MUSGRAVE (GREAT) PARISH is a small district lying on the east side of the Eden, between Brough, Warcop, and the river Belo, and containing 188 inhabitants. The village is pleasantly situated on an eminence commanding a fine view of the picturesque vale, and distant two miles SW. of Brough. About one mile north of it, with within the parish, are the adjacent hamlets of FLEETHOLM and LANGRIGG. The CHURCH, dedicated to St. Theobald, is a small edifice, standing below the village, near to the river, and, as well as the rectory-house, is subject to inundation, for in the great flood of 1822, the water was a yard deep in both of them. A new bridge of two arches was erected here in 1826. In the church are many neat and several ancient monuments, on one of which is the figure of a shaven monk graved in brass. The rectory, of which the Bishop of Carlisle is patron, and the Rev. Richard Atkinson, A.M. incumbent, was valued in the king’s books at 16l. 1s. 11 ½ d., and afterwards certified at 48l.; but, about 1750, it was augmented with a small estate at Orton, let for 24l. per annum, and purchased with 200l. given by a late rector, Simon Pinder, and 200l. obtained from Queen Anne’s bounty. The late Rev. Septimus Collinson, D.D. Provost of Queen’s College, Oxford, and Prebendary of Worcester, gave a valuable service of communion plate to this church, in 1809; and by will in 1827, left 1500l. in 3 per cent. Consols, for the endowment of a FREE SCHOOL in this parish, to be conducted on the Madras system. His nephews and executors, the two Revs. John Collinson, of Gateshead and Lamesley, in the county of Durham, paid the legacy duty themselves, and also subscribed 300l. towards the erection of the school and master’s house, which have just been completed at Langrigg, where the Rev. and learned Dr. Collinson resided during his youth, till he was removed to Appleby Grammar-school. The Rev. Sir C.J. Musgrave gave the timber requisite timber for the buildings. The parish previously possessed a school endowment of 3l. per annum, and several small benefactions to the poor. Rush-bearing, an ancient custom of old Midsummer-day, had long been discontinued here, but on Dr. Collinson expressing a desire for this ritual amusement (which he had often witnessed here in his youth) to be revived, the parishioners complied with the wish of their liberal benefactor a few years ago, since which the ceremony has been annually performed, by from 12 to 18 couple of females dressed in their holiday garbs, and each bearing a garland of flowers, etc. to the village green, whence, after dancing with their favorite swains, they proceed to the church, where they hang up their garlands, and take down those placed there on the preceding anniversary. After hearing a sermon, the gay and youthful party is regaled with cake and wine at the Rectory, and the day is closed in the village with innocent merriment and rustic sports. Mrs. Hutchinson, aged 103 years, died at Little Musgrave, on the opposite side of the Eden, in 1819, and several other persons in the neighbourhood have lived to an extreme old age, a few of whom nearly reached their century.

The Manor of Musgrave received its name from the family which resided here for several ages, afterwards removed to Hartley Castle, and finally settled and now continues at Eden Hall in Cumberland. The Musgraves came to England with the conqueror, and soon afterwards obtained a grant of this manor, which they still hold. Many of them received the honour of knighthood; and one of them, Sir Richard Musgrave, was created a baronet in the 9^th of James I. The Rev. Sir Christopher John Musgrave, the present baronet, is lord of the manor, which is nearly all held by customary tenants, who pay arbitrary fines on change of lord or tenant, limited so as not to exceed two years’ value.

Great Musgrave Parish Directory - Marked 1, reside at Fleetholm; 2, at Langrigg; and the rest at Great Musgrave