The Church of Grasmere: A History

by Mary L. Armitt

[147] "Church Bells of Brigham," Transactions, Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian Society, vol. 14, p. 283. It seems strange that there was no reliable bell-founder in Kendal, where, in the seventeenth century, there was a goodly number of workers in metal. (See Boke off Recorde.) Of these the Washingtons were apparently the most accredited workmen. A Richard of the name "besydes Kendal" at the Dissolution, bought the house of the Friars in Penrith, with its bell. (Transactions, Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian Society, vol. 6, p. 435.) The Richard of the next century was busy with arms during the Civil Wars, and worked for Rydal Hall. Mr. R. Godfrey ("Westmorland Bells," Transactions, Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian Society, vol. 6, p. 84) considers that the Crosthwaite bell, dated 1695, was cast by Christopher Hodson in Kendal. In the preceding century one of this name (spelt Hodgson) appears among the freemen of the city, while a John and a Robert stand in the later list of freemen armourers and hardwaremen, though the mark for "foreigner" stands after their names.

[148] Yorkshire Arch. Journal, vols. 16, 17, and 18.

[149] For the Knott family, see "A Westmorland Township," Westmorland Gazette, May 7th, 1810.

[150] Raven's Bells of England, pp. 212-16.

[151] W. Wilson's "Former Social Life in Cumberland and Westmorland," Transactions, Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian Society, 1886.

[152] The tower and all the body of the church was rough-cast in 1910 at a cost of £200 5s. 1d.—Ed.

[153] See Middleton's Guide.

[154] This table is now in use at a Mission room in Ulverston parish.

[155] December 18th, 1687: "There hath been three very great Windes lately viz. Nov. 10, 87. at night, Dec. 3, 87. at night, and yester-night and all this day which was ye worst, & which hath blowne down ye great Ewe-tree in Gresmere Church Yard, the very tall Firr Tree at Ambleside, & many trees in Rydal Demesne, etc. It was accompanied with much snow."—Sir D. F.'s Account Book.

[156] The old font cover (see engraving) is lost.