Other Memorials to Longtown Residents
This page is to record memorial inscriptions for Longtown residents who died or were commemorated elsewhere.
Memorial in Carlisle Cathedral
This Grateful Memorial is erected by Public Subscription of
Hugh James Esq MD
Who practised PHYSIC with eminent skill for many years in this city. Providence largely recompensed the loss of sight in early life with talents which raised him to distinguished reputation in his profession and more abundantly blest him with a disposition ever prompt to succour poverty and pain. The study of his art which shewed him the weakness and uncertainty of life, taught him to meditate deeply on the Works of God and animated his faith in a merciful redeemer.
He died 20th of September 1817 in the 45th year of his age.
His remains were interred in the Parish Church of Arthuret in this county.
Note: from the Carlisle Patriot September 27th 1817
On Saturday morning at his house in Castle street in this city, Hugh James Esq. MD aged 45, youngest son of the Rev. Dr James of Arthuret in this County - a man whose loss will be equally and deeply regretted by both rich and poor; to the former he was a welcome and an engaging companion; to the latter a warm and steady friend whether in health or on the bed of sickness. Dr James was a member of a most respectable and most amiable family who have resided in this neighbourhood for a long series of years. Educated with great care, and travelling for experience, he acquired a skill which elevated him to a very high rank in the scale of his profession... Disregarding personal emolument, he was ever ready to hasten to the relief of the poor as well as the rich, and thousands can testify how carefully, how anxiously he enquired into their maladies and necessities, and how readily relief followed the knowledge of distress.
Some years ago Dr James was visited by one of the severest afflictions which can befall human nature - the loss of sight... but notwithstanding this great privation, he pursued his profession even with increased success...
The grand sphere of his usefulness was in his capacity of Physician to the Dispensary... here it was that the poor repaired in their trouble, and they always found the assistance and counsel of Dr James. It was in the attendance of a poor patient that he contracted the malignant distemper that terminated his valuable life in a few days. He had the satisfaction of being attended in his illness by his early and intimate friend, Mr Bell, surgeon of Edinburgh, who with the medical gentlemen of Carlisle, constantly and anxiously watched over him and did all that skill is capable of performing... To his mother, his brother, his sisters, his near friends, his loss must be severe indeed! and his loss to the public - to the poor- we cannot even hope to see repaired.
Old Kirk Yard Langholm
In memory of Walter HOPE, Portioner in Langholm, who died 5th May 1785 aged 73 years. And Janet IRVING his spouse, who died 21st October 1778 aged 66 year. And six of their children, who died in infancy. Also of Ralph HOPE, Merchant in Longtown their son who died 30th March 1802 aged 62 years. Also of Janet daughter of John HOPE and relict of James GEDDES who died in Langholm 16th March 1855 aged 77 years. Also her sons: John GEDDES, who died in Manchester. And James GEDDES late of Bombay who died at his residence Langholm Lodge, Bridge of Allan, on the 18th of June 1876 aged 72 years
Erected in memory of William LITTLE Innkeeper Longtown who died at Dumfries Jan 15th 1834 aged 50 years. Elizabeth WILSON his spouse who died at Carlook Jan 12th 1842 aged 64 years. Also Agnes LITTLE their daughter who died March 29th 1846 aged 21 years.
Carlisle Journal Jan 18th 1834
At Longtown suddenly on Tuesday last, Mr Little of the Graham’s Arms Inn in that town.
From the Carlisle Patriot Jan 29th 1842
At Brownlee Cottage near Glasgow on the 3rd inst Mrs HAMILTON late of the Buck Inn Langholm and the Grahams Arms Inn Longtown, aged 64 years.
Wauchope Cemetery Langholm
In memory of Jane FOSTER wife of James BELL who died 25th July 1896 aged 75 years. Also John their son, who died at Longtown 3rd August 1869 aged 8 years, and was interred in Arthuret Churchyard. Also the above James BELL who died 26th February 1907 aged 83 years. Also Joan IRVING wife of James BELL Junr who died 5th May 1909 aged 58 years. Also the above James BELL who died on the 24th June 1925 aged 74 years.
Dacre Churchyard, Cumbria
Sacred to the memory of John IRVING late of Carlisle, who died August 21st 1878 aged 65 years. Also of William James youngest son of the above who died at New York January 8th 1891 aged 35 years.
August 23 1878 Carlisle Patriot
Death of Mr John Irving
He would be something more than a cynic who yesterday heard unmoved that Mr John Irving had passed away. In the heyday of his influence, lasting over many years, he filled a foremost place in the little circle of Carlisle affairs; and his power, so far as power could be wielded through the medium of municipal agencies, was unsurpassed, and almost unchallenged. He was connected with most, and the originator of many, of the public movements of the last thirty years; he was twice Mayor of the city; his energy, his ability, his resources, were unbounded, and were displayed in a hundred directions. It would be strange indeed, therefore, if the intelligence of his death were received indifferently by those with whom he acted, and by those with whom he struggled in other days.
Mr Irving had been for some time in failing health. Latterly he lived at Soulby, a pretty village which overlooks part of Lake Ullswater. On Wednesday afternoon he was able to sit outside in the garden, where his daughter read to him the chief items of the day’s news. On returning indoors, he was observed to be weaker, but no immediate alarm was felt. He lay in the sitting room, and medical aid was sought, but unavailingly. He died shortly after ten o’clock at night, without the least apparent pain, and without the slightest obscuration of his intelligence. He was in his 66th year.
Mr Irving was a native of Longtown, and he served his apprenticeship with Mr Robert Allison, grocer, English Street, Carlisle. In 1835 he began business on his own account, in the shop at the end of Ferguson’s Lane, which he occupied for nearly forty years. In 1838, we believe, he was elected a member of the Town Council by the citizens of St Cuthbert’s Ward, whom he continued to represent throughout his public life, except for a short period, when he was ostracised on account of his Corn Exchange scheme. To follow his course forward would be to recount the whole of the municipal and not a little of the political history of Carlisle in that time. From the first, the unfailing confidence which was a part of his nature, the practical talent, and the charm of a happy and strong character, secured his ascendancy among the local party to which he belonged, and through which he worked out his objects, often with the spirit of an autocrat. His success in dealing with pliable materials led him on several occasions into blunders, as when he tried in 1857 to oust Sir James Graham from the constituency, and when, on the occasion already referred to, he hoped to carry through his plan of a Corn Exchange. But in general his sway was complete; nor was it to be wondered at, for he always furnished his party with a plausible reason for their proceedings, which they were not apt at furnishing for themselves.
Lord Beaconsfield has said that a leader, in order to attract and retain the loyalty of his followers, must provide them plenty of game. Mr Irving’s fertile ingenuity always supplied the Blues with game. In the Council his tact and cleverness were never at a loss; he was not a fluent or connected speaker; but his adroit manner of dealing with figures especially would extort admiration even from those who were indignant at what they believed to be the one-sidedness of his demonstration. He was the author of the Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway and Dock project, which was first launched in 1853, but for which Parliamentary sanction was not obtained until 1855, Mr Irving being a principal witness in its support. Three or four years later he took a leading part in agitating for an extension of the North British system from Hawick to Carlisle. Later still he was prominently associated with the extension of the line from Settle to Carlisle, and subsequently, when the Midland Company sought to drop their Bill, Mr Irving organised the local forces to thwart them. Amongst other things that may be mentioned, he was the real projector of the Viaduct which was finished last year.
As we have said, in order to detail the events of his public career, we must go over the municipal history of Carlisle during a quarter of a century, and that we have no mind to do. Nor do we care to revive personal controversies which must still be fresh in the memory of most people. Prudence rarely held him back from conflict, and in the course of many conflicts his public conduct provoked comment which was often severe. In much that he advised he was beguiled by his sanguine temperament, in following the behests of which he was as ready to stake his personal means as he was in calling upon his friends and the public; hence, though he made some notable strokes, as in the acquisition of the Newtown estate and of the great factory in Shaddongate, he was never a wealthy man. Indeed, his over-sanguineness in large things, ignoring doubts and difficulties, neutralised all the keenness which operated so remarkably upon business details. In private life Mr Irving’s unaffected and unvarying geniality was most winning; no gloom could withstand its ray; wherever he was, he diffused the influence of his own gaiety and good-humour. Sensitive as he was, proud-spirited as he was, the most painful of all human experience was reserved to the last. At a time when the genuine metal of friendship is tested in the furnace, he felt the slights of men who had once been proud to obey his beck, and discovered with bitterness how many there are
“whom you make friends, and give your heart to,
when they once perceive the least rub in your fortunes
fall away like water from you, never found again
but when they mean to sink you.”
The remains of Mr Irving will be interred on Monday in the churchyard of Dacre.
Churchyard, Gretna
In memory of James IRVING of Bottonfell, who departed this life 21st January 1826. James his son who died at Longtown 5th December 18- - age 35. And Jane ROME, his spouse, who died 12th January 1834 age 81.
Orford Churchyard, Suffolk
In affectionate memory of Anne TINNING of Chillesford Lodge formerly of Oakbank Cumberland .Born 24 July 1804 Died 13th November 1877 Asleep in Jesus
(Also mentioned on the family gravestone at Arthuret. Thanks to Anne Hollingshead for recording this one)
Kirkpatrick Fleming Church, Dumfriesshire
In Memory of Robert BROATCH Late Farmer in Pedderhill, who died at Longtown 16th April 1833 aged 67 years. Also Margaret his Daughter who died at Loganhouse 3d June 1814 aged 7 Months. Also George his Son late Master of an Academy at Huddersfield who died at Pedderhill 22nd July 1832 aged 33 years. And Mary JOHNSTON his wife, who died at Nellsfield (?) 15th of Novr 1852 aged 82 years. Also Robert their son who died at Ecclefechan, 21st Octr 1842 aged 41 years. And Mary Daughter of the above Robert who died 23rd Aug 1864 aged 40 years. And of James, his son who died at Whitehaven 1st Sepr 1865 aged 29 yrs. And Janet FARRIES spouse to the above Robert BROATCH who died at Ecclefechan 4th July 1868 aged 68 years. And Robert their son who died at Glasgow 30th Septr 1869 aged 37 yrs. And William their son who died at London 9th Feb 1870 aged 36 yrs. And George their son who died at Ecclefechan, 8th March 1875 aged 48 yrs
Note: from the Carlisle Journal July 28th 1832
At Petherhill, on Sunday last, Mr George Broatch, aged 33. He was master at an academy in Yorkshire, and had gone to Petherhill for the benefit of his health.
From the Carlisle Journal April 20th 1833
At Longtown on Tuesday last, Mr Robt. Broatch, farmer, late of Pedderhill, at an advanced age.
In memory of Robert son of Matthew FARRIES and Mary BROATCH West Linbridgeford who died March the 11th 1836 aged 2 years and 4 months. Also Mary their daughter who died 19th July 1838 aged 1 year and 10 months. And the above Matthew FARRIES who died at Branteth 19th June 1871aged 73 years. Also Mary BROATCH his wife who died at Longtown 16th Septr 1883 aged 78 yrs. Also Mary, daughter of Robert FARRIES who died at Longtown 3rd June 1892 aged 24 years. Also Mary Irving, wife of the above Robert FARRIES who died at Longtown, 17th May 1903 aged 76 yrs. Also the above Robert FARRIES who died at 56 English Street Longtown on 21st April 1906 aged 78 yrs
Tower of Sark Burial Ground, Dumfriesshire
John MAVITIE Hillstown who died on 8 Dec 1768 aged 68 years. Also Mary MACVITIE his spouse died on 11 Sept 1768 aged 57 years. Also George MCVITTIE their son died 25 Feb 1801 aged 61 years. Also Mary MACVITTIE their daughter died Feb 1823 aged 77 years.
To the memory of Elizabeth PURDEM wife of Joseph McVITIE in Hillstown who died October the 15th1783 aged 29years. Also John their son who died May 19th 1806 aged 24 years. Mourn not for me dear friens. . .
Robert McVITTIE who died Firs June 20 1885 aged 80 years. Joseph son of Robert and Isabella McVittie who died at Roadend March 1882 and Isabella wife of Robert died .. 1854 aged 29 years. Also Thomas their son who died June 1865 aged 29 years
(Reverse) In memory of Joseph McVITTIE of Hillstown who died the 12 March 1806 aged 55 years and George his son who died the 16th of March 1800 aged 4 years Also Margaret his wife who died at Roadend March 14 1831 aged 64 years.
In memory of Jane Daughter of George and Mary McVITTIE who died April 4 1831 aged 18 weeks
(Thanks to Robbie Wilson for these)
Lamar Cemetery, Texas
(For details of this cemetery see http://www.rockport-fulton.org/frames/Lamar.htm)
George R LITTLE died Sept 13 1865 aged 44 years. Sleep on dear father and take thy rest God called thee home he thought it best. Sarah A LITTLE died Dec 10 1863 aged 37 years. Sleep on dear mother and take thy rest God called thee home he thought it best.
Carlisle Patriot, Nov 18th 1865
At Lamer, Retusis County, Texas, Sept 10th 1865, Mr George Little, eldest son of the late Mr Halliburton Little of Mallsgate, Stapleton, aged 41 years.
(Many thanks to Sarah Reveley for this photo)
Geelong Eastern Cemetery, Australia
Mary IRVING granddaughter of James BELL died 18 Oct 1862 aged 18 years.
Mary Irving was the granddaughter of James Bell, grocer of Longtown and his wife Isabella,and was brought up by them in Longtown. She is also mentioned on their gravestone in Arthuret.Thanks to Pam Jennings in Australia who sent me this photo.
