History Whitehaven

1 history

1.1 tobacco , coal
1.2 people
1.3 town planning

history

whitehaven in 1873

although there roman fort @ parton, around 1.2 miles (1.9 km) north, there no evidence of roman settlement on site of present town of whitehaven.

the area settled irish-norse vikings in 10th century. area name of copeland, includes whitehaven, indicates land purchased kingdom of strathclyde, possibly loot ireland.

the priory of st bees owned village of whitehaven until henry viii dissolved monasteries in 1539. town s churches chapels-of-ease of st bees until 1835 when 3 ecclesiastical districts created in whitehaven. town largely creation of lowther family in 17th century. sir christopher lowther purchased estate in 1630 , used whitehaven port exporting coal cumberland coalfield, particularly ireland. in 1634 built stone pier ships load , unload cargo.

tobacco , coal

whitehaven’s prosperity during 18th , 19th centuries based on tobacco , coal. 1685, there ships plying between town , american colonies of virginia, maryland , pennsylvania. eighteenth century whitehaven trading approximately 10% of england’s tobacco business , middle of century thought second or third port tobacco according h.m. customs records of time. tobacco re-exported ireland, france, holland , other regions.

however, after acts of union 1707 scotland port of glasgow began take on whitehaven s tobacco trade. second half of 18th century there marked decline in shipping tobacco via whitehaven , led subsequently creation of glasgow s tobacco lords. 1820 customs collector did not mention tobacco in report on whitehaven.

whitehaven grew major coal mining town during 18th , 19th centuries , became substantial commercial port on of trade. daniel defoe visited whitehaven in 1720s, , wrote town had:

grown small place considerable coal trade, eminent port in england shipping off of coals, except newcastle , sunderland , beyond last. have of late fallen merchandising also, occasioned strange great number of shipping, , there considerable merchants; town yet young in trade .

by end of 18th century, whitehaven exporting coal ireland , replace tobacco trade whitehaven turned importing sugar barbados, cotton wool antigua , coffee , cocoa st lucia. there little evidence suggest whitehaven involved in slave trade. due coal trade whitehaven was, after london, second port of england in terms of tonnage of shipping 1750 1772. 1835 whitehaven still fifth placed port 443 ships registered, end of 19th century 68 vessels registered.

whitehaven during 19th century overtaken bristol, liverpool , glasgow. lacked transport network had been created canals in 18th century , hinterland industry, once cheaper coal available other areas, justify ships plying trade whitehaven.

people

john paul jones led naval raid upon town in 1778 during american war of independence; last invasion of england definitions.

the town has links many notable people: jonathan swift, claimed over-fond nurse kidnapped him , brought him whitehaven 3 years in infancy; mildred gale, grandmother of george washington; , william wordsworth, came town visit family.

town planning

whitehaven was, falmouth, first post medieval foundation in england. complete example of planned georgian architecture in europe , has been pursuing growth through tourism. whitehaven s planned layout streets in right-angled grid. james robinson officially credited original architect (including alex james) contest claim.

although sir christopher lowther purchased whitehaven son, sir john lowther, responsible growth , development. sir john acquired market charter in 1660 urban growth did not start until 1680s when laid out spacious rectangular grid of streets north east of existing tiny hamlet.

sir john specified houses 3 storeys high, not less 28 feet street level square of side walls, windows of first , second storeys transomed , same, doors of hewn stone. ample provision made gardens.

one block left vacant new church , in 1694 site given presbyterian chapel. of streets relatively narrow, ten yards, principal thoroughfare, lowther street, ran through town centre lowther family residence waterfront, laid out on more generous width of 16 yards. old chapel of whitehaven demolished make way lowther street, , materials used in building of new school town.

whitehaven castle built in 1769, replacing earlier building destroyed fire. in 1924, earl of lonsdale sold whitehaven castle mr h. walker, donated building people of cumbria, along monies convert hospital replace victorian whitehaven hospital. opening of new west cumberland hospital in 1964, castle became geriatric unit until forced close in 1986, owing fire regulations. has been converted private housing.