Lowther family, inc Earls of Lonsdale, landed estates

Notes:

Lowther family, later Earls of Lonsdale, were landowners in Cumbria who developed extensive industrial and commercial interests on their very large landed estates, most notably coal mining, iron production and the town/port of Whitehaven, from the 17th century. Also operated a woollen manufactory at Lowther village in late 1690s and in 1740s-50s, and had salt production interests. There were two branches of the family. One descended from Sir John Lowther, d1637, to Sir Christopher, 1611-44, to Sir John, 1642-1706, to Sir James, d1755. The other descended from Sir John Lowther, d1638, to the Viscounts Lonsdale. In late 18th century the estates of both branches were united in Sir James Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale. Sir Christopher Lowther, d1644, and his son, Sir John Lowther, d1706 were inter alia particularly responsible for the development of very extensive coal mining interests and for the development of Whitehaven as a significant port. Depended heavily on the managers of their estates and industrial interests including William Gilpin, John Spedding and John Gale