An Account of the Seats and their Situation in the Chappell of KIRKBY IRELETH As allotted to the Tennants thereof

September 1725

(BD/BUC 52/7/2-4)

INTRODUCTION[1]

                Churches generally became filled with pews during the 17^th century - prior to that some had benches, but the majority of parishioners stood. Church pews were normally boxed, with the inevitable disputes over positioning being settled at parish meetings. It became the custom, particularly in rural parishes, for the right to sit in a particular pew to be regarded as part of the property of the farm or cottage; in this way, the social structure of a parish was formalised during a church service, with the most prominent seated nearest to the pulpit. The boxes were for the exclusive use of the owner, some of whom held more than one to accommodate members of their households (servants) who were expected to attend church on Sundays. The practice disappeared during the later 19^th century, with the present seating arrangements commonly dating from the period 1840-90.

North Side & ye East end

1            George BROCKBANKE Junior

2            John CLIBRANE

3            Thomas NUBY

4            Obadiah CRAGG

6            Mr. BENSON

7            Mr. Wm. HART

8            George BROCKBANKE Cler.    Chr. HART’s Estate

9            Thomas POSTLETHWAITE

    10            The Curate

South side & East end

1              John WAYLES

2              George BROCKBANKE Cler. High Estate

3              Thomas WAYLES

4              Mr BENSON

5              Thomas JACKSON

6              John BROCKBANKE

7              Thomas WOODBURNE 

8              Mary GRICE – Wm. GREENUP’s Estate

Names of present Owners of Seats in IRELETH CHAPEL

1853

North Side – East End

1              Mrs. CASSON

2              Mrs. MASON

3              Mr Joseph SHARPE

4                             do

5              Pulpit

6              Gregson FELL Esquire

7               Mr. Robert W ASHBURNER

8              Mr Jno. TODD

9              Jno. CHAPMAN

10            Curate of Ireleth

South Side – East End

1               Mr Jno. TODD

2               Jno. KITCHIN

3               Jas. B CHAPMAN

4               Gregson FELL Esquire

5                              do

6                Miss ASHBURNER – Ulverston

7                Mr Robert W ASHBURNER

8                Richard CHAPMAN Junior

Neil Hudson

November 2010