We had a visitor to the mill over Easter weekend whose sister, Jane Ottaway, had found one of our millers in her family tree research. This information is posted with the permission of her brother, Mark Godfrey:
Wilfred WRIGHT was born in 1800 in Aspatria, Cumberland and baptised on 29 March 1801. In 1826 he is recorded as a farmer in Torpenhow, Cumberland and on 29 May 1830 he married Mary Gram in Torpenhow.
In the 1841 census he is recorded as the miller at Acorn Bank Mill, Temple Sowerby, Westmoreland.
Wilfred was also a well-known wrestler (Cumberland & Westmoreland Rules).
Quote from ‘The History of Wrestling’
Cumberland and Westmoreland John Weightman of Hayton, Carlisle ring.
He was opposed, from the second round, by the following wrestlers, namely Thomas Lawman, Wilfrid Wright , John Robson of Irthington Mill, Joseph Robley and George Irving.
Quote from ‘Carlisle Characters’
On another occasion, when wrestling in Penrith fell with Wilfrid Wright, he said “Noo, Wif, I’s gaen to throw thee straight into yon furrow yonder!” and proceeded to do just that. Wright exclaimed: “Cush, man! I dudn’t think thoo cud ha’ deun’t hofe sa clean!”
Wilfred died on 18 August 1844 aged 44. He was still the miller at Acorn Bank Mill at the time. Cause of death is described as Apoplexy and instantaneous and there was an inquest:
Carlisle Journal Saturday 24 August 1844 (p. 3 col. 2-4)
INQUESTS (Before Mr. CARRICK, Coroner.)
At Penrith, on Tuesday last, on the body of Wilfrid WRIGHT, of Acorn Bank Mill, aged 44 years. The deceased came to the Griffin Inn on Saturday night last, and, after sitting in the kitchen for a short time, his left leg lost all power, so much so that he was obliged to have the assistance of the ostler in leaving his chair. At his own request he was removed to a stable, where he was provided with a sraw bed and sufficient clothing, and was waited on by the ostler at different times during the night. He rose at seven the next morning and walked down to the kitchen, having recovered the perfect use of his paralyzed limb. In a few minutes he returned to another stable, where, in the presence of the ostler, he fell forward upon the floor and died, almost instantly.
Verdict – “Apoplexy.” WRIGHT was a noted wrestler in Cumberland.
Apoplexy is defined as a sudden brain haemorrhage or stroke.
It is possible that an injury sustained through wrestling may have been the root cause of his early death.
