Crosby Garrett History & Directory

CROSBY GARRET PARISH consists of two detached townships, lying on each side of the chapelry of Soulby, and between the Eden river and Crosby fell, a lofty green eminence at the south-west end of the parish, below which the soil is a fertile loam resting on clay. The population in 1821 amounted to 273 souls, of whom 193 were resident in Crosby Garret, and 80 in Little Musgrave. The commons here are not yet enclosed, but afford good pasturage.

CROSBY GARRET is a good village, lying in a deep secluded vale at the foot of Crosby fell, 3 ½ miles W. of Kirkby Stephen. The CHURCH, dedicated to St. Andrew, stands on a steep eminence on the north side of the village. It is an ancient Gothic fabric was a nave, side aisles, and chancel, the latter of which is kept in repair by the successive lords of the manor, who have always been patrons of the rectory, which is valued in the king’s books at £19 4s. 4 ½d. and is now in the incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Bird. The living was certified at £47 2s. 6d. to the governors of Queen Anne’s bounty, who for its augmentation gave £200; which, with £200 given by the Rev. James Bird, was expended in the purchase of land near the church. A modus of twelve guineas a year is paid in lieu of the hay and corn tithes of Crosby-Garret, and £5 for those of Little Musgrave. The manor of Crosby Gerard, as it was formerly named after an ancient owner, was held during many ages by the Souleby and Musgrave families, from whom it passed to the Davisons, Gates’s, and Birds. The late Rev. Wm. Bird sold the manor and advowson for a term of three lives, and they are at present held by the Rev. Walter Islop. Within the manor are about forty tenements, of which a few are freehold, and the rest customary, some by indenture at an 18d. fine, and others arbitrary. The SCHOOL is endowed with about £10 per annum, arising from various benefactions.

LITTLE MUSGRAVE, a small village and township, partly surrounded by the Eden, which separates it from Great Musgrave. It is distant 3 ½ miles NE. of Crosby Garret, and 2 ½ miles SW. by W. of Brough. It maintains its paupers separately from the rest of the parish, and forms a manor belonging to the Rev. Sir. C. J. Musgrave, Bart. who holds a court here, where his tenants pay arbitrary fines.