Though the pressure of the poor rates appear to be as heavy here [in Cumberland] as in most other parts of the kingdom, it would still be much greater if its evils were not alleviated by the munificent posthumous charities that have been bequeathed at different periods…

Population of Wigton parish

1801 3357

1811 4051

1821 houses 991, families 1240, persons 5456

Wigton Parish is about 5 miles in length and three in breadth … On its western side is the river Waver, besides which it is intersected by several small brooks, and the Wiza rivulet, and contains a small lake called Martin Tarn, in which pike, perch and eels are taken. The land is generally low but possesses a dry and fertile soil, varying from loam, clay and gravel. Here is plenty of red freestone, but no limestone or coal. A spring called Hally-well, rises from iron ore; and near Kirkland is a ‘Spaw well’ said to possess medicinal virtues and also a powerful spring, which sends forth to the Wiza about nine gallons per minute. The parish contains four townships, of which the following forms an enumeration.

Wigton Parish	1801 persons	1811 persons	1821 houses	1821 families	1821 persons
Oulton twp	294	321	76	77	336
Waverton High and Low twp	375	409	89	89	477
Wigton twp	2450	2977	729	956	4056
Woodside Quarter twp	238	344	97	118	587
Total	3357	4051	991	1240	5456

 

Wigton, the capital of this parish and of the Deanery to which it gives its name, is a neat, commodious, and well-built market town, standing in a pleasant and healthy situation … The streets are tolerably spacious, and contain many good houses. During the last thirty years many improvement have been effected. The heavy and clumsily built shambles and market cross, which so much incommoded the market place, have been removed, and the site formed into a spacious square, with an ornamental cast iron pump in the centre. The late Mr T. Holmes erected several elegant buildings, which have greatly improved the eastern aspect of the town. The high roads in the vicinity are now in excellent repair, and some new ones were formed and several good bridges built about twenty years since, under the inspection of Mr T. Bushby. Since the year 1801, Wigton has nearly doubled its population, owing to the inclosure of the commons and the increase of its manufactures, which formerly consisted of tow-cloth, Osnaburghs, coarse linens, striped checks, and calicoes, but of late years fustians, muslins, ginghams, &c have been introduced. An establishment for the printing of calicoes was commenced at the Spittal in 1790 by Messrs. Brummell and Irving. Here are also three dyehouses, and three hat and five nail manufactories, besides several breweries, tanneries &c, &c… The town is supplied with coal and lime from Bolton about four miles distant … A market is held every Thursday and a Horse Fair on the 20 February and a fair for cattle and merchandise on 5 April.

Wigton church, dedicated to St Mary, is a large elegant fabric, which was built in 1788. There was a Free Chapel in Wigton, called the Hospital of St Leonard, but its founder is unknown.

The church is the only episcopal place of worship in the whole of this populous parish; but there are in the town four dissenting chapels viz. the Friends’ Meeting House, in Allonby Road; the Independent Calvinist Chapel, at Market Hill, built in 1819, and two Wesleyan Methodist Chapels, one of which is an old building, (erected in 1788) in Meeting House Lane, and the other is a neat edifice, built in 1828 in George Street.

The Hospital in Wigton was founded in 1725, for the reception of six indigent widows of Protestant beneficed clergymen … £9 per annum is paid to each of the six inmates, and 10s extra to the eldest, who is appointed governess. They each have three apartments in the hospital, which is a humble but comfortable edifice … The Workhouse for Wigton is in Old Lane. William Buttery is the governor and assistant overseer. The sum collected for the poor rates in 1803 was £727 3s 2d …

There is in the town a Master Mason’s Lodge, No. 614; and also a Royal Arch Chapter, No 156, besides a few small annual benefit societies.

Wigton Free Grammar School: The school room and master’s house were built by the Revd Robert Tomlinson in 1730, the parishioners being at the expense of leading the materials and providing the ground … The headmaster is regularly to teach the Greek and Latin languages, except on Thursdays when he is allowed to teach his own scholars writing, arithmetic, mathematics, history, geography &c… The school is free to the children of the owners or occupiers of the farms or tenements, whose former proprietors contributed either money, materials or labour towards its erection or endowment… Mr Robert Sumners is the head master, and Mr Joseph Scott the second master.

Here are two Sunday schools, one attached to the Calvinist chapel where 80 children attend, and one belonging to the church, where about 240 boys and girls are generally in attendance. The latter is a spacious edifice, which was built in 182o.

A lending parochial library was established at Wigton by the associates of the late Dr Bray in 1783 but the collection of books is not very valuable. Here is also a Subscription Library in Church Street and a Circulating Library at Mr Ismay’s in King Street. In the latter street there is likewise a Subscription News Room, and at the Calvinist chapel there is a Congregational Library, to which each member, on being initiated, contributes a book, and continues to pay a yearly subscription.