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Low Skelghyll, Lakes
Low Skelghyll
locality:-   Skelghyll
civil parish:-   Lakes (formerly Westmorland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   buildings
coordinates:-   NY39350263
1Km square:-   NY3902
10Km square:-   NY30

evidence:-   old map:- OS County Series (Wmd 26 15) 
placename:-  Low Skelgill
placename:-  Skelgill, Low
source data:-   Maps, County Series maps of Great Britain, scales 6 and 25 inches to 1 mile, published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, from about 1863 to 1948.

evidence:-   old map:- Jefferys 1770 (Wmd) 
placename:-  Shell Gills
source data:-   Map, 4 sheets, The County of Westmoreland, scale 1 inch to 1 mile, surveyed 1768, and engraved and published by Thomas Jefferys, London, 1770.
image
J5NY30SE.jpg
"Shell Gills"
circle, labelled in italic lowercase text; settlement, farm, house, or hamlet? 
item:-  National Library of Scotland : EME.s.47
Image © National Library of Scotland

evidence:-   old map:- Cary 1789 (edn 1805) 
placename:-  Shell Gills
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Westmoreland, scale about 2.5 miles to 1 inch, by John Cary, London, 1789; edition 1805.
image
CY24NY40.jpg
"Shell Gills"
block/s, labelled in italic lowercase; house, or hamlet 
item:-  JandMN : 129
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   perhaps old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
source data:-   Photograph, b/w, Low Skelghyll? Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s?
image  click to enlarge
HB0313.jpg
The dairymaid has a milking stool and pale. 
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS667
Image © see bottom of page

story:-  
It is said that: this was the home of a rogue called Monkswell, who appeared the gentleman and was welcome at local houses where he learned what he needed to rob them. He and his gang returned home one night leaving their muddy horses in the stable, with a discarded mask. A servant found horses and mask, but realising their mistake the gang disappeared next day.
A year later Sir Michael Fleming attended a trial at the Old Bailey, London, where Monkswell was tried and convicted, and sentenced to hang at Tyburn.

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