Introduction Last month’s Sketch examined the history of the Turnpike Road in Casterton from when the Trust was first established in 1762 until the year before an Act of Parliament was passed in 1826 which inter alia legislated that a Toll Gate should be established in Casterton. I am indebted to the previous research by…
Introduction This sketch is about the Turnpike Road that passes through Casterton from the time that it was turnpiked around 1762 until 1825, the year before a new Act of Parliament was passed which legislated inter alia that a Toll Gate would be situated in Casterton. Next month, the Sketch will examine Casterton’s section of…
Introduction This sketch is about a building that is no longer there. The plot of land is on the site of the Village Green. Part of the footprint of the building was absorbed into the current road and footpath, apparently to help straighten the tight curve in the road just before the village hall and…
A Sketch of an 1846 Visit to Casterton Introducing Mr Fitzwilliam In May 1846, more than 175 years ago, Henry Fitzwilliam travelled from Leeds to Casterton, the place of his birth. He was an old man on a nostalgic trip, recording his visit in letters to a cousin in Leeds. Four of his letters were…
A Sketch of Gorah later Gowrey A Name Gowrey, or Gorah as it was called in its original location, is one of the oldest houses in Casterton. Robert Inglesfield, a grandson of the farmers who lived there after World War One, established that the original Gowrey was named ‘Gorah’ as early as in Greenwoods’ Map…
A Sketch of Casterton’s Roman Road The Romans Arrive In BC 55 and 54 Julius Caesar made two military forays into England but did not invade. In AD 43 the Roman Emperor Claudius ordered four legions to conquer Britain and in August of that year they captured the capital of the Catuvellauni tribe in what…
Old Hall – the first Casterton Hall Also referred to as Beckside Hall, Casterton Old Hall, Old Manor House No Record It is worth noting that Old Hall, or as it was known as at that time Casterton Hall, was not mentioned by the Reverend Thomas Machell (1647 – 1698), a clergyman and antiquary. He…
The Start of Family Life Norwood House, which was originally called Norwood Cottage, is a fine example of Georgian architecture built for a gentleman of independent means. The earliest definitive evidence of the existence of the house is in 1841, that year’s Census showed that 25 year old Dorothy Winster, James Eccles aged 20 and…
Arrival The Bownass family first moved into Casterton sometime after 1861 -at which time they were recorded in the census as living at Warton, Lancashire- but before 1869. In a newspaper report in 1956 reporting on Martha Bownass’ Golden Wedding anniversary, it is stated that Henry Bownass senior had been a coachman at Casterton School…
Simon Drakeford has put a good deal of effort into understanding the history of Casterton. Whilst we hope that this will bear fruit in articles for this website in due course, he has created an historical trail around the village which will be available from the Saturday of the Jubilee weekend. Route-finding instructions and historical notes…