England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Seathwaite Holy Trinity

The Parish

The chapelry of Seathwaite, its mother parish being Kirkby Ireleth, lies in that portion of Lancashire known as "Lancashire-over-the-water" north of Morecambe Bay. Seathwaite is located deep within the Lake District National Park some 17 miles north of the market town of Ulverston and 4 miles west, over mountains, from the A593 road which links Broughton in Furness with Coniston. Seathwaite forms part of the county's border with neighbouring Cumberland. Seathwaite is a tiny upland farming community lying towards the head of the Duddon Valley, a scatter of farms and cottages together with church and inn. Much of the land is upland grazing home to the iconic Herdwick sheep of the area. Today, however, most visitors come to Seathwaite for outdoor activities, it is the prime location for hiking the Coniston Fells from the west, a quieter access than that from Coniston. The Duddon is frequented by fishermen and the Walna Scar track to Coniston is one of the mountain bikers challenges. Seathwaite is drained southwards by the Duddon which passes into the Irish Sea through its own estuary to the east of the industrial town of Millom. Seathwaite is sited at around 110 metres above the sea at its tiny church, it is surrounded by some of the majestic fells of Lakeland rising to 803 metres to the east at the Old Man of Coniston, the highest ground around. The chapelry had around 10,300 acres of Kirkby Ireleth assigned to it of which some 2,000 acres is described as "good land", the remainder being upland pasture and rough fell, that acreage would have supported a population of close to 200 parishioners. This far to the north in western England Domesday Book has no coverage consequently Seathwaite is not mentioned within it.

The Church

Holy Trinity church sits a few hundred yards up valley from the Newfield Inn on the eastern side of the river-side lane. Sadly the current building is not that in which these marriages would have taken place being a Victorian replacement built in 1874. The tiny chapel is built in the then once gain fashionable Early English Gothic style with lancet style windows but little else to attract Pevsner who's account is merely 6 lines of text. The chapel is famous for being that of Reverend Walker who probably holds the record for longest serving incumbent serving for almost 67 this tiny and tough community. The lane passing the church is very narrow so a careful parking slot must be sought to prevent blockage for farm vehicles. The churchyard is open and uncluttered with no obstacles for the photographer.