
Dalston	56	141	146	189	—	701	914
Hawksdale	52	65	66	69	—	321	376
Ivegill	19	24	24	24	—	116	109
Raughton and Gatesgill	44	42	44	44	—	206	184
Dean parish	—	—	—	—	620	678	752
viz. the townships of
Branthwaite	62	65	65	65	—	271	324
Dean	35	40	38	37	—	178	192
Ullock	48	52	50	52	—	229	236
Dearham parish	—	—	—	—	550	874	1,081
viz. the townships of
Dearham	91	96	94	96	—	403	443
Ellenborough and Unerigg	94	124	96	124	—	471	638
Over-Denton parish	15	16	16	16	275	85	94
Nether-Denton parish	46	47	46	49	275	245	258
Distington parish	147	173	149	188	410	724	910
Drigg parish	63	69	65	69	560	367	373
Edenhall parish	33	27	35	32	265	148	132
Egremont parish	319	329	329	340	1,410	1,515	1,556
Farlam parish	—	—	—	—	260	592	672
viz. the townships of
East-Farlam	83	82	84	82	—	430	505
West-Farlam	32	33	32	33	—	162	167
Flimby township	70	74	70	74	350	273	271
Gilcrux parish	47	51	54	55	220	249	276
Gosforth parish	—	—	—	—	630	652	685
viz. the townships of
High and Low Bolton	65	65	67	68	—	322	337
Gosforth	69	67	74	69	—	330	348
Greystock parish	—	—	—	—	2,510	2,151	2,132
viz. the townships of
Berrier and Murrah	22	21	22	22	—	136	120
Little-Blencow	13	13	13	13	—	68	49
Greystock	59	65	71	65	—	318	243
Hutton-John	3	3	3	3	—	19	16
Hutton-Roof	38	38	38	38	—	163	193
Hutton-Soil	44	48	54	53	—	233	228
Johnby	16	16	17	16	—	81	91
Matterdale	61	67	65	67	—	297	284
Motherby and Gill	20	22	20	22	—	78	78
Mungrisdale	34	39	35	39	—	160	202
Threlkeld	68	62	68	62	—	260	283
Water-Millock	64	65	67	68	—	338	345
Grinsdale parish	17	21	17	22	200	86	118
Hale parish	42	41	44	42	430	220	247
Harrington parish	406	(fn. n5) 345	438	(fn. n5) 383	485	1,357	1,621
Hayton parish	—	—	—	—	370	915	977
viz. the townships of
Faugh and Fenton	61	66	61	66	—	290	304
Hayton	79	91	79	92	—	376	436
Talkin	50	48	52	48	—	249	237
Hesket parish	—	—	—	—	1,235	1,285	1,206
viz. the townships of
Hesket, upper and lower	103	101	122	101	—	617	444
Pettrell-Crooks	60	66	60	66	—	349	423
Plumpton-Street and Cawthwaite	55	60	56	61	—	319	339
Holme-Cultram parish	—	—	—	—	2,345	2,187	2,438
viz. the townships of
Abbey-Holme or Abbey quarter	108	126	126	126	—	590	600
East-Waver quarter	79	76	79	77	—	371	393
Low quarter	113	115	113	115	—	637	767
St. Cuthbert's quarter	128	134	128	143	—	589	678
Hutton parish	45	47	45	47	285	200	236
St. John's parish	50	53	60	65	430	328	391
Ireby parish	—	—	—	—	540	358	399
viz. the townships of
High-Ireby	24	26	24	26	—	96	130
Low-Ireby	45	61	67	61	—	262	269
Irthington parish	—	—	—	—	640	870	911
viz. the townships of
Irthington	45	48	45	49	—	197	224
Leversdale	55	61	57	66	—	399	390
Newby	18	19	18	21	—	106	109
Newtown	32	35	32	37	—	168	188
Irton parish	86	90	90	90	515	466	490
Isel parish	—	—	—	—	415	276	378
viz. the townships of
Blinderake, Isel, and Redmain	45	48	45	51	—	188	233
Isel Old-park	13	14	14	14	—	88	84
Sunderland	12	—	15	—	—	—	61
Kingsmoor, (extra-parochial)	21	26	22	26	—	103	132
Kirk-Andrews on Eden parish	21	22	21	22	100	98	100
Kirk-Andrews on Esk parish	—	—	—	—	635	1,777	2,086
viz. the townships of
Middle Kirk-Andrews	124	84	124	129	—	573	600
Nether Kirk-Andrews	76	90	77	90	—	245	448
Moat	48	54	48	54	—	291	281
Nichol-forest	139	139	149	140	—	668	757
Kirk-Bampton parish	—	—	—	—	255	456	458
viz. the townships of
Kirk-Bampton	33	35	35	35	—	149	175
Little-Bampton	33	33	33	33	—	190	176
Oughterby	21	22	21	22	—	117	107
Kirk-Bride parish	56	60	56	60	340	249	258
Kirkland parish	—	—	—	—	600	631	608
viz. the townships of
Culgaith	51	56	57	56	—	254	236
Kirkland and Blencairn	38	38	38	38	—	188	172
Skirwith	36	47	41	50	—	189	200
Kirk-Linton parish	—	—	—	—	450	1,573	1,522
viz. the townships of
Hethersgill	71	132	71	132	—	665	692
Middle-Linton	75	77	76	77	—	389	294
West-Linton	110	109	110	109	—	519	526
Kirk-Oswald parish	—	—	—	—	620	910	945
viz. the townships of
Kirk-Oswald	139	116	148	143	—	634	636
Staffol	55	49	55	53	—	276	309
Lamplugh parish	—	—	—	—	710	535	532
viz. the townships of
Kelton	26	26	26	26	—	135	144
Lamplugh	21	27	21	27	—	117	139
Murton	30	26	30	26	—	139	122
Winder	24	21	24	21	—	144	127
Lanercost parish	—	—	—	—	585	1,243	1,335
viz. the townships of
Askerton	82	80	82	80	—	356	433
Burtholm	58	33	59	33	—	279	202
Kingwater	73	55	73	58	—	374	357
Waterhead and Banks	42	63	42	63	—	234	343
Langwathby parish	42	46	42	48	215	226	206
Lazonby parish	—	—	—	—	435	526	578
viz. the townships of
Lazonby	70	69	70	79	—	320	384
Plumpton-wall	40	37	40	40	—	206	194
Melmerby parish	44	45	45	49	270	223	240
Millom parish	—	—	—	—	900	1,502	1,625
viz. the townships of
Birker and Awsthwaite	18	20	18	20	—	98	109
Millom	125	171	128	191	—	589	884
Thwaites and Chapel-Sunken	99	59	102	60	—	523	334
Ulpha	55	57	55	57	—	292	298
Moresby parish	—	—	—	—	545	731	881
viz. the townships of
Moresby	83	87	83	90	—	371	409
Parton	92	100	96	117	—	360	472
Muncaster parish	60	104	65	110	620	248	591
Newton parish	—	—	—	—	260	220	219
viz. the townships of
Newton	22	24	22	24	—	128	115
Catterlen	20	20	20	20	—	92	104
Orton parish	—	—	—	—	340	378	422
viz. the townships of
Baldwin-holme	34	42	35	42	—	205	217
Orton	39	38	41	41	—	173	205
Ousby parish	47	47	55	47	365	253	249
Penrith parish	672	—	898	—	1,350	3,801	4,328
viz. the townships of (fn. n6)
Burrowgate	—	281	—	281	—	—	809
Dockwray	—	67	—	146	—	—	599
Middlegate and Sandgate	—	294	—	294	—	—	1,191
Nether-end bridge and Carleton	—	173	—	186	—	—	943
Town and Plumpton-head	—	117	—	174	—	—	786
Plumbland parish	58	49	63	51	410	330	237
Ponsonby parish	13	21	13	21	375	78	147
Renwick parish	38	53	38	53	265	201	277
Rockliffe parish	—	—	—	—	330	518	588
viz. the townships of
Rockliffe-church	47	55	47	55	—	222	250
Rockliffe-castle	61	61	63	61	—	296	338
Great-Salkeld parish	58	62	59	62	345	285	289
Scaleby parish	—	—	—	—	340	468	557
viz. the townships of
East-Scaleby	40	39	40	39	—	211	229
West-Scaleby	46	61	46	61	—	257	328
Sebergham parish	—	—	—	—	495	742	781
viz. the townships of
Sebergham-castle or High Sebergham	96	87	102	97	—	434	474
Sebergham-church, or Low Sebergham	55	56	65	66	—	308	307
Skelton parish	—	—	—	—	615	729	756
viz. the townships of
Lamonby	43	43	43	43	—	244	236
Skelton	61	61	61	61	—	270	285
Unthank	37	38	37	39	—	215	235
Castle-Sowerby parish	—	—	—	—	705	938	974
viz. the townships of
Bustabeck	76	42	80	42	—	423	226
How-bound	44	42	47	47	—	254	255
Row-bound	18	19	22	19	—	104	102
Southernby-bound	27	27	28	35	—	157	200
Stocklewath-bound (fn. n7)	—	39	—	39	—	—	191
Stanwix parish	—	—	—	—	445	1,274	1,435
viz. the townships of
Cargo	48	50	49	51	—	237	243
Etterby	10	10	10	10	—	49	51
Houghton	52	50	53	53	—	226	243
Linstock	36	29	36	29	—	167	192
Rickerby	12	17	17	17	—	85	108
Stainton	13	14	13	15	—	63	64
Stanwix	36	82	84	84	—	337	400
Tarraby	24	19	27	29	—	110	134
Stapleton parish	—	—	—	—	310	736	911
viz. the townships of
Belbank	12	19	17	19	—	109	120
Solport	52	53	52	53	—	259	277
Stapleton	32	74	30	74	—	239	377
Trough	24	20	24	31	—	129	137
Thursby parish	—	—	—	—	535	409	440
viz. the townships of
Parton	17	19	19	19	—	98	110
High and Low-Thursby	60	64	60	67	—	242	272
Whinow or Crofton-Quarter	12	11	12	11	—	69	58
Torpenhow parish	—	—	—	—	1,030	782	824
viz. the townships of
Bowaldeth and Snittlegarth	13	15	13	15	—	55	65
Blennerhasset and Kirkland	43	45	43	45	—	204	195
Bothil and Threapland	62	79	72	81	—	313	302
Torpenhow with Whitrigg	48	53	52	55	—	210	262
Uldale parish	51	54	55	57	520	284	279
Waberthwaite parish	22	20	23	20	375	122	114
Walton parish	—	—	—	—	345	421	417
viz. the townships of
High-Walton	21	25	24	25	—	14	161
Low-Walton	56	49	58	49	—	276	256
Warwick parish	—	—	—	—	225	453	401
viz. the townships of
Aglionby	21	16	21	17	—	92	73
Little-Corby	20	22	21	22	—	120	114
Warwick	44	50	44	52	—	241	214
Westward parish	—	—	—	—	610	918	1,002
viz. the townships of
Brocklebank and Stoneraise	85	96	85	98	—	434	475
Rosley and Woodside	111	93	111	101	—	484	527
Wetheral parish	—	—	—	—	515	1,577	1,601
viz. the townships of
Great-Corby	72	68	73	68	—	344	326
Cumwhinton	76	85	79	87	—	365	429
Scotby	52	65	56	65	—	275	293
Warwick-bridge	40	48	40	48	—	217	204
Wetheral	73	67	73	71	—	376	349
Whicham parish	42	45	43	48	445	235	261
Whitbeck parish	30	36	33	38	435	180	191
Wigton parish	—	—	—	—	1,250	3,357	4,051
viz. the townships of
Oulton	60	70	63	70	—	294	321
Waverton high and low	88	89	88	89	—	375	409
Wigton	562	620	620	738	—	2,450	2,977
Woodside	68	83	69	83	—	238	344
Workington parish	—	—	—	—	945	6,440	6,533
viz. the townships of
Great-Clifton	59	57	62	57	—	268	228
Little-Clifton	47	47	47	47	—	166	193
Stainburn	27	28	30	28	—	137	140
Winscales	26	29	28	29	—	153	165
Workington	1,160	1,059	1,375	1,489	—	5,716	5,807

Longevity.

Having observed during our visit to Cumberland, in the early part of our progress, numerous instances of longevity recorded on the gravestones, and understanding that it was the generally received opinion, that the inhabitants of this county were remarkably long-lived, during the remainder of our journey we resolved to make more particular inquiries on the subject. On examining some of the parish registers, we found that in consequence of an official recommendation from the archdeacon about the year 1771, the ages of all persons buried within the diocese of Carlisle had from that time been specified. This circumstance was peculiarly favourable to the inquiry, and wherever we had an opportunity, particularly in the towns, we made notes of the total number of burials, and the number of persons buried who had attained the age of fourscore, and those who had attained the more advanced age of 90, and upwards. Since our return we have been favoured with similar notes from other parishes in that diocese. We had quitted that part of the county which is in the diocese of Chester before we commenced these enquiries, but have since learnt, that the ages had been specified in many of the registers of that part of the county several years before they were entered in those of the diocese of Carlisle. The clergy of Whitehaven, Workington, Egremont, and some of the smaller parishes in the diocese of Chester, have favoured us with notes from their registers. The result of our enquiries on this subject, contained in the following tables, will be found to justify most fully, the prevailing opinion of the longevity of the inhabitants of Cumberland.

In the parish of Egremont, in which the population appears to have been nearly stationary for the last ten years (consisting of about 1550 persons) we can ascertain with certainty, that about one in 42 have died annually. It is not easy to make calculations of this kind with any degree of accuracy, both on account of the fluctuation of population, and the difficulty of procuring the number of deaths among the dissenters, where they have cemeteries. The favourable circumstance of the ages having been specified in the parish-registers, affords a facility of ascertaining most satisfactorily, in a very large given number of deaths, the proportion of those persons who have attained to the age of 80, 90, &c.; and the result is very curious and remarkable (fn. n8). The present population of each parish in which the calculation has been made, is annexed in the ensuing table.



Parishes.	Population in 1811.	Aged from 80 to 89 inclusive.	Aged from 90 to 99 inclusive.
Arlochden	438	One in six	About one in forty.
Arthuret including Longtown	2,693	One in ten	One in fifty-two.
Aspatria	919	Rather more than one in six	About one in thirty-nine.
St. Bees, exclusive of Whitehaven and other chapelries	2,152	One in six	One in twenty-six.
Whitehaven	Population of the three chapelries 10,106
Chapelry of St. Nicholas	—	One in eleven	One in sixty-three.
Chapelry of the Holy Trinity	—	One in fifteen(1752—1814 (fn. n9) )	One in a hundred.
Chapelry of St. James	—	One in nineteen	One in one hundred and eight.
Bewcastle	1,069	One in six (1771—1808)	One in twenty-seven
Bootle	602	About one in six	One in forty-two.
Bowness	907	Rather more than one in six (1771—1808)	About one in thirty-two.
Brampton	2,543	One in seventeen (1771—1808	One in seventy-five.
Brigham	—	About one in nine
Cockermouth chapelry	2,964	About one in ten	One in sixty-two.
Bromfield	1,808	About one in five and a half	One in fifty-five.
Carlisle.
St. Mary's parish	7,632	One in fourteen (1771—1808)	One in eighty-four.
St. Cuthbert's parish	4,899	One in twelve	One in sixty-two.
Castle-Carrock	307	Nearly one in four	One in thirty-three.
Crosthwaite	3,656	One in ten (1771—1808)	One in forty-three.
Cumrew	194	About one in four	About one in twenty.
Cumwhitton	478	About one in five	About one in twenty-seven.
Dalston	2,369	One in eight	One in seventy-one.
Dean	752	One in nine (1751—1814)	One in forty-seven.
Nether-Denton	258	One in four and a half	One in twenty-two.
Distington	910	About one in six (1784—1814	About one in thirty-one.
Egremont	1,556	One in ten (1805—1814)	About one in fifty-eight.
Isel	378	One in five and a half (1790—1813)	One in twenty-six.
Kirk-Andrews on Esk	2,086	One in seven (1783—1808)	One in thirty-five.
Kirk-Linton	1,522	—	One in forty-one (1777—1814.)
Kirk-Oswald	945	One in six (1773—1808)	One in fifty-one.
Moresby	881	About one in nine	About one in forty-nine.
Penrith	4,328	About one in eleven	One in eighty-four.
Torpenhow	824	About one in six	About one in thirty-two.
Water-melock chapelry	about 350	About one in four and a half	About one in forty.
Whitbeck	191	Rather more than one in five	About one in eleven.
Wigton	4,051	About one in eight	About one in forty-nine.
Workington	6,533	About one in thirteen	About one in one hundred and sixteen.

The following remarkable instances of longevity, are chiefly taken from the registers of burials in the several parishes; and it may be observed, that where so many of the inhabitants live to the age of fourscore, and even to that of ninety and upwards, these instances of still more protracted age are likely to be well attested; in some cases we had an opportunity of ascertaining their accuracy.



Date.	Parish or Chapelry.	Names, &c.	Age.
1664. May 5.	Wigton	John Dand, of Warebridge	108
1666. Jan. 14.	Arthuret	Robert Browne	about 110
1668. Feb. 15.	Arthuret	John Story	100
— Dec. 2.	Arthuret	George Graham	102
1669. June	Arthuret	Jemet Browne, widow	about 106
1671. Nov. 4.	Arthuret	John Baylie	105
1675. Dec. 19.	Arthuret	Sybil Lattemer, of Holme, widow	100
1678. Jan. 30.	Wigton	William Rook, of Akehead	100
1680.	Dacre	Richard Green	114
1685.	Dearham	Mrs. Margaret Dykes	106
1686. Nov. 26.	Dearham	Anne Barwys	above 100
1701. May 19.	Bridekirk	Thomas Fearon, of Tallantire	112
1713. Mar. 20.	Cockermouth	Margaret Santon	103
1716. Feb. 9.	Greystock	Henry Winder, senior, of Hutton Soil (died of a dropsy)	101
1717. Feb. 2.	Harrington	Jane Hodgson, widow	114
1718. Dec. 17.	St. Nicholas, Whitehaven	William Crosthwaite	104
1726. Jan. 19.	Aspatria	William Sibson, of Hayton	107
1727. Feb. 12.	Kirk-Andrews	James Robson, of Dyke-side	103
1742. April 14.	Greystock	Margaret Hodgson	108
1743.	Whicham	John Hunter	103
1745. Oct. 12.	Bootle	Thomas Dickenson, a poor man	112
1746. Mar. 22.	Loweswater	Thomas Jackson, of Soskel, yeoman	100
— Oct. 10.	Bootle	Mary Singleton, widow	110
1747.	Dearham	Jane Bell	100
1748. July 3.	Greystock	Margaret Robinson, of Mungrisdale, widow	100
1753. Mar. 11.	Trinity, Whitehaven	Charles Thompson, of Hensingham, tinker	103
— Dec. 16.	St. Mary, Carlisle	The Rev. George Braithwaite	110
1757. June 18.	Loweswater	Mary Bragg, of Thackthwaite, widow	101
— June 24.	Trinity, Whitehaven	Jane Park, widow	100
1758. Jan. 27.	Kirk-Bampton	John Norman	100
— May 15.	Drig	Margaret Fell	105
1759. Mar. 8.	Greystock	John Bristoe, of Mungrisdale	101
1760. Aug. 10.	Thursby	Matilda Reed (fn. n10)	105
1761. April 11.	Cockermouth	Elizabeth Atkinson, widow	100
— Sept. 27.	St. Nicholas, Whitehaven	Margaret Grisdale, widow	107
1762. Jan. 21.	Castle-Sowerby	Thomas Nixon, of Newlands	108
—	Moresby	Sarah Crosthwaite, widow	107
1763. May 4.	Dalston	Mrs. Mary Nicolson (fn. n11), widow	105
— Sept. 29.	Loweswater	Frances Musgrave, of Lanesend, widow	100
1765. Mar. 7.	Aspatria	Thomas Holiday	101
1766. Mar. 6.	Maryport	John Thornthwat, miller (fn. n12)	100
1768.	Corney	Mark Noble	113
1769. Mar. 9.	St. Nicholas, Whitehaven	Peter M'Gee	104
1771. July 23.	Wigton	George M'Farland	103
1772. Aug. 20.	Aspatria	William Nicholson	100
— Oct. 22.	St. Mary, Carlisle	Honor Edgar, widow	100
— Dec. 13.	Penrith	James Bell	113
1773. April 26.	Penrith	Jane Martin, pauper	108
— July 8.	Cumwhitton	John Armstrong, of Fellend	101
— Aug. 6.	Rockcliffe	Jane Bell, widow	101
1774. Mar. 21.	Langwathby	Jonathan Wilson	100
— Nov. 15.	Trinity, Whitehaven	Henry Dixon	100
1775. Feb. 5.	Cumwhitton	Alexander M'Leod	107
1776. April 16.	St. Cuthbert, Carlisle	Elizabeth, widow of Joseph Winder	100
1777. Sept. 18.	Wetheral	Elizabeth Brady, of Great-Corby, pauper	104
1778. Jan. 2.	Lanercost	Sarah, widow of the Rev. Thomas Fawcett, late curate	103
— Jan. 16.	Penrith	George Simpson, shoemaker	102
— Mar. 8.	St. Mary, Carlisle	John Langhorn, of Blackwell	102
— Oct. 10.	Kirk-Linton	Jane Snodwin, widow	100
— Nov. 1.	Kirk-Andrews on Eden	Thomas Robson (fn. n13)	101
— Nov. 19.	Penrith	Elizabeth Greenhow, spinster	100
—	Buttermere	Jane Wood	106
1779. Jan. 19.	Crosby	Jane Dalton, widow	101
— Sept. 7.	Arlochden	Thomas Thompson, of Heathgill, labourer	102
— Dec. 4.	Nether-Denton	George Carruthers of Chapel-burn, late parish clerk of Farlam	102
1780. April 4.	St. Mary, Carlisle	Mrs. Margaret Yeats, widow	102
— Aug. 7.	St. Mary, Carlisle	Eleanor Eliot, of Newtown, widow	100
— Aug. 29.	Lanercost	Margaret Robson, widow	100
—	Egremont	Elizabeth Glencross	100
1782. Feb. 12.	St. Cuthbert, Carlisle	Catherine, widow of Rowland Thompson	101
— Mar. 20.	Gosforth	Isabella Skelton, widow	100
— Nov. 1.	Kirk-Bampton	Catherine Hewson, widow	100
1783. Dec. 31.	Water-Melock	James Brown, carpenter	102
1784. Feb. 16.	Bewcastle	Elizabeth Routledge, widow	102
1785. Jan. 5.	Arlochden	Thomas Elliot, of Workington, pauper	104
1786. Jan. 23.	Lanercost	Elizabeth Inman, widow	101
— April 30.	Lanercost	Anne Crowe, of Sandhill, widow	105
— July 3.	St. Mary, Carlisle	Andrew Young, pauper	105
— Nov. 4.	Hesket	Sarah, widow of John Nixon, yeoman	107
— Nov. 15.	Scaleby	Hugh James	101
—	Ulpha	Isaac Carleton	107
1787. April 11.	Burgh on Sands	Robert Mayson, of Bowsted-hill	101
— April 11.	Thursby	Jane Reave	100
— Oct. 7.	Harrington	Margaret Carlisle	100
— Dec. 3.	Rockliffe	Mary Hewitt (fn. n14), widow	100
1788. Mar. 13.	Stapleton	Catherine Rutherford	102
1789. Feb. 15.	Farlam	Ann Brougham, widow	106
— Nov. 7.	Kirk-Bampton	John Robinson, of Little-Bampton	100
1790. Jan. 8.	Brampton	James Martin	101
— Nov. 19.	Maryport	Joseph Peel (fn. n15), mariner	106
—	Corney	William Troughton	102
1791. Jan. 31.	Langwathby	Sarah Vart	100
— Feb. 25.	Kirk-Andrews on Esk	Alexander Ewart	104
—	Moresby	Sarah Gibson	102
—	Millom	David Claide	102
1793. June 20.	Maryport	John Milliken, tinker	112
1794. May 14.	St. Mary, Carlisle	Jeremiah Johnson, pauper	100
—	Torpenhow	Mary Robinson	104
1795. Jan. 7.	Arthuret	Mary Johnson, widow	100
— April 12.	St. Cuthbert, Carlisle	William Skelton, weaver	106
— May 12.	Rockliffe	James Grear, cooper	Upwards of 100 (fn. n16)
—	Ponsonby	Mary Satterthwaite, pauper	102
1796.	Ulpha	Thomas Jackson (fn. n17)	103
1797. Mar. 5.	Nether-Denton	Anne Hutton	102
— June 30.	Farlam	Jonah Walker	100
1797. Nov. 22.	Sebergham	Duncan Robinson (fn. n18), of Warnell-fell	100
1798. April 22.	Dalston	Hannah Gate, widow, of Gatesgill	101
1800. Aug. 11.	Distington	Anne Wilson	101
—	Whitehaven	Sarah Miller, Quaker	101
1801. Jan. 26.	Trinity, Whitehaven	John Hannah, mariner	101
— April 8.	Farlam	John Miniers, of Brackenside	100
1802. Oct. 16.	Harrington	Mary Creavy, widow	102
— Dec. 29.	Wigton	Margaret M'Call, widow	101
1803. Mar. 29.	Kirklinton	John Carruthers, senior	100
— July 8.	Greystock	Isaac Noble, of Berrier	100
— Aug. 21.	St. Cuthbert, Carlisle	Bridget, widow of George Bowman	102
—	Moresby	John M'Whey	103
1804. June 1.	St. Cuthbert, Carlisle	Jane, widow of Thomas Jameson, late of Mellerby	100
— Nov. 12.	Kirklinton	Eleanor Moffat, of Broomhill	104
1805. Feb. 2.	Sebergham	Thomas Wilkinson, of Currigg	104
— Feb. 13.	St. James, Whitehaven	Ann Brownrigg, widow	102
— June 11.	Trinity, Whitehaven	William Woodburn, shoemaker	100
— Aug. 5.	St. James, Whitehaven	William Welsh, tinker	105
— Oct. 28.	St. Bride	Mary Steel, widow	100
— Nov. 27.	Trinity, Whitehaven	Sarah Young	100
1806. Dec. 8.	Kirklinton	Anne Sawyer, widow	103
1807. April 28.	Crosthwaite	Hannah Wilson (fn. n19), widow	102
— Aug. 4.	Loweswater	Mr. John Mirehouse (fn. n20), of Miresyke	101
— Dec. 30.	St. Nicholas, Whitehaven	John Brown	101
1808. May 7.	Harrington	Elizabeth Tolson, widow	102
1810. June 22.	Stapleton	William Melichan	106
—	St. Nicholas, Whitehaven	Mary Laycock	100
—	Whicham	Margaret Biggins	102
1811. Jan. 26.	Wigton	Elizabeth Furness, widow	102
— Nov. 26.	Cleator	Francis Forster, miller	105
—	St. Nicholas, Whitehaven	Olivia Grears	104
1812. July 24.	Penrith	John Ireland	100
— Nov. 23.	Raughton-head	Tamar Strong	103
—	Lorton	Sarah Wilson, of Armiside	100
1813. Mar. 13.	Stapleton	Archibald Green	101
— May 6.		Elizabeth Bell, widow	105
1814. Feb. 24.	Kirklinton	John Milliken, of Mount	106
—	Bromfield	Mrs. Elizabeth Barwis, widow of John Barwis, Esq. of Langrigg-hall	100
—	Keswick	Mrs. Margaret Threlfall, mother of Mrs. Wood, at the Queen's Head, (buried at Urswick, Lancashire)	105

The most extraordinary instance of longevity in a native of Cumberland is that of John Taylor, born at Garragill, in the parish of Aldston-moor, a parish by no means remarkable for the long lives of its inhabitants, the greater part of whom are labourers in the lead-mines. Taylor had been employed in these mines from his childhood; he went below ground at eleven years of age, and was fourteen or fifteen at the time of the great solar eclipse, called in the North Mirk Monday, which happened March 29th, 1652. From that time till 1752, except for two years, during which he was employed in the mint at Edinburgh, he wrought in the mines at Aldston, at Blackhall in the bishopric of Durham, and in various parts of Scotland. In the year 1767, an account of him was sent to Dr. Lyttelton, Bishop of Carlisle, by Mr. J. Walker of Moffat, and communicated to the Society of Antiquaries; he was then living in the neighbourhood of Moffat, near the Leadhills mines, in which he had been employed several years. Upon applying to the Rev. Alexander Johnson, minister of Moffat, he informed us, that John Taylor's residence was in the parish of Crawford; that as no regular register of burials was kept in that parish, the exact date of his death could not be ascertained, but that according to the best information that he could procure, it happened some time in the year 1772. John Taylor married when he was between sixty and seventy, and had nine children by his wife, who died in 1758: two of his sons were living at Lead-hills in 1767 (fn. n21) : at the time of his decease he must have been 135 years of age.

The number of persons in Cumberland (fn. n22), whose ages have been from 90 to 99 inclusive, since the ages have been noted in the parish registers, is above 1,120; of these about one-fourth have attained or exceeded the age of 95. In the parish of Bewcastle, where the average number of burials is about sixteen, and the population about 1,070, there occurred, within the space of forty years, three persons of 95 years of age, five of 97, one of 98, and one of 99, besides those of 100 years of age or upwards, noticed in the table. Generally speaking, the inhabitants of Cumberland, who live to this protracted age, are healthy and strong, capable of performing the functions of their several stations, and even of partaking of the amusements of life, almost to its close. Elston Cowman, a farmer of Distington, who died in 1814, at the age of 98, was appointed collector of the property-tax at 90, and executed the office ably and faithfully for some years. Thomas Elliot, a poor man, who died at Arlochden, in 1785, at the age of 104, was seen by our correspondent, at Arlochden fair, whither he had walked some miles, stripped of his coat, hat, &c. dancing and singing with great glee. John Taylor, before spoken of, worked in the mines till he was about 115. Some instances of remarkable contemporary longevity, may be here noticed: William Bowman, of Dearham, who died in 1800, at the age of 87, and his wife, who survived him, and died at the age of 91, lived together 64 years. Anthony and Isabella Walker, who died at the ages of 82 and 84, lived together as man and wife in the same house 61 years: Elizabeth the daughter of Anthony Walker married Henry Bacon, and she and her husband lived 62 years in the same house as man and wife, dying at the ages of 96 and 82. Mr. John Mirehouse of Miresyke, in Loweswater, who died in 1771, at the age of 92, and his wife, who died in 1776, at the age of 97, lived more than 68 years together. Mr. Wright, the late curate of Matterdale, died at the age of 85; his wife, who survived him, at 92. In Moresby church-yard is a memorial for Robert Steele, aged 90, and Jane his wife, aged 95. John Robinson, of Little-Bampton, died in 1789, aged 100; his wife in 1791, aged 91. The Rev. Thomas Jefferson, who died in 1768, at the age of 95, was minister of Cockermouth 68 years. The Rev. George Braithwaite, who died curate of St. Mary's, Carlisle, in 1753, at the age of 110, is said to have been a member of the cathedral for upwards of 100 years, having first become a member of the establishment as a chorister.

It is natural to inquire into the causes which have occasioned the prevalence of longevity in some counties and districts more than in others; but such inquiries do not appear to produce any satisfactory result. It is generally supposed that the climate of the northern counties is favourable to longevity, but, as we have already observed, the district most remarkable for longevity in Cornwall is the southern coast. In Cumberland it seems to be confined to no particular district: the parishes which border on the Fells on the east side of the county, are rather more remarkable for longevity than those on the western coast; but there is little difference except in the large towns. We could obtain no conclusion with respect to the diet and habits of the long-lived inhabitants of this county; as far as we had an opportunity of making the inquiry, some were abstemious, some intemperate. John Taylor, whose employment was frequently by night in the mines, ate heartily at any hour of the day or night, and drank freely: the most remarkable circumstance of his habits was the little sleep he took, which was so little, that his life was half as long again as that of any other person of the same age.