The last gift of this remarkable man was his own house, the home on which he had spent so much money and care and where he passed many happy years with his family. He handed it over even some time before his death for the use of a resident priest if he could find one willing to stay there. His wife had died in 1708 and after her death he more than ever sought the company of a priest who would remain with him as a permanent guest. Several came but only for a short time when they moved on or returned to their head quarter elsewhere. Very often Skelsmergh and Selside had visits from priests especially their own kinsfolk for both families, Leyburnes and Thornburghs had given several sons to the church but however long the visit might be none came to stay.

Eventually however his wish was granted. A zealous priest, Father Thomas Royden came into the district form Leighton Hall in Lancashire, was chaplain at Selside Hall for some time and was at length persuaded to make his home at Dodding Green. He was a Yorkshire man belonging most probably to an old family of Rawdon near Guisley a beauty spot of the Yorkshire Moors. He was educated at Douay where he was ordained and returned to England in 1692. His letters and notes give an intimate picture of the hardships and dangers of a priest’s life at this time – homeless, often friendless, spied upon, harassed and harried throughout the length and breadth of the land. Presently Thomas Fletcher, a notorious informer, discovered his whereabouts and was hot on his trial so that he dared not stay long in any place. He first came to Westmoreland about the year 1700 and towards the end of 1702 was established as a Riding Priest to Witherslack, Cunswick and Skelsmergh on an annuity left for that purpose by Dr. George Leyburne formerly President of Douay. Robert Stephenson mentioned him by name in a document dated 1702 but evidently became more intimate with him later since another deed dated 1708 was witnessed and signed by Father Royden. In time Dodding Green itself was conveyed in trust for the permanent residence of a priest who should live there and use the house for Divine Service, until the day should come that this might be done without risk or exposure. It is very singular that Stephenson repeatedly spoke of the future as free from penalties and restraints as though he foresaw that those days of harshness would pass and religious toleration would be established in the country. He looked forward to that time and planned for it.

In his deed Stephenson stated that it was his wish that the Rev. Thomas Royden should be the first to enjoy the possession and revenues of the estates during his natural life so long as he continued to minister in this district but after his death or voluntary retirement any member of the family of John Leyburne of Naitby or of William Thornburgh of Selside should be preferred if qualified by orders. Father Royden took up residence at Dodding Green about the year 1714 and continued to live there till his death. His patron Robert Stephenson died April 20^th 1723 mourned by all that knew him. His funeral was a big event in the district. He was carried by relays of bearers from Dodding to the Parish Churchyard. At various points of the journey waiting crowds of people joined the procession so that quite a large assembly attended his burial in the churchyard.

There is still to be seen on a house in New Road a plaster cast of a head which tradition asserts to be the head of Robert Stephenson. It shows a kindly benevolent face of an elderly man with flowing hair or wig, as was the fashion of the day. It was brought from Dodding Green nearly a century ago by a family devoted to the memory of this truly charitable man and attached to the front of their house where the face still smiles down on all passers by.

Father Royden lived another eighteen years at Dodding after the death of his friend. He died October 30^th 1741 and was buried not far from Stephenson’s grave, his stone being marked simply with his initials and the date. The entry in the church register reads "Mr. Royden of Dodding Green, Papist Priest.

His nephew, another Thomas Royden, who also was born in Yorkshire on February 1st 1705, succeeded him. At the age of fourteen following in his uncle’s footsteps he crossed over to Douay to study for the priesthood. After his ordination on June 11^th 1730 he remained another fourteen years at the college on the teaching staff and finally became second professor of divinity. The president at this time was Dr. William Thornburgh from Selside Hall one of the most beloved of Douay’s presidents. Most of his life was spent at the College where he had gone in early boyhood for his education following the tradition of his family. Appointed to the teaching staff after his ordination he proved himself to be a brilliant scholar and a most lovable personality. The year 1738 he spent at Selside Hall on sick leave after a serious breakdown in health and it was during his stay there that he was elected President at Douay. He returned to take up his office in 1739 and continued in the presidency till the year of his death 1750. He was the second son of William Thornburgh, Robert Stephenson’s friend and executor and he it was who most probably suggested that Father Royden’s nephew should succeed him at Dodding. The president released Father Royden from his position on the professorial staff and sent him to England in 1744. He remained at Lancaster for some time, but eventually arrived at Dodding in time for Christmas 1745. In 1750 Dr. William Thornburgh was once again ordered home by his doctors for a complete rest. This he spent with his elder brother Francis at Leyburn in Yorkshire, the original home of the Leyburnes of Skelsmergh which the Thornburghs had recently acquired. He never returned to Douay. Weakened and exhausted by months of illness but comforted and sustained by the presence and kindness of his kinsfolk and friends, he died at Leyburn, 1750.

Very little is known of the second Father Royden beyond the fact that on April 11^th 1763 he was chosen Archdeacon of the Chapter. He died the following year and was buried in the grave of his uncle in Kendal Churchyard. The entry in the register is "1764 October 17^th, Mr. Thomas Royden of Dodding Green, Papist". After his death there was appears to be a gap and for some years Dodding Green lacked a resident priest, although it is almost certain "riding priests" visited it regularly.

The Rev. Robert Johnson whose mother was Frances Thornburgh, the sister of the President of Douay, at length filled the gap. Robert was but twelve years old when he first went to Douay in May 1736. He was ordained there in 1753 after which event he had been put in charge over the preparatory school where he remained for the next fifteen years. He then returned to England and spent some years in Lancashire. According to the expressed wish of Robert Stephenson any member of the Thornburgh or Leyburne families who was a priest was to have first choice of Dodding Green so in time Father Johnson was presented with the vacancy and accepted it passing there the remainder of his years. He died June 2^nd and was buried in Kendal Churchyard June 6^th, 1799 – the fact being thus notified in the register, "Rev. Robert Johnson of Dodding Green aged 75 years". During his residence he sold some of the timber from the plantation and with the money bought adjoining lands and thus considerably increased the estate. It was also during his time that Bishop Matthew Gibson administered Confirmation to fifteen candidates in 1783. Ten years earlier, Bishop Walton had visited Dodding on his way from Kendal to Kirkby Stephen. Although there is no record of Confirmation at this visit it is reasonable to surmise that it would be administered to any available candidates. The only other record of Confirmation being given in this district is in the year 1687 when Bishop John Leyburne of Skelsmergh Hall, while visiting his home conformed no less than sixty-five persons from Sizergh Castle and Dodding Green. This confirmation was indeed historic for it was the first for more than a century.

His cousin Father John Lonsdale, the son of Richard Lonsdale and Elizabeth Thornburgh, succeeded Father Johnson at Dodding so that the desire of Robert Stephenson was once more fulfilled.

When John Lonsdale was fourteen years old he went to Douay for his education and remained there till he was twenty-seven years of age. On returning to England he made the beautiful old Coty of York his headquarters and laboured for several years. Eventually Bishop Walton mentioned above came to live with him and the two became fast friends. It is not unlikely that Father Lonsdale accompanied the bishop on his tour to Kendal, Dodding Green and Kirkby Stephen, since this would be an opportunity for him to see his mother’s former home and meet many of her kinsfolk. It is not surprising then that after the death of his cousin the trustees appointed him to the vacancy at Dodding. He was there but three short years and most of that time he was a very sick man. After a long painful illness he died October 8^th and was buried in Kendal Churchyard October 12^th 1802 aged sixty-six years.

Towards the end of the year 1788 a marked change towards Catholics had set in throughout the country. It was the beginning of a spirit of toleration and a sense of justice. Although many penal laws still remained in force yet many were removed thanks to the efforts of Sir uld would travel out to Sizergh Castle the home of the Strickland family or to Skelsmergh Hall or to Dodding Green wherever the priest might chance to be.

There appears always to have been in Kendal itself some house where a priest could stay for the benefit of the Catholics of the town and for considerable periods a priest could be found there. The earliest refuge seems to have been a house at the extreme south end of Kirkland, in fact the very last house in Kendal before entering Milnthorpe Road. Today it is the property of the Education Committee and is used as a home training center for older girls from the schools. It was originally an old farmhouse and the cool stone dairy is still to be seen in it. It was next converted into a tavern known as Hie Comber and later on became an ordinary dwelling house. For several years the room at the top of the house was the home of a priest in disguise and one name at least of those who used it has been recorded. It was the Rev James Gandy who lived here before 1745. He was a younger son of William Gandy of Beetham and his wife Eleanor, relatives of the Leyburnes of Cunswick so that he was far from being a stranger to Kendal. In the lists of Catholic non-jurors drawn up in 1715, the whole family is named: William and Eleanor Gandy the parents William the eldest son Anne the only daughter and James and Anthony the two younger sons both under age at the time. James went at an early age to Douay to study for the priesthood and was ordained there in 1722. He did not return to England until 1726 and then for some years traveled about the country chiefly in Lancashire hesitating to return to his native country where he would be well known. When he did return he decided to remain in Kendal where he spent considerable portions of sixteen years. Even so, he could hardly have remained in residence here for long consecutive periods. He probably came and went like other riding priests but was always sure of protection and assistance here since many of his relatives and fiends were non-Catholics of some consequence and importance.

In 1785 a Thomas Gandy was Mayor of Kendal and the name has always been a well known and respected one in the district down to the present day. He died September 4^th and was buried in the Parish Churchyard as the register testifies – "6^th Sept. 1761, Rev Mr. James Gandy of Kirkland Papist Priest." His friend Father Joseph Barnes who had frequently shared his lodgings and his work here in Kendal at various periods had died at Mawley Hall, Shropshire a few weeks before. It will be seen that both these priests were contemporary with the second Father Thomas Royden of Dodding Green and must often have exchanged visits with him. They may possibly have known Robert Stephenson in his last years but even if this was not so they would have known his friends who would talk of him whenever an occasion arose for his memory was still green many years after his death. Indeed it was owing to his charity that they were able to pay their way here in Kendal, since he had left an annuity for that purpose, "for the maintenance of a pastor in Kendal."

When Father Gandy died at Kendal there were two priests nearby: Father Thomas Royden (2) at Dodding and Father Thomas Johnson living as chaplain at Sizergh. The latter was the officiating priest at the marriage of Charles Strickland and Cecelia Townley in 1762, and though he continued to live at Sizergh for some time longer he took over the district of Kendal left vacant by Father Gandy’s death in addition to his chaplaincy. Two years later when the second Father Royden died at Dodding that parish was also committed to his charge. Although a young and vigorous man, thirty-two years of age he carried a heavy responsibility, which continued to grow when as conditions improved his work was extended and his congregation increased.

It appears that the house in Kirkland was no longer available to shelter a priest but a house in Stramongate belonging to the Braithwaite family and later on becoming the property of Robert Stephenson was used as a chapel in disguise. When the Bill was passed in 1792 allowing Catholics to license a house for public worship a more suitable building was erected on the same site. This building stands today with very little alteration. It has been used for many purposes first a chapel then as a public museum next as a Catholic school and today as a club. This building was not, however, the work of Father Johnson who for some years previously had been afflicted with progressive blindness and who was compelled at last to ask for an assistant. The arrival of Father Robert Johnson at Dodding Green about ten years before had once more given the parish its own pastor and lessened the work for Kendal, but in spite of this the failing health and increasing blindness of Father Thomas Johnson necessitated some immediate help. This came in the person of Rev. Thomas Wilkinson, a young man thirty years of age, who took complete charge of affairs and tended the dark declining years of the old priest with the affectionate concern of a son. Nor did this lessen when Father Johnson became completely blind several years before his death on April 16^th 1817. Although virtually the head and organiser of the parish the younger man acted always as an assistant only and referred all matters to the guidance and advice of the older experienced priest.

Father Wilkinson thus began a long career in Kendal, a period of sixty-one years in all. Very little is known of his early life beyond the fact that he was born near Hornby in Lancashire on November 11^th 1762, his family name being Berrington. He adopted the name Wilkinson when he went to Douay at the age of fourteen and was probably the last priest to use an alias. After his ordination at Douay he was appointed to the teaching staff there as master of rhetoric and had under him many who distinguished themselves in later life amongst them the celebrated Biblical scholar and writer Rev. George Leo Haydock who died at Penrith, 1849. He lived through the worst period of the Revolution in France and it must have been with feeling of great relief that his superiors sent him to Kendal in 1792.

Probably his first important work was the building of a new chapel in Stramongate the year after his arrival in 1793 on the site of the dilapidated and unsuitable premises formerly used. This new chapel meant a great step forward for the Catholics of Kendal. No longer did they need to hide and disguise themselves when attending their Mass or dread to fall into the power of the law. The little chapel accommodating about two hundred people consisted of a large room with a gallery at the back for the choir, which was accompanied by a string and wind orchestra gathered and taught by the young priest himself. Indeed Kendal has the record of being the second town in England to form such a choir in a Catholic Church. Rev Robert Johnson of Dodding Green gave a beautiful pulpit of rich dark oak to the new chapel. It had formerly belonged to the chapel of Selside Hall the home of his mother’s people and when the house with all its effects was sold he secured what chapel property he could for the benefit of either Dodding Green or Kendal.

The untiring and enterprising pastor did everything that could possibly be done to beautify the chapel and the services or to arouse the interest and devotion of the small congregation. In her small cottage in the yard a Mrs. Littleton started a Sunday school and there taught the children of all ages their religion, the fund left by Robert Stephenson for that purpose financing the venture. After her death, owing to a lack of teachers, the school was discontinued for a time until Thomas Duckett, a noted sculptor in the district, reopened it and gave it a new start.

In 1802 Father Wilkinson took over the charge of Dodding Green, left vacant by the death of Father Lonsdale and for some time looked after both parishes, living alternately in both places until at length the appointment of Rev. Robert Bannister relieved him of this extra duty.

During the last years of Father Johnston a new arrangement had been conceived and carried out at Dodding more or less satisfactorily. The house and farm was let to a competent farmer who lived there as tenant, four rooms being always reserved for the use of the priest, the number being reduced to two when Father Wilkinson was in charge. The first farmer to live in the house was William Hoggarth of Skelsmergh a distant relative of the Thorburghs: while he looked after the farm and estate his wife looked after the house and acted as housekeeper to the priest who might be living there.

The following interesting letter written by Father Wilkinson to Father Bannister, when he heard of his appointment clearly shows the whole situation, which had developed and incidentally gives a vivid picture of the domestic furnishings.

On the 20^th in the eve your kind favour was duly delivered here and I hasten to reply as soon as circumstances will permit. Last week the Bishop intimated that someone would be settled at Dodding shortly, but till your kind communication I knew not on whom to fix my expectations. I had often thought the Green a fit asylum for merit, old age and infirmity and am glad our bishop’s judgment confirms my opinion. At the same time I congratulate with you on your appointment to what I hope will be a comfortable retirement and with myself on having at hand so much learning to instruct me and such an example to follow. Mr. Wharton is very well acquainted with the place in question and without doubt what he wrote you would be strictly accurate, yet perhaps he might be a stranger to some particulars or they might have escaped his recollection. Mr. Johnson was latterly a boarder with the farmer but at first he was some years not only a housekeeper but managed the greater part of the estate till he almost starved it and it would have starved him had he not been otherwise provided for. But as a housekeeper he had such furniture as was requisite for his purpose and what he had he bequeathed to the place and there it is in very decent repair. Mr. Lonsdale also brought a few articles with him, which now belong to the place. In short there is one bed and bedding, very good and complete and another old indeed but the same that Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lonsdale used, there are also two or three others for servants. There are a dozen very good chairs and others. Several tables, writing desks, drawers, chests, cupboards, carpets (these last damaged), fire irons, tankards, castors, salts, glasses etc. There is also table and bed linen but of the last article you would do will to bring or send some or procure it here as I hear it is in general far worn. There are I understand very few kitchen utensils. In regard to your keeping house there can and will be no objection provided you can make it convenient to yourself which may be done, though the house is certainly very confined for that purpose. There are two rooms on the ground floor, a parlour and one adjoining which Mr. Lonsdale made out of the old hall and was at once his bedchamber and sitting room when alone. The farmer has the kitchen, nor can he do without it in my opinion. Above stairs there are two lodging rooms for your use and in each a good stock of books. The rest of the house the farmer must have or I fear at times sleep out of doors. The chapel is over the kitchen. The farmer’s family consists of himself and wife, a son and daughter both grown up, a servant man and maid, and at present a young girl relation. In hay time and harvest they have usually in addition two hired men.

Coals are very high here and scarcely to be got at present for love or money. I paid yesterday 1 pound 2 shilling for a single horse cart no ways overloaded. If you keep house above all things bring a housekeeper as such articles are not to be met with here. The rest when I have the pleasure of meeting you here or sooner if you have any further inquiries to make. I shall be very happy to receive and accommodate you in the best manner my situation will permit. Mr. Johnson (the old blind priest of Kendal) called this morning and I mentioned you to him as you desired, in return he wishes to be kindly remembered to you.

The Rev. Robert Bannister was already seventy-six years of age when he came as Father Lonsdale’s successor to Dodding where he remained till his death ten years later. He had a remarkably active life in which he had achieved more than his full share of distinction. He was the second son of Robert Bannister of Hesketh Bank, in Lancashire and was born October 21^st 1725. He received his first early teaching at a famous Dame School, Ladywell at Fernygalgh kept by Mistress Alice Harrison. This Dame Alice as her pupils affectionately called her was a very remarkable woman and an excellent and successful teacher. Gifted and learned herself she appears to have inspired her charges with a great love and thirst for knowledge, particularly the classics and many of them in later years proved to be brilliant classical scholars the credit of which she surely had a right to share. She taught at least three generations and her name was a household word at the time. Robert Bannister was one of their most gifted pupils. He was sixteen years old when he left for Douay and nine years later was ordained. His talents and gifts won him a place on the professorial staff, which he retained for seventeen years when he returned to Ladywell his old school. Dame Alice was no longer there having retired a few years before her death in 1760 but the great work she had established at Ladywell so many years before was still maintained. Robert Bannister took a deep interest in it and taught there for four years when he was recalled to Douay and offered the post of Professor of Divinity. He accepted but after a year resigned and one more returned to England where he finally settled as chaplain at Mowbreck Hall the home of the Westby family. Here he organized and conducted a school for the youth of the district the success of which brought him much fame and renown far and wide. He was regarded as one of the most brilliant classical scholars of his day as well as a fine mathematician and many a knotty point and difficult problem was sent to him to be solved. For no less than twenty-nine years he conducted this school which included in its establishment two boarding houses to accommodate boys from a distance.

When Father John Lonsdale died in 1802, Father. His friend and Bishop Dr. William Gibson nominated Bannister as his successor. The bishop a great admirer and personal friend of Father Bannister in doing this expressed his opinion that the advanced age and the strenuous activity of his past years merited some little leisure and rest. Father Bannister accepted Dodding and spent his last remaining years there in peace and contentment. He died may 17^th and was buried in Kendal churchyard May 21^st, 1812. The entry of his burial in the church register reads as follows: "Rev. Robert Bannister, of Dodding Green Papist, aged 86." His grave lies on the east side of the church and until the year 1895 it bore no inscription but in that year Rev. Henry Brettargh at that time incumbent of Dodding had the following inscription cut on it: " Rev Robert Bannister, Priest, died at Dodding Green May 17^th, 1812 aged 86 years."

After his death Father Wilkinson of Kendal once more resumed charge of Dodding this time for a period of no less than twenty-three years. He was asked to do this by the trustees of the property on the plea that the number of Catholics living in that district had very considerably decreased, their suggestion was that one priest could easily look after both parishes. The practice of letting the house and farm was still maintained and the money thus obtained was used to keep the property in good repair, while the endowment was paid over to Father Wilkinson. This extra money was particularly useful to him at this time for he had conceived the ambitious plan of building a new church worthy of the name and also of providing a day school for the children of his parish. His first achievement was the buying of a good stretch of land facing on to the New Road, which had been constructed in 1787, this land lay immediately in from of his chapel and his own private dwelling. The school was considered the greater necessity and this was provided first. It was opened in 1805 and placed under the care of Mr. John Ray who was not only schoolmaster but was also organist at the small chapel till his death in 1827. When the funds from Dodding were available they were most useful in thoroughly establishing this school and in providing more accommodation and better equipment for it so that it was one of the leading schools in the town.

The church next received all the attention and interest of Father Wilkinson. The foundation stone was laid on October 10^th 1835, by Mr. Walter Charles Strickland of Sizergh Castle and two years later a handsome church built in lancet Gothic style of local limestone facing on to the New Road was solemnly opened by Bishop Briggs. It is significant that the church was dedicated to the Holy Trinity and St George the former being the dedication of the parish church, which was once Catholic and the latter being the patron of the whole country and nation. Dominating the front of the building is a statue of St George and the Dragon the work of Mr. Thomas Duckett before mentioned. Inside the church there are other statues by the same sculptor notably a youthful St George the model for which was a handsome youth of the congregation. The west window over the altar is of three lights and contained lovely stained glass figures of Our Lord in the centre with Saints Peter and Paul on either hand. After the death of Father Wilkinson this window was altered and now contains in the centre light a life like portrait of him holding in his hands a model of the church, which he is presenting to the Holy Trinity. On the one side is St. George and on the other St Cuthbert patrons of the country and the diocese. The beautiful pulpit from Selside Hall was installed in the new church forming a link with the old chapel the immediate predecessor of the new church and also with the chapel used in the dark days of the past.

September 13^th, 1837, must have been a glorious day in the life of Father Wilkinson for on that day he saw the accomplishment of his great work and also realised that the opening of his lovely church for public worship meant that Catholics were free to come out once more into the open from their hiding places.

A splendid organ costing 600 pounds was his own personal gift to the church. Unfortunately many years later it was utterly ruined by the flooded river, which entered the church and caused considerable damage.

From this time forward, Father Wilkinson’s life was a time of peaceful activity attending to the needs of his two parishes and spending his leisure with his beloved books for he had collected a splendid library and was never happier than when browsing in it. He was extremely popular not only with his own congregation but also with his fellow townsmen who regarded him as one of themselves after his long life amongst them. His genial kindly character commanded respect and won affection from all while his learning and experience caused him to be much sought after for advice and help.

In 1843 when he was eighty years of age he asked for an assistant for he was feeling the burden of his long years and felt unable to carry on alone. A young priest, Rev Ralph Platt was sent to his assistance remaining with him until the arrival of Rev James Gibson four years later who in time succeeded Father Wilkinson as parish priest in 1853. In this year the old priest worn out by a long strenuous life retired at the age of ninety to Ushaw College to end his days. He had always taken a deep interest in this college, the English successor of Douay and had been one of its most liberal benefactors. He donated his magnificent library containing thousands of books to it and spent his last days superintending their arrangement on the college library shelves. He died December 30^th, 1857 aged ninety-five years and was buried in the college cemetery.

In 1834 Dodding Green was once more separated from Kendal and received a resident priest in the person of Rev Henry Bannister, nephew of the last incumbent. He was the son of Adam Bannister of Hesketh Bank, Lancashire and Agnes, daughter of Richard Butler of Maudesley. He went to Douay in 1768 when he was thirteen years of age and after his ordination was appointed to the professional staff of the college at St. Omer. He returned to England in 1785 and took the alias Rutter by which name he was ever afterwards known and which he always used for his signature. While at Yealand he wrote several books on religious subjects and collected a small but excellent library. His eyesight and general health failing he asked leave of the bishop to retire from active life and was appointed by him to Dodding at the advanced age of eighty. He was here only four years when he died very suddenly one morning while preparing to meet his nephew Alexander Goss afterwards Bishop of Liverpool. His portrait in oils was painted by Mr. Thomas Duckett and is still to be seen at Dodding Green.

Rev Charles Brigham son of William Brigham of Brigham Hall, Aberford, and Yorkshire succeeded him. His mother was Sarah, daughter of John Cresswell. This family had owned Brigham Hall for some centuries but owing to repeated fines for recusancy his father was forced to sell the estate and had gone to reside in Manchester where he died July 22^nd, 1814. Being then twelve years of age and after completing his studies there traveled much in Italy, France and Switzerland. On returning he went to Ushaw where he was ordained. In the beginning of the year 1840 he was appointed to Dodding Green by Edward Riddell of Cheeseburn Grange one of the inheriting executors of Robert Stephenson’s will. This action caused trouble with the bishop and a long dispute and some scandal followed which ended only when Father Brigham retired from Dodding to Saint Bernard’s Abbey in Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire. The dispute proved beneficial in the end since the right of the bishop to make appointments to Dodding Green was finally established. While at Dodding Rev C. Brigham constructed a tasteful addition to the house, which still bears his initials and the date – CB 1840. He also made many improvements in the chapel.

When the French Revolution broke out in 1789, the College feared and expected an attack knowing that all clerical institutions were liable to confiscation and outrage. The fact that his college was an English foundation and its inmates almost exclusively English saved it from the worst until 1793, when the French Republic declared war against England. At once all English were enemies and their property in France was seized, hence the college was considered lawful prey. Quite unexpectedly one day a mob of fanatical citizens stormed the building and having gained entrance commandeered it sealing several rooms and all receptacles containing anything of value. They then departed leaving behind them three guards who were quartered on the college. At this crisis about a hundred students left and returned to their homes for safety, the rest numbering forty together with their President were marched off to the citadel of Doulens about thirty six miles from Douay where they were kept strict prisoners until 1795 when they were allowed to return to England. On their arrival in England their first anxiety was to find accommodation for their entire party since they were resolved to remain together as one unit and thus continue their studies. After many difficulties and trials that entailed much real suffering a house and estate known as Crook Hall was purchased in County Durham. Although poor and inadequate it served for the time being to house the gallant little band and here once again the college recommenced its interrupted activities. This Crook Hall was the immediate forerunner of Ushaw, the great college of the north which glories in the fact that it carries on even today the unbroken traditions of Douay.

On August 29^th 1796 two little brothers of the name of Hogarth, Robert aged twelve and William aged ten, were admitted into the new college at Crook Hall. The father of these two boys, Mr. William Hogarth of sturdy yeoman stock was the resident farmer of Dodding Green. He owned quite a considerable amount of land round about and undertook the farming of Dodding Green lands together with his own in return for which he and his family resided at the house. Thus it came about that these two boys Robert and William were both born at Dodding and lived there until such time as they went to Crook Hall and from thence later on to Ushaw. Their name is a very familiar one in the district spelled either Hogarth or Hoggarth but the special interest attached to these boys is their future later connection with their old home. The younger one William eventually became the first Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.

Father Robert Hogarth’s life after his ordination at Ushaw was ordinary and uneventful. Before his arrival at Dodding his life can be divided into two periods of chaplaincy first a period of thirteen years when he was chaplain to the Stapletons of Carlton Hall, Yorkshire form 1810 to 1823 and following that a period of thirty five years at Marton in Holderness near Burton Constable, Yorkshire where he was chaplain to the Beckford family. In 1858 he returned to his native place as priest of Dodding Green being then seventy-one years of age. Here he spent the last ten years of his life, dying on February 7^th, 1868. He was the first priest to be buried in the tiny cemetery n the grounds. He had naturally a great love for Dodding and anything connected with it was sure to arouse his interest and sympathy. The great work of his last years was the collection and transcribing of all the legal documents dealing with Dodding and its trusts and it is from the carefully attested collection that much of the information in this book has been drawn. He had the greatest esteem for Robert Stephenson, which was evidently inherited, from his parents as will be seen from the following passage taken from his writings.

"Stephenson was a man highly respected and esteemed by all who were acquainted with him. I have often heard my grandfather mention his name but I was then too young to appreciate or even to take much notice of the purport of his remarks, all that I can say is that those remarks have left upon my mind the impression of an undefined veneration for him who was the subject of them. Neither my father nor my mother could have seen him but both particularly the latter were loud in their praises of a man whose character was held I n such high repute and whose alms she was in the daily habit of distributing."

The grandfather mentioned here was Edward the son of John Hogarth who became tenant of Robert Stephenson on May 13^th, 1710 as testified by the following receipt.

"Received by me Robert Stephenson this 13 day of May 1710 of John Hogarth the sum of ten pounds and ten shillings in full for his admitting fine due for a messuage and tenement in Skelsmergh called Hollinroot which he purchased of William Haltwhistle of the ancient yearly rent of thirteen shillings and four pence. I hereby admit the said John Hogarth tenant thereof according to the customs of this manor."

Robert Stephenson

It is not at all unlikely that Robert Hogarth received his Christian name in memory of Robert Stephenson whom his grandparents and parents held in such veneration. So great was Robert Hogarth’s own love for Dodding that he asked to be buried in its soil. Accordingly he was laid to rest in a small clearing off the drive leading up to the house from the front windows of which his grave was in full view. As will be seen later other priests were laid beside him and thus the tiny cemetery originated. On the opposite side of the drive facing the little plot a crucifix was erected with an archway built over it to protect it from the weather. Dean Hogarth was succeeded at Dodding by Rev Ralph Platt, D.D. who had served at Kendal as assistant to Rev Thomas Wilkinson about twenty years previously. After leaving Kendal he was appointed to Stella near Blaydon-on-Tyne where he remained for nine years at the end of which he was elected Provost and Vicar General. The following year 1857 he accepted charge of St Cuthbert’s, Durham. Here he spent ten years of heavy work and close study. He obtained his doctorate in 1868 after which he retired to Dodding Green. Being an ardent scholar he must have welcomed the opportunity of returning to this district knowing its advantages as a place of solitude and retirement and therefore well fitted for one who loved reading and study. Dean Gibson who has succeeded him as assistant to Father Wilkinson was at this time Parish priest of Kendal and the renewal of their comradeship with each other after the long absence would afford mutual delight to the two friends.

The sundial on the front wall of Dodding Green is a memento of Provost Platt, having been erected by him during his time of residence here. He spent only six years at Dodding and most of this time was devoted to study and writing in which he was considerably helped by choice library existing there for the use of the resident priest. The nucleus of this had been Robert Stephenson’s own collection of valuable books but his had been largely increased by every resident in turn so that by this time it was considered one of the best libraries in the district and was well known and used by a fairly large number of scholars in the North of England. Many a difficult passage in Latin, Greek and Hebrew has been sent here to be construed and solved even down to recent years and the brilliance of the translation has been acclaimed by the best scholars of the land. The advice and help of this priest was much sought after and gladly and generously given to all. He died at the comparatively early age of sixty-two years and was buried by the side of the Rev Robert Hogarth in the small cemetery. His place was not filled for five years during which time Dean Gibson at Kendal looked after the small congregation.

On May 22^nd 1879 which happened to be Ascension Day the very Rev. Luke Canon Curry began duty at Dodding. If the comparative rest and security of Dodding Green was to be regarded as the reward of strenuous effort and excessive labour then this priest certainly merited the presentation. His life was one of trial and hardship almost from beginning to end.

Born about the time of the Battle of Waterloo, he was educated at Ushaw where he was ordained September 24^th, 1842 and from thence sent to Bishop Auckland. Even for an older experienced man the post could hardly have been more difficult. He was the first resident priest since the Reformation and bitter opposition met him on every side. His flock was scattered very ignorant and mostly in dire poverty. His church was a loft poorly furnished and equipped and situated a good distance from the one-roomed house he called home.

After a few years of these hardships his health began to fail and he was withdrawn to be sent to Carlisle as assistant to Father Joseph Marshall who had just completed fifty strenuous years single-handed at the church of Saints Mary and Joseph, Carlisle. Struck down by sickness on Christmas Day 1850, Father Marshall was forced to ask for help and obtained it in the person of Rev Luke Curry. For four years he acted as assistant to the old priest after which he succeeded him as rector for a period of thirty-four years. For some time he had found his eyesight failing considerably and the knowledge that blindness was gradually gaining on him forced him to retire form active life and to leave Carlisle, which he had grown to love exceedingly. He was sent to Dodding Green to rest and recuperate. But the habits of a lifetime could not be easily shaken off so that although nominally retired he was soon as active and energetic here as ever. After his Mass at Dodding he rode Sunday after Sunday in spite of all weather conditions to Windermere to say a second Mass for the Catholics living round the district. A small chapel had been opened there but no resident priest had been appointed so Canon Curry undertook this extra duty voluntarily. In time he included the small village of Ambleside in his rounds and here again he occasionally said Mass renting Skelton’s printing shop for that purpose and arranging for the Bonney family of Mill Cottage to look after his "chapel". He soon became a very familiar figure riding on horseback down the lanes and about the countryside between Dodding and Windermere looking for his parishioners and making contact with his scattered congregation. Such was his life for eleven years when quite suddenly he died on November 13^th 1890 in the seventy fifth year of his age and was laid to rest in the little cemetery at Dodding. The small statue of St. Robert of Newminster, the patron saint of Robert Stephenson to be seen on the front of the house facing the drive, was placed there by Canon Curry.

The remainder of the story of Dodding Green is present day history and all Canon Curry’s successors are well remembered by many people living in Kendal today. One of the most interesting of these was his immediate successor, Dean Brettargh, since he had more links with Kendal than his residence at Dodding. He came from an ancient Lancashire family the Brettarghs of Brettargh Holt in Little Wooltoon near Liverpool. This family was no stranger to Kendal for one of its daughters Margaret Brettargh had married John Yeates who was appointed Mayor in 1836 by the first reformed corporation. Their son Anthony John Yeates erected a stained glass window in the Parish Church in 1865 to the memory of his parents and in that window is to be seen the Brettargh Coat of Arms. The grandson of John and Margaret preserved the Brettargh tradition by again choosing a lady from that family as his wife and by building the charming residence known today as Brettargh Holt to be her Kendal home. Although the family no longer remains here the name is still retained and the house is known far and wide in the county as a maternity home. It is under the care of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary who have won the admiration and affection of all who come in contact with them by their kindness and efficiency in dealing with all cases brought to them.

Another member of this family was Rev Richard Brettargh who was professor at the English College of St. Omer when the French Revolution broke out. Like Douay, St. Omer was seized and the inmates marched to Doulens to be interned. Her Father Brettargh contracted goal fever of which he died July 24^th, 1794. Strangers carried his body to the public cemetery outside the walls where it was buried without any ceremony, none of his friends being allowed to be present.

Henry Dean Brettargh was the youngest son of Henry Brettargh and his second wife Mary Sidgreaves of Inglewhite Lodge, Garstang. He was born November 16^th 1824 and at the age of fourteen years was sent to Ushaw. Whilst still subdeacon he was sent to St Edward’s College, Liverpool, to teach and remained there for four years after which he returned to Ushaw for his ordination, February 5^th, 1851. His first post was at Burnley as assistant to Canon James Boardman from where he served the district of Colne, saying Mass in a hayloft. So fierce was the opposition he met with that he was obliged to get police protection and escort on his way to and from the hay loft. After a year of this he went to Canada as Chaplain to his brother in law, Thomas Grimshaw after whose death he was appointed to an extensive mission of Trenton, Ontario. Here he remained for thirty years adapting himself to the manners and life of the country and becoming one with his people. He built a fine church and presbytery there and considerably improved the condition of his large parish. It was with great regret that he announced to his congregation in 1882 his intention of returning to England, an announcement that produced such genuine sorrow and distress that he almost abandoned his project of returning. Once more back in England he was asked by the Bishop to take charge of Haydon Bridge including Haltwhistle in Northumberland. Here he remained for eight years doing his best for this people who were miserably poor. It was almost like beginning over again and he must ng and old in the mean streets and dilapidated houses along the riverside. Thirty years after he had left the town he was still spoken of in terms of love, respect and admiration. In 1879 he was transferred to St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle-on-Tyne as senior curate. His zeal and abilities soon attracted attention while his eloquence as a preacher drew large congregations to hear him. In 1885 he was appointed rector of St Michael's Newcastle and here a new and heavy responsibility was laid on him, the building of a church. Up to this time a room which did double duty as chapel and school had been in use for many years but now he thought the time had come for something more worthy and dignified. Accordingly a beautiful and noble church was erected and completed by 1891 and this in spite of increasing bad health a legacy of his early days in Rome. So seriously did his strength deteriorate that in 1910 he left Newcastle for a country parish at Haydon Bridge and when Dean Brettargh died at Dodding in 1916 Canon Dunn took his place and for nine years enjoyed the restful atmosphere of the old house and its delightful countryside. He died suddenly on February 11^th, 1925 after saying his morning Mass and his remains were carried north to Esh Laude, near Ushaw for burial.

Rev. Charles Fleming was the successor of Canon Dunn. He was native of Stockton-on-Tees where his father practiced as a doctor. All the family belonged to the Church of England but while the children were still very young Dr. Fleming became a Catholic and his wife soon after followed his example. There were three children, two boys, Charles and John and one little girl, Theodora. The two boys were sent to Ampleforth College for their education and from there Charles went to Ushaw to study for the priesthood, his brother John became a doctor like his father and eventually took over his practice.

Charles was ordained at Ushaw on July 19^th, 1908 and his first post was at Gateshead. Six years later in 1914 he took over the charge of Ambleside where the sole parochial building was the chapel, a very poor edifice constructed of corrugated iron. For fourteen years he worked here living in lodgings close to the chapel. The life was arduous and the financial strain severe. He was unfitted to cope with any financial worries and the result was his health broke down completely and he was sent to Dodding to recuperate. The result of his work at Ambleside was seen a few years later on when the congregation which he has left in a far more flourishing and prosperous condition than he had found it was able to build the present church and presbytery.

At Dodding, Father Fleming found himself in a most suitable environment. Being of a serious studious type of mind all forms of reading and study were a delight to him and here he could follow his particular bent without inconvenience or hindrance. His conversation showed the depth and breadth of his knowledge for in spite of his innate shyness he loved to meet and converse with scholars. There were moreover two classes of people beside scholars with whom he was never shy, the poor to whom he literally gave everything he possessed in the form of money, and small children. Both these classes were sure of his understanding, kindness and sympathy and both made repeated demands on them. When Father Fleming left Dodding to visit Kendal or any other place in the vicinity he might have had some money in his pockets but he certainly had none when he returned home. He could not pass a poor person known or unknown without giving alms and if the poor person was aged his charity knew no bounds. The most familiar sight of Father Fleming in Kendal was in the midst of a flock of children. He was a modern Pied Piper and all the children followed him wherever he went usually to a sweet shop or to the cinema. He would invite them out to Dodding and spend the afternoon with them in the gardens and wood. Remonstration from strongly disapproving adults that he was spoiling these youngsters had not the slightest effect on him. Their company was a delight to him and indeed the delight was mutual. He was well known and loved by all in the district irrespective of creed and all equally respected his simple piety, courtesy and geniality.

However in 1938 his health once more broke down seriously and he retired to his sister’s home in Stockton. The war and the air raids were added strains to his health and he evacuated from Stockton to his beloved Ambleside and was able to give some assistance to the mission there. In 1945 he returned once more to his sister and passed his remaining days in his old home where he died February 20^th.

Thus for more than two centuries the work of Robert Stephenson has borne fruit and his well-laid plans have accomplished even more than his remarkable foresight could have imagined. Dodding Green remains today as vigorous as ever its charm and beauty as well as its atmosphere of peace and tranquility cover a hidden vitality, which constitutes a fitting memorial to one of the finest types of men.

Extracted from -The Story of Skelsmergh - By Sister Agnes