Egremont Miscellanea - 2

EGREMONT'S CHURCHES

St. Marys Egremont

Egremont's first Parish church was originaly a Norman structure built circa 1130.  by the first Baron of Egremont and for the first 100 years it was a chapel of  ease within the parish of St.Bees; after this time Egremont became a parish within its own right and a larger church was built incorporating the original Norman church into the chancel. This building was demolished between 1195-1214 and it was replaced with an Early English style church.

This mediaeval church consisted of two side by side churches separated by a partition wall; one dedicated to St.Michael and the other to St.Mary. In the 17th.century this beautiful gothic style church was improved to give additional space for the expanding population when the partition wall was removed and more widows added.

In 1741 this church had a gallery added [extra seating?] at a cost of £32 and further changes were made in 1752.

The Rev.Thomas Benn, who died vicar of Millom, in 1743, bequeathed the interest of £25 to be given to the poor in bread at the church, but in 1900 this amount is now given in coals or clothing by the church-wardens.

In 1847 the Church, dedicated to St. Mary, a neat edifice, consisted of a nave, chancel, and square tower, containing two bells. The interior is well pewed, and has a handsome appearance; the outer waits are plastered, and the whole of the church, except the eastern end, is greatly disfigured by tasteless modern alterations.  "The chancel, a mere recess with a rounded east end, is an unsightly projection of modern date.  'the font is stone, and of an octagonal figure: it bears marks of antiquity, but is painted."

This configuration lasted for about 130 years but the internal arrangements had reached a dangerous condition such that in 1880 the whole church had to be pulled down.

So in 1881 the existing Church was partially demolished and replaced with todays church using the same site at a cost of £8000 which will take a congregation of 705 persons. The bell tower, which added an extra 42 feet to the height of the building, was added in 1901 with a peel of 8 bells at a further cost of £1150. The church registers start in 1630. This church  was built on the same site by local mason John Smith (1842-1915) from local stone taken from his quarries at Bank End.

The Roman Catholic Church in Egremont started from small beginnings in a rented cottage in Rafferty street catering for the needs of the growing Irish community in the district, both church and school, who were attracted to work in the expanding iron ore mines. This arrangement did not last long as more space was needed so a room on the upper story of the Coop building was rented for four years to serve as both church and school. The first purpose built church was opened in 1872 at the top of Brewery lane. This, in turn, was superseded by larger church in 1907 and was built of timber with a corrugated iron roof. Today's church was opened in 1960.

A Methodist Chapel was built in 1821 which in turn was replaced by the Weslyan Chapel in 1873 that seated a congregation of 450 people and a United Methodist Chapel, built in 1893 in the gothic style, at a cost of £2,500 to seat 150 people.

St.Johns at Bigrigg was opened in 1880 as a chapel of Ease which had a sitting for 200 people at a cost of £2600.

GENERAL INFORMATION

There is in the town a Parochial school rebuilt in 1844, and now endowed with about £6. per annum  Mr.Robert Railton is the present master.

In 1846, a young men's Improvement Society was established here, and has now about thirty members, who pay 2d. per week each.  There are a few or the London newspapers taken in, and its utility is beginning to be duly appreciated.  About half a mile from the town is Gillfoot, the pleasant seat of Thomas Hartley, banker.
Gas lighting in the town stated by the local gas company was installed in 1853.

Egremont became a Local Government District Council in 1879 and then an Urban District Council in 1894. At the same date the Castle along with 15 acres of surrounding land was transferred from St.Bees - Lowside quarter to Egremont.

The railway in the shape of the Whitehaven, Cleator & Egremont Railway, arrived in the town in 1857. This small railway eventually became part of the London & North Western Railway in 1878 and then onto the Furness Railway.

The Town cemetery was opened in 1864 on an 8 acre on the north side of the town.

The Mechanics Institute with 150 members and a library of 3000 books was opened in about 1840, & the Oddfellows Hall opened in 1861.

THE MARKET SQUARE

The drinking fountain that was found in the Market Square was erected in 1904 as a gift of Alexander Cook of Chicago, USA; a native of the town, who had made a gift of £200 for the work.

Alexander Cook of Egremont & Chicago, 1832-1910
The termination of a life so full of goodness and generosity is greatly mourned by those who knew him in the town of his birth, as well as by those who have known him so long in Chicago, and profound sympathy is felt by his many friends at home and in Egremont with the bereaved wife and family in their great loss.

It was the custom of the late Mr Alexander Cook, which took place at his residence, 3835, Lake Avenue, Chicago, on the 20th September, to send £20 a year to the late manager of the Cumberland Union Bank, Egremont (Mr James Muncaster) to distribute amongst the poor of Egremont at Christmas, and his friends. He was a regular contributor to various institutions in the town of his birth. To none did he give more regularly than to the Egremont Bowling Club, and his gifts of Cumberland hams have been contested for with enthusiasm. The last was won this summer by Dr Calderwood. Since his old friend, Mr Muncaster died the benevolence of Mr Cook was carried out by Mr Henry Hartley, who is now himself in Chicago, having gone there in the spring of this year. Six years ago Mr Cook had a granite fountain erected at the old market cross, which bears the following inscription:

"Presented by Alexander Cook, Esq., Chicago, to his native town, A.D. 1904." It is to be regretted that Mr Cook himself never had the pleasure of seeing the fountain which will help to perpetuate his memory. There was no more patriotic Cumbrian to be found in the United States than Mr Cook. Whilst a loyal American, he had ever a warm corner in his heart for the people amongst whom he was born, and it is not a little remarkable that whilst Mr Cook dwelt in the great capital of the Far West.

Mr Cook was the son of Lawson Cook, who was born at Egremont, Cumberland, in 1831. He was the youngest of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. His father died at the age of 45, and left him and two brothers (too young to provide for themselves) to the care of the late Mrs Jane Cook, who lived to a good old age, and to whom Mr Cook was always affectionately devoted, and whose declining years were passed in great comfort through his filial care. He has been heard to say that the first money he was able to save he sent to his mother. When in his teens he went to Ulverston to join his brother (the late John Cook, of Ulverston, humorist), who carried on business for a short time in his native town.

About 1848 his brother William, who served his apprenticeship at Gibson's Thread Mills, Egremont (late High Mills), went to America and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. There he commenced the dyeing and cleaning of wearing apparel, in which business he was soon firmly established.

 In 1852 he sent for his brother Alexander, and taught him the trade. During his residence in St. Louis, Mr Alexander Cook became acquainted with Mr McLain. They commenced business as dyers and cleaners at 96, Dearborn Street, Chicago, near to the stores they have occupied for so many years. Both excellent business men, they have stuck to each other through life, and the business has grown to be the largest of its kind in the United States. Every State in the Union send clothes, &c., for them to dye and clean. This business made them rich, and Mr Cook's fortune was greatly increased by his judicious investment in real estate in Chicago and its suburbs when the place was in its infancy, and land could be bought very cheaply.

He held on to his land during the financial straits that the city passed through, and paid taxes on a portion of it that brought him no revenue for 30 years, in the hope that it would be valuable some day, which hope was realised after the great Chicago fire of 1871. His land then brought a very high price, and some fine residences then belonging to himself and others have been built thereon. The firm, "Cook and McLain," was the oldest partnership firm in Chicago. Mr Cook married an English lady named Tarley, a native of Sussex. They have had nine children - five sons and four daughters - to whom he was devotedly attached. His first return to England was in 1860, when he brought his wife and three sons with him. He paid the old country many visits after that and made many friends during his sojourn, with whom, previous to his death, he kept up a friendly correspondence. He always cherished a kindly remembrance of those who were the friends and neighbours of his father and mother in his youthful days. To some of them he rendered periodical and timely aid in their declining years, and to the end of their days. The writer can bear testimony to his many acts of benevolence and generosity to the charitable institutions and deserving poor of his native town.

"The Daily News of Chicago says: Mr Alexander Cook, president of the Cook and McLain Company, dyers, 54, Dearborn Street, was found dead in bed at his home 3835, Lake Avenue, after heart failure".

The remains of the deceased gentleman, who was in his 78th year, were laid to rest at the Oakwood Cemetery, Chicago, on the 2nd of September. There was a large attendance of friends and relatives preseri't to pay their last token of respect to the deceased, including the following Egremothians: Mr James Hartley, Mrs McIntyre, Mr and Mrs J Cook, Mr W H Muncaster, Mr T Muncaster and Mr J White. The deceased had been in failing health for some time, more especially since the death of his partner, Mr McLain, in November last, which he felt very keenly indeed.

Whitehaven News:  October 1910

THE NICHOLSON FUND

This is a copy of a letter written to a local newspaper in response to a request for information concerning the Nicholson Fund. It was written by a Nicholson then resident in Chicago, USA, who signed himself - Just another Egremont Nicholson.

"Just another Nicholson wondering - my grandfather benefited by the fund, my father was ineligible because he was not a member of the Church of England but the late John Lindow told him to 'tak that sacrement yonce and he wad qualify' - but not for Joe the methodist preacher. I was born in Cleator, March 1858, father a native of Egremont, mother of Cockermouth. Lots of Nicholsons in Egremont; some in my time were Joe the school attendance officer, Johnny the bailiff, the original 'Bum' Nicholson, Isaac who kept the herbalists shop on Main street, Jacob the carpenter - or should I say joiner, John the pig butcher at two bob a pig, and others. Surely you could get some interesting stories from their bairns. The only one I know today is my cousin Mary, who for over 70 years has lived on Main street nearly opposite the railway station."

As the writer says there are plenty of Nicholson's in Egremont, but did it not strike him as rather strange that the only one who could reply to my query concerning the Nicholson Fund in Cumberland should be a Nicholson from Chicago?

THE FOUNDING of the NICHOLSON CHARITY

The Following is a section of the PCC Will of John Nicholson a stationer of London

Proved 7 June 1717 by William Bishop of Carlisle, Joseph Nicholson* apothecary, William Nicholson brother of the deceased and Robert Nicholson four of the executors power reserved to Joseph Nicholson clerk son of the Lord Bishop of Carlisle.

I John Nicholson citizen and stationer of London first of all in a thankfull remembrances of many mercies I have received I resign my soul into the hands of Almighty God etc.etc.
Secondly my body I desire may be buryed either in the church or churchyard of St.Botolph near Aldersgate as Mr. Charles Freeman the present minister of the said parish shall think fit.
The manner of my funeral I leave to the discretion of my executors desiring that not more than twenty of my friends may be invited thereto and that they do give to each of them a gold ring of the value of twenty shillings .......................

"The rest and residue of my estate I give in charity towards the support and maintenance of such poor persons of the Kindom of England as shall appear to be of or called by the name of Nicholson being Protestants and I desire this my charity to be regulated in the following manner one hundred pounds per annum to such poor persons men or women of that name towards their advancement in marriage to each of them fifty pounds no more than fifty pounds to be given to any one couple so marrying another hundred pounds per annum I give towards putting to apprentice such poor boys and girls of the name of Nicholson or towards setting them up one hundred pounds towards the support and maintenance of such poor men and women of the name Nicholson as my trustees shall direct and not more than ten pounds per annum and not less than £5 per annum be given to any one person and to this part of my will I refer to a paper under my hand now lying in my closet and I appoint the following Persons to be my trustees viz William Lord Bishop of Carlisle Mr [blank] Nicholson son to the Bishop Mr John Nicholson * apothecary in Salisbury Court my brother Mr Will: Nicholson of Burleigh and Mr Robt Nicholson the Kings Pewterer now dwelling at the corner of Catherine Street in the Strand to these trustees sole and joynt executors 28 April 1717

This information was provided by the late C.Roy Hudleston & Margaret.M.Russell.

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Nev.Ramsden December 2013