Supplementary Records: Ambleside

AMBLESIDE.

1653 A copy of the Will of Gawen Brathwaite is preserved in the Browne MSS., vol. XIV, pp. 1–7.

1679 20 March. Whereas by an Inquisition taken before Christopher Readman, Mayor of K. in Kendall, Daniel Fleming, Edward Wilson, Christopher Philipson, Roger Moore, Esqrs., and Michael Stanford, clerk, by virtue of a commission to them directed for the due execution of a statute (43 Eliz^th) entitled an Act to redress the misemployment of lands, goods and stocks of money heretofore given to charitable uses by the oaths etc. It is found that Gawen Brathwaite late of Ambleside by his last Will, dated 14 January, 1653, did amongst other things give and bequeath a legacy of £5 to be put forward so as the use of it yearly may go to the opening and cleansing of the water courses in the highway and especially in Ambleside town street from Scandall Bridge to Holbeck Bridge, and did nominate Thomas Brathwaite, dec^d, and Robert Brathwaite of High-house executors, to whose hands there came goods and chattels of the said Gawen sufficient to answer the said legacy, and the jurors say that the said Thomas Brathwaite died about five years since who during his life time kept the said moneys in his hands and paid the interest thereof yearly to the uses aforesaid.

And whereas Thomas Brathwaite by his Will, dated 9 November, 1674, did give and bequeath to the Chapel Stock of Ambleside the sum of £10 and other £10 for the buying of two silver chalices to be used on Communion days there and did nominate and appoint Robert Brathwaite of High House, his brother, Dorothy Sandes, widow, his sister, and Dorothy Brathwaite late of Newcastle upon Tyne, spinster, his niece, executors of the same Will. The said gifts to be paid within two years after the decease of the said Thomas. The jurors say that Thomas Brathwaite died 30 November, 1674, and that the said Robert Brathwaite, Dorothy Sandes and Dorothy Brathwaite have not nor any of them paid either the said sum of £10 to the Chapel Stock or the said sum of £10 for the buying of the two silver chalices but do detain and withold the said two gifts and bequests from the uses aforesaid although often in friendly manner requested by the chapel wardens and other the inhabitants there. And the jurors say that Dorothy Sandes, one of the executors is since dead and that the said Robert and Dorothy Brathwaite have assets of the personal estate of Thomas Brathwaite in their hands sufficient to satisfy the said £20. Now we the Commissioners by virtue of the Statute do order, adjudge and decree that the said Robert and Dorothy shall within two months next pay unto the Chapel wardens as well the sum of £20 of lawful money of England as also the sum of £3 12s. od., for interest in arrear for the said £20. One moiety whereof being £11 16s. od., to be put forth and the interest paid yearly with the chapel stock, the other moiety to purchase two silver chalices etc. Browne MSS., vol. xv, n. 153; XVI, nos. 330–342.

1681 19 October. This morning the greater arch of Brathay Bridge did fall into the river, a little after Reginald Braithwait's son had gone over it with some cattel. Armitt, Rydal, 589.

1694 5 October. Whereas there is provision made for the poor of Ambleside issuing forth of the Tolls of Ambleside which hath been either misemployed or concealed, so that the poor doth not receive what was chiefly intended thereby; it is therefore ordered that the Receivers of the said Tolls do appear at the next Gen. Quarter Sessions to give an account of what money arises forth of the said Tolls for the use of the poor and how the same is distributed. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724.

1696 14 July. Thomas Knott, minister of Ambleside, signed the antiJacobite "Association" formed throughout the Kingdom for the protection of William III. Ibid.

1698/9 13 January. Upon the complaint of Dame Elizabeth Otway on behalf of the poor of Ambleside showing that by the grant of the late King James 11, the Tolls of Ambleside in the fairs and markets in the said town were given to Trustees for the relief of the poor there and that the Receivers of the said Toll have misemployed the same or converted it to their own use, to the great prejudice of the said poor and hindrance of so great a charity. Order that the Receivers give an account at next sessions of the profits of the fairs and markets and how disbursed. K. Order Book, 1696–1724.

1701 17 May. Petition of Tho. Benson of Ambleside, whose kiln, mill and malthouse was destroyed by fire, to his loss in £45, asking for public charity. The court recommends him and his family to their lordships the bishops of Chester and Carlisle to order relief, etc. K. Order Book, 1696–1724.

1705 20 April. The house of Tho. Benson in Ambleside is licensed for a house of religious worship for public assemblies. Ibid.

1707 10 October. Order to the chief constable to view the bridge in Ambleside near the Mill and repair the same and discover if possible the offenders that threw off the battlements of the said bridge. K. Order Book, 1696–1724.

1709 7 October. Indictment and Order to repair the highway in Ambleside from Stock Bridge to Scandall beck. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724.

1711/2 18 January. Presentment that Stock Bridge and Brathay Bridge are in decay; order for a report from the chief constable. (K. Order Book, 1696–1724). On 2 May following Benjamin Browne reports that the Westmorland end of Brathay Bridge wants 16 yards of ledges besides the footing and 16 yards of pavement in length, and as for the limeing I cannot understand what will be wanting as it is so covered up with ivy on both sides, also repair to the battlements on the low side. He estimates the cost at £4 10s. od. Ambleside Bridge wants 13 yards of ledges and 4 yards more very bad, estimated at £2. K. Indict. Book, 1692–1724; Browne MSS., vol. 1, n. 221.

1714 9 April. Presentment that Rothay Bridge being a county bridge is very ruinous; order to the high constable to view and contract. (K. Order Book, 1696–1724). The work which was needful is set out in a specification dated 14 July, viz:—The Jewell or Pillar of the said bridge both in the water and above must be carefully pinned round about with stone and lime. A good substantial wall must be raised on the high side at the west end . . . . the foundation must be laid as low as can be and a full yard broad and near three yards high and to be made of good large and strong long stones. Rowland Walker, mason, undertook to complete the work before the 31st day of August next ensuing. Browne MSS., vol. 11, n. 41.

1727 14 April. Order for the repair of Scandall Bridge, or to be new built according to the direction of Sir William Fleming. (K. Order Book, 1725–37). On 7 June, 1727, Robert Robinson and Joshua Dixon entered into a bond to pull down all and every part of the common and county bridge called and known by the name of Scandall Bridge, a great part thereof is now fallen down, the remainder being in great decay and very dangerous, and erect and build a new firm stone bridge above the old one, to consist of one bend or arch of at least nine yards between the springers and to be four yards broad. And the said arch when shot and keyed to be filled, closed and covered with strong pouring or pottage mortar made of hot lime. And the battlements to be 12 inches in thickness and 2 foot 6 inches high above the pavement and well set with good and choice penn stones. The pavement to be easy gradually ascending and descending at each end thereof for travellers and carriage. To complete the work on or before 1 July next ensuing and maintain uphold and keep the same in good and sufficient repair for 7 years, etc. On 20 June Robert Robinson, mason, received £10 in part payment for the building of the bridge, and on 19 July £16 being the remainder of £26 the price for the new building. Browne MSS., vol. 11, n. 82; III, n. 193; IV, n. 90; XV. n. 184, 189.

1730/1 15 January. Benjamin Browne, the high constable, reports that betwixt Holbeck Bridge and Ambleside town the way is bad and very narrow in some places. Browne MSS., vol. 1, n. 220.

1742/3 14 January. Presentment that 1000 yards in length and 3 yards in breadth in the King's highway in certain places called Woundale and Strand Lane in the township of Ambleside leading between the market towns of Penrith and Ambleside, is dirty founderous and in decay for want of reparation, to the great danger etc., and that the inhabitants of Ambleside of ancient custom ought to repair the said way. K. Indictment Book, 1738–50.

1745/6 17 January. Order that the two high constables view Stock Bridge and Scandal Bridge and report the condition thereof at the next Sessions. K. Order Book, 1738–50.

1766 7 April. Ordered that the two high constables do forthwith repair Brathay Bridge. K. Order Book, 1760–70.

1767 12 January. Petition of the surveyor of highways within the township of Ambleside setting forth that the highway leading over a place called Church Stonewith is greatly out of repair and that the 6 days labour is insufficient to effectually repair the same; it is ordered that an assessment of 6d. in the pound be levied upon the several inhabitants owners and occupiers and that in case of refusal or nonpayment within 10 days after demand by distress and sale of goods etc. (K. Order Book, 1760–70). On 8 January, 1770, a similar petition and order as the above. Ibid.

1781 3 October. Presentment that Brathay Bridge is too narrow and dangerous to pass over for want of widening and that one half of the said bridge and 300 ft. of the road on the north end ought to be repaired and amended at the public expense of the county. (K. Indict. Book, 1780–87). Certified in good and sufficient repair on 4 April, 1785. Ibid.

1784 4 October. Presentment that Scandal Bridge is a public bridge and that the said bridge and the 300 feet at each end is in great decay and ought to be repaired at the public expense of the county. Ibid.

1801 28 January. Ordered that the chief constable do proceed immediately to let the widening and repairing of Rothay Bridge and the road at each end thereof. K. Minute Book, 1780–1804.

1817 Michaelmas Sessions. Filed a plan and order for stopping up a certain part of a public highway leading from Kill Howe towards and unto Broadmire head, both in the township of Ambleside for the length of 154 yards and for selling the same to Ford North, Esq., whose lands adjoin thereto. K. Indict. Book, 1817–24.

1827 8 January. Filed a certificate setting forth that a certain dwelling house situate in the Market Place in Ambleside in the occupation of Robert Forrest is used as a place of Public Worship for Protestant Dissenters which is hereby allowed. K. Indict. Book, 1824–34.

1832 3 July. Suggested deviation of Turnpike road between the Salutation Inn and the bottom of Eller Brow and erecting a bridge over the Stock Beck at the sum of £300 to be completed before 12 May, 1833. Ambleside Turnpike Book.

1835 23 March. That the plans of Roger Fleming for the rebuilding of the Toll House at Waterhead be approved. Ibid.

1835 10 April. Certificate that Mr. Braithwaite has superintended the erection of Low Stock Bridge and that the same is substantial and commodious. K. Minute Book, 1825–38.

1842 21 October. Moved that Scandale Bridge be repaired by the Bridge Master according to plan and estimate produced. K. Order Book, 1839–76.

1846 10 January. Ordered that Brathay Bridge be improved at the west end according to Mr. Robinson's plan provided the Bridge Master of Lancaster improve the Lancashire end and that the sum to be expended on the part of Westmorland does not exceed £20. (Ibid). At the Court held on 9 April, 1847, it was ordered that the improvements to Brathay Bridge suggested by Mr. Robinson, the county Bridge Master, be carried out provided that Lancashire will join in equal proportions in the expense amounting to £82. Ibid.

1863 9 January. Rev. Charles Dent Bell took the usual oaths and suscribed the Declaration on his appointment to the Incumbency of Ambleside. K. Minute Book, 1859–75.

1893 29 November. It was suggested to improve Scandale Bridge by widening it to an extent of 13 ft. 6 in. which would make the total width of roadway 31 feet; and by lowering the tops of the hill on the north-west side to a depth of 5 feet at the crown, thus reducing the gradients from 1 in 14 to 1 in 24. The estimated cost is £250 for the bridge and an extra £100 for lowering the hill. C. C. Minutes, 1889– 94.

1897 18 February. Rothay Bridge has been built in two sections and the Elterwater Green Slate Co.'s traction engine has shaken the structure and the space between the two sections is increasing. The Surveyor suggests the immediate insertion of three bolts above the arch stones. (C. C. Minutes, 1896–7). That the bridge be included amongst those over which locomotives shall not be used. C. C. Minutes, 1897–8.

1912. 16 February. Recommended that Low Stock Bridge be widened. On 26 July an application to the Local Government Board was made to borrow £265 for the purpose. C. C. Minutes, 1912–13.