Wigton in 1837
Wigton, which is a well-built town, seated near the Wiza, in a beautiful part of the county. It was burned by the Scots in the fourteenth century, when they plundered the monastery of Holm Cultram. The principal manufactures are checks, ginghams, and calicoes. Here are gas-works, extensive print-works, and a dyeing establishment. In 1725 an hospital was founded here for six indigent widows of episcopal clergymen. In 1788 a handsome new church was built. The Quakers, Independents. and Methodists have neat and commodious chapels. A Catholic chapel is now building. There are also an endowed grammar-school, a news-room, and a parochial library. Township population in 1831 was 4,885. The market is held on Tuesday ; a great market on St. Thomas's Day.
The Rev. John Brown, a distinguished writer, author of ‘Barbarossa,’ &c., was educated at Wigton. About one mile south of Wigton are the remains of a Roman station, called Old Carlisle. At Brookfield, one mile to the west, is a large Quakers' academy.
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