Lady Anne Clifford's foremost supporter in the fight to overturn her father's will was her mother, Margaret, Lady Cumberland, dowager Countess of Pembroke.
On 2nd April 1616, Lady Anne set out for London on the road which is now the A66. It was the last time she would see her mother, who died on 24th May 1616.
38 years later, in January 1654, successful in her claims and restored to her estates, Lady Anne erected a pillar on the site of their parting, as a memorial to her mother. It bears the arms of Lord and Lady Cumberland, together with those of Roger de Clifford, who built nearby Brougham Castle.
Lady Anne established an annuity of four pounds per annum, to be distributed perpetually at the pillar, on the second day in April, to the poor of the parish. A low stone table stands in front of the pillar, from which the dole was distributed.
The charitable funds which provided the annuity have long since been absorbed into another of Lady Anne's foundations, the Almshouses of St Anne's Hospital in Appleby. The very short dole service, with its notional distribution of alms, is still held by the parish at noon every 2nd April to commemorate the life of Lady Anne and her concern for the poor of the parish. A collection is taken for the relief of poverty, in accordance with Lady Anne's expectations.
The pillar itself is now in the care of English Heritage. It is accessible at any reasonable time, with parking available at the junction of the westbound A66 and the B6262. Pictures of the pillar, and information about visiting can be found here. Further information on the pillar itself, and its interesting mason's marks, can be found here.