The name Dufton is of Anglo-Saxon/Old English derivation and means "Farmstead where doves were kept" and is first mentioned in rolls dated 1176, though many of the local field names are derived from old Norse words.
During Norman times, Dufton was part of the Appleby Castle estates and remained so until the mid-1960's when they were sold up. Hugh de Morville lost his possession of the estates because he took part in the murder of Thomas-a-Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury (December 29, 1170). Later the estates were given to Robert de Vetripont.
At some time unknown, the old village of Dufton disappeared and a new village sprang up on this present site. One probable reason for this move might have been caused by the Scots raiders who, in 1388, destroyed nine-tenths of Appleby ( 4 miles away) by fire and killed most of the population.
There can be no doubt however that present day Dufton owes much of its shape and creation to the London Lead Company which was run by a group of Quakers. They probably built much of the village to house their workers who were employed winning lead ore (galena) from the rich veins under the nearby hills.
The fountain at Dufton.
The London Lead Company provided the village with a water supply in the shape of an open stone lined ditch in front of the houses which was fed from a spring in the foothills. This still remains though they later put in a piped supply which fed a series of fountains. In 1876 they put in an underground sewerage system, which is still in use. They also had a resident doctor for the village and probably also started the first village school.
To become an employee of the Company a workman was required to answer a number of questions on the Bible. If he could do so, he was given a special Bible belonging to the Company and this was his passport enabling him to be employed anywhere in the Company's works anywhere in the country.
Today Dufton is a quiet and peaceful village of 150 people, many of whom have retired there from elsewhere.
Visit the Official Dufton Village Website - The Official Dufton Village Website -
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