Pennington

Ancient parish in Lonsdale hundred, Lancashire North of the Sands, including mining village of Swarthmoor.

Acreage:

2,845 acres [1,151 ha], including 1,163 acres [471 ha] of common land on Pennington Moor and Swarthmoor, enclosed 1827

Population:

rising from 273 in 1801 to 489 by 1851, then rapid increase to 1,698 by 1881 as a result of expansion of iron mining. Declined from 1,501 in 1901, to 1,333 in 1961 but recovered to 1,794 by 2001.

Landownership:

manor of Pennington held by Pennington family from 12th century, descending through that family to present (see Muncaster).

Economy:

farming; small-scale slate quarrying; lime-burning; gravel digging in 19th century. Iron ore mining at Lindal Moor and Carkettle by 1799; rapid expansion in mid-19th century; all mines had closed by 1914. Reservoirs supplying water to Barrow-in-Furness constructed 1879 (now used for fishing).

Places of worship:

medieval parish church of St Michael (deemed chapel under Urswick in 12th century); rebuilt 1826-7; heavily restored 1924-6. St Leonard’s mission chapel, Swarthmoor, opened 1883; lower floor used as working men’s institute and reading room; mission church no longer in use. Bethel Primitive Methodist chapel at Swarthmoor, built 1864; now Swarthmoor Methodist Church. Bible Christian chapel by 1888; closed (building later used as garage).

Schools and other institutions:

parish school recorded 1675. Replaced by public elementary school at Row Head, opened 1876; enlarged 1885; now Pennington CE Primary School. Parish poor house acquired under bequest from James Fell 1743; sold 1866 and inmates transferred to Ulverston Workhouse. Hospital for infectious diseases established at High Carley 1884; County Sanatorium added 1916; closed 1984. Pennington Memorial Hall built c.1947.