Hornby in 1839
Hornby is in Lonsdale hundred, south of the Sands, 9 miles north-east of Lancaster, and in the parish of Melling ; the chapelry of Hornby contains 2,290 acres, with a population in 1831 of 383 : the population had decreased in the preceding ten years owing to families removing to the manufacturing districts. The town is on the banks of the river Wenning, near its junction with the Lune. Hornby Castle, near the town, the ancient seat of the Stanleys, Barons Monteagle, is now fitted up as a modern mansion. In the neighbourhood are some remains of a fort ascribed to the Saxons, and of an ancient religious house. The chapel is a neat building with an octagonal tower. The market, held every alternate Tuesday, is well attended : it is chiefly for cattle : there is a yearly fair. The living is a perpetual curacy in the archdeaconry of Richmond and diocese of Chester, of the clear yearly value of £92. There were in the chapelry in 1833, two day-schools, with 44 children, and one Sunday-school, with 40 children. |