GILCRUX, a parish in ALLERDALK ward below
Darwent, county of CUMBERLAND, 5 miles (N.byW.)
from Cockermouth, containing 377 inhabitants. The
living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry and
diocese of Carlisle, rated in the king's books at £5. 14. 2.,
and in the patronage of the Bishop of Carlisle. The
church, dedicated to St. Mary, stands on an artificial
eminence, and is in the early style of English architecture.
The parish is bounded on the west by the
river Ellen. Numerous springs rise in the village, and
uniting form a considerable stream. There is also a
spring of saline water called Tom Tack, at a short distance
to the eastward. Coal is obtained in abundance,
and there are quarries of freestone in the parish. Joseph
Tordiff, in 1799, gave £800 .stock, in the three per
cents., producing £24 per annum, for the education or
twenty-four children.