The Wildridge-Dalzell Nexus of Moor Row: An Eighteenth-Century Land Foundation for Industrial Ascendancy
I. Introduction: Establishing the Wildridge-Dalzell Nexus in West Cumberland
The connection between the Wildridge and Dalzell families in West Cumberland represents a significant instance of land tenure and social mobility in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The focus of this investigation is Moor Row, a community historically located in the parish of Egremont, and the role of Thomas Dalziel, recorded as a "Gardiner," whose marriage secured the family's foundational estate.
I.A. The Geographical and Historical Context of Moor Row in the 18th Century
In the latter half of the eighteenth century, the West Cumbrian landscape around Moor Row was fundamentally agrarian. Situated on Cumbria's coastal plain, Moor Row was not yet the significant industrial centre it would become later; rather, it consisted primarily of "scattered farms and farmhouses". This modest landscape contrasts sharply with its later development as a hub for iron mining, epitomised by the Montreal Mines, which became major producers in the region during the nineteenth century.
The Dalziel family's early residential history reflects this sparse geography. Thomas Dalziel and his wife, Elizabeth, initially resided in Moor Row, where their elder children were baptised in the parish of Egremont until 1772. However, around 1772 to 1773, the family relocated to Stockhow Hall, situated closer to Ennerdale Bridge within the sprawling parish of Lamplugh, where their subsequent children were baptised. This dual residency demonstrates the family's access to multiple properties and resources across the region.
Crucially, despite the move to Stockhow Hall, Moor Row retained paramount importance to the family, functioning as a primary economic asset. Evidence for this enduring significance is manifest in the detailed plan Thomas Dalziel commissioned of his landholding there in 1798. Furthermore, both Thomas and Elizabeth ultimately returned to reside at Moor Row, where they died just months apart in 1818. The continuity of Moor Row’s importance, despite the residential shift, indicates the inherited land was viewed as the primary, long-term economic base, providing stability and capital for future generations.
I.B. Overview of the Core Genealogical Link: The Marriage of Thomas Dalziel and Elizabeth Wildridge
The foundation of the Dalzell family’s wealth and subsequent social prominence rests entirely on the marriage of Thomas Dalziel and Elizabeth Wildridge. This union took place by Licence on January 9, 1768, in St. James' Church, Whitehaven.
The critical economic dimension of this marriage was the pre-existing land tenure of the Wildridge family. Elizabeth Dalziel (née Wildridge) inherited several parcels of land in Moor Row from her father, John Wildridge, whose Will explicitly left this property to his daughter. This inheritance provided the newly formed Dalziel family with a substantial asset base, enabling them to be deemed "respectable" and "comparatively wealthy," a status confirmed by their ability to afford gravestones, a signifier of being above the "labouring class".
At the time of the marriage, Thomas Dalziel’s occupation was recorded on the licence as "Gardiner". This professional designation, in combination with the Wildridge land acquisition, sets the stage for the family’s strategic management and later industrial exploitation of the Moor Row estate.
II. The Wildridge Family: Foundation of the Moor Row Estate
The Wildridge family's contribution to the Dalzell lineage was the provision of land, a critical, non-liquid asset that dictated social standing and economic opportunity in eighteenth-century Cumberland.
II.A. John Wildridge and the Vestiges of Property Ownership
The mother of the Dalzell children, Elizabeth Wildridge, was the daughter of John Wildridge, whose wife, also named Elizabeth, was buried at St. Bees in 1766. The genealogical record confirms that John Wildridge held ownership of significant property in Moor Row.
The legal transfer of this wealth is established through John Wildridge's Will, which explicitly detailed that the land was to be left to his daughter, Elizabeth. This inheritance of "several parcels of land in Moor Row" was the indispensable financial and geographical foundation for the Dalzell family's subsequent wealth. Land ownership in this period was the single most important factor determining a family’s status and access to future capital, serving as a catalyst for their eventual social ascent.
II.B. The Critical Timing of the Inheritance
The chronological sequence of events underscores the significance of the Wildridge land. Elizabeth Wildridge’s mother died in 1766, and the inheritance from John Wildridge was formalised prior to Elizabeth’s marriage to Thomas Dalziel in January 1768.
Because Elizabeth brought tangible, documented real estate into the marriage, Thomas Dalziel was instantly elevated in status. This move placed the Dalziel family, regardless of Thomas's specific profession, within the propertied class of West Cumberland, distinguishing them sharply from those who relied solely on wages or tenancy. The continuity of tenure over centuries is later echoed by the naming of a modern residential area in the village.
III. Thomas Dalziel, Gardiner: Status, Estate Management, and the 1798 Plan
The occupation of Thomas Dalziel, the "Gardiner," is central to understanding the family’s initial integration into the landed gentry structure of Cumberland, particularly how he managed the newly acquired Wildridge estate.
III.A. Analysing the Occupation of "Gardiner" in Georgian Society
The designation of "Gardiner" must be interpreted within the context of 18th-century social hierarchy, not as a simple labouring profession. Evidence indicates Thomas Dalziel possessed significant social standing: his marriage required a licence, and he signed the register with an "ornate, well practised signature," demonstrating a high level of literacy and education.
Expert historical commentary confirms that during this period, being a gardener was "a very prestigious activity," often making them the equivalent of the chief of outside staff, responsible for managing the appearance of the estate and, therefore, symbolising the owner’s wealth and status. When Thomas Dalziel’s professional prestige is coupled with the fact that he was managing his wife’s freehold estate, it becomes clear that he operated as an independent landowner and skilled professional, rather than a mere wage-earner. This combination of inherited land and professional skill allowed the family to secure their position within the propertied class.
III.B. Evidence of Land Development and Consolidation at Moor Row (1798)
Thomas Dalziel's management of the Wildridge land in Moor Row is documented by his proactive steps to formalise and develop the property. In 1798, he commissioned a detailed plan of his landholding there. This action itself indicates serious, professional land management, potentially prompted by the necessity of formalising his holdings due to impending "Inclosure legislation".
Crucially, the 1798 plan included details of the house and "what would appear to be a laid out garden or plant nursery". This evidence provides empirical confirmation that Thomas was utilising the Wildridge property for high-status horticultural or commercial purposes consistent with his occupation. The presence of a "plant nursery" implies that Thomas Dalziel was likely a commercial grower or entrepreneur, producing specialised, valuable goods for the market (such as plants or trees for local estates), rather than merely tending a small, private kitchen garden. This activity generated wealth and elevated the family’s status beyond that of simple farmers.
The shift in the land's utility, moving from the prestigious horticulture established by the Gardiner to the industrial extraction by the next generation, is a key element of the family's history. The following table summarises the documented evolution of the Moor Row estate tenure and use:
Provenance and Utilisation of the Moor Row Landholding
| Owner/Steward | Time Period | Acquisition/Basis of Tenure | Primary Land Use/Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Wildridge (Father) | Pre-1766 | Ownership by Will; established freehold. | Parcels of land in Moor Row. |
| Elizabeth Wildridge (Daughter) | 1766 – 1768 | Inheritance via father’s Will. | Basis of the Dalziel family’s status. |
| Thomas Dalziel (Gardiner) | 1768 – 1818 | Management through marriage/ownership. | Detailed plan (1798) showing laid-out garden or plant nursery; agrarian prestige. |
| Rev. Anthony Dalzell (Son) | Post-1818 | Inheritance/Gifting; legal exploitation. | Transition to industrial mining; obtained mining licence. |
IV. Establishing the First Generation Dalzell Dynasty (Thomas and Elizabeth, d. 1818)
The progeny of Thomas and Elizabeth Dalziel established the family lineage that would eventually dominate the local industrial economy and civic life of Moor Row.
IV.A. The First Generation Family Structure (1769–1780)
The family’s baptism records document their movement between Egremont (Moor Row’s parish) and Lamplugh (Stockhow Hall’s parish). The earliest documented children, Margaret (1769), John (1770), and Anthony (1772), were all baptised in Egremont. Following the family’s move, William (1773), Robert (1778), and Betty (1780) were baptised in Lamplugh.
Genealogical study notes a significant gap in the regular baptism sequence between 1773 and 1778, which aligns with the estimated birth period of a potentially unrecorded daughter, Frances Dalzell.
The continuity of the family’s status is permanently recorded on a substantial memorial stone found at St. Bridget's Church, Moresby. This stone, carved after 1862, traces five generations, beginning with the founders: "Thomas Dalziel Born 1739, Died April 18th 1818" and "Elizabeth Wildridge His Wife Born 1737, Died December 11th 1818," confirming their burials at St. Bees Priory. The presence of such a detailed monumental inscription underscores the family's sustained wealth and concern for public memory.
IV.B. The Legacy of the Name: Dalziel to Dalzell
An interesting element of the family's historical trajectory is the evolution of their surname spelling. The first generation, including Thomas (the Gardiner), consistently used the spelling "Dalziel" or "Dalziell".
However, the change to "Dalzell" began among their children, appearing on memorial stones and formal records between the 1820s and 1840s. This shift in nomenclature from the older Cumbrian spelling to the standardised ‘-ell’ version signifies a desire for social conformity and assimilation, reflecting the family’s increased professionalisation and integration into the established English gentry class, particularly those pursuing careers in the church or civic magistracy.
Table 2: The Children of Thomas Dalziel and Elizabeth Wildridge
| Child’s Name | Baptism Date | Baptism Location (Parish) | Primary Role/Inheritance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Dalziell | March 22, 1769 | Egremont | Earliest documented child. |
| John Dalziell | August 11, 1770 | Egremont | Eldest Son; Farmer at Stockhow Hall. |
| Anthony Dalziell | January 11, 1772 | Egremont | Second Son; Cleric; inherited/managed Moor Row land. |
| William Dalziel | July 4, 1773 | Lamplugh | |
| Robert Dalziel | September 27, 1778 | Lamplugh | |
| Betty Dalziel | August 20, 1780 | Lamplugh |
V. Land, Legacy, and the Industrial Transformation of Moor Row
The wealth secured by the Wildridge land inheritance and managed by Thomas Dalziel, the Gardiner, proved transformative for the second and third generations, pivoting the family from agrarian prestige to industrial leadership.
V.A. The Second Generation: The Cleric, the Farmer, and the Land Pivot
Thomas and Elizabeth’s estate was successfully passed down to their sons. John Dalzell, the eldest son, took over the agricultural centre at Stockhow Hall, appearing in trade directories as a farmer.
The pivotal transition in the family's economic strategy was executed by the second son, Reverend Anthony Dalzell. Anthony received a professional education, attending the University of Aberdeen and subsequently being ordained as a deacon (1795) and priest (1796) before becoming the Perpetual Curate of Clifton parish in 1804. Critically, Anthony either inherited or was gifted the Moor Row land, the original Wildridge estate.
The significance of the land asset became apparent when Rev. Anthony Dalzell utilised its mineral potential, obtaining a licence to mine iron ore on the Moor Row property. This action represented a fundamental shift from his father’s management focus—horticulture and farming—to industrial extraction. This transition underscores the fact that the 19th-century professional gentry, even those in the Church, were fully integrated into the industrial economy, strategically exploiting their land holdings to maximise commercial returns.
V.B. The Industrial Apex and Geographical Memorialisation
The Dalzell family’s influence peaked during the mid-nineteenth century, coinciding with Moor Row’s dramatic expansion. The village grew substantially as the Montreal Mine became a prodigious producer of iron ore, yielding up to 250,000 tons annually.
The third generation representative of this wealth was Thomas Henry Dalzell J.P., the son of Rev. Anthony Dalzell and grandson of Thomas the Gardiner. Thomas Henry Dalzell served as a Justice of the Peace and was instrumental in the family’s civic and industrial standing. His authority and the family’s long-standing connection to the land led to the naming of the main thoroughfare in the burgeoning village: Dalzell Street. This permanent inscription on the urban landscape confirms that the Wildridge inheritance, formalised and managed by the Gardiner, had successfully transformed the family into industrial proprietors of lasting local significance. By 1885, the Dalzell estates—which covered parcels of land along the road to Woodend, Gutterby, Frizington, and Aspatria—were extensive enough to be run by family trustees.
Table 3: The Wildridge-Dalzell Family Social Trajectory (1768-1887)
| Generation | Key Individual | Primary Occupation/Role | Social/Economic Status Achieved | Legacy in Moor Row |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (Acquisition) | Thomas Dalziel (and Elizabeth Wildridge) | Gardiner (professional land manager/owner) | Comparatively Wealthy, Literate, Landed. | Original land plan (1798) showing garden/nursery. |
| 2nd (Consolidation) | Rev. Anthony Dalzell | Cleric (Perpetual Curate) & Land Owner/Miner | Professional Gentry, Land Exploiter. | Obtained licence to mine the Moor Row land. |
| 3rd (Ascendancy) | Thomas Henry Dalzell J.P. | Justice of the Peace & Mine Owner (implied) | Civic Authority, Industrial Magnate. | Dalzell Street named after him. |
VI. Enduring Geographical Markers: A Dual Legacy in Modern Moor Row
The impact of the Wildridge-Dalzell connection persists in Moor Row’s contemporary nomenclature, representing a historical recursion that links the modern community back to its eighteenth-century agrarian foundations.
VI.A. The Dual Nomenclature: Dalzell Street and Wildridge Drive
Moor Row maintains two distinct geographical markers that honour the family lineage:
- Dalzell Street: Named in the 19th century, this street is a testament to the family's industrial and civic peak, particularly associated with Thomas Henry Dalzell J.P..
- Wildridge Drive: This is the name given to a contemporary, small residential development of 19 new homes in Moor Row.
VI.B. The Significance of Wildridge Drive
The resurgence of the Wildridge name in modern land development is highly symbolic. The deliberate choice of "Wildridge Drive" suggests that the developers recognise the historical significance of John Wildridge’s original land tenure.
The continuity in the landscape's nomenclature, from the 18th-century garden plan to the 19th-century industrial thoroughfare (Dalzell Street), and finally to the 21st-century residential development (Wildridge Drive), illustrates the profound and long-term economic effect of the strategic land ownership secured by the Wildridge inheritance and managed initially by the literate and propertied Thomas Dalziel.
VII. Synthesis and Conclusion
The genealogical and historical investigation confirms a definitive, nuanced connection between the Wildridge family and Moor Row, established through the gardener, Thomas Dalziel. The research demonstrates that Thomas Dalziel was not merely a labourer, but a "Gardiner" of high status, capable of commissioning detailed land plans and possibly operating a commercial plant nursery on his own or his wife’s land.
The Wildridge family's role, through John Wildridge's Will, was to provide Elizabeth, and subsequently Thomas Dalziel, with the fundamental resource: freehold land in Moor Row. This inherited asset provided the family with the wealth and social standing necessary to endure the agricultural changes of the late 18th century and, crucially, to participate in the lucrative industrial economy of the 19th century.
The subsequent Dalzell generations, exemplified by Rev. Anthony Dalzell, utilised the Wildridge land strategically, transforming it from prestigious horticulture to profitable industrial extraction via iron ore mining. This commercial success propelled the family to civic authority, permanently memorialised in the landscape through Dalzell Street and, centuries later, Wildridge Drive. The Wildridge inheritance was, therefore, the essential prerequisite for the Dalzell family's transformation from the propertied class of Georgian Cumberland to leading industrial proprietors.
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| Thomas & Elizabeth Of Moor Row Illustration |
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