The book follows the Grisenthwaite name through time from available medieval documents (with kind permission of the Duke of Devonshire Archives, Chatsworth House), and early Wills and displays some never before seen Manorial Court Records. Mention is made of John Grisenthwaite who was ‘with bowe furnished’ in 1581/2 against the Scottish raiders - Castle Sowerby in Cumberland was near to the Scottish Borders and consequently was frequently under attack.

The Grisenthwaites are tracked from the 16th century through to ‘Grisenthwaites on the move’. We discover the first Grisenthwaite who moved from Greystoke, Cumberland to Liverpool and so the start of the Liverpool branch. Later from Cumberland and also Lancashire some Grisenthwaites started relocating to America and further afield.

Listed in the book are stories of some of our ‘better known Grisenthwaites’ – one Liverpool Grisenthwaite transported to Australia nearly 60 years after Captain Cook first sighted the Australian coast in 1770; One Grisenthwaite who confessed to a murder that never was…..; and many more stories.

The stone masons/quarrymen and builders are detailed who moved and lived in Penrith, including William Grisenthwaite and his sons who built a considerable number of properties in Penrith using local sandstone, and also many fine buildings throughout Cumberland and further afield. William employed over 200 men in the 19th century.

Early Yorkshire ‘Gristhwaites’ are also mentioned in the book. The book is dedicated to all Grisenthwaite soldiers who died in WW1 and WW11.

The book is priced at £15 plus postage and packing, and can be bought through me, Jean Grisenthwaite – please email j.watson125@btinternet.com.

There is also a Facebook page about the book:
https://www.facebook.com/grisenthwaite.history

Jean Watson