Author: HarrietP
Journalist and amateur genealogist
The Popular Educator – and lessons for women
The Popular Educator was a series of heavyweight books published by the firm of Cassell, Petter and Gilpin, of the delightful address La Belle Sauvage Yard, London. Founded by John Cassell, the books... Read More
Notice to quit – the Hutton John estate
‘I hereby give you notice…’ In fairness, when A F Huddleston, of Hutton John, signed the slip of paper in August 1857, it did give his tenants seven months’ notice he wanted them out of their ... Read More
Cholera, flu, whooping cough: welcome to the 1830s
Cholera, influenza, the 1830s saw epidemic succeeded epidemic across the UK. And Cumbria was no exception. Epidemic, pandemic, lockdown, social distancing… 2020 has shaken the world and Mankind’s ... Read More
‘Most atrocious deed’: the Longburn murders
The Longburn murders of 1808 rocked Cumberland and beyond, for the way a man shown kindness ‘repaid’ it with brutality against two defenceless victims. Recorded in stone A gravestone near ... Read More
Restitution of conjugal rights: the deserted spouse
‘Restitution of conjugal rights’ sounds a strange thing for a deserted wife or husband to seek to obtain from the courts. But in 1913, when the wife of a Cumbrian war hero petitioned for restituti... Read More
The Penrith death roll for 1895
‘The Penrith death roll for 1895’ sounds a dry title, but it has some interesting facts and figures. And led Cumbrian Characters to discover a tale of broken hearts, one of late love, and ... Read More
William Allen Ure: Cumbrian kindness
William Allen Ure wasn’t anyone extraordinary. His story is just one of kindness by a local community, and a small puzzle as to how things ‘worked’ in the early 1870s. As the main illustration s... Read More
Carlisle Central School vs the Industrial Revolution
Carlisle Central School, in the early years of the 19th century, was set up to counter ‘the pernicious effects’ of the Industrial Revolution. A worthy (if perhaps self-interested) venture, it also... Read More