CROOK AND WINSTER.

1557 14 February. The pathetic Will of Ann, widow of the late Christopher Nicholson of Crook, appears to have been made in anticipation of dying in childbed, a fear that was too well founded as she must have died very soon after the date of this Will:—"Besechyng our blessed Lady, the most pure and gloryous virgyn to pray for me, and my body to be erthed and buryed at my parysse churche of Kyrkby in Kendall. Also yf yt pleas God to sende me save delyverans and a chrystyn soule, aither dorter or son, and yf ye same lefe to yt be of leyfull age, unto ye same I bequeth and frely gyfe all my goods moveable and unmoveable. Also yf I departe at this tyme, I beqweth unto Agnes Bulmer, Esybell Clerke and Agnes Knype, to every of them 40s., and yf bothe my childe and I departe then I wyll, etc., etc. Executors my brother parson Cayrus and John Nicholson my father in law." Surtees Socy., vol. 26, p. 105.

1566 20 May. In the Will of Christopher Philipson of Crook there are bequests to Roland Philipson and his heirs male of "all the lands I purchased of Mr. Heskett and all others the tenements of Huthomes or that was Barwiks that he dwelleth now on," also one tenement that lieth near Bowlnes of the yearly value of 8s., also the whole title of the Calgarthe lying in Windermere, and in default of heirs male all these lands to remain to Miles Philipson. To Miles Philipson he leaves all lands at the "Abbott hole," also at Cowperthwaite, and all lands in Crook and one tenement called Furn close, also the tenement of the Lange holme in Windermere, and in default of heirs male etc. Also it is my will that Miles Philipson and his heirs shall pay for the maintenance of the service or the reparations of Crook Chapel 8s. a year, etc., etc. Surtees Socy., vol. 26, p. 188.

1672 13 January. Memorandum that on 30 October, 22 Charles II, John Bateman of Applethwayt came before Robert Phillipson, Esqre, at Callgarth and gave information upon proof by the oaths of witnesses that John Thompson of Crooke, Rob. Thompson of Under Milnebecke, Geo. Thompson of Crooke, Geo. Dodgson, Peter Bateman, Miles Birkett, and Mary Bateman all of the same, Ric. Stephenson of Staveley and William Muckellet of the same, each of them being aged 17 or more were present, assembled and unlawfully congregated in the house of the said John Thompson in Crooke with divers other evil doers and disturbers of the king's peace to the number of 20 persons and more at a conventicle there under colour and pretext of exercising religion otherwise than allowed by the Liturgy of the English Church and against the king's peace, his crown and dignity, and against the form of the Statute, etc., wherefore the said John Thompson and the other evil doers are convicted and the Justices impose upon the said John Thompson a fine of £20 and upon each other person there a fine of 5 shillings for their assent. K. Indictment Book, 1669–1692.

Also a similar information that on 10 October a number of 30 persons met at the house of Miles Bateman in Crooke, for which Miles Bateman was fined £20, Miles Hubersty £20 for taking upon himself to (concionari) and the others 5 shillings or 10 shillings for the second offence. Ibid.

1682 Jonas Barber of Brime Houses, Winster, seems to have had a monopoly for clock-making over Westmorland and Furness. Every house of any importance had one or more of these old time-keepers, generally winding by the weight chain every twenty-four hours with brass dials very lightly engraved and one hour hand only. In his later days he occasionally made more elaborate instruments winding by a key every eight days and possessing two hands. He became a member of the Clockmakers' Company in 1682.

1696 24 April Sir Christ. Phillipson of Crook, knt., Ric. Pinder of Kendall, esq., Hen. Guy of Watercrook, clerk, Tho. Shepherd of Syzer, gent., and Tim. Banks of Levins, gent., Protestants and suspected to be disaffected to the present government, in custody in the garrison at Carlisle. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724.

After Sir Christopher Philipson's death Crook or Thwatterden Hall descended to his three daughters who sold the estate to Major Pigeon, natural son of Charles 11, whose daughter carried it in marriage to Ralph Day, esq., who in 1777 was owner of the Hall.

1697 8 October. Upon the request of Geo. Birkett of Crooke having built a house at Crooke to be set apart for religious worship for Protestants "defealing" from the Church of England. It is granted so that it is used according to Law. K. Order Book, 1696–1724.

1705 20 April. Order to the two high constables to apply £10 for the effectual repairing of that part of Sand Pool (? Winster) Bridge which stands or lays in this county, unless cause be shown to the contrary. Ibid.

1706 11 October. Mr. John Thompson's house at Crook licensed as a place for religious worship for the people called Quakers. Ibid.

1707/8 16 January. Geo. Brathwaite of Crook, Dissenting Minister, took the oaths, signed the Declaration and subscribed the 39 Articles of Religion. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724.

1710 21 April. Order to the inhabitants of Crook to find a house for the accommodation of the poor, or to build such a house on the wastes and commons of the hamlet. K. Order Book, 1696–1724.

1713 17 April. The newly erected house in Crook is certified to be set apart for religious worship upon the request of the people called Quakers; it is allowed to be recorded accordingly. K. Order Book, 1696–1724.

1717 11 October. Presentment that the highway in two places between Pepper Yate and Crooke Yate in Crooke Laine is in decay for want of repair. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724.

1718 10 October. Crooke Laine from Pepper Yeat to Gilpin Bridge presented as in decay for want of repair. Ibid.

1729 18 April. Order to the high constable before 3 May to view Winster Bridge between the county and co. Lancaster and to report the cost of repairing or rebuilding the same on 3 May. (K. Order Book, 1725–37). On 3 May an order was issued to repair or rebuild Winster Bridge in conjunction with co. Lancaster. (Ibid.). On 3 July, 1729, Robert Robinson entered into a bond to pull down all and every part of the common bridge belonging to the two counties, situate between Cowmire Hall in Crosthwaite and Hodgehill in Cartmel Fell, called and known by the name of Winster Bridge, now being in very great decay, and erect and build in the same place a new firm stone bridge to consist of one bend or arch of at least 9 yards betwixt the springers and to be 4 yards broad under the arch, and the said new arch to be shot over with good and choice stones called penn stones and when shot and keyed to be well filled, closed and covered with good strong pouring or pottage mortar made of hot lime. The ledges to be 12 inches in thickness and 2 feet 6 inches high from the pavement and well set with good and choice penn stones. Skillfully and well pave over with thin stones set across the arch and made easy and gradually ascending and descending at the ends thereof for carriage and travellers. To finish and complete the work, on or before 1 August next ensuing and the undertakers shall from time to time and all times as shall be requisite well and sufficiently repair, maintain and uphold the same for and during the term of seven years. On 4 August, 1729, Robert Robinson, freemason, gave receipt for £6 5s. being the remainder of £12 10s. the Westmorland share for the new building of the bridge. Browne MSS. vol. i, n. 246; iii, nos. 197, 199; xv, 186.

1745 11 October. Order to the high constable to view the north-east end of Winster Bridge and report the condition thereof at the next Sessions. K. Order Book, 1738–50.

1746/7 16 January. Like order to view Winster Bridge and contract for the repairs of 300 feet at the Westmorland end thereof. Ibid.

1771 8 April. Presentment that the liege subjects of the king had lawfully used a certain common and ancient highway in the township of Crook in a certain place called Whitemossdale Lane, otherwise called Breastyodes Lane, leading from the township of Nether Staveley to the township of Crosthwaite, on horseback or on foot to go return pass ride and labour at their will without any stoppage or hinderance, nevertheless John Dodgson of Kirkland, gent., and Will. German of Crook, husbandman, on the 15 March, 11 George III, with force and arms upon and across the said ancient highway a certain hedge did set and erect and the said hedge doth yet continue to the hinderence, etc. K. Indictment Book, 1770–80.

1804 5 October. Appeal of landowners of Winster and Crook against the Commissioners of Heversham inclosures, quashed, and the boundaries so set forth by the Commissioners confirmed. Kendal Order and Indictment Book, 1798–1811.

1823 The Kendal Papers for March 29, 1823, advertise for tenders for the building of a new Gilpin Bridge over Gilpin Beck between Crook and Undermilbeck. Resolved that notice be given to William Bowness to get Mr. Webster, architect, to stake out the said bridge in order that the same may be proceeded with immediately. (Ambleside Turnpike Road Book). On 23 April, 1827, a Certificate was issued that the bridge over a certain river called Gilpin Beck between Plumgarth Cross and the Lake of Windermere, lately erected at the expense of the Trustees of the turnpike road, has been built in a substantial and commodious manner. K. Indict. Book, 1824–34.

1842 21 October. The Rev. William Noble, Incumbent of Winster took and subscribed the usual oaths and declaration on his appointment. K. Indict. Book, 1839–52.

1851 26 July. Rev. Frederick Howlett likewise. K. Minute Book, 1839–59.