"FOOT" - St Bees Parish.

[*Sandra*]

Hello Emms,

Just received the text of the 1683 will but all it says is "The rent of a parcel of land called Mowgarth in Sandwith and the rent of the Seacoate tenement with bought land. The rent of a tenement called Foot of ye town of Sandwith"

This is roughly the text/wording in the 1746 Will.

"Closes or parcels of land called the Highfields, situated in the township of St Bees to be sold.  Also the dale or parcel of land called Cross lying in the townfields of St Bees and the barn, homestead and garden at St Bees Townhead and the houses and garth at the foot of St Bees called Lowca Houses"

Regards
Sandra

[emmsthheight]

Hi Sandra

How exciting!  Now that is a different lettle of fish completely!

As soon as you mention Sandwith it's much easier to narrow it dow.  Sandwith is a hamlet between St Bees and Whitehaven near Rottington - a popular walk from the town years ago. 

It goes almost to the edge of the old Marchon chemical works land, but there's an amazing web site for a modern study if I can find it, with photo's of the old communities.

So these words belong to Sandwwith, not St Bees.

Just going to look up a couple of things but might be tomorrow.

Best wishes

Emms

[Geoff-E]

Townhead is at the north end of Sandwith http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=296472&Y=514832&A=Y&Z=115

[emmsthheight]

Hi Goeffe Sandra

I gave up in the early hours when I'd found the map!

Happy memories walkin g in this area!

Sandwith would have been more of an independent community before thje expansion of Whitehaven not to say the chemical works. There was a post office and pub.

Croft Foot is still actually in Sandwith.  The only thing otherwise I can think of is over the fields where the land drops off to the cliffs - or the bottom of the cliffs where there has been a dwelling and eventiually a beach house - links comiong up.

There's also a Townhead, but it looks from the text like thew one Goeffe found.  I'll look for some more maps in here, and the other sites.

Best wishes

Emms

[emmsthheight]

Hi

Croft foot is actually on here.

http://www.cumberlandestateagents.co.uk/buying/property/whitehaven_WHI100537

[Geoff-E]

Croft foot is actually on here.

That particular house can be seen along the alleyway here http://tinyurl.com/653bk6p

Croft Foot obviously encompasses the whole hamlet/farm buildings.

[emmsthheight]

Hi Goeffe

Thank you!  You're evidently much better at Streetview than I am!  There was another Sale advert which gave the cottage a number so it was evidently one of a group.

 I looked on oldmaps and found Sandwith and Croftfoot, but it's so cumbersome to move around, I never got far enough to really check for anything else likely closeby.

I think this little arae is fascinating!

By the way, I think my beachhut or it's forerunner is out - the one I was thinking of is under St Bees on

pastpresented.info/index.htm

It's a great site for a feel for this area -though Sandwith isn't a major part.    However, the people would have been greatly affected by the topics covered.  Many workers drifted from agriculture among other areas into the mines and the information on the mines under the esa and thee life of the workers is brilliant.

There are some brilliant sites about shipping, but this site covers other sides of coastal life such as the beachhuts - really  small bungalows, and the cliffs and Fleswick bay.  Well worth a look.  Many aspects aren't covered on other sites.

Best wishes

Emms

[*Sandra*]

Hello Both,

Thank you very much. There are a few Sandwith connections for the families I am interested in pieceing together - so it will be interesting to uncover more. Awaiting more info on some wills from Preston but obviously the Records Office is having improvements which started yesterday and will close in June so my fingers are crossed I am able to get more information before June.

Regards
Sandra