THERE can’t be many people living in Barrow today who can trace their descent directly back to those who lived in the old Barrow Village before the arrival of industry gave birth to a new town.

A list of the original village names from 1838 was drawn up Eleanor Myers, of Ramsden Street around 1916.

Mining and farming dominate the occupations, plus a few shops and trades. In addition to the names she recorded that the only chapel was in Fisher Granary and the first parson was the Reverend Mr Horsfall, of St George’s.

The first resident medical man was Dr Allison and the village’s first chimney sweep was Mr Harker.

The constables Sandwell and Smith were the first policemen to serve in Barrow.

The list of those she could remember from 1838 came to 32. They were first printed in the Evening Mail 50 years ago on May 20 in 1966.

The article recorded:

William Atkinson, a miner better known as “Wicked Will”

William Atkinson, known as “Civil Will”

Captain Barrow, who lived in a little cottage on the shore side

Robert Dickinson, miner Matthew Dixon, miner James Fell, retired farmer from Biggar, living in a cottage called Thimble Hall

John Fisher, of Ivy Cottage

Joseph Fisher, farmer

William Fisher, farmer

James Hardy, farmer

Betty Harrison, of the Burlington Hotel

William Harrison, farmer and son of Betty

John Hartley, grocer with a small shop

Thomas Haslam, tailor and father of

Myles Thomas Hodgson, of the Waterside Offices

Mr Michaelson, gentleman of Old Barrow House

Peggy Keary, of the Little Toffee Shop off the end of the King’s Arms

Robert Kendal, miner of the top of Clay Pit Lane

Thomas King, farmer, who lived where the Free Trade Hall was later built

William Robinson, of the Ship Hotel

John Sharp, miner

Thomas Sherwin, shopkeeper

Simpson, three unmarried women and their two brothers

John Smith, shoemaker living on what was later the King’s Arms

Captain Storey Robert Thexton, miner

Matthew Todd, blacksmith Thomas Woodburn, labourer living in a thatched cottage.