MIDDLETON.
1634
Middleton Chapel was built on land given by Rev. C. Bainbrigg,
D.D.
1671
7 October. Stockdale bridge in Middleton was presented as in
decay and repairable by the inhabitants of the county. K. Indict.
Book, 1669–92.
1696
14 July. John Proctor, curate of Middleton, signed the antiJacobite "Association" formed throughout the Kingdom for the
protection of William III. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724.
1706
11 October. The house of John Thornbeck in Middleton licensed
for religious worship for the people called Quakers. K. Order Book,
1696–1724.
1710/11
12 January. Order for repair of the battlements of "Stocbeck"
bridge in Middleton and construction of a new arch 4 ft. broad near
the bridge, the lack of which makes the way to the bridge very
dangerous. Ibid.
1724/5
15 January. Order to the inhabitants of Middleton to assist
towards the repair of two highways leading from Sedbergh to the
county bridge called Stockdale Beck Bridge and so along the highway
to another county bridge called Barbon Bridge and so to K. Lonsdale.
K. Order Book, 1696–1724.
1738/9
12 January. Upon the petition of the inhabitants of Middleton
praying for reasons therein contained that a bridge called Low
Stocklebeck Bridge may be made a County bridge; Order to the two
high constables to view and report the condition thereof at the next
Sessions. K. Order Book, 1738–1750.
1772
13 January. Petition of the Surveyor of highways within the
township of Middleton setting forth that the highways are greatly
out of repair and that 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 non payment within 10 days after demand, by
distress and sale of goods, etc. K. Order Book, 1770–80.
1780
1 February. Died Sunday se'nnight, at his house in Kendal, aged
71, Lt.-Col. John Moore, of the Westmorland Militia, one of His
Majesty's Justices of the Peace and Collector of the Stamp Duties for
the counties of Westmorland and Cumberland. His remains were
removed last Thursday and interred at Middleton Chapel near his
county seat. Cumberland Pacquet.
1791
5 March. Died Wednesday se'nnight at Walthamstow in Essex,
the Rev. Adam Askew, of Middleton Hall, brother to Henry Askew
of Redheugh near Newcastle. Newcastle Chronicle.
1809
14 April. The water course or beck called Black Beck, being part
of the highway from K. Lonsdale to Sedbergh, and containing 10
yards in length and 4 yards in breadth, is in great decay and ought
to be repaired by the township of Middleton. K. Order and Indictment Book, 1798-1811.
1862
11 April. Resolved that both High and Low Stockdale Bridges be
repaired. K. Minute Book, 1859–75.
1891
5 March. Stockdale High Bridge is situate on a Bye Road commencing at Barbon and coming into the Sedbergh Road near Middleton Hall. It has a span of 32 ft. 4 ins. and the width of the roadway
between the parapets is 10 feet 3 ins. The bridge generally is built
of beck cobbles with rough flag stones to form the arches. C.C.
Minutes, 1889–94.
1891
12 September. About two-thirds of the eastern side of Middleton
Hall Bridge was washed down. Reported on 14 January, 1892, as
being satisfactorily rebuilt. C.C. Minutes, 1889–94.
1899
2 June. Application by the vicar of Middleton to enclose a space
which was open to the main road and had hitherto been used as a
playground, and which the vicar desired to add to the churchyard.
Agreed to. C.C. Minutes, 1899–1900.
1911
3 March. The work in connection with the strengthening of
Middleton New Bridge (8 ft. 3 ins. wide) by a ferro-concrete saddle
was commenced on 10 April and the work is now going forward in an
expeditious manner. C.C. Minutes, 1911–12.