SOWERBY (TEMPLE), a chapelry in the parish of
KIRKBY-THORE, EAST ward, county of WESTMORLAND,
7 miles (N. W.) from Appleby, containing 371 inhabitants.
The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Carlisle, endowed with £ 500 private
benefaction, and £400 royal bounty, and in the
patronage of the Earl of Thanet. The chapel, dedicated
to St. James, is a handsome structure of red freestone,
with a square tower and portico, rebuilt and enlarged,
in 1770 at the expense of the late Sir William Dalston.
There is a place of worship for Independents. The village,
situated on the river Eden, which is crossed by
a bridge rebuilt in 1748, is considered to be the neatest
in the county: it consists of two spacious streets of
well-built houses, with several commodious inns, and
near it are many handsome villas inhabited by genteel
families. Fairs for sheep and cattle are held here on
the last Thursdays in February, March, and October, and
on the second Thursday in May. The Knights Templars
had a preceptory here, which, when suppressed in 1312,
was given to the Knights Hospitallers.