The Grahams of Netherby

Mentioned in the Carlisle newspapers very frequently, from the parliamentary reports to the social engagements of the family, these are just a few of the mentions of the Grahams. Sir JRG Graham, being a politician, received a fair amount of criticism, depending on the political leanings of the newspaper involved. Disagreements between Sir James and his tenants were also frequently heard in the Carlisle newspapers. November 1st 1806CJSir James Graham of Netherby Bart. passed through this city on Thursday last for Rippon, to stand his election for that place.August 14th 1813CJOn Tuesday last, Sir James Graham of Netherby, Bart. in consequence of his eldest son coming of age, gave a grand entertainment to a select party of neighbouring gentlemen, at his beautiful seat. Sir James?s numerous tenantry and others, amounting to 1700 people, also partook of their much respected landlord?s hospitality, in the true English Style. After and during dinner, the guests were liberally supplied with good ale, brewed when the young gentlemen was born, and other refreshments.August 21st 1813CJThe prisoners in our gaol return their most grateful thanks to Sir James Graham Bart. of Netherby, for the assistance accorded by his benevolent donation of 3L, in consequence of his eldest son attaining the age of 21; which has been equally divided between the felons and debtors.October 3rd 1818CPThe ordinaries during Race Week have been well attended. Among the company was the recently elected member for Hull. He received very general attention; his health was given soon after the removal of the cloth. Mr Graham returned thanks with much energy and grace? Whatever temporary connections he might elsewhere form, he could never forget that he was born and bred a Cumbrian, and it was on Cumberland that his hopes, his fortunes and affections were concentrated.July 17th 1819CPMarriages - The 8th inst. in Baker Street, by special license, JRG Graham Esq. MP for Hull and eldest son of Sir James Graham Bart of Netherby, to Fanny Callandar, youngest daughter of James Campbell Esq. of Ardkinglas. The Duke of York gave away the bride and the Duchess and a numerous company of high quality were present at the ceremony.January 6th 1821CPWithin the last 10 days the house of JRG Graham Esq. MP at Croft Head, near Netherby, has been on fire no less than three times, and on Wednesday it was rather alarming. No trace of its origin has been discovered. The Butler, who was formerly in the service of HRH the Duke of York, was discharged on Wednesday night.(The paper ran an apology the following week, stating that while the butler had been the cause of the last fire, it was not started wilfully, and he had been due to leave his employment in a few days anyway?)December 7th 1822CPSir James Graham, Bart of Netherby, has forgiven all arrears of rent due over his whole estate, up to the current year, and had granted a reduction, varying from five to thirty percent, according to the circumstances of each case, for two years certain.April 17th 1824CPDeaths - At Netherby, On Tuesday the 13th April, Sir James Graham, Bart, aged 62.April 23rd 1831CPCaptain Charles Graham, brother of Sir James Graham, is confirmed in his rank as Captain of his Majesty?s ship Rattlesnake.May 14th 1831CPMore additions to the splendid promenade and exhibition of Waxworks now exhibiting with increased approbation in the Theatre, Carlisle:The Right Honourable Sir JRG Graham, Bart.J Springthorpe, artistRespectfully announces that influenced by the great satisfaction the figures of their Majesty?s king William IV and Queen Adelaide had provided to the Friends and Public, and in consequence of numerous solicitations for a figure of Sir JRG Graham Bart. of Netherby, MP for this county, he is happy to say he has succeeded in getting one, which JS pledges himself may be depended upon as being a good resemblance of him?June 3rd 1831CPSir James Graham, as First Lord of the Admiralty, has appointed his brother, George Graham Esq. his private secretary in the room of Edward Stewart Esq.September 17th 1831CPGraham?s Island(Malta)The Vice Admiral during the late cruise of the squadron visited and examined the sub marine volcano, named Graham?s Island, and finding it in a quiescent state, stationed his majesty?s ship Ferret there, to make vessels acquainted with its existence?We do not see why a Mediterranean Island should receive what the ancient lords of that sea would call so barbarous a name as Graham. If it resembles the gentleman who stands as father in law on the occasion, its fires will soon be burnt out and its salt discovered to be anything but Attic?(JRG Graham, as First Lord of the Admiralty, had an island named after him)November 1831CPCarlisle Post Office(An editorial concerning the recently appointed Post Master at Carlisle)The individual who has filled the place for some years is a partner in an extensive manufacturing concern, which has lately become bankrupt? the old Postmaster is dismissed from his place and his place filled up by ? Aye, by whom do you think? By some meritorious officer of the Post Office?? But no, merit has never been much of a passport to Whig patronage, as this transaction very much proves! Yet, we ask again, who is the lucky recipient of this Whig honey fall? It is the first cousin of the First Lord of the Admiralty.Fergus James Graham, first cousin to the Right Hon. Sir JRG Graham Esq? has just been created, at the request and through the influence of the said Sir JRG Graham, Bart. ? Post Master of Carlisle. O the blood of the House of Netherby! ?(And a lot more in the same vein!) Alas poor county of Cumberland, what think you of your idol now?January 7th 1832CJA quantity of oatmeal was distributed in Christmas week to the poor residing in Arthuret and Kirkandrews on Esk by direction of Lady Graham, and last week the finest heifer upon the Croft Head farm was killed and distributed amongst the poor of the same parishes by order of Sir James Graham.December 18th 1841CPWe are informed during the recent visit of Sir James Graham to Netherby he has provided abundant employment for the labourers of the district, by the diversion of various water courses. Upwards of 50 persons, all of them we understand parishioners, commenced working on Monday last, in cutting a new line from Fauld Bridge to the River Esk, under the superintendence of Mr Bushby? it is very probable that the number engaged will be increased to 80 workmen, who will include some of the weavers of the district, who are at present out of employ.January 21st 1843CPFire at Netherby HallAbout half past five o?clock on the evening of Thursday last, a fire broke out in the Great Hall in the magnificent mansion of Sir James Graham at Netherby. It is supposed to have originated from a flue passing near some wood work, and for some time fears were entertained for the safety of the building, but by the active exertions of the servants on the premises, and more particularly of Mr Smith, the head gardener, who brought his garden engine, well supplied with water, to bear on the fire in its earliest stage, the flames were subdued with comparatively trifling damage.We understand that the mansion is insured in the Sun Fire Office, and the company, with their accustomed liberality, have directed that the sum of £10 should be distributed amongst the servants as a mark of their approbation of their activity and promptitude in extinguishing the fire.February 2nd 1850CPNetherby Rent AuditOn Tuesday last, on the occasion of the half-yearly rent audit, Sir James Graham entertained about eighty of his tenants at the Grahams Arms, Longtown. The Right Hon Baronet presided and Mr Brown, the steward, occupied the vice chair, Capt. Graham RN, the Rev W Graham and Mr F Graham, Sir James?s son, were also present.There was the usual Old English hospitality, and Sir James was very affable and in buoyant spirits? He met his tenants with pleasure; it was indeed a duty where an adverse cloud seemed to hang over agriculture. He could not but remember that in 1822, when the management of the estate devolved upon him, that then, as now, there were complaints, not only of low prices, but heavy local burthens. Matters soon righted, and doubtless would do the same now: at all events, all the rates were much reduced and habits of economy had grown up. None of his tenants had made an application to him for a reduction of rent. In saying this, he must not be understood as having, from that fact, drawn an inference that his tenants were prosperous, all he meant was, they had taken a view of the present state of agricultural prices similar to his own - that they were under a cloud which would only be of a temporary duration, and that they had the reliance upon him that when the proper time arrived, he would meet them in a state of equity?(account of the present state of agriculture). With regard to the question of rents and to the system of making per centage reductions, he held it to be bad in principle. It was destructive of the independence of the tenant, and placed the good and bad farmer on the same footing, and in fact operated as an inducement to indolence. He would rather wait the result of the present measure, and if the effect should be to reduce prices permanently, it would then become the duty of landlords to meet their tenants in a spirit of fairness, and make such a readjustment of contracts as would be just towards all. He had not asked for increased rents in 1847, when prices far exceeded ordinary calculations, and the tenants had shown equal forbearance towards him?August 3rd 1851CPThe bobbin factory at Longtown, the shell of which has been erected by Sir Jas Graham, and which will be worked by Waters and Co, a company from Manchester, is now completed and the machinery is expected to be in motion in a few days. The work has been completed under the superintendence of Mr Walter Graham, and gives great satisfaction to all interested in the concern.Tall chimneys are therefore established at Longtown on the estate of the Right Hon Sir James Graham Bart MP. In a speech on the Corn Laws question on the 23rd March 1839 he said (we quote from a pamphlet): ?What (said the Right Hon Baronet) is to become of the agricultural labourer when he is thrown out of employment? You talk glibly of the transfer to manufacturing employment, but what cruelty, what suffering, lie under the smooth surface of these gently flowing words? A change of home, of habits, of manners, of nature, of life itself. A change from the breezy call of incense breathing morn to the sad sound of the factory bell. From the balmy air of heaven and the voice of the earliest birds to the foetid atmosphere of a workshop and the perpetual clack of the spinning jenny and the shuttle? from the rural walk, the innocent enjoyment of the rural Sabbath, to the pestilence, the vice, the temptation and the sorrows of congregated multitudes?? -The tall chimneys of Longtown do not harmonise with the Right Hon Baronet?s rhetoric.

The Grahams of Netherby

Netherby Estate