BROMFIELD, Cumberland - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"BROMFIELD, a parish partly in the ward of Allerdale-below-Derwent, and partly in the ward of Cumberland, in the county of Cumberland, 5 miles to the W. of Wigton. The Carlisle and Maryport railway passes near the village. The parish, which is of great extent, (embracing an area of 14,644 acres), is situated on the coast of the Solway Frith, and includes the chapelries of Allonby and West Newton, and the townships of Longrigg-with-Mealrigg, Blencogo, and Dundraw; the two latter being in Cumberland ward. The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Carlisle, of the value of £270, in the patronage of the bishop of the diocese The church, dedicated to St. Kentigern, was restored in 1862. It contains several old monuments. Here is a free grammar school founded in 1612 by Richard Osmotherley, the income of which, derived from endowments by the founder and subsequent benefactors, amounts to about £40 per annum. There are other charities of small value. Blencogo, in this parish, was the birthplace (1737) of Jonathan Boucher, antiquarian, and author of a Glossary of the English Language. Bromfield church has monuments to his father and mother, who are interred here. Some traces exist of Mungo Castle." "BLENCOGO, a township in the parish of Bromfield, in the ward and county of Cumberland, 4 miles to the W. of Wigton. This village was the birthplace (1738) of Jonathan Boucher, author of a glossary of the English language, and a contributor to Hutchinson's history of the county." "CROOKDALE, a village in the parish of Bromfield in the county of Cumberland, 6 miles S.W. of Wigton. It is situated near the coast of the Solway Firth." "DUBMILL, a hamlet in the parish of Bromfield, in the county of Cumberland, 1 mile N. of Allonby. It is situated opposite the light-ship and Dubmill Swamp, a bank 1 mile long, in the Solway Channel." "DUNDRAW-WITH-KELSICK, a township in the parish of Bromfield, in the ward and county of Cumberland, 3 miles N.W. of Wigton. It is situated on the river Weaver, and contains the hamlets of Moor Row, Wheyrigg, and Waverbridge. Sir Wastel Brisco, Bart., is lord of the manor." "KELSICK, (or Kelswick), a hamlet in the parish of Bromfield, Cumberland ward, county Cumberland, 2 miles N.W. of Wigton. It is united with Dundraw to form a township." "LANGRIGG, a township in the parish of Bromfield, ward of Allerdale-below-Derwent, county Cumberland, 3 miles E. of Aspatria, and 6½ S.W. of Wigton. Bricks and tiles are manufactured here. Langrigg Hall is the principal residence." "LEEGATE, a railway station on the Maryport and Carlisle railway in the parish of Bromfield, county Cumberland, 4 miles from Wigton." "LONGRIGG, a township united with Mealrig, in the parish of Bromfield, county Cumberland, 6 miles S.W. of Wigton." "MEALRIGG, a hamlet in the parish of Bromfield, ward of Allerdale-below-Derwent, county Cumberland, 3 miles W. of Bromfield, and 6 W. of Wigton." "SCALES, a hamlet in the parish of Bromfield, county Cumberland, 5 miles S.W. of Wigton." "WEST NEWTON, a township in the parish of Bromfield, ward of Allerdale-below-Derwent, county Cumberland, 3½ miles N.E. of Allonby, and 8 N.E. of Maryport. Wigton is its post town. The village is chiefly agricultural. In the township red freestone is quarried. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Carlisle, value £138, in the patronage of the bishop. The church, dedicated to St. Matthew, is a stone edifice with two stained windows. The church was erected in 1856 by John Todd, Esq., of Manchester. The schools and parsonage are near the church, both of which were erected in 1858 by the same gentleman. There is a tower which formed part of an old castle in the neighbourhood. Charles Joliffe, Esq., is lord of the manor."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]