KILLINGTON AND FIRBANK.

Firbank Old Chapel it is said can still be traced more than a mile away on the summit of a hill, occupying a "square about a quarter of an acre in extent surrounded by a wall. In it are some seven fir trees and five tombstones. The school was in one corner, signs of the doorway being still visible in the encompassing wall. From a piece of rock opposite, George Fox preached," when in 1652 a thousand people are said to have assembled. Nightingale, The Ejected of 1662, ii, 1002.

1622 Mr. Harrison curate of Killington contributed 5s. towards the recovery of the Palatinate of the Rhine, for the King's son-in-law. Lanc. and Cheshire Record Soc., vol. xii, p. 70.

1670–71 The following were fined for attending meetings at Sedbergh:— James Corney of Killington, 15s., Richard Parrott of the same 15s.; Joseph Baines of the same for himself and for Margaret Walker £1 15s. All which fines were levied by distress on their several goods and chattels. William Baines of Killington, for a demand of 5s. for Priest's wages had goods taken from him worth 14s., and Joseph Baines for a demand of 4s. had goods taken worth 20s.

In the year 1675, Joseph Baines, John Hodgson and John Yeates, all of Killington, were prosecuted for Easter Offerings and the said John Hodgson also suffered 13 weeks imprisonment at Kendal for tithes. In the same year William and Joseph Baines were cited into Richmond Court at the suit of John Wood, priest of Killington for wages, but before the Court-day came John Wood was taken sick and died under much trouble of mind. Alex. Pearson, Material for an account of K. Lonsdale.

1691 Nomination of William Stephenson, on the removal of the late curate from Firbank chapel, on 12 June, 1691. K. Notes and Queries, n. 1004.

1693 28 April. Thomas Airey of Birkfield in Firbank, yeoman, threw down a wall in the close of Thomas Thexton called Birkrigg whereby the highway through Reding and Myers closes was obstructed by diversion of a watercourse. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724.

1696 14 July. William Slater, curate of Killington (1675–1724), signed the anti-Jacobite "Association" formed throughout the Kingdom for the protection of William III. K. Indictment Book, 1692–1724.

1706 11 October. Certificate of the court that the house of Joseph Baynes of Stangerthwaite in Killington was licensed as a place for religious worship for the people called Quakers. K. Order Book, 1696–1724.

1730 10 April. Order to the high constables to view the highway leading to the west end of the public bridge known as Old Lune Bridge in Killington and contract for the repair of such part as lies within 300 feet of the bridge. K. Order Book, 1725–37.

1739 5 October. Indictment that all Shackley Bank Lane in a common and ancient highway lying in Firbank between the market towns of K. Lonsdale and Appleby is not well and sufficiently repaired but that the same is now in great decay and that by ancient usage the inhabitants of the township of Firbank ought to repair it. K. Indictment Book, 1738–50.

1742/43 14 January. Presentment that a footbridge in the King's highway over Bendrigg Beck leading from the market town of K. Kendale to the township of Killington is impassable for want of reparation so that the subjects of the King cannot pass over the said way without great danger, etc. Ibid.

1761 30 March. The dwelling house of Robert Richardson of Killington is certified to be a place of religious worship pursuant to an Act of Parliament, 1 William and Mary, entitled an Act for exempting their Majesty's Protestant subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the penalties of certain laws. K. Indictment Book, 1760–70.

1769 3 April. Rev. William Sclater, curate of Killington, took the oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and also the oath of Abjuration and subscribed the same according to law. Ibid.

1769 2 October. Presentment that there is a certain common and ancient highway leading from the market town of K. Kendale to the market town of Sedbergh and that a certain part of the same beginning at a beck near Capplethwaite and leading to Lincoln's Inn Bridge, containing in length 800 yards and in breadth 5 yards, was and yet is very ruinous, etc., and that the inhabitants of Firbank ought to repair the same. (K. Indictment Book, 1760–70). On 8 April, 1771, a certificate was produced that the same was in good and sufficient repair. K. Indict. Book, 1770–80.

1779 16 February. The Rev. Marwood Place, vicar of K. Lonsdale, has nominated the Rev. William Pearson his curate, to the perpetual curacy of Killington. Cumberland Pacquet.

1780 3 April. Order for the repair of Lincoln's Inn Bridge. K. Order Book, 1770–80.

1792 25 February. Died on board "The Hope," on her voyage from Antigua to Lancaster, Mr. Henry Pearson, merchant, son of the Rev. W. Pearson of Killington. His remains were preserved in rum and brought home to be interred at K. Lonsdale on Wednesday se'nnight. Alex. Pearson, Material for an account of K. Lonsdale.

1808 12 July. John Garnett, curate of Firbank, did take the oaths of allegiance, supremacy and abjuration and subscribed the same according to law. K. Indictment Book, 1808–1809.

1811 The Act for inclosing lands in the township of Killington, comprising some 2349 acres, was passed in 51 George III, c. 140.

1811 7 October. Order, by which the boundary between the Manors of Firbank and Killington set out by the Commissioners, is quashed; and the boundary set out on plan produced by landowners of Firbank confirmed. K. Order Book, 1811–17.

1817 14 July. Order to repair the Westmorland end of the bridge called Lincoln's Inn Bridge. K. Order Book, 1817–24.

1822 15 July. The Award of the Commissioners appointed for inclosing certain lands within the township was inrolled. K. Indict. Book, 1817–24.

1828 17 October. On the Roll of this Session is filed a certificate that the house of Richard Ward of Firbank was intended to be opened and used as a place for the assembling of a congregation for religious worship for Protestants. K. Order Book, 1824–34.

1830 21 August. The Rev. Robert Wilkinson, assistant curate of Killington has been nominated by the Rev. Joseph Sharp, vicar of K. Lonsdale, to the perpetual curacy of Killington, void by the secession of the Rev. William Moore. (Local Chron. 81). On the 7 January following he took the oaths of allegiance, supremacy and abjuration and made the Declaration required in lieu of the Sacramental Test and subscribed the same. K. Indict. Book, 1824–34.

1842 4 September. Firbank Chapel opened after being rebuilt. Annals of Kendal 300.

1850 4 January. Rev. William Clarke took and subscribed the usual oaths and Declaration on his institution to the Perpetual Curacy of Firbank. K. Order Book, 1839–76.

1904 3 June. Resolved that the rebuilding of the northern cut-water on Lincoln's Inn Bridge, at a sum of £285 payable equally by the two counties be approved. C.C. Minutes, 1904–5.