Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 1st Baronet, of Brayton

Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 1st Baronet, of Brayton (5 October 1795 – 12 June 1867),[1] was an English landowner, businessman and investor in the new industrial age.

Six years later Thomas drowned off the coast of Madeira[2] and having no direct heirs the estates passed to his younger brother Wilfrid, who likewise assumed the name of Lawson.

Their marriage produced eight children; four sons, Wilfrid, Gilfrid, William and Alfred; and four daughters, Caroline, Elizabeth, Catherine and Maria.

Eleanor Wybergh died in the reign of Henry IV of England, and the family laid her body to rest in Clifton Church, close to the old hall, where the residents placed a window in stained glass to her memory, bearing her effigy and arms.

In 1652, a Thomas Wybergh of St Bees, had his name attached to 'the list of delinquents', thus forfeiting the right to own his estates, which were later sold under the direct orders of Oliver Cromwell.

Thomas married Isabel Hartley, and after their son assumed the Lawson inheritance the family settled at Isel, where they remained for many years.

Lawson remained a constitutionalist, and wished to extend the franchise to include the masses, but he practised what he preached in his own household and family.

After the death of Sir Philip Musgrave in 1827, Lawson reluctantly[5] came forward as the Parliamentary Whig (Blue) candidate for the representation of the City of Carlisle, in opposition to James Law Lushington, the Tory (Yellows) Lowther nominee.

As Matthew McCormack differentiates: the reformer sought to remove abuses as a means of preserving the system, whereas the radical insisted upon the necessity of a more fundamental change.

[8] On the day of the nomination, Lawson travelled the nineteen-mile journey from Brayton in an open carriage, drawn by four horses.

They proceeded, carrying a blue ensign bearing the slogan 'Lawson and Independence', to make a demonstration in front of their rivals' headquarters in the Bush Inn.

At the Kings Arms, a mob of angry Yellow supporters surrounded the coach and tried to prevent the freemen from entering their headquarters.

But, gentlemen, however much I could have desired the success of your cause upon this occasion, I do assure you that I would rather remain for ever in retirement, than that I should have succeeded by the means to which my opponent has resorted.

[12] When Lawson fell dangerously ill in 1834, he turned to religion, and sent for a Presbyterian minister named Walton who preached in the neighbouring village of Blennerhasset.

His health restored, he befriended the Home Mission Society, whose purpose was to send missionaries into neglected villages in England.

[13] A modified version of this story appeared in the Pall Mall Gazette almost fifty years later and was used to vilify the baronet's son.

At the pre-election dinner in 1830, prior to nominating his brother-in-law, Sir James Graham, Lawson proposed a toast, which formed the subject of much comment at the time.

Sir James had been speaking of the right and duty of the people to resist despotic powers as exercised against their liberty, when Lawson, rose to propose a toast.

Another carried a yellow flag at half-mast, bearing a portrait of Graham lying on his back, with the slogan, 'Sir James Crow, jump about, wheel about, and fall just so'.

It was also said that Lawson's neighbours and fellow landowners, who in private remained on intimate terms, would, when they met in the streets of Carlisle, walk out of their way rather than be seen discussing issues with a man of such character.

"There are few persons now, I think, who would say that the great mass of their fellow-countrymen are not fit to perform such simple acts of citizenship as that of voting for a member of parliament.

Let it be remembered, that the House of Commons is called, and intended to be, the representation of the people of this country, which it can scarcely be said to be when but it represents one fifth part of our adult population.

"[23]owning a large landed estate, Lawson took a deep interest in the progress of agriculture, particularly in the adoption of modern methods.

Although previous generations had increased the Lawson estate through judicious marriages and careful purchases, this Sir Wilfrid exploited the spirit of the new industrial age, becoming an ardent supporter and early investor in the growth of railways.

The Dowager Lady Lawson, died on 1 November 1870 at her residence at Arkelby Hall, she was 77 years of age; her obituary recorded: