Dillicar

Township in Kendal parish, but in Lonsdale ward, Westmorland; includes hamlets of Lowgill and Beckfoot. Absorbed into Grayrigg CP 1986.

Acreage:

1,121 acres [454 ha], including Dillicar Common (500 acres [202 ha]), enclosed 1853.

Population:

rising from around 80 in early 19th century to 135 in 1851; peak of 205 in 1861 (numbers inflated by railway construction), then falling back to 161 by 1871; continued to fall, dropping to 47 in 1981 (last census year for which separate figure available).

Landownership:

hamlet (by 15th century termed manor) of Dillicar held of barony of Kendal (q.v.). Held by Robert Laurence (d. 1439) and descended in Lawrence family until mid-16th century.

Economy:

agricultural until arrival of railways: London & North Western Railway (1848) and Ingleton line (opened 1861) met at Lowgill, where there was station with associated employment.

Places of worship:

Primitive Methodist chapel at Beckfoot (building dated 1872); closed; converted to dwelling.

Schools and other institutions:

school at Railway Terrace, Lowgill, built by railway company 1869; closed 1948.