presented to
ZTbe library
of tbe
THnivcr*ft\> of Toronto
RECORDS;
OR,
HISTORICAL REGISTER
OF
REMAEKABLE EVENTS,
WHICH HAVE OCCURRED IK
NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE,
AND BERWICK-UPON-TWEED,
PROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD OF AUTHENTIC RECORD
TO THE PRESENT TIME;
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES
OF
DECEASED PERSONS OF TALENT, ECCENTBICTTY, AND
LONGEVITY.
BY JOHN SYKES.
There comes a voice that awakes my soul It is the voice of years that are
gone ; they roll before me with all their deeds."
OSSIAN.
A NEW EDITION, WITH NUMEROUS EMBELLISHMENTS,
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
NEWCASTLE :
PRINTED FOR, AND SOLD BY, JOHN SYKES, BOOKSELLER;
And may be had of all the Booksellers in Northumberland and Durham,
Berwick, Edinburgh, York, and London.
MDCCCXXXin.
REPRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY T. FORDTCE, DEAN STREET, NEWCASTLE.
1866.
LOCAL RECORDS;
OR,
HISTORICAL REGISTER OF REMARKABLE
EVENTS.
1800. The harvest of the preceding year, in the vicinity of
Newcastle, was so backward, that a quantity of oats was not cut
till near the end of January this year, at Leadgate, in the parish of
Ryton ; and at that late period, oats were standing uncut at Hed-
ley, and other southern parts of Northumberland. In consequence
of the failure of the above harvest, together with the effects of
war, a great dearth prevailed, and wheat in Newcastle market was
frequently sold at two guineas a boll, two Winchester bushels. A
subscription was formed at Durham for assisting the poor of that
.city and its neighbourhood. The hall of St. Nicholas' workhouse
was fitted up as a soup kitchen, and a great quantity of soup, &c.,
was distributed to the poor at a very moderate charge.
Jan. 27. Died, Francis Hill, well known by the name of Old
Franky. He had attended in a sod hut on the road between New-
castle and Shields for upwards of fifty years, to solicit the charity
by which his harmless existence was supported.
March 2. Three prisoners, named John Outerside, under sen-
tence of transportation, Richard Lowe, committed for forgery, and
Thomas Graham, committed for highway robbery, effected their
escape from the gaol of Newcastle. By wrenching a bar from the
inside of the chimney of their cell they forced their way up the
chimney to the roof of the prison, whence, by cutting their bed-
clothes and knotting the pieces together, which they tied to a sun-
dial on the roof, they descended to the field adjoining Gallowgate.
John Sill, convicted with Outerside, attempted to escape at the
same time, but being rather corpulent, he stuck fast in the
chimney, and could neither get out nor back again, till he was
assisted down by the keepers. Outerside was taken the same day
by the intrepidity of Mr. Gale, the gaoler, at Woodend, near Bea-
mish, and Graham would have shared the same fate, had some
VOL. ii. B
2 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF fA.D. 1800.
countrymen who were spectators of the pursuit, lent their assist-
ance ; while Mr. Gale kept guard upon Outerside, he offered 5
to any who would assist in the pursuit of Graham, which they
uniformly refused.
A similar escape was carried into effect the same day by four of
the felons in the gaol at Morpeth, two of whom were soon taken.
One of the above four prisoners who made their escape, was John
Winter, of the notorious family of that name.
1800. The beginning of this year, no less than 69 out of 71
vessels, laden with coals, from Shields and Sunderland, were
wrecked in their passage to London.
1800 (April 4). Died, in the 40th year of his age, Mr. Solomon
Hodgson, many years printer and publisher of the Newcastle
Chronicle newspaper, in the conduct of whicli he uniformly ad-
vanced the genuine sentiments of his mind, uninfluenced by party
or interest of any kind, and unconnected with any political club or
society whatever. Firmly attached to the principles of constitu-
tional liberty, to recal the attention of his readers to those prin-
ciples, was an object to which he devoted his chief exertions. He
feelingly lamented the miseries of war; and so long as he could do
it consistently with personal safety, he exercised the privilege of
declaring his conscientious sentiments with boldness and freedom,
but always without descending to licentiousness or personality.
His remains lie interred in St. John's churchyard, under a table
monument, next that of John Cunningham, the celebrated pastoral
poet, who had been patronized, &c., by Mr. Thomas Slack, Mr.
Hodgson's father in-law. The above wood cut, for the use of
which I am indebted to Messrs. T. and* J. Hodgson, was engraved
by Mr. Thomas Bewick, and a few impressions from it were
presented to Mr. Hodgson's friends.
A.D. 1800.J REMARKABLE EVENTS. J
1800 (May \\). One hundred and forty-iour vessels sailed from
Shields, under convoy for the Baltic, having on board, besides
other commodities, 11,600 chaldrons of coals. Newcastle measure.
May 18. Died, at the Grange, near Darlington, George Allan,
esq., F.S.A. He was an indefatigable collector of typography and
antiquities, and in addition to his own museum, he purchased the
Wycliffe collection for less than 700, of which the birds alone cost
Mr. Tunstall 5,000. In or about 1768, Mr. Allan commenced his
typographical labours, with a view of amusing himself by multiply-
ing at an easy rate, any curious subjects in antiquities or biography
that struck his fancy ; all of which, from the small number of copies
printed, have long since become extremely rare. The Grange
museum, which was purchased for 400., forms at present the
museum of the Literary and Philosophical Society at Newcastle.
There is an excellent likeness of Mr. Allan seated in council with
his colleague Ilutchinson, prefixed to the eighth volume of JSichol's
Literary Anecdotes.
June 4. Died, in the streets of Newcastle, William Barron, an
eccentric, well known for many years by the name of " Silly Pea-
pudding^'
June 8. A person named Blenkinsop, ft joiner of Newcastle,
was observed by a woman to ascend the railing which surrounded
the shaft of Lawson's main colliery at Byker. near Newcastle, and
to precipitate himself feet foremost into it, having previously
thrown down his hat. She instantly gave the alarm, and on pro-
per persons descending the pit, the body was found in a shockingly
mangled condition, occasioned by a fall of more than 137 fathoms.
The following is a copy of a letter found in his pocket addressed to
his wife : " My dear Mary, I hope that God Almighty will so
order things, that you will be better without than with your un-
happy, unfortunate, but affectionate husband, Thomas Ulenkinsop."
For some weeks before, he had shown strong symptoms of a dis-
ordered mind, though this letter appeared to be written under the
prevalence of sanity.
June 16. Died, at Mill-green, near Ravens worth, Mary Brown,
aged 100 years.
July 13. Died, in All Saints' poor-house, Newcastle, William
Thompson, an eccentric, well known by the name of " Traveller
Silly." He was noticed for his numerous gormandizing exploits,
and his death was occasioned by endeavouring to ssvallovr a
shilling, which he was fearful would be taken from him.
July 21. A horse and gig took fright near the Carpenters'
Tower, Newcastle, and set off in full gallop down the narrow and
very steep passage called St. James' Lane, which leads from that
place to Pandon-bank. The owner was thrown out, and much
bruised, and the gig was dashed to pieces. The horse sprang over
the wall into Pandon-bank, fell on his feet, and continued his career
up the street into the fields, where he was retaken uninjured.
July 26. Died, in the city of Durham, Mr. John Farrer, aged
102 years.
4 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1800.
1800 (Aug. 10). Died, at Dissington, Ann Wilson, aged 101
years. She not only retained all her faculties to the last, but
worked hay that year, and did a variety of domestic employments.
August 25. Died, Mrs. Elizabeth Montagu, in the 80th year
of her age. This lady, who was the eldest daughter of Matthew
Robinson, esq , of West Lay ton, in Yorkshire, married in 1742,
Edward Montagu, esq., of East Denton, in Northumberland,
eminent for his acquirements in science, partiularly in mathema-
tics. The extraordinary talents and beauty of Mrs. Montagu have
been much extolled, and her conversation was sought by all who
were distinguished for learning and politeness. Her excellent
letters have been published in 4 vols. 8vo., and her Essay on the
writings and genius of Shakespeare, in answer to the trilling ob-
jections of Voltaire, must always rank with the best illustrations
of the bard of Avon. Mrs. Montagu survived her husband 25
years. She fitted up Denton Hall in the Gothic style. It is at
present occupied by Richard Hoyle, esq. See July 12, 1766, and
August 5, 1770, vol. i. pp. 258 and 274.
September 28. Died, at her house, in Northumberland-street,
Newcastle, aged 78 years, Mrs. Priscilla Atlee, a widow Jady of
ample fortune, great part of which she expended in acts of piety
and charity. Her remains were interred at All Saints' church ;
they were followed by thirteen coaches, and embalmed by the tears
of the poor whom her benevolence had clothed and fed.
This month, the foundation of the Roman wall, built by tha
emperor Severus nearly 1600 years before* was taken up at Byker,
east of Newcastle, in order to repair the highways.
October 7, Died, at Seaton Delaval, in Northumberland, the
countess of Tyrconnell, after an illness of many months. She was
the only child of the late Lord Delaval.
The grand stand on the Town Moor, at Newcastle, was this year
built.
This year, as some workmen were levelling a barrow, about a
quarter of a mile north of Bowsdon, in the parish of Lowick, in
Northumberland, they found two urns inverted upon broad flags,
and containing bones, which appeared to have been partially
burnt. Previous to this another funeral urn was turned up by the
plough at Bowsdon Hollins.
1801 (Jan. 1) The Newcastle volunteers were drawn up on
the Sandhill, and fired three most excellent vollies in honour of
the legislative union between this country and Ireland. On this
occasion, the corps, for the first time, mounted the union bearings
in their colours, and marched along the bridge to the county of
Durham, where, in the presence of the Gateshead volunteers, they
expressed their resolution to be UNITED. A similar celebration
took place on the part of the armed association. The colours of
all the ships at the quay were hoisted.
January 24. A fire broke out in the printing-office occupied
by Mr. John Taylor, in Church-street, Berwick, which raged with
Buch violence, that the building (partly covered with thatch), was
A.D. 1801.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 5
entirely destroyed, together with the stock and working implements.
The fire broke out in a room used for drying printed paper. The
loss was estimated at 1,000.
1801 (Feb. 5) Died, in the Flesh Market, Newcastle, Margaret
Eobson, aged 103 years. She retained her faculties to the last.
February 14. Two soldiers of the 3d Lancashire militia on fur-
lough, travelling between Durham and Auckland, were so fatigued
and distressed by the inclemency of the weather, that one of them
on entering a public house near Butcher-row, and warming himself
by the fire, fell backwards from his chair ami expired ; the other,
who was somewhat forward, was found dead under the park wall
near Auckland, by a butcher going to Durham market.
March 14. Died, in the city of Durham, Mrs. Eleanor Crowe,
aged 103 years.
March 26. The body of an old man, recognized to be that of
an old mendicant, and his dog, were found floating in the river
Tyne, opposite to the quay, Newcastle. They had been missing
for more than a month, and were, dead, as they had lived, attached
to each other ; the cord by which the blind man had been led by
his four-footed friend being wrapped about his wrist.
March 27. A tumult took place in the corn-market at Sunder-
land, in consequence of the price of wheat, 40s. being demanded
by one of the dealers for a boll of that grain. The populace
immediately raked the kennels for dirt, with which they besmeared
the farmer, who was glad to retreat to the Fountain Inn, the win-
dows of which house were assailed with stones and brick-bats, as
were also those of the Half-Moon and Queen's Head. Besides the
damage sustained in the brittle materials of the houses attacked, a
quantity of corn was madly trodden under foot, and several of the
farmers' carts were hurried into the Wear, one of which was seeu
floating to the sea the next morning. A justice of the peace, with
a few constables, seized upon one of the insurgents, and committed
him to the Cape, but he was soon liberated by a body of the rioters.
Things continued thus till about nine o'clock, when the justice,
with an increased body of constables, again made their appearance,
and read the riot act on the steps of the George Inn, by candle-
light, but with so little success, that it was deemed prudent to
plant a military guard round his house during the night. In the
midst of the affray, a party of the Lancashire militia was called
out ; they loaded their muskets, but received no orders to fire.
March SI. Wonderful News !!! The London Courier of this
day, and the Edinburgh Courant of April the 2d, contained
accounts of the fall of the steeples of St. Nicholas' and All Saints'
churches, in Newcastle. The paragraph in the Courier was given
in the form of an extract of a letter, as follows : " Newcastle,
March 29. I seize the first opportunity to relate to you the
unexpected destruction of the spire of St. Nicholas' church in this
town, which, for elegance of design, lightness, and durability, had
long been classed among the first productions of art in the north.
Yesterday evening, about eight o'clock (after experiencing a fine
6 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1801.
day), we had a smart shower of rain, attended with a strong
southerly wind, which increased considerably. At a little before
nine, some stones fell from the steeple, one of which unfortunately
alighted upon a young woman, and bruised her so desperately that
her life is in danger. It still continuing to blow strong, fears
were entertained for the safety of the steeple ; the butchers, who
expose their meat for sale near the church, were very alert in
removing it ; the impending danger was swiftly spread around.
I, too, hearing of the dreadful alarm, was repairing to view the
cause of it, when I had scarcely left the door, when the upper
part of the steeple, and as low as the belfiy, was removed from its
long wonted situation, covering at some distance from its base, on
the north side (called the Flesh-market), with ruins. The roost
painful part of the catastrophe is, that I, among others, have to
lament the loss of seven of our fellow-creatures, who have fallen
victims to their too ardent desire of saving property ; four of them
were butchers, one of whom belonged to Morpeth; live more persons
were severely hurt, but I trust not dangerously. A public-house
near to the church was nearly levelled with the ground, and
several other buildings were materially damaged. It is much to
be feared that some more persons have lost their lives, whose
curiosity had led them to the spot, as (while I write) some are yet
missing. The confusion this disastrous affair has occasioned, I
am at a loss to describe ; numbers of the inhabitants are continually
repairing to view the ruins. The fall of this elegant remains of
ancient architecture, which was 194 feet in height, and adorned
with thirteen spires, has been attributed to various causes." The
Edinburgh Courant of April the 2nd, contained an account of the
fall of All Saints' steeple in Newcastle, as follows : "Newcastle,
March 27. The spire of that modern-built church, called All
Saints, suddenly fell to the ground, on the south side, at about
half-past 5 o'clock this morning. Happily no lives were lost.
The cause of this accident is generally attributed to the impropriety
of building the spire so high, it being known, that the tower on
which it was built had considerably shrunk." It is only necessary
to say, that they were ingenious fabrications, intended for the first
of April. The steeples are still standing, and likely to do so.
For an account of St. Nicholas' steeple, see the year 1359, vol. ?.,
page 50.
1801 (April 1Q). The Gazette of this day confirmed the
elevation of Lord Eldon to the important office of lord high
chancellor of Great Britain. The intelligence was received by his
fellow-townsmen in Newcastle with the most distinguished marks
of respect. The bells in all the churches in that town and Gates-
head continued ringing from the arrival of the mail till late in the
evening, and numerous groups of his lordship's relatives and friends
were formed in various parts of the neighbourhood to celebrate
the event.
April 19. Died, at Walker, near Newcastle, aged 36, Mr.
Thomas Barnes, principal viewer and agent at Walker colliery.
A.T). 1801.] REMARKABLE EVENTS.
He was a man of very superior abilities in his profession. A most
ingenious and yet simple combination of machinery, for the pur-
pose of regulating the conyeyance of waggons, laden with coals,
down an inclined plane, from Benwell colliery, on the north side
of the Tyne, to the staith at the border of the river, and for
bringing up the waggons, when unloaded, by the same power that
resisted its projectile impetus in the descent, was, in the year 1798,
perfected and brought into use by Mr. Barnes. His remains lie
interred in Long Benton churchyard, where a table monument is
erected to his memory.
1801 (April 21). In celebration of the decisive victory obtained
over the Danish fleet and batteries, by Lord Nelson, the Newcastle
volunteers, the armed association, the Gateshead volunteers, the
llth light dragoons, and the North York militia, had a grand field-
day on Newcastle town-moor, in the presence of lieut.-gen.Murrray.
Similar rejoicings took place at all the neighbouring towns.
May 2. About four o'clock in the morning, the iron slitting-
mill of Messrs. Hawks and Co., near Gateshead, was discovered
to be on fire, but by the prompt exertions of the company's work-
men who lived upon the spot, it was readily extinguished.
May 6. The foundation-stone of the new building for the
Sunderland Subscription Library was laid by Dr. Brown, who
deposited an appropriate inscription, in the presence of several
members of the institution. May 11th, 1802, it was opened, when
an elegant breakfast and ball were given by the subscribers to a
great number of ladies and gentlemen. The gentlemen afterwards
dined at the Bridge inn.
May 21. A terrible fire broke out in the village of Harbottle,
Northumberland, owing to a foul chimney. Nine cottages and
four out-houses were unfortunately destroyed by this conflagration,
the progress of which there were no means of stopping, till the
poor inhabitants lost nearly the whole of their furniture and other
effects.
June 30. The alterations for improving and widening the
bridge over the river Tyne, at Newcastle, were begun, under the
management of the late Mr. David Stephenson, architect. It was
a bold and successful undertaking.
July 29. The North York militia marched from Newcastle,
and encamped on the coast near Whitburn, in the county of
Durham. The camp broke up on the 13th of October.
August 19. As a cartman of Newcastle was employed with
four horses in drawing some heavy timber ashore, near the end of
Hillgate, Gateshead, he threw a brick at the foremost animal to
hasten his speed. This cruel act had, however, the contrary effect,
for the brick striking the poor animal upon the head, he fell back,
stunned and almost lifeless, upon his fellow-labourers, and being a
chained together, a terrible struggle in deep water immediately
ensued, which ended not till all the four horses were drowned.
September 5. Two postilions in the service of Mr. Madd k,
of Wooler Haugh-head, were, on the afternoon of this day, ei
8 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1801
ployed with four horses in conveying a gentleman's carriage, in
which were himself and family to Holy Island. About nine
o'clock in the evening, the postilions set out on their return home-
wards, with their horses, and shortly after a thick fog came on.
Strong apprehensions were in consequence entertained by the
islanders for their safety, which, next morning, were found too
fatally verified ; for soon after daylight, the bodies of the two un-
fortunate men, and one of the horses, were discovered lifeless on
the sands. Another horse, which by some means survived, stood
motionless beside its dead companion. The remaining two horses
were supposed to have been buried in a quicksand, many of which
abound in this dangerous passage.
1801 (Sept. 23). The foundation stone of the additional
building to the Infirmary at Newcastle, was laid by Sir M. W.
Ridley, bart., one of the vice-presidents of the charity, as repre~
sentative of his grace the duke of Northumberland, the senior
president, in the presence of a great concourse of spectators.
Previous to the ceremony of laying the stone, the worthy baronet
addressed the company assembled, in a neat speech, in which he
pointed out the essential service rendered to numerous unfortunate
members of society by this noble institution, and cordially recom-
mended its most ample support. He paid a just tribute of applause
to the skill and humanity of the physicians and surgeons attached
to the charity, and to the other inferior agents in this great
business of benevolence. Sir Matthew concluded by informing
his auditory, that the duke of Northumberland, to his other
munificent respect for the Infirmary, had added ten guineas, as a
present to the workmen employed in the proposed extension. A
plate with an inscription was deposited in the stone. The ad-
ditional building is of brick, the original of stone. See Feb. Sth,
1751, vol. i., page 197.
October 2. A line of keels was moored across the river Tyne
near Clifford's Fort, and deals laid across from shore to shore.
After carefully examining this extraordinary highway, Lord Mul-
grave mounted his charger, and accompanied by General Murray,
Major Heron, and other officers, rode over from the county of
Durham to Northumberland. Major Heron then galloped back
again. Soon after, Lord Mulgrave marched the 1st regiment of
royal Lancashire militia (accompanied by their field pieces and
ammunition waggons) from Tynemouth barracks over this bridge
to the Herd Sands, when an action took place against a supposed
enemy ; at the same time several shells were fired from a battery
on the north side, which had a fine effect. The troops were then
marched back again, and Major Heron (after firing three close
vollies), marched the South Shields volunteers into Northumberland.
The adjacent banks and hills were covered with spectators to
witness this novel sight.
October 15. On the signing of the preliminaries of peace be-
tween Great Britain and the French Republic, a general illumination
A.D. 1802.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 9
took place in Newcastle and Gateshead, when many loyal and
curious devices in transparency, &c., were exhibited.*
n (Oct 26> About midnight, some incendiary set fire to
stacks in a yard belonging to Messrs. Reed, of Old Town in
the parish of Elsdon, by which diabolical act, seven corn stacks
and one hay stack were totally consumed.
November 19. John Scott, convicted of sheep stealing from
Mr b. Uodd, was executed at Morpeth, pursuant to his sentence.
December 23. Died, at Heaton, near Newcastle, Mr. Thomas
Ihompson. Although blind, he was very famous for his judgement
in cows, of which he purchased many in the markets.
This month, died at Longhorsley, Mr. John Buddler, farmer,
aged 101 years.
This year, Framwellgate and Brasside Moors, and Witton Gil-
bert Commom (2,400 acres), all in the County of Durham, were
divided. The late bishop (Barrington) had one-sixteenth of the soil
allotted, and all the mines. This venerable prelate appropriated
one-third of his whole allotment to the founding of schools within
the county of Durham.
1802 (Jan. 7). About one o'clock on the morning, part of the
wall (to the length of 60 or 70 feet) of All Saints' church-yard, New-
castle, fell into Silver-street, with a tremendous crash, knocking in
the doors and windows of some of the houses opposite, and exposing
to view many coffins and their contents, and vast quantities of human
bones. Happily no lives were lost, nor was any person injured.
May 4. Being the day appointed by the magistrates of New-
castle, for proclaiming the peace between Great Britain and the
French Republic, the morning was ushered in by the ringing of
bells, which continued at intervals during the day. At noon the
Newcastle Volunteers, the Armed Association, and the Gateshead
Volunteers, with their respective bands, were under arms, on the
Sandhill, to receive the members of the corporation, with the
regalia, attended by the officers of the police, eighteen free porters,
carrying each an ancient battle axe, sixteen with javelins, and
sixteen with halberts. The civil authorities were then surrounded
by the military to keep off the crowd, and the sound of trumpets
announced that his majesty's proclamation was about to be read.
This was done by Mr. Richard Hill, the town-marshal ; the town
sword (which had been borne unsheathed) was now sheathed, after
which, the procession moved forward to the west end of Mosley-
street, and then to the White Cross in Newgate-street, at each
of which places tho proclamation was read. The whole returned
in good order to the Sandhill, where, after a feu dejoie, wine was
handed to the magistrates and the military, and the occasion of the
day was drunk with the enthusiasm of acclamation it so well merited.
May 25. The Society of Arts presented the silver medal and
60 guineas to Mr. Henry Greathead of South Shields, for his in-
vention of the life-boat.
* For a particular account of this illumination, see " Account of Rejoicing*
and Illuminations in Newcastle and Gateshead" published by John Sykes.
VOL. II.
10 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1802.
1802 (June \). On this day was published in Newcastle, by
Mr. John Mitchell, the first number of the Tyne Mercury and
Northumberland and Durham Gazette. It is at present published
by his son and successor, Mr. William Andrew Mitchell, the editor.
June. The French emigrant clergy, who had been resident in
Newcastle and its neighbourhood, since Oct. 1796, took their depar-
ture for their own country. They left behind them a most grate-
ful address to their benefactors, written in their native language.
ILGRIM-STREET gate, part of
the town-wall of Newcastle,
was commenced being pulled
down on the 30th of June this
year. It had been long com-
plained of;* frequent instances
having occurred, where it was
found necessary to take off part
of the loading of a waggon, be-
fore a passage through the gate
could be effected. A cannon
ball was found in the wall,
weighing more than 22 Ibs. ; allowing for waste, this had, in all
probability, been a 24 pounder, and thrown during the siege of the
town in 1644. See vol. i., page 97. .In 1716 this gate was repaired
and beautified at the expense of the company of House Carpenters,
whose hall or meeting- room was above the gateway, and in 1771
convenient foot passages were opened out on each side of it, pre-
vious to which, foot passengers must have passed through the horse
road.
JwZ?/22.^Died,in Hillgate, Gateshead, Alice Carr, aged 102 years.
August 23. John Carleton, was executed at Durham, for firing
a pistol loaded with powder, at Mr. Thomas Greenwell, grocer in
Gateshead, whose warehouses he and other accomplices were at-
tempting forcibly to enter.
September 2. A life-boat, built by Mr. Greathead, of South
Shields, arrived at Bamborough castle, under the care of the
Mermaid cutter, captain Smith, and was received with a discharge
of cannon from the battery, and the greatest joy of the people.
September 3. The owners of Percy Main colliejy, accompanied
by a great number of the neighbouring gentlemen, and the work-
men belonging to the colliery, walked in procession with the first
waggon-load of coals from the winning to the slaith at Whitehill
Point upon the river Tyne, On their arrival at the staith, the
waggon was taken to the spout, where a ship was in readiness to
receive the coal, into which they were immediately discharged.
* In October 1770, a petition, signed by tbe inhabitants of Pilgrim-street,
Northumberland-street, and other parts of the town, was presented to the
magistrates and common council of Newcastle, praying that application
might be made for leave to take down Pilgrim-street gate, which would be
of the greatest convenience, and at the same time an excellent improvement
of the town.
A..D 1802.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. H
At the instant of the coal being delivered, a salute of artillery was
fired, the band playing "The Keel Row." The company then formed
a circle, when " Success to Percy Main" was drunk with three
times three cheers. The procession then returned to the winning,
where a plentiful dinner was prepared, which the company, con-
sisting of 150 gentlemen, sat down to, at one table, under a covering
erected for the purpose, at three o'clock ; after dinner appropriate
toasts were drunk, and the afternoon was spent with the greatest
conviviality. All the workmen belonging to the colliery were
plentifully regaled with beef and plum pudding, strong beer and
punch, and they amused themselves with music and dancing till a
late hour.
1802 (Nov. lo). About eleven o'clock at night, an alarming fire
was discovered to have broken out in the steam-engine and boring
mill, at the extensive iron works of Messrs. Hawks and Co., near
Gateshead. From the violence of the flames, great fears were
entertained that the whole premises would have been consumed,
but from the calmness of the evening, and the strenuous exertions
of the firemen, aided by the public, their ravages were confined to
the building first attacked.
November 16. The Literary and Philosophical Society in New-
castle, instituted a perpetual lectureship on Natural and Experi-
mental Philosophy, and appointed the Rev. William Turner,
lecturer, to the endowment of which, the duke of Northumberland
subscribed 200., and the bishop of Durham 100. The introduc-
tory lecture was delivered on the above day.
This month, died at Durham, in the 88th year of his age, Mr.
fiobert Harrison, a profound mathematician. From his knowledge
in mathematics, he was appointed Jan. the 14th, 1757, master of
the Trinity-house school in Newcastle, where he also took private
pupils ; of whom, amongst others of great respectability, were the
present earl of Eldon, and his brother Lord Sto\vell. He was
acquainted with almost every known language, and possessed a most
acute memory. Having resigned his situation at Newcastle, he
retired to Durham, where he spent the remainder of his life. Mr.
Harrison is described as dressing very neat, a dark blue coat with-
out a collar, but not exactly a century old in fashion. When he
walked out, he wore a triangular hat, and carried a cane with a
large amber head to it. He suffered his beard to grow for some
time before his death. He was generally known in Durham and
Newcastle, by the denomination of Philosopher Harrison, which he
probably derived from his having in conjunction with Mr. Isaac
Thompson, given lectures on Natural and Experimental Philosophy.
See January Gth, 1776, vol. L, page 304.
December 7. About twelve o'clock at night, a fire of the most
alarming kind broke out in the premises at the Ouseburn, near
Newcastle, occupied as a pottery by Messrs. Yelloley & Co., which
entirely consumed the same, and the whole of the stock in hand.
A very elegant octagonal light- house, from a design by Mr.
Pickernell, engineer, was this year built near the extremity of the
12 HISTORICAL REGISTBIl OF [A.D. 1802.
north pier at Sunderland. It is built of freestone, and is 68 feet
in height from the pier to the underside of the cap.
1802. This year a dispensary was established at North Shields
under the patronage of his grace the duke of Northumberland. It
is supported by bequests, donations, and annual subscription.
Several curious brass spear heads were this year found in making
a ditch near Cheeseburn Grange, in Northumberland.
1803 (Jan. 4). Died, in Union-street, Newcastle, aged 77,
Mr. Luke Long, of eccentric and facetious memory ; better known
by the appellation of Doctor Long. The doctor in one of his adver-
tisements, says that he " was a student in Edinburgh, and a pupil
in London, and has been in great part of Europe, Africa, and
America." At an early period of life, he had been a surgeon's-
inate in different ships on the coast of Africa ; and hence his ex-
ploits, adventures, and hair-breadth escapes, became ever after,
particularly on convivial occasions, the common topics of his prolix
conversation. As he claimed consanguinity to the great Doctor
Sydenham, he named a son Sydenham Long. After he became
stationary in Newcastle, he was some time employed as an
apothecary in Newcastle, but from the various improvements that
had taken place in the science (the doctor strictly adhering
to the practice of the old school,) his business gradually dwindled
into insignificance; and he was afterwards obliged to stock his shop
with ribbons, tapes, blacking balls, brushes, fyc., in addition to those
of Daffy s Elixir, Anderson's Pills, Worm Calces, cf-c., $-c., which
singular medley would have formed a very curious catalogue. The
doctor was very garrulous, and had somethiug to relate of almost
every person and subject. Very early in life he was a candidate for
popularity, as the following notice, which was circulated in the year
1759, will testify : "Mr. Long, surgeon, on the High Bridge, New-
castle, will bleed any poor person, gratis, at his house, every Sunday
Morning, from seven to ten, during the Summer seasons.'" In person
he was a short thick man, and assuming a very pompous and dig-
nified demeanour, gave him a very professional appearance. He
was usually dressed in black with a cocked hat, white wig, and gold
headed cane, the talisman of the old school.
January 8, 9, 10. There was a tremendous storm with the wind
at east, which did a great deal of damage to the shipping on the
coast of Durham and Northumberland.
February 8. A subscription library was founded at South
Shields, supported by annual subscriptions.
March 13. Died, at North Shields, Mr. William Morris, ship-
wright, aged 102 years.
March 14. An impress by the serjeants-at-mace and con-
stables, broke out in Newcastle in consequence of the re-commence-
ment of hostilities by the French.
March. Died, at Birtley, Mr. George Robson, aged 102 years.
April 5. A gold ring was found in harrowing a piece of ground
near Halton Chesters. It weighed 8 dwts. 15 grs., was set with a
mail blue stone slightly injured, and afterwards worn by Lady
A.D. 1803.J REMARKABLE EVENTS. 13
Blackett, of Matfen. The following are representations of the
ring and of the stone.
1803 (April). Died, in the Island of Trinidad, Henry Swin-
burne, esq., the celebrated traveller, youngest son of the late Sir
John Swinburne, bart., of Capheaton, in Northumberland. He was
educated at Scorton School, in Yorkshire, and afterwards studied
at Paris, Bordeaux, and in the Royal Academy at Turin. In
1774, he and his lady travelled on the continent for the express
purpose of indulging their taste for antiquities and the fine arts.
On his return to England, he retired to his seat at Hamsterley y in
the county of Durham. He published his " Travels in Spain,"
4to., 1779 ; and afterwards "Travels in the Two Sicilies," 2 vols.,
4to., 1783. By the marriage of his only daughter to Paul Benfield,
esq.,* he became involved in the misfortunes of that speculator,
and obtained a place in the newly-ceded settlement of Trinidad,
where he died.
May 9. Died, of a paralytic attack, Sir Robert Chambers, a
native of Newcastle, where he was born in the year 1737, and
educated at the Free Grammar School in that town. He after-
wards went to Oxford, and in July, 1754, he was chosen exhibi-
tioner of Lincoln college, and afterwards became fellow of Univer-
sity college. In January, 1762, he was elected by the university
Vinerian Professor of the Laws of England. In 1768, he was
offered the appointment of attorney-general in Jamaica, which he
thought proper to decline. In 1773, he accepted the appointment
of second judge in the supreme court of judicature in Bengal, then
first established ; Mr. Impey, afterwards Sir Elijah, being chief-
justice. In 1780, he received the honour of knighthood, as an ex-
press act of royal approbation. In 1 782, he lost his son, when on
his passage to England for education, in the Grosvenor East India-
man. On the resignation of Sir Eligah Impey, in 1791, Sir Robert
was advanced to the office of chief -justice; and, in 1797, he became
* April, 1810, died, at Paris, in indigent circumstances, Paul Benfield,
esq., whose fortune, on his return from India a few years before, was sup-
posed to exceed half a million sterling.
14 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF fA.D. 1803.
president of the the Asiatic Society. In 1799, he returned to Eng-
land; and in the autumn of 1802, he went to France for his health,
and died in Paris, as above stated. His body was brought to
England by his widow, and on the 23rd of May, was interred in
the Temple church, London. Sir Robert had a brother, William,
who was interpreter of the supreme court of Bengal, over which
Sir Robert presided.
1803 (May 10). A great number of keelmen were impressed
at Shields, by which the coal trade was much impeded. After
being inspected, fifty- three were retained and sent away.
June 9. Died suddenly, at the Wheat Sheaf inn, near the Vir-
ginia water, in Windsor Great Park, aged 46, Joseph Richardson,
e?q., M.P. for Newport, and one of the proprietors of Drury Lane
theatre. Mr. R. was a native of Hexham, and while at college
he distinguished himself by the elegance, beauty, and vigour of
his prose and poetical compositions. He was the author of " The
Fugitive" a comedy ; " Probationary Odes for the Laureatship ;"
" The Rolliad, &c., &c. He left a widow and four daughters to
mourn his loss. On the 13th, his body was interred in Egham
churchyard. A portrait of Mr. Richardson is prefixed to his
" Remains."
June 16. The keelmen of the Tyne, who had been impressed
on the 10th of the preceding month, returned home, government
having agreed to take substitutes for them ; and on the 30th,
eighty men, raised as substitutes to serve in bis Majesty's navy,
went down the river Tyne in a, keel, to be shipped for the Nore.
These were furnished to government at the joint expense of the
keelmen, to prevent them being liable to the impress.
June 26. Three tents were burnt down on the Town Moor,
Newcastle, supposed by an incendiary.
June 30. The banking-house of Messrs. Surtees and Burdon,
in Newcastle, slopped payment. This, to a great number of people,
was a most disastrous circumstance.
August 2. The committee who received the enrolment of mem-
bers to serve in the Newcastle Loyal Associated Volunteer Infantry,
finished their sittings, after having sworn in upwards of 1,200
men, who had boldly come forward to serve their country at that
important crisis. On the following day, a numerous and respect-
able meeting of the members was held in the Merchants' Court,
when the following gentlemen were nominated and approved of as
officers : Sir M. W. Ridley, bart., colonel ; M. W. Ridley, esq.,
1st lieutenant-colonel ; Anthony Hood, esq., 2nd lieutenant-colonel;
John Hodgson, of Els wick, esq., 1st major ; William Grieve, esq ,
2nd major ; William Ingham, esq., to be surgeon ; Isaac Cookson,
jun., C. D. Purvis, Malin Sorsbie, Robert Clayton, John Brumell,
Thomas Hopper, Robert Yelloley, Thomas Clarke, Thomas Smith,
and Dixon Brown, esqrs., to be captains ; John Gray, "William
Lloyd, W. R. Calender, William Boyd, Richard Rogerson, Robert
Pinknoy, Robert Pearson, Samuel Walker Parker, William Cuthbert,
and Benjamin Sorsbie, esqrs., to be 1st lieutenants ; William Abbs,
A.D. 1803.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 15
William "Wright, Job James Bulman, John Hall, Thomas Rankin,
Thomas Smith, jun., William John Grey, William Fisher, Taylor
Winship,and William Peters, esqrs., to be 2nd lieutenants; William
Dixon, gentleman, to be adjutant ; Mr. Edward Milburn and Mr.
William Heaton to be Serjeant-majors. August 24th, the mem-
bers, consisting of ten companies, were marched from their respec-
tive parades to the town moor, to receive their colonel, 'Sir M. W.
Ridley, bart. The corps was then formed three-deep, and, though
without their uniforms or muskets, made a formidable appearance.
On the arrival of the worthy colonel in front of the line, he was
most cordially cheered with three times-three by the whole corps.
About the middle of October, they received their muskets, and on
the 24th, had a general muster for the first time under arms, in a
field called Blackett's field, outside of the town's wall, near the Pos-
tern gate. Their uniform consisted of a scarlet jacket, with blue
facings, cap and feather, white breeches, and full black gaiters.
Nov. 22nd, the corps marched to the Town Moor, for the double
purpose of receiving their colours and being inspected by Colonel
Blakeney, inspecting field-officer. Sir M. W. Ridley, on delivering
the colours to the ensigns, made a very appropriate speech; the
inspection then commenced, after which the corps went through
the various evolutions with great precision. The colonel, after the
business of the day was over, presented each company with ten
guineas, to make merry with on the occasion. There was also a
grand dinner at Loftus's. During the inspection, &c., the New-
castle volunteers kept the ground.
1803 (Aug. 9). Died, at Newcastle, Mr. William Charnley,
aged 76 years, bookseller, and father of the trade in that town,
highly and justly respected for his literary and professional talents,
his strict integrity, and social worth. His view of human nature
was enlarged and liberal, and the natural dignity of his mind was
tempered with the purest urbanity. Mr. Charnley, on behalf of
the public, strenuously advocated their rights to the valuable
library at St. Nicholas' church, Newcastle, bequeathed to them by
Dr. Thomlinson. A portrait of Mr. Charnley is engraved for
private distribution.
August 15. John Moses was executed at Durham, pursuant to
his sentence, for stealing a quantity of linen drapery goods, in the
shop of Benjamin Jackson, of Barnardcastle.
September 3. The foundation-stone of an elegant new bridge of
cast iron was laid on the north side of the river Tees, at Eggles-
cliffe, in the county of Durham. This bridge afterwards fell down.
September 23. Died, Mr. Joseph Ritson, a native of Stockton,
and born Oct. 2nd, 1752. Mr. Ritson was bred to the law, but a
passion for ancient English poetry, rhyme, and ballad, induced him
to become an indefatigable collector in this way. At one period
Ritson had possessed a competent property, but it was amongst
his anomalies, that, though he detested gambling, he had ventured
to speculate with nearly his whole fortune in the funds, and the
revulsion consequent on the peace of Amiens, swept away most of
16 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.t>. 1803.
his capital. Under these circumstances, he sold a portion of his
very valuable library by auction, and the remainder was reluctantly
disposed of by his nephew, at Leigh and Sotheby's, in December,
1803. He abstained on a principle of humanity from the use of
animal food, and published a book in defence of his opinion. He
had a considerable turn for topography, and assisted both Brewster
and Hutchinson in their respective histories. Many of Ritson's
works (some of which were printed at Newcastle), are become
extremely rare. He died in a deplorable state of mental derange-
ment. There is no good portrait of Ritson, only a caricature, a
print, and a slight etching (in the Literary Anecdotes), both which
seem to be taken from the caricature. There is also a black profile
prefixed to his memoir.
1803 (Sept 25). An explosion took place in Wallsend colliery,
by which unfortunate circumstance, thirteen individuals lost their
lives.
September 26. Being the day appointed by Mr. Simon Temple
to celebrate the opening of his colliery at Jarrow, the fineness of the
day, and the general invitation, drew many thousands of people to
witness the passage of the coals to the ship, Fox, which lay, highly
decorated with colours, to receive them. Early on the morning, the
South Shields bells announced the intended feast, and all the ships
in Shields harbour immediately hoisted their colours. About ten
o'clock, Mr. Temple arrived at South Shields, to proceed with the
shipwrights, attended by the bands of the Northumberland and
Anglesea militias, to the place of festivity, celebrated in early times
as the birthplace of Bede. Immediately on his arrival in the mar-
ket-place, the shipwrights took the horses out of the carriage, and
drew him, attended by his father and three sons, to Jarrow, with
flags flying and music playing. On Jarrow bridge, he was met
by a large assemblage of gentlemen, headed by Sir Cuthbert Heron,
bart., who greeted him on his arrival. Their first step was to lay the
foundation-stone of a school, for the education of the poor children
of the various workmen employed by Mr. Temple. This was done
by his eldest son, Mr. William Temple, amidst the plaudits of the
whole company. They next proceeded to lay the foundation-stone
of a building intended as a seminary for the instruction of poor
females in offices more suitable to their sex than several of their
employments in the north of England. These commendable acts
being finished, the procession moved to another part of the estate, to
lay the foundation-stone of a fever house and hospital, for such of
the families employed in Mr. Temple's various works as might re-
quire these comforts. By this time, several of the clergy of the
cathedral of Durham, the corporation barge of Newcastle, with
several members of that body, and a great number of the most re-
spectable gentlemen from all parts of the country, had arrived. They
now proceeded to the more immediate cause of their meeting; and
the waggons being loaded with coals, were taken to the ship, under
the banners of the South Shields loyal volunteers, which were
then unfurled, and a general discharge of artillery, the music
A..D. 1803.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 17
playing " Wed may the Keel Row" and other appropriate tunes.
It was supposed that not less than 10,000 people were assembled
on this occasion. In a tent prepared for their entertainment,
about 300 gentlemen sat down to dinner. The workmen, in
number 500, dined at a long table without. After dinner a great
number of loyal and applicable toasts were given.
1803 (Oct 4:) The Newcastle volunteers, commanded by
Lieut.-Col. Clennell, assembled near the Forth to receive their
colours, which had been deposited in the mansion-house at their
previous disembodiment. Thomas Smith, esq., mayor, with a
suitable speech, presented the colours to the commander, who
addressed the corps in a handsome and appropriate speech, which
was received with three times three cheers. The corps went
through their evolutions and firings with great precision. The
peculiarity of the uniform (very dark green) worn by the com-
pany of riflemen attached to the corps, attracted very general
attention. Part of the Gateshead volunteers attended to keep the
ground. The corps afterwards dined at Loftus's, and spent the
day with social mirth.
October 25. The Newcastle waggon train, consisting of upwards
of 150 waggons and carts, with their horses and drivers, enrolled
for the service of government in case of invasion, were mustered
upon the Town Moor, in the presence of the mayor, and several of
the magistrates and other respectable gentlemen. The drivers
were dressed in uniform frocks, and the whole had a good
appearance.
November 6. The Durham armed association was again called
out on the re-commencement of the war, and had their first parade
on the above day. Col. Fenwick resigned the command from ill
health in 1806, when a handsome piece of plate was presented to
him by the commissioned and non-commissioned officers and pri-
vates. November 30th, 1806, Edward Shipperdson, esq , succeeded
to the command, and the corps remained embodied till March
24th, 1813, when they had their last parade, and extended their
services to the local militia. A handsome piece of plate was pre-
sented to Colonel Shipperdson by the officers and privates. April
19th, 1813.
November 16. The Gateshead volunteers, commanded by Cuth-
bert Ellison, of Hebburn, esq., paraded in Oakwell-gate, prepara-
tory to marching to the field, where they were to receive their
colours. About half-past twelve o'clock they arrived on the ground,
which was previously kept by the Newcastle volunteers, when the
line was formed, the centre opposite the stand erected for the ac-
commodation of the ladies. As soon as Mrs. Ellison, who presented
the colours, had taken her station, supported on the right by the
right honourable the earl of Strathmore, and on the left by John
Carr, esq.. she was received with a general salute, the ceremony
then commenced by the regiment going through the manual
exercise ; after which, three sides of the square were formed by
the corps, the stand in front making the fourth. The colonel then
18 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1803:
dismounted and ascended the platform, when Mrs. Ellison addressed
him in an appropriate speech. She then delivered the colours
into the hands of Colonel Ellison, who replied in a strain of manly
eloquence ; he afterwards addressed the corps, and delivered the
standards in charge of the ensigns. After going through various
manoeuvres, the whole was concluded with a general salute, the
colours were then taken to Mr. Bertram's, the Goat Inn, Gateshead,
where they were deposited. The right honourable the earl of
Strathmore, John Carr, esq., Brook Richmond, esq., rev. Dr.
Prosser, and several other gentlemen, together with the officers of
the Newcastle volunteers, afterwards dined with the Gateshead
volunteers, at Bertram's. The men were regaled at the different
public houses in Gateshead with dinners. &c.
As it is impossible within the limits of this work to particularise
every corps which came forward in the counties of Durham and
Northumberland, on the re-commencement of hostilities, it may
be briefly stated, that almost every town and village furnished
volunteers, who came forward with an alacrity truly astonishing.
1803 (Nov. 29> Died, at North Shields, Ann Turner, at the
very advanced age of 105 years. She retained her faculties to the
last.
December 20. About five o'clock on the morning, a fire broke
out in the Tyne steam-engine paper mill, at Felling-shore, near
Gateshead, belonging to Messrs. Hawks and Co., which, in a short
time, entirely consumed the stock, machinery, and buildings.
December 26. A volunteer corps of artificers for Newcastle r
under the command of David Stephenson, esq., architect, took the
oath of allegiance in the mayor's chamber. Their uniform was a
blue jacket and trousers, and a round hat.
December 27. Died, in the Infirmary, at Newcastle, Thomas
Houston, brass founder, aged 26 years. He was the author of
" The Race to Hell," " Progress of Madness," " Poems, Odes, and
Songs" " The Term-day, or, the Unjust Steward" a comedy, and
various other pieces of considerable merit. He was interred in
the burial ground belonging to the Infirmary.
The chapel at Whitworth, in the county of Durham, was rebuilt
about this year.
1804 (Jan. 7). About two o'clock on the morning (Sunday),
the cotton manufactory belonging to Messrs. Salvin, near St.
Oswald's church, in the city of Durham, was discovered to be on
fire in the upper stories ; the alarm was instantly given, and the
Durham volunteers were quickly on the spot. The inhabitants also
assembled in great numbers to give assistance, and although the
fire engines had speedily arrived from the different churches, yet
the fire continued to gain ground, and at about three o'clock the
roof fell in. The flames were now seen for miles around the city,
as if bursting from a burning crater. Towards daylight the con-
flagration abated, but the building was reduced to a shell. The
south front fell in at eight o'clock, and other portions gave way in
the course of the day,
A..D. 1804.] HE3IARKABLE EVENTS. 19
1804 (Jan. 18). A dreadful fire broke out in the brewery at
the Low Lights, North Shields, belonging to Henry Coward, esq.
It was first discovered about four o'clock in the morning, and was
not got under until considerable damage was done.
February 1. In the evening of this day, a considerable degree
of bustle and confusion prevailed in Newcastle on the subject of
invasion. The military, both horse and foot, were all in motion,
and the drums of the Staffordshire militia beat to arms. There
were strong musters of the Newcastle loyal armed association and
volunteers, of the Gateshead volunteers, Usworth legion, and
I )erwent rangers. An officer's guard was mounted at the head-
quarters of the Gateshead volunteers during the night in order to
assemble the regiment as quickly as possible should any further par-
ticulars transpire relative to the nature of the alarm. In short, such
a display of zeal and ardour in behalf of the country was manifested
by all descriptions of men as could not be surpassed. On the follow-
ing morning, the same cause excited a considerable degree of alarm
at Durham. Major Mowbray (notwithstanding several of his corps
were at a few miles distance) despatched messengers, and had his
whole corps in readiness to assemble on the Palace-green in less
than two hours, fully equipped for the field. The North Durham
corps, commanded by Sir Carnaby Haggerstone, were in Berwick
all Wednesday. On Thursday, the guards were all doubled, and
the volunteers put upon garrison duty ; orders were also issued by
the mayor, that no person was to be seen on the ramparts after eight
o'clock in the evening. Report amused the public during the whole
of Wednesday, with a variety of vague and improbable rumours ;
but the most likely on Thursday was, that the whole had originated
in a mistake, of taking the burning of whins on Lammer-muir
hills for the lighting of the signals. To prevent a similar mistake,
the corporation of Newcastle published the following notice "In
order to prevent any Alarm in the Country, Notice is hereby given,
that the undermentioned Signals, intended to be macte use of in
case of Invasion, but only in the Event of the General Officer,
commanding his Majesty's Forces in this District, giving Orders for
the Removal of the Inhabitants and Stock of this Town, will be
made for the information of the inhabitants, on Tuesday the 20th
day of March instant, between 12 and 1 o'Clock at Noon, and be-
tween 8 and 9 o'Clock in the Evening; and that such Signals will
be a Red Flag by Day, and a Light by Night, hoisted at the fol-
lowing Places, (viz.) The Castle, St. Nicholas' Church, All Saints'
Church, St. Andrew's Church, and the Tower at the Westgate,
accompanied by Five Minute Guns, fired at each of the following
Places, (viz.) The Castle, All Saints' Church, Newgate, and
Westgate. THOMAS SMITH, mayor. Newcastle, 16th March,
1804." Agreeably to notice, the signals were tried at the above
places, and they were sufficiently seen in every direction to answer
the purpose for which they were intended.
March 24. The new graving dock at St. Peter's Quay, east of
Newcastle, built by Mr. William Row, was completed, and took in
20 HISTORICAL REGISTKR OF [A.D. 1804
the Henry and the Colpits, two vessels of above 300 tons burthen.
It was capable of receiving vessels of twelve feet water.
1804 (April 6). About eleven o'clock at night, a most terrible
fire broke out in the extensive glass works belonging to Messrs.
Blackett and Co., at South Shields, which, in a few hours, com-
pletely destroyed the building, together with most of the stock
and utensils contained in the same. The whole of the damage
was estimated at 3,000.
April 8. Died, at the house of her grandson, in Gateshead,
Mrs. Ann Parkin, aged 104 years. She enjoyed a good state of
health till within a few months of her death.
April 12. Died, at the vicarage house, in Newcastle, in the 45th
year of his age, the Rev. Joseph Dacre Carlyle, B.D , and member
of the Society of Antiquaries, London. Mr. C. was the sou of
George Carlyle, M.D., of Carlisle, and born in that city, June 4th,
1758. There he received his early education, and in 1775 entered
of Christ's College, Cambridge, which he afterwards quitted for
Queen's College. After leaving college, he settled in Carlisle,
where he obtained one of the two parish churches, of which he
performed the duties many years. In 1793, he took his degree of
B.D., and the following year was elected to the professorship of
Arabic. In 1795, he was called to the chancellorship of the diocese
of Carlisle, vacated by the celebrated Dr. Paley. In 1799, from his
great skill in oriental literature, he was appointed by Mr. Pitt to
attend the embassy of the earl of Elgin, to the Ottoman Court ; to
this he agreed, but had no official situation. Whilst at Constanti-
nople, he was admitted (according to expectation) into the libraries,
and made catalogues of the works which they contained ; after a
residence of some months in the capital, he undertook, with a small
party, a very extensive expedition into the provinces of the empire.
His route lay through Asia Minor, and through countries which
had not been penetrated by Europeans since the Turkish conquest.
This was a very hazardous journey. He spent some time in the
Troad, and surveyed with accuracy the site which had been as-
signed to ancient Troy. After a long journey by land, he took
shipping, and sailed (touching at many of the Grecian Islands) to
Alexandria, where he found Sir Sidney Smith, aboard the " Tigre,"
with whom he spent six weeks. From Egypt he proceeded into
Syria, and spent some time in Jerusalem, and other remarkable
parts of the Holy-land, from whence he returned to Constantinople,
where he resided some time. He next travelled into Greece, and
visited the ruins of some of its most celebrated cities. He visited
the plains of Marathon, where the monument of Miltiades still re-
mains. With great labour he made catalogues of all the works in
the twenty- two libraries which are contained in the twenty- two
monasteries of Mount Athos. In this he was assisted by the Rev.
Philip Hunt,* chaplain to the embassy. Many of the monks im-
pressed him with a high opinion of their abilities and learning.
* This divine is a native of Newcastle, and had his early education at the
Grammar School there.
A.D. 1804.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 21
Before his return to England, he made a tour through part of
Italy, from whence he proceeded through the Tyrol and part of
Germany, and landed in England in September 1801. During his
absence he had visited the most celebrated countries of the old
world. Soon after his return he was presented by the bishop of
Carlisle to the vicarage of Newcastle, into which living he was
inducted October 5th, 1801, but unfortunately for literature and
his f liends, he did not long enjoy his promotion. His health had
probably been injured by the fatigues of his travels, and the variety
of climate he had endured, and he laboured for a considerable time
under a painful and distressing malady which terminated his
existence as above stated. He lies buried at St. Cuthbert's, Carlisle,
with the rest of the family. See an extract of a letter from Mr.
Carlyle to the churchwardens of St. Nicholas, vol. i. page 51.
1804 (April IS}. The agreement was closed between the
stewards of the incorporated companies of Newcastle and an agent
from government, for eleven acres of ground on the Town Moor,
at a rent of 55. per annum, on which to erect a large depot for
military stores, barracks, stabling, &c. These erections were com-
pleted in April, 1806.
April 27. The fair for the sale of live stock opened at Tyne-
mouth for the first time, as that of North Shields for the sale of
all other goods, and for the hiring of servants. The business of
the day began at the Bull Ring, North Shields, by the assembling
-of a number of gentlemen, accompanied by his grace the duke of
Northumberland's tenants all on horseback. The proclamation was
first read by the bailiff of Tynemouthshire and clerk of the market,
when the procession moved forward to the market-place ; the
duchess of Northumberland's own bagpiper, in his proper habili-
ments, mounted upon a white pony, and playing the favourite air
of " My Jockey stays lang at the Fair" in the van ; next to him the
bailiff of the manor (Mr. Weatherby), and his deputy ; then the
gentlemen and tenants, two and two. When they arrived at the
Post-office, another proclamation was made ; they then proceeded
to Tynemouth-castle gates, and proclaimed the fair there, and from
thence to the place where the ancient cross of Tynemouth stood,
in the days of the priory. After making another proclamation,
accompanied by three cheers, the piper performed some northern
airs in a style that would have done honour to Courtney, Gow, or
Allan. The Percy tenantry calvary attended in uniform, and after-
wards dined together at one of the inns, when a number of appro-
priate toasts were drunk. The fairs are held here twice a year, viz :
on the last Friday in April, and the first Friday in November.
April 29. The Newcastle volunteers, commanded by Lieut.
Col. Clennell, commenced in Newcastle their twenty-one days of
permanent duty, which they undertook with an ardour and alacrity
highly honourable to the corps.
April 30. The North Shields and Tynemouth volunteers en-
tered upon permanent duty for one month ; The guards of Clifford's
fort, Tynemouth barracks, and the Spanish battery, were delivered
22 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1804.
up to them. The company in Clifford's fort had not been in pos-
session of it more than four hours, when Major Doyle, of the light
brigade, from Sunderland, crossed the Tyne, in a large flat-bottomed
boat, accompanied by one company of the 61st regiment, one com-
pany of the Northumberland militia, and one company of the
Lanark militia, The major galloped up to the fortgate and demanded
entrance, but was answered by Colonel Linskill in the negative.
The colonel instantly made a signal for reinforcements, when
another company of volunteers marched down the hill from Dock-
wray-square, and commenced a sharp sham action on the Low-
lights bridge, while the men in the fort made a sally, and the battle
beciime general ; much skill and apparent courage were displayed
on both sides, the contending parties at intervals charging bayonets,
and the engagement ended in the retreat of the assailants. During
the contest, a party of the volunteers crossed the Tyne, and struck
the tents of the beseiging party.
1804 (May 25). This day (Friday), being the general fast, the
Newcastle loyal associated volunteer infantry assembled in their
parade ground, from whence they marched to St Nicholas' church,
and attended divine service. The same day their route arrived for
the performance of permanent duty for 21 days, upon which they
entered with cheerfulness ; nearly 800 privates having previously
volunteered their services for duty.
May 29. The Society of Arts presented their silver medal to
Mr. William Watson, of North Middleton, near belford, in North-
umberland, for the comparative culture of turnips.
This month, on removing a mound of earth, to make the outer
entrance into Tynemouth castle more suitable to the ingress and
egress of heavy pieces of ordnance, vast quantities of human bones
were found, supposed to be the remains of bodies buried there,
after the storming of the castle in 1648, by Cromwell's troops,
under the command of Sir Arthur Haslerigg. See 1G48 vol. i.
page 102.
June 4. All the volunteer corps within a day's march of New-
castle, were assembled on the Town Moor there, and fired three
vollies in honour of his majesty's birth-day. The line extended
above a mile in length. A great concourse of spectators was
present.
June 9. A very serious riot took place in Berwick, between a
recruiting party of the York reserve, and some of the inhabitants.
In a short time upwards of a thousand people were upon the street,
and swords and bayonets were seen glaring among the crowd in
great numbers ; the most dreadful oaths and groans were heard
in every quarter. The main guard soon turned out, and eagerly
rushed forward to the assistance of their officers and comrades, the
former having exerted their authority in vain. The utmost con-
fusion and uproar prevailed, and their seemed no mode left of
quelling the riot until the mayor, attended by his officers, with
the other magistrates, and a considerable number of private gentle-
men interfered ; their united exertions at length were successful,
A. D. 1804] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 23
after many desperate blows were given and received, and quietness
was at last restored upon the soldiers retiring to their barracks.
The mayor was several times upon the point of causing the riot
act to be read, but this was fortunately rendered unnecessary the
moment that the swords and bayonets were sheathed. The conduct
of the chief magistrate during the affray was judicious, spirited,
and manly; he derived great assistance from the energetic exertions
and coolness of Captain Locke of the royal navy.
1804 (Junt). As some workmen were pulling down an old
house at Gallow-hill, in Northumberland, a bag of gold pieces, of
the coin of Charles the First was found ; the legend Carolus D. G.
Mag. Bri. F. et Hi. Rex. and XX, behind the head, to denote its
value in shillings ; and on the reverse, around the arms, Floreat
Concordia Regni.
June. Military encampments were formed on the coast of
Northumberland.
July 2. The Gateshead volunteers, commanded by Lieut.-Col.
Askew, marched into Newcastle for the performance of three
weeks permanent duty. The arrival of the corps was greeted by
various peals from the bells of St. Nicholas.
This, and several successive years, the volunteers, generally
throughout the kingdom, performed permanent duty.
July 20. Died, at Burnt-houses, Whickham Fell, Mrs. Dunn,
aged 107 years.
July 25. Between eight and nine o'clock at night, the hold of
the sloop Eliza, of Aberdeen, lying at Newcastle quay, with a
valuable cargo of merchandise on board, was discovered to be on
fire. The drums and bugle of the armed association immediately
sounded an alarm, when the members of that corps (who had a
little before returned from the field), were in a few minutes assem-
bled and proceeded to the Quay, where they were of the utmost
service in keeping off the crowd, and protecting the property that
was taken out of the vessel. Two engines were managed with so-
much skill, that about eleven o'clock, the fire was completely got
under. The cargo being much burnt and injured, the less was
very great.
July. A vote having been passed at the quarter sessions, to
double the width of the passage of Elvet bridge, in the city of
Durham, the work was commenced this month, and the last arch
was closed August 4th, 1805. The workmen, in taking down park
of the southernmost pillar, found amongst the masonry a noble of
Edward VI.
August 31. A general muster of the Newcastle waggon train,
under the command of Captain Davidson, took place upon tho
Town Moor, when the whole, amounting to upwards of 160 wag-
gons, carts, fec., were assembled. After being minutely inspected,
the whole passed the captain in the greatest order and regularity.
The corps were officered by a captain-commandant, two lieu-
tenants, and five superintendants or ensigns, who held commissions
24 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1804.
from the lord-lieutenant, and consisted of fifteen troops, each under
the immediate direction of a conductor, who was a warrant officer.
It was the only regular establishment of the kind (except the royal
waggon train) in England.
1804 (Sept. 12). The two volunteer corps of Newcastle, with
the waggon train, were inspected on the Town Moor, by the Hon.
Brigadier General Grey. The associated corps mustered about
700 privates, and the Newcastle volunteers about 200, all of whom
were mounted upon the carts and waggons provided for the occa-
sion, and proceeded in this manner to town. The novelty of the
scene drew together an immense crowd of spectators. In case of
actual invasion, the plan was admirably calculated to lessen the
fatigues of a long march, and to preserve unimpaired the vigour of
the troops till the moment of action.
September 27. A silver cup, value fifty guineas, raised by a
subscription of the gentlemen of the Newcastle Hunt, was run for
on Newcastle race ground. Out of thirty subscribers, only five
started. It was won by Isaac Cookson, jun., esq.
September 29. About six o'clock in the evening, a most alarm-
ing fire broke out in the back premises, known by the name of
Coward's yard, in Alnwick, inhabited by poor people, which
threatened serious consequences, as many thatched houses were
nearly adjoining ; but the wind providentially kept moderate.
Two engines were soon on the spot, and were well supplied with
water, notwithstanding which, four houses in one row, containing
nine families, were burnt down.
December 9. Died, in Hexham, Sarah Stephenson, aged 102
years.
A house of recovery, for the cure and prevention of contagious
diseases, was this year built without the town's-wall, and a little
north of the Westgate, Newcastle.
This year, a superb painting by the celebrated Giordano, repre-
senting the last supper, was presented by George Anderson, esq.,
to the inhabitants of the chapelry of St. Andrew's, in Newcastle,
which was placed above the communion table of that church.
Cocken Hall, about four miles north of the city of Durham, this
year, became the residence of a convent of nuns, of the order of St.
Theresa, from Lier, in Flanders.
1805 (May 21). Died, at Sunderland, Edward Lawson, at the
advanced age of 106 years.
May 25. Died, at Bishopwearmouth rectory, in the sixty-
second year of his age, William Paley, D.D. This eminent philo-
sopher and divine of the church of England, was born at Peter-
borough, in 1743. In 1795, he was presented by the late bishop
of Durham (Barrington) to the living of Bishopwearmouth. He
was also sub-dean of Lincoln. He was the author of some excel-
lent works, viz. : " Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy,"
" Horce Paulina," View of the Evidences of Christianity," " Natural
Theology, or Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity,"
" Sermons," -c., $c.
A.D. 1805.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 25
1805 (June 5). The Society of Arts presented a gold medal to
Mr. William Taylor, of Beamish, in the county of Durham, for
improving 308 acres of waste land on Pelton Grange estate.
June 28. Lord Elibank crossed the Scottish border with the
Peebleshire volunteers. The regiment, having arrived at Carham-
haugh, in Northumberland, were formed in line, when they fired
three vollies and gave three cheers. This was the first Scottish
volunteer corps that had entered England in a body. The men,
after being plentifully regaled by their officers with several casks
of porter, &c., returned to their quarters at Kelso in the evening.
August 7. The new and beautiful brewery at the Dean, near
South Shields, was burnt down.
August 12. Richard Metcalfe was executed at Durham for the
murder of his son-in-law.
August 16. Thomas Clare, a private in the 2nd Staffordshire
militia, was executed, according to his sentence, at the Westgate,
Newcastle, for the murder of William Todd. He was much agi-
tated at the awful preparation for eternity, so much so, that he
appeared nearly dead before his suspension ; he made no public
confession of his guilt. The murder was committed August 19th,
1804, during the time the regiment was encamped near Hartley.
August 19. About three o'clock on the morning, a terrible fire
was discovered in the colour manufactory at the Ouseburn, occu-
pied by Messrs Parker, of Newcastle. The flames raged with such
fury, that in a short time the building was almost totally destroyed.
The damage was estimated at upwards of 4,000.
In the evening of the same day, William Henry West Betty,
the young Roscius, aged 13 years, first performed at the Theatre-
Royal, Newcastle, in the character of Douglas. He performed
thirteen nights, and drew crowded audiences. The receipts during
that time were 1889. IGs. 6J., at the advanced prices, averaging
145. 7s. 5d. per night. The last night (13th), he performed
Rolla for his own benefit, which produced 210. 9s.
October 21. Died, Mrs. Kidd, mother of Mr. Kidd, flax-dre&ser,
in Newcastle, at the great age of 103 years.
October 21. An explosion took place in Hebburn colliery, by
which 35 human beings lost their lives, leaving 25 widows and 81
children unprovided for.
November 28. An explosion took place in Oxclose colliery, by
which unfortunate accident 38 human beings were hurried into
eternity, and 18 widows and 70 children were thrown upon the
charity of the public.
December 10. In the evening of this day, was found dead, on the
road between Hexham and Haydon-bridge, Mr. Thomas Graham,
tallow-chandler, of the latter place. His death was occasioned by
a fall from his horse. It was very remarkable, a strange dog was
lying by the body when found, and would suffer no person to come
near it till forced. It afterwards followed the body to Haydon-
bridge, up into the chamber where it was laid, and being banished
out of the room, it found his boots in another, and lay down upon
VOL. II. E
26 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [,V.D. 1805.
them ; it also followed close behind the body to the place of
interment, and was seen many days afterwards howling and
scratching upon the grave. The dog belonged to Mr. Armstrong,
butcher, of Hexham. Mrs. Batey, of the Grey Bull Inn, Hexham,
where Mr. Graham set out from, heard a dog howling horribly as
Mr. Graham left her house.
1805 (Dec. 10). During the night an extraordinary high tide
took place at Shields, and the sea being very high, occasioned the
waves to break with great fury against the stone quay at the foot
of Tynemouth-barracks, built by order of his royal highness the
duke of York. Several of the woodenheads, or breakwaters,
finished in the most substantial manner, were torn from their
places in front of the wall and dashed to pieces. The tide washed
down the sentry-box near Clifford's-fort, although placed where
the water seldom reached; Much old ship timber was carried
adrift, and, by driving up and down, damaged and sunk several
boats. The sea continued high for some days.
December 26= Died, at Fenwick-hall, near Stamfordham, in
Northumberland, Mrs. Ann Dixon, aged 100 years.
This year, the Postern-gate (part of the town wall), Newcastle,
was pulled down. This gate had been of great strength. See the
year 1095. vol. i., page 16.
An ancient Roman celt was this year ploughed out of Tunstall-
hills, in the county of Durham. It was about 5 inches long, and
2i broad at the edge.
1806 (Jan. 9). Being the day appointed for the funeral of Lord
Nelson, at the cathedral of St. Paul, in London, the bells of St.
Nicholas' and All Saints' churches, in Newcastle, rung muffled
peals at intervals during the day. The great bell of St. Mary's, in
Gateshead, was also tolled on the same melancholy occasion. At
South Shields, the great bell tolled at intervals from sun-rise to
sun-set, and the ensign on the steeple was hoisted half-staff high ;
in the evening, a solemn peal was rung from 7 to 8 o'clock, and
besides these marks of respect to departed heroism, most of the
inhabitants appeared in mourning, and all the ships in the harbour
displayed their colours half-mast high. In 1807, Alexander Davison,
esq., of Swarland, in Northumberland, erected an obelisk of free-
stone, to the memory of the gallant admiral. It stands near the
post road, about a mile north of the village of Felton.
January 13. Died, in , Toll-street, North Shields, Mr. William
Lamshaw, aged 25 years, her grace the duehess of Northumber-
land's own bagpiper. This extraordinary performer on the im-
proved small pipes, was grandson of the celebrated piper Lamshaw,.
of Morpeth, and on his demise, was taken from the band of the
Northumberland militia, where he had been since a boy of twelve
years of age. When only eighteen, he played a match against the
most famed pipers in the north of England, at Elsdon, before the
duke's baronial court, and some distinguished judges, and bore
away the prize.
February 8. Between four and five o'clock on the morning^ the-
A.D. 180C.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 27
premises occupied by Messrs. Beilby and Hawthorn, -watch-glass
manufacturers, in Bell's Court, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, were dis-
covered to be so totally enveloped in flames, that every assistance to
extinguish the devouring element proved unavailing, and the whole
were consumed in the course of an hour. The stock, which amounted
to between two and three thousand pounds, was entirely destroyed.
1806 (March 16). A fire was discovered in one of the bed-
rooms of the house of William Hodshon, esq., at Merry Shields,
Northumberland. The flames soon raged with such fury, that the
whole inside of the building, with the beds, furniture, wine in the
cellar, and valuables to a great amount, were totally destroyed.
March 24. Died, in the workhouse at Sunderland, Barbara
Coag, aged 103 years.
March 28. An explosion took place in Killingvvorth colliery,
by which unfortunate occurrence ten persons lost their lives.
April 1. Died, at Gateshead, Ann Maddison, aged 103 years.
April 5. A terrible fire was discovered in the malting of Messrs.
Barras and Co., in Gateshead, which did considerable damage to
the building and stock of malt on hand.
April 6. Died, at South Shields, Hannah Gordon, aged 100 years,
April 7. As two sawyers in the boat-building yard of Mr.
Masterton, near Gateshead, were sawing a well grown elm tree,
they were suddenly stopped in the middle of their work by a
harder body than the wood, which, on further examination, proved
to be a horse shoe, in good preservation, and which, there was no
reason to doubt, had been there since the first growth of the
timber. It was found in the very core of the tree, where a fine
impression of the shoe was made on the surrounding surface. No
visible injury appeared to have been sustained by the timber in
consequence of this strange companion.
April 20. This day (Sunday^, Earl Percy having attained his
21st year, the morning was ushered in with the ringing of bells at
every church in the county of Northumberland. On Monday, the
celebration of that happy event was of the most harmonious and
enthusiastic kind ; at Alnvvick, in particular, no circumstance in
the memory of the oldest person living ever excited such rapturous
feelings of congratulation and joy as were displayed in that town
on the above occasion. The representatives of the duke at Alnwick
castle also entered warmly into the general enthusiasm, by co-
operating with the public in rendering this joyous day an event as
memorable as it was important. A large ox was roasted in the
market-place, and 700 loaves were provided for the entertainment
of the people in the town and neighbourhood. Two pipes of re-
markably strong beer, brewed when Earl Percy was born, were
brought from Keilder castle, which, with thirty other barrels of
strong ale, were also distributed among the populace ; and, to add
to the entertainment, a building was erected in the market-place to
contain a band of music, who played during the principal part of
the day. The Percy tenantry, in and about Alnwick, were called
up and treated in the most liberal manner. The three companies
28 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [\.V. 1806.
of cavalry, and nine of infantry, were entertained, at his grace's ex-
pense, with an excellent dinner and a bottle of wine each man,
and 3s. were allowed for the expense of each horse. An elegant
dinner was provided at the White Swan inn, for all the officers of
the corps, and the principal gentlemen in the neighbourhood.
About 500 suits of clothes were given to the cottagers upon the
noble duke's estates. The officers of the Percy Tenantry in the
neighbourhood of Newcastle, who could not, without inconvenience,
pay a visit to Alnwick, were munificently entertained at the Turk's
Head inn, in that place, with an elegant dinner, and the day was
spent with the utmost conviviality. The Percy Tenantry Infantry
were regaled at Mrs Thrift's, market-place, North Shields, and the
cavalry at Tynemouth.
1806 (May 19). A plan of the grounds belonging to his majesty
at Tynemouth castle, Spanish battery, &c., and of the works
3'aised for the defence of the castle against the parliament's army,
in the reign of King Charles the First, was taken by order of
government.
June 5. The foundation-stone of the new Subscription Library,
in Howard-street, North Shields, was laid with great solemnity, by
William Linskill, esq., high sheriff of Northumberland. A plate,
with a Latin inscription, was deposited in the stone. November
5th, 1807, the building was opened with a concert of vocal and
instrumental music.
July 5. Died, in Northumberland-street, Newcastle, in his
85th year, the Rev. Hugh Moises, A.M., many years head master
of the Free Grammar School in that town, and justly celebrated
for his laborious and successful discharge of that important duty.
During the presidency of the Rev. Mr. Moises, the right bon. the
earl of Eldon, Lord Stowell, Lord ColJingwood, and several other
eminent persons, obtained the rudiments of their education in this
seminary. June 14th, 1787, on the resignation of Mr. Moises, his
pupils presented him with an elegant and valuable diamond ring, on
which was engraven the following motto : " OPTIME MEKENTi,"as
a testimony of their gratitude for his attention to and care of their
education, which he was pleased to accept in a condescending and
gracious manner, highly to the satisfaction of his pupils, whose
sorrow on losing so worthy and able a master was unaffected.
There never was perhaps a gentleman in a public character as a
teacher, whose resignation was more regretted than that of this
worthy divine, who had filled that important situation for a period
of 37 years with the utmost dignity. Nov., 1810, an elegant
mural monument, by Flaxman, with a Latin inscription from the
classical pen of Sir William Scott (now Lord Stowell), was placed
in St. Mary's porch, in St. Nicholas' church, Newcastle, in memory
of this eminent divine.
September 10. Arrived in Newcastle, on a tour through the
British islands, their most serene highnesses, Prince Frederick
Augustus and Prince Paul George of Holstein Oldenburgh, attended
by Count Holmar and Baron Maltzahn.
A.D. 1806.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 29
1806 (Sept. II). Died, in London, the Rev. John Brand, M.A.,
Rector of the united parishes of St. Mary at Hill, and St. Andrew
Hubbard,in the city of London, and resident secretary of the Society
of Antiquaries. Mr. Brand, who was born in Newcastle, in 1743,
was of low parentage. He served his time to be a shoemaker, but
afterwards obtained learning enough to enter himself of Lincoln
college, Oxford, where he took his bachelor's degree, and having
been ordained, he became curate of Bolam, in Northumberland.
June, 1773, Mr. Brand was presented to the curacy of St. Andrew's,
in Newcastle. October 6th, 1774, he was presented to the curacy
of Cramlington, in Northumberland, by Matthew Ridley, esq.
May the 29th, the same year, he was elected a Fellow of the
Society of Antiquaries, London. While a bachelor of arts at the
university of Oxford, he published a very pretty poem on " Illicit
Love," supposed to have been written among the ruins of Godstow
Nunnery ; and in 1777, he published a very curious work, entitled
" Observations on Popular Antiquities, including the whole of Mr.
Bournes Antiquitates Vulgares, with Addenda to every Chapter of
that Work ; as also an Appendix, containing such Articles on the
Subject as have been omitted by that Author," 8vo. This work he
continued to enlarge and improve till his death when a new edition
was published, in 2 vols. 4to., by Mr. Ellis. In 1784, he removed
to the rectory of St. Mary at Hill, and St. Andrew Hubbard,
London, and in 1786, was appointed one of the domestic chaplains
to the duke of Northumberland. June 14th, 1787, at a meeting
of the common council in Newcastle, the corporation was pleased
to grant to Mr. Brand the honour dedicating to that body his
History of Newcastle, then going to be published by subscription.
May 16th, 1789, Mr Brand announced that his "History of
Newcastle loas published, price three guineas, embellished with
thirty-four views of the public buildings, $-c., engraved by Mr,
Fittler" This splendid work is in 2 vols. 4to. ; the engravings,
it is said, cost 500., but the want of a good index is much to be
regretted. A small portrait of Mr. Brand is given in the title-
page of this work.
September 23. Died, at Eshe, in the parish of Lanchester, John
Hunter, who, according to his own account, corroborated by the
parish Register of Chester-le-Street, completed his 106th year the
previous April.
This month, died at Newcastle, J. Moore, seaman, aged 101
years.
October 24. The foundation stone of the New Quay and Mar-
ket-place, at North Shields, was laid, under a triple discharge of
nine pieces of ordnance. His grace the duke of Northumberland's
bailiff of Tynemouthshire, David Stephenson, esq., architect, and
a vast concourse of spectators, attended. The ships in the harbour
displayed their colours, and the afternoon was spent at Mrs. Carr's,
Half -moon inn, in harmony and festivity.
December 3. A very alarming fire broke out in the workshop
of Mr. John Anderson, joiner and cabinet-maker, in the Bigg-
30 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1806.
market, Newcastle, which raged with great fury for nearly an hour,
laying the workshop in ruins, and partially injuring an adjoining
dwelling-house, before the fire was got under.
1806 (Dec. 10). Died, at Gainford, in the county of Durham,
Mr John Cade, an eminent antiquary. He was born at Darlington,
in 1734. About sixteen years before his death, he had a paralytic
stroke, which deprived him of the use of his legs, and was con-
fined to his bed ever after.
December 12. Died, in Gateshead, the Kev John Baillie, aged
66 years. Mr. Baillie had been fourteen years minister of Sally-
port chapel, in Newcastle. He published, besides several detached
sermons, " Lectures on the Revelations" " History oj the French
War from 1791 to 1802," and " An Impartial History of Newcastle
upon Tyne, 1801," all in 8vo.
December 21. About ten o'clock on the morning, one of the
arches of Haydon Bridge, about 95 feet in span, which had long
shewn evident signs of weakness and decay, fell with a tremendous
crash, just at the time a number of people were passing to church.
One unfortunate man sunk with the ruins to the depth of forty
feet, but was taken out alive, with a broken thigh bone and other-
wise much bruised.
December 25. A furious storm of wind from the west was
experienced in Newcastle and its neighbourhood. About noon,
accompanied with rain, it became an absolute hurricane, in some
places breaking down trees, in others tearing them up by the roots.
In Newcastle, the massy boards composing the butchers' stalls in
the Old Flesh-market, were blown about in every direction ; and
the wood-work of that well-known erection, the Vicarage pump, in
Westgate-street, was torn away. Several stacks of chimneys fell ;
one in the Spital, broke through the roof of a house into the apart-
ments, happily without any injury to the family. At Acomb, near
Hexham, a spark was blown from a chimney, and set a stack on
fire. The violence of the wind baffled every effort to extinguish
the flames, all the stacks in the yard were burnt, and unfortunately
the fire extended to the neighbouring cottages, about ten of which
were reduced to ashes. The great circular west window in the
tower of Shields church was blown in, during the time of administer-
ing the holy sacrament ; and the organ, standing near the window,
was in imminent danger of being overturned, and dashed to pieces,
but immediate assistance being had. prevented this effect, Many
houses in Dockwray-square were damaged in their roofs, and one
man nearly killed by the falling of a stack of chimneys.
December. Bishopwearmouth church being much too small to
contain the increased population of the place, and having become
ruinous, the parishioners came to the resolution of rebuilding it. It
is raised on the old foundations. The chancel was opened for
divine service in 1808, and the whole work finished in 1810. At
the same time a new burial-ground was purchased, and, being
enlarged by a parcel of the bishop's waste, was consecrated August
IHh, 1810.
A.D. 1807.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 31
1806. The church of Long Newton, in the county of Durham,
was this year nearly rebuilt. In 1819, the matrix of a brass seal
was found in this churchyard : " SIGILLTJM WILELMI DE BROC ;"
and on the inner circle, " G. I. R. E. NOMEN I' ABET." The
device, a holy lamb and a cross. William de Broc appears as a
witness to charters about the year 1300.
This year, the church at Redmarshall, in the county of Durham,
was repaired, and the lead roof removed.
1807 (Feb. 28). The new Butchers'- market, in Newcastle, was
opened for business.
February. The famous Durham ox was slaughtered. He was
bred by Mr. Charles Colling, at Ketton, in 1796, and was supposed
to weigh 168 stones, when exhibited as a show in 1801, by Mr.
Bulmer, who purchased him for 140., and in the same year sold
him to Mr. John Day for 250. This enormous animal, for which
2,000. was refused by Day, was exhibited for nearly six years in
all parts of England and Scotland. When slaughtered he weighed
220 stones.
March 11. As a loaded coal cart, with two horses, was at-
tempted to be backed to the door of a house near the top of the
steps leading from St. Nicholas' church-yard, in Newcastle, the
cart, coals, horses, and man, were precipitated in a moment into-
Dean-street, a fall not less than thirty feet, without receiving any
material injury.
March. A woman named Hodgson, was residing in a cottage
near Hexham, on the Beaufront estate, at the great age of 105
years, in the full possession of her faculties, and in perfect good
health.
April 8. Died, at North Shields, Margaret Glenton, aged 100 1
years.
April 30. About one o'clock on the morning, a fire broke out
in the steam corn-mill, belonging to Mr. John Crawford, near the
high end of North Shields, which totally destroyed the same, as
well as a small house on the opposite side of the street. The
damage was estimated at 5,000.
This month, died at a village near Liverpool, the Rev. George
Walker, F.R.S., Professor of Theology at the New College, and
President of the Philosophical and Literary Society of Manchester.
Mr. Walker was born at Newcastle, in the year 1735.
May 1. A tremendous thunder-storm visited Newcastle and its
neighbourhood. The electric fluid entered the dwelling-house of
Mr. Jopling, marble-mason, in Pilgrim- street, and did considerable
damage in the rooms and to the furniture. Providentially no
person was hurt, although Mrs. J. and several children were in a
small room through which the lightning passed. A horse was killed
at Hebburn, in a stable. A man standing on a pit-heap, near the
shaft of Urpeth colliery, had both his shoes torn from his feet,
without receiving any personal hurt whatever. Great damage was
also done in other parts of the country.
July. A sparrow built its nest at the top of the main-stay of
32 HISTORICAL REGISTER OK [A. I). 1807.
the Gainsbrough Packet lying at Newcastle Quay, and in it de-
posited five eggs.
1807 (Aug. 11). Died, in Northumberland-street, Newcastle,
Elizabeth Bicket, aged 103 years. Being a water carrier, she
for many years enjoyed the title of "Queen of the pant"
Se})tember 5. A cold wind from the N. E., accompanied with a
heavy and incessant rain during the whole day and night, produced
so remarkable a swell in the river Tyne, at Newcastle, that next
morning (Sunday), the beautiful little island called the King's
Meadows, was entirely under water. Large masses of grain in
sheaf (wheat, rye, barley, and oatsj came floating down, and
several coal keels, which put off for the purpose, got their loading
with part of the wreck. A whole field of oats, the property of Mr.
Forster, of Newburn-hall, valued at 300, was entirely swept away;
and at several other places, along the banks of the river, similar
losses were sustained. At Hexham, the united force of the wind
and the rain tore up several trees by the roots ; and the low grounds
near the town were covered with various descriptions of wreck.
In a broad, but confined part of the North Tyne, near Haughton
paper-mill, the river was observed to obtain a rise of at least fifteen
feet beyond its usual bounds.
September 29. The foundation stone of the new light-house,
near the centre of the front of Dockwray-square, North Shields,
was laid; at the same time the corporation of the Trinity-house of
Newcastle, contracted with the right honourable Lord Collingwood
for another piece of ground, in the angle of the Low-light Quay,
for another light-house.
This month, a shark, eight feet long, and weighing about SOOlbs.,
was taken in the fishermen's nets at Whitburn, and afterwards
taken to Newcastle. When opened, upwards of 130 herrings and
other small fish were found in the stomach.
October 7. Earl Percy arrived at Durham, and took up his free-
dom in the butchers' company, to which he was entitled by patri-
mony. The noble earl ordered an elegant dinner at the Wheat
Sheaf for his brethren of the trade. Jan., 1808, a large and elegant
silver punch bowl, the gift of Earl Percy, was presented to the
company, on which occasion, the company, with several other re-
spectable gentlemen, held a meeting at the Lord Nelson tavern, for
the purpose of drinking the health of the noble donor.
November 10. The foundation stone of the new church at
Wall's End, was laid in the presence of a numerous and respectable
assemblage of spectators. After which, an elegant and appropriate
address was delivered by the Rev. Joseph Ireland. April 27th,
1809, this church and burial-ground were consecrated by Thomas
Burgess, D.D., lord bishop of St. David's. A most excellent ser-
mon was preached by the Rev. Henry Phillpotts (now bishop of
Exeter), after which Mr. Shaw sung a beautiful piece of sacred
music. The number of people present was computed at 1,500, and
the business of the day was conducted in a very solemn manner.
The Wall's End rifle corps lined the passage to the church. This
A.D. 1807.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 33
neat edifice stands only a few hundred yards from the Roman
station called Segedunum, where stood a temple of Diana, ag
appears from the remains of sacrifices found there.
1807 (Nov. 12J. There was a heavy fall of sleet and snow in
Newcastle and its neighbourhood, which found its way even through
solid brick walls exposed to the direct operation of the wind, and
many houses were deluged. Almost all the shops and the lower
stories of the houses on the north side of the Sand-hill and the Close
were overflowed from the high banks behind, and much damage
was done. The cellars and kitchens of the houses in Pandon were
overflowed, and great loss was experienced from the overflowing
of the Ouseburn. The quay, to the extent of 100 yards, which
was built by Messrs. Hind & Co., was swept away by the current,
and great damage was done to the houses and warehouses situated
on the banks of that rivulet. Part of an unfinished house, near the
church-way, North Shields, was blown down, and a part of the
ruins penetrated an adjoining house, but happily no person was
injured. The snow did not lie very thick in the neighbourhood of
Newcastle ; but westward of Hexham, and in the high lands about
Alston, the roads were impassable. The storm unhappily proved
fatal to Mr. James, farmer, near Haltwhistle, who was out in his
fields on horseback looking after his sheep, and was found dead
not far from his own house, lying on his back, and his horse
standing near him.
1807 (Nov. 14). Died, at Fallowden-house, in Northumber-
land, in the 79th year of his age. the right honourable Charles
Earl Grey, Viscount Howick, and baron Grey de Howick, a
general in the army, governor of Guernsey, colonel of the 3rd
regiment of dragoons, and knight of the military order of the Bath.
In addition to the honours granted him by his sovereign for his
many eminent services to his country during his military career,
he received the thanks of both houses of parliament, and the
corporation of London presented him with the freedom of the
city in a gold box.
November 1 7. The officers of the Percy Tenantry Cavalry pre-
sented their colonel, the right honourable Earl Percy, at Alnwick
castle, with a most magnificent and highly- finished sabre, with a
Damascus blade, and on the scabbard was embossed, in basso
relievo on one side, the various armorial bearings of the Percy
family ; on the converse, military trophies under different forms.
The whole was the superior workmanship of one of the first artists
in London.
December 17. The warehouses attached to the glass-house at
South Shields, occupied by Messrs. Shortridge, Russell, and
Barrass, were completely destroyed by fire.
1807 (Dec. 27). Edward Coulson, an eccentric character, was
buried at Bellingham, in Northumberland, aged 54 years. He
was the son of John and Susannah Coulson, of Haydon-bridge, and
born April 28th, 1 754. His father was a joiner and wheelwright,
he also cleaned clocks and watches ; his mother was une sage femmt.
VOL. II. F
Si HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1807"
The old man himself seems to have had his eccentricities. On one
occasion, having made a coffin which did not please the party who
ordered it " Never mind," said John, " it's not fine enough for
him, but it will do for me." He kept it the remainder of his life,
and it served the purpose for which it was reserved. Edward's
infancy is said to have been marked by an extreme slowness in
learning to speak, so that, till five years old, his playfellows called
him dummy. He learned his father's art, and could work well as
a turner, making racks, reels, and spinning-wheels. When arrived
at maturity, he was about five feet ten inches in height, of fairish
complexion, very bony, and surprisingly strong ; but his chief
peculiarity was extreme swiftness. He had a brother, \Villiam, who
was an excellent runner, and is said to have lost his life by pursuing
a beast which had broke loose, and in following which he swam
across a river. Ned ran much about the country cleaning clocks ;
he was also a glazier, and travelled chiefly by night, dragging a
small cart after him. This rendered him a very peculiar object on
the road. It was a small two-wheeled cart, with two shafts, like
an ass cart, in which he carried his work-tools, materials, victuals,
and such things as he picked up about the country. He was a
fiddler, not perhaps remarkable as a good one, but he could boast
of an attainment which is much less common he could perform
whilst he ran along the road, and even with the instrument behind
his back. He could easily run before a post-chaise, and has often
alarmed travellers by passing them, then hiding himself, repassing,
and at length bidding them good night. He had a method, by
putting his finger in his mouth, of producing a sound somewhat
resembling the report of a pistol, and this he mischievously employed
to intimidate travellers. He often travelled to great distances from
home, as to Jedburgh, and other parts beyond the Scottish border.
One of his feats which attracted notice, was his going to Stanhope,
in "Weardale, on an express errand, one winter, when the state of the
roads, owing to an extraordinary storm, was such as to render them
almost impassable. His courage seems to have been equal to his
strength and swiftness. It is stated that he went to a lonely church at
midnight, and rang the bell; but he gave better proof of his fear-
lessness, by walking along the parapet of the bridge at Haydon-
bridge, with two pecks of corn on his back, which he was often
seen to do. Having been out on one of his excursions, at the
period when this bridge was in part taken away by a flood, he could
not, on his return, get across with his cart ; some workmen, how-
ever, managed to drag it over, whilst he made his way through the
water alone. This is believed to have caused his death ; he got a
cold which fixed on his lungs. Feeling his end approaching, he
desired to be removed to the residence of a person of his own
family name, who lived up North Tyne ; here he soon died, not
surviving his removal more than a few weeks. He was never
married ; in his dress he affected a shabby gentility, wearing
ruffles at his breast ; he carried a staff of a peculiar sort, a thick
twisted stick, which was his constant companion. Ned had his
A.D. 180SJ REMARKABLE EVENTS. 35
antipathies as well as prepossessions ; he entertained a particular
aversion to swine, and abhorred their flesh, professedly in obser-
vance of the Jewish law. His residence was near that part of
Hay don- bridge called the Broad-stone, one of the cottages on the
right hand on entering the town from the east.
December 29. Three desperate offenders made their escape
from the gaol in Newcastle, viz. : John Willis, John Blacklock, and
David Miller, the first on a charge of forgery, the others under
sentence of transportation. Their efforts to break out of confine-
ment had been continued for some time previous to their escape,
as the north wall, through whicli they retreated, was at least a
yard and a quarter in thickness, composed of immense masses of
freestone. So silent and secret were their proceedings, that no
suspicion was entertained by the gaoler or his assistants, and at
the usual hour of inspection and locking-up by the turnkey, on the
very evening of their escape, all had the appearance of being or-
derly and safe; their fetters seemed to be as firm as when first put
upon the prisoners, and no flaw was observable in the wall. It
appeared that the fragments of the wall which had been removed in
the intervals of time between the stated visits of the turnkey, had
been so artfully replaced as to elude detection, and the fetters had
been cut asunder by implements conveyed to them. The blankets,
by which they had descended, were found upon a dung-hill below.
1807 (December 33). A. stone coifin, about six feet in length,
was dug up in the old church at Hexham, on the north side of the
place where the altar has stood. It had a thick stone cover, but
no inscription whatever, nor anything in the inside, excepting the
bones of a dove entire, and some small pieces of glass, apparently
gilt, but much worn off.
This month, died, at Cullercoats, near Tynemouth, John Ramsay,
mariner, aged 115 years. He served in the capacity of cabin-boy
on board one of the ships in Sir George Rooke's squadron at the
taking of Gibraltar, in 1704. He retained all his faculties till withiu
a few days of his death.
1808 (Jan. 2). The first number of the Berwick Advertiser
newspaper, was published by Mr. Henry Richardson, which he
continued till his death, Nov. 5th, 1823 ; since which time, it has
been published by his widow, Mrs. Catherine Richardson.
January 1-i. During a sudden gale of wind, several fishing-boats
belonging to Hartley, Blyth, and Newbiggen, were lost upon the
coast of Northumberland, and all their crews perished, leaving many
widows and numerous orphan children : of one family, of the name
of Robinson, there were lost a father, three sons, and two grandsons.
There was a very liberal subscription for the widows and children
of the unfortunate men.
January 19. Died, Robert Melville, of South Shields, aged 103
years. He was a member of the Society of Friends.
l January28. Died,atLowry's Mill, near J5ellingha;n,Mr. William.
Roblcy, aged upwards of 100 years, 70 of which he lived at Smaiea-
mouth, in the same neighbourhood, as farmer and publican, and
was much esteemed for his jokes and merry catches.
36 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.I>. 1808.
March 31. Died, in Newcastle, in his 89th year, Robert Roddam,
of Roddam, in Northumberland, esq., senior admiral of the red.
April the 6th, the remains of this gallant admiral were removed
to Ilderton, in Northumberland, for interment. He was a de-
scendent of one of the most ancient and illustrious families in that
county.
April 13. The first stone of an elegant new hall, in the Mar-
ket-place at Darlington, was laid by George Allan, esq., of Black-
well Grange, George Lewis Hollingsworth, esq., and Richard
Hodgson, esq., of Darlington, when a great number of gentlemen
were assembled, and gave three cheers. The bells were rung, and
there were great rejoicings throughout the day.
1808 (April 18) The remains of Sir Henry Grey, bart., in
great funeral solemnity, passed through Newcastle, for interment
in the family vault at Howick.
April 21. Died, in the workhouse of St. Nicholas' parish,
Durham, Ann Angus, aged upwards of 100 years.
April 26. The new parade ground, in Percy-street, Newcastle,
was opened for the first time on the evening of the above day, by
the Newcastle volunteers, who were inspected there by Colonel
Raw don.
April 27. A very alarming fire broke out in the bark-mill
belonging to Mr. Isaac Richardson, in his tan-yard near the White
Cross, in Newgate-street, Newcastle, which raged with such vio-
lence, that in less than half-an- hour the mill fell with a tremendous
crash, setting fire to four hay-stacks in an adjoining yard, two of
which were entirely consumed, and the others very much damaged.
May 17. Died, John Lord Delaval, of Seaton Delaval, in North-
umberland, aged 80 years. June 3rd, the corpse passed through
Newcastle, for London, in great funeral pomp. The coffin was
decorated with masonic emblems, &c., &c.
This month, in digging into a mound of earth, adjoining the
south side of the ruins of Tjnemouth Priory, a capacious cemetery,
or arched tomb, was discovered ; some human bones, of a large
size, and skulls, were found on the floor, some of them very perfect.
It was supposed that this place had not been opened since the
dissolution of the Priory, in 1539. See vol. i., page 72.
June 4. In honour of his majesty's birth-day, the new town's
clock, placed on the top of the Subscription Library, at North
Shields, was first set in motion. The ships in the harbour displayed
their colours, and immediately on the clock striking twelve, twenty-
one guns were fired. Clifford's fort, the Spanish battery, and Tyne-
mouth castle, also fired royal salutes. The clock was made by
the late ingenious Mr. John Bolton, of Chester-le-Street.
At Newcastle, the day was ushered in by peals of bells from the
several churches. At 12 o'clock, the Newcastle volunteers were
formed upon the Sandhill, and fired three vollies in honour of the
day. In consequence of the 4th of June falling on Sunday, his
majesty's birth-day was celebrated by the military in the counties
of Northumberland and Durham, on the Monday following. On
A.D. 1880.J HISTORICAL REGISTER OF 37
Sunday, the following regiments marched into Newcastle and the
neighbourhood, for the purpose of being present at the two next
days' brigades, viz. : the East York militia, the Sunderland volun-
teer artillery, the Sunderland volunteer infantry, the North Shields
and Tynemonth volunteer infantry, and the Hexham and Corbridge
volunteer infantry. The Gateshead volunteer infantry marched
into Newcastle on the same day, for the purpose of being placed
on permanent pay and duty for fourteen days. On Monday, the
troops assembled on the occasion were drawn up in two columns,
left in front, the one in Northumberland-street, and the other in
Westgate-street, and in that order marched to the Town-moor, and
formed in two lines previously marked out for them. The first
line was formed by the following regiments : four troops of the
Enniskillen dragoons, the Gibside cavalry, the Axwell Park ditto,
the Tyne legion ditto, a brigade of artillery, the East York militia,
the Newcastle volunteer infantry, the North Shields and Tyne-
mouth ditto, the Hexham and Corbridge ditto, the Newcastle
associated ditto, and the Wall's-End rifle corps. The second line
consisted of a brigade of artillery, the Wiltshire militia, the
Sunderland volunteer infantry, the Tyne legion ditto, the Gates-
head ditto, and the Sunderland volunteer artillery. The two lines
together formed upwards of 5,000 men. As soon as lieutenant-
general Dundas arrived at the centre of the first line, the signal
being given, the troops under the command of major-general John-
stone presented arms in honour of his majesty. The firing of the
first line then commenced by battalions from right to left, and as
soon as each regiment had fired three vollies, the line was wheeled
back into open column, and the second line ordered to advance
and pass through the intervals of the first line. Having advanced
to the appointed distance, the second line was fired in a similar
manner with the first, and then ordered to retire and take post in
the original alignement. Both lines now presented arms, and
saluted the lieutenant-general. They were next wheeled back into
open column of companies right in front, and passed the lieutenant-
general in slow and quick time, and again took up their original
alignements. The business of the field being over, the troops were
formed into a column of sections, and proceeded to their several
parades in the town. On Tuesday morning, the two columns were
ordered to assemble at six o'clock, in order to proceed by different
routes to Throckley Fell,* about eight miles from Newcastle ; the
right column under the command of lieutenant-general Dundas,
and the left under the command of major-general Johnstone.
During the march, a brigade of artillery joined the left column at
Fenham, by which means a communication was kept up between
the heads of the columns, by the firing of signal guns. The Wall's
End rifle corps formed the advanced guard of the right column,
and- the Gateshead light company of the left column, who were
joined by the light company of the Wiltshire militia, when the
column entered on the Fell. The columns arrived at their places
* In 1816, an act was obtained for inclosing Throckley Fell.
38 BEMAUKABLE EVENTS. [A.D. 1808.
of destination within a few minutes of each other, and, as soon as
the first was formed, the left column took up a position in its rear,
ready to advance to its support. The ground occupied by the left
of the second line was very much broken, the men being, for the
greater part of the movements, up to their waists in whins. The
firing of the first line soon commenced, and the second line was
ordered to file from the right of companies, and advance to its
support ; having formed and fired, the second line retreated past the
first, the retreat being covered by the light troops. After having
alternately advanced and retreated several times, the second line
by an eschellon movement, formed on the left of the first, and by
that means presented a single line, extending upwards of a mile
and a half. It then fired by companies from centre to flanks, by
wings, and by battalions. The whole being formed into open
column of subdivisions, crossed the Fell, and passed along the east
side, covered by the Wall's-End rifle and Gateshead light company,
where the line was again formed, and fired by battalions. The
line afterwards wheeled into open column of sections, and retreated
off the Fell, covered as before by the light troops. The whole then
proceeded on their march to Newcastle, where they arrived about
five o'clock. The next day the troops were highly complimented
in the general orders that were issued.
1808 (June 20). Died, at the foot of the Manor Chare, New-
castle, Mrs. Mary Graham, aged 104 years.
July 18. A whale was towed into Shields by a sloop, which
found it floating near Holy Island. On being cut up, its jaw bones
were found broken, supposed by running against rocks.
July 19. The elegant and commodious Catholic college and
seminary at Ushaw, near Durham, was opened for the reception
of students, by the ecclesiastics of the ancient English college of
Douay. The buildings, which are of stone, form a spacious
quadrangle,
Same day, died, at North Shields, Mrs. Jane Orean, aged 102
years.
July 23. Died, at Whitfield, in Northumberland, Mrs. Isabella
Mandeville, relict of the Rev. Richard Mandeville, formerly curate
of that parish, aged upwards of 100 years. She had been for some
time before her death both blind and speechless.
This month, a Jew found a noble of Henry IV., date 1399,
amongst the rubbish of an old house, then pulling down in North
Shields Market-place. It was of pure gold, the impression perfect,
and weighed 90 grains.
August 1. Died, in the Wall Knoll, Newcastle, Mrs. Dorothy
Turnbull, in the 107th year of her age. She was born on the 4th
of July, 1702, in the reign of Queen Ann, and until within three
days of her death, possessed her faculties in an amazing degree.
Her memory being little impaired, she could relate, with astonish-
ing exactness, a variety of events which happened during the
rebellion in 1715, and almost every subsequent event of any im-
Dortance. About a month before her death, she made herself a
A.T). 1808.] REMARKABLK EVENTS. 39
petticoat without the aid of spectacles, when she was heard to ob-
serve, that "she had lived to such an age, that Newcastle could not
furnish her with a pair to assist her sight" On the Friday preceding
her death, she walked to Low Friar-street, where she drank tea
with a friend, who lived in the curious old houSe with the orna-
mented front, but before returning home, she grew very low-spirited,
and seemed conscious of her approaching dissolution ; the next day,
she was confined to her bed, and on the Monday her existence was
terminated.
1808 (Aug. 8). Newcastle and its neighbourhood were visited
by one of the most awful thunderstorms ever remembered. The
flashes of lightning were terrific in the extreme. The house of Mrs.
Raisbeck, in Westgate-street, Newcastle, Avas very much damaged.
The lightning struck the back part, entered the usual dining-room
of the family, shivered a door to pieces, and drove the fragments
along the passage into the front room, tore the plaster off the wall
and damaged some of the furniture. Several of the bell-wires in
the house were melted, and a black mark of considerable depth
left along the walls where they were. Some of the windows were
shattered to pieces, and a hole was driven through a thick chimney
wall, where the lightning had struck upon a nail. Mrs. Raisbeck
and her daughter had a most providential escape, having removed
from the room where the principal damage occurred a short time
before, to avoid the glare of the lightning. In the next house,
occupied by Mr. Jobling, some of the bell-wires were melted,
windows broken, and the top of a bed-post struck off. A painter
at work in the inside of the house, next door to Mr. Jobling's, was
struck down, but being bled, he recovered. Some tiles were taken
off Mr. Leighton's house on the opposite side of the street, but no
other damage was sustained than that caused by the torrent of rain
which rushed in. Two men at' work in the neighbouring chapel,
were thrown against each other by the shock, but not much hurt.
The house of Mr. Farrington, in the Bigg-market, was also struck,
and the bell-wires of two rooms and the staircase melted. The
common sewer at the Head of the Side was so full charged with
water in consequence of the heavy rain, that the pavement was
forced up for several yards, and the water issued from the aper-
ture for a considerable time as if thrown from an engine. The
lightning struck the house of James Losh, esq., at Jesmond, in two
places. The funnel on the top of the library chimney was broken
in pieces, thence it passed down the chimney into the library
throwing down the soot, and singeing the hearth-rug. It also en-
tered by a window on the stair-head, struck a barometer hanging
by the side of the window, which it shivered to pieces, passed
along all the bell-wires, and went round the gilt frame of a large
picture in the drawing-room, which it completely tarnished, then
pierced the wall a little above the chimney-piece, and disappeared.
A large rent was likewise made in the wall, communicating with a
closet in the kitchen, the lock of the door forced off, and two balls
of fire appeared to the servants to fall on the kitchen floor, and
40 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1808.
escape by the door. Fortunately no one was hurt, although part of
the family were on the stair-head when the barometer was broken,
and the servants were in the kitchen when the fire passed through
it. Mr. Maddison's house, at Birtley, was struck, the funnels thrown
from the chimney s, several windows with their frames torn in pieces,
and the coping-stones on the gable end of the house carried to a
considerable distance. At Lumley, near Chester- le-Street, the
lightning entered the roof of a house, and killed a woman in the
lower room. Mr. John Sheradon, of Houghton-gate, had a cow
killed in a field near that place. Mr. Kirkup, of Urpeth, had seven
lambs killed near his house. The lightning entered the roof of the
house of John Cole, at High Chater's Haugh, and forced off the
head of the clock, and broke it to pieces ; it then went up the
chimney, without doing any further damage. At Dipton, a horse
and several sheep were killed in the fields. The Seven Stars public
house, on Gateshead Fell, was also struck ; some cattle were also
killed in that direction. Some women in a cart had a narrow
escape, as the cart was much damaged. A windmill belonging to
Mr. Hodgson, on the Leazes, near Newcastle, was struck, and two
of the wands were completely shattered, and a large piece of iron
carried to a considerable distance. A pike of hay was entirely
burnt at Cramlington. As the daughter of Mr. Pollock, sign of
the Rose, Half-way-bank, between Shields and Newcastle, was
standing at the back door with a comb in her hand, the lightning
struck the back of the comb, singed it, and curled up some of the
teeth, without doing the least injury to the girl. A new smelting-
mill, at Derwent-heads, near Blanchland, was nearly swept away
by the flood, together with a considerable quantity of lead ore.
1808 (August). This month, the White Cross, in Newgate-
street, Newcastle, was taken down, and put up in a somewhat
different form in the New Butchers'-market. See August, 1784.
September 1. Martin O' Bryan was executed at Morpeth,
pursuant to his sentence, for robbing and cutting the throat of
Barbara Weir, upon Shields road. Being a Roman Catholic, he
was attended to the place of execution by the Rev. Mr. Lawson.
He seemed quite reconciled to his fate, and died penitent.
September 4. There were great rejoicings at Newcastle, on the
arrival of the news that Sir Arthur Wellesley (the present duke
of Wellington) had defeated the French under the command of
general Junot, at Vimeira, in Portugal, on the 21st of the preceding
month. This was the first engagement between the English and
the French on the peninsula.
September 20. Died, at Berwick, Mrs. Isabella Hounim, aged
104 years.
October 6. Died, near Corbridge, Mrs. Hodgson, aged 105 years.
November 3. At four o'clock in the afternoon, his Majesty's
ship the Bucephalus, was launched from the building yard of Mr.
William Row, at St. Peter's Quay, near Newcastle. She was rated
in the Navy List at 82 guns, but was pierced for 52, and measured
970 tons, An immense concourse of spectators was present at
A.D. 1808.] REJIARKA BLK EVENTS. 41
the launch. The bells of St. Nicholas' church rung a merry peal in
honour of the event. November 17th, was launched from the same
yard, a very handsome small ship of war, called the Woodlark,
November 8. A dreadful lire took place at East Lilburn, in the
parish of Eglingham, in Northumberland. As Mr. Brewis's servant
was going to bed with a candle, about ten o'clock, either from a
spark from the candle or not extinguishing it, the stable caught
fire, and, melancholy to relate, ten horses were all burnt to death,
and the lad escaped with difficulty, without his clothes.
1808 (Nov. 13). A new Methodist chapel was opened at Dur-
ham, for public worship ; the Rev. Jabez Bunting, of Sheffield,
preached to a crowded andience, from Psalms xx., verse 4.
November 29. An explosion took place in Harraton colliery,
Durham, by which unfortunate occurrence four human beings and
twenty-one horses lost their lives. The coal was set on fire by this
explosion, and the pits were tightly scaffolded to exclude the air,
for the purpose of smothering out the fire. The pits were opened
out at the end of two months, when the fire on the coal was found
to be extinguished ; but, to the astonishment of everybody, a pony
was found alive, and in high condition. This pony had a trick
of slipping his halter, and wandering about the workings. The
explosion happened just after the men had finished their day's
work, and the horses, 22 in number, had been tied up in the stabies,
It was supposed that this pony had slipped his halter, and gone
upon his rambles as usual, as all the remaining 21 horses were
killed in the stables by the explosion. It would seem that the life
of this pony had been preserved by the fresh air which was sent
up in the rise part of the workings, and he had lived upon the
forage of his dead companions. He survived the accident many
years.
December 15. A terrible fire broke out betwixt one and two
o'clock on the morning of this day, in a kitchen, under the shop
and parlour of Mr. George Carr, tallow-chandler, Hexham, which
threatened destruction to a vast pile of buildings, and it was not
known to the family above, until they were almost suffocated.
Mrs. Carr, Miss Robson, and three of the children, threw them-
selves from the window of the room above the parlour, with very
little injury. Two other children, nearly suffocated, were taken
from an upper room, by Mr. James Meston. The fire was occa-
sioned, it was supposed, by a spark falling upon some linen upon a
clothes-horse.
December 22. A very alarming fire took place in the mansion
of Charles John Brandling, esq., at Gosforth, exactly at the
moment of the family sitting down to dinner, which was occasioned
by the careless manner of joiners, in the erection of buildings,
driving wooden plugs into the walls of the chimneya, for the pur-
pose of fixing their joiner-work. In this case, the wooden plugs,
to which the joiner- work of the elegant saloon was fixed, took fire,
from the heated chimney of the library. However, the devouring
element was happily discovered in time, and fortunately extinguished
VOL. ii. a
42 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1808.
by the active exertions of the family and domestics, before that
any considerable damage was sustained. Had it happened during
the night, the consequences might have been dreadful.
December 24. Being Christmas eve, the clock which graces the
tower of Durham cathedral first began to chime the quarters. It
is the workmanship of the late ingenious Mr. John Bolton, and is
put in motion by a clock which stands upon the ground floor, at a
distance of above 300 feet. This last, which was placed there by
Dean Hunt and the chapter, in the year 1652, is a very elegant and
curious piece of mechanism. It exhibits a view of the planets and
their motions, and shows the variations of the moon ; it points
out the day of the month, and the moon's age, with several other
curious exhibitions.
1 808. This year, nearly the whole of the old castle of Ravens-
worth, Durham, was taken down, and the present splendid mansion
was begun, on a beautiful Gothic plan furnished by Nash. The
castle has three fronts north, south, and west; the eastern side
is closed in by offices, in which are incorporated two of the old
towers. Near Ravensworth castle is a stone column, evidently the
shaft of a cross, concerning which there is a tradition, that it was
one of the crosses erected to hold markets at during the great
plague at Newcastle, in 1636 ; the produce of the country at that
time not being allowed to be exposed for sale at a less distance
than three miles from the town. See 1636, vol. i., page 89.
A school on the Madras system was this year established at
Wearmouth, under the personal direction of Dr. Bell ; and a neat
school-house, with two separate rooms for the boys and girls, was
built by subscription, opposite to the west end of the church. The
whole expense amounted to about 500.
About this time, the remains of a fine sudatory were discovered
at Whitley castle, at its north-east corner, out of which issued a
clear and plentiful spring. In September, 1810, many of the
pillars of the hypocaustura were standing, covered with large thin
slabs of freestone, and a strong calcareous cement.
This year, in breaking up a freestone quarry near Bamborough,
where the ground seemingly had never been opened before, a vast
quantity of the horns of deer (supposed to be red) were found,
buried full four feet under a solid body of earth. Most of them,
when exposed to the air, mouldered and fell in pieces, except two,
which were in high preservation. They were each about three
feet long, and all their ramifications quite entire. They were care-
fully suspended in Bamborough castle as curiosities. In digging
them up, it appeared that whole carcases had been entombed
there, for the skulls of some of them were not severed from the
horns, and even an offensive smell arose from the soil in which they
were buried.
This year, some workmen employed in lowering the foot-path^
near the north-west porch of Monkwearmouth church, discovered
the effigy of a Benedictine monk in his full habit, the hands clasped
A.D. 1809.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 43
This year, died, at Berwick, John Chisholm, aged 74 years. He
had served under General Wolf at Quebec, and was reckoned one
of the best swordsmen in the army. On his retirement from the
army, he became a Chelsea pensioner. It was believed that he
was heir-at law to a large property. Though, like Dancer and
Elwes, he was continually employed in picking up pieces of rope,
stick, &c., in the streets, upwards of 500 guineas in gold were
found secreted in various parts of his house.
Robert Sanderson, who also served under General Wolfe, died
at Ford, in Northumberland, August 7th, 1807, aged 85 years.
As Chisholm was a good swordsman, so Sanderson was famous as
a marksman, and he is generally understood to have been the man
who shot the French commander, General Mountcalm. He was or-
derly sergeant to Wolfe, and is the man represented in the print of
the death of Wolfe, as supporting the general after he received his
death wound. At page 226, vol. i., in a note, he is, by mistake,
said to be ordinary surgeon.
1809 (Feb. 10). As some workmen were digging the founda-
tion of a new waggon-way through the estate of John Stafford,
esq., of White-house, near Newcastle, an immense quantity of
very valuable and ancient coins of gold, silver, and copper were
discovered.
February 26 A very elegant chapel, in Chapter-row, South
Shields, for the Wesleyan Methodists, was opened by the Rev. Mr.
Isaac, who preached to a crowded audience. The chapel was
built by subscription.
March 8. Died, at Washington Wood, Sarah Hudson, aged
101 years.
1809 (April 1Q). Died, at Bishopwearinouth, Mr. John Patti-
son, aged 104 years. He enjoyed all his faculties till within a few
days of his death, particularly his eye-sight, as he could read the
smallest print without glasses.
May 11. Being Ascension-day, a terrible accident happened as
the barges passed up the river, on board of the Hartford, lying at
Newcastle quay. Thomas Heron, the mate, having fired a gun in
salute, was reloading it without sponging, when the charge took
fire, and blew him overboard into the river. A finger was left on
board, and, from the circumstance of his hat being much cut, it
was supposed that his head had been blown off.
May 15. The inhabitants of Alnwick and its vicinity were
gratified by the completion of an undertaking hitherto unattempted
in that quarter, viz. the delivering of coals at Alnwick, from Shil-
bottle colliery, by waggons conveyed along a metal rail-road.
May 17. The opening of the waggon- way from Bewicke main
to the river Tyne took place, on which occasion every road leading
to it was crowded with passengers at an early hour, and before
eleven o'clock, about 10,000 people were assembled. About this
time, four waggons of small coals were brought up the first plane
by the steam-engine, to the great admiration of tlie spectators ;
44 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1809.
machinery, the four waggons of best coals, intended for the Tyne,
did not start till a much later hour. As soon as the waggons
reached the summit of the second and highest plane, up which they
went with surprising velocity and regularity, the British flag was
hoisted at Ayton cottage, and announced by a discharge of six
pieces of cannon, which were answered by an equal number from
the Ann and Isabella, his majesty's armed ship on the Tyne, and
from Deptford-house, the residence of Mr. Cooke. Immediately
on the waggons reaching the first plane, about 400 gentlemen sat
down to dinner, in a tent fitted up for the occasion. An excellent
military band attended. In the evening, in order to prove the
excellence of the level railway, six men, without horses, took with
the greatest ease four laden waggons, with each ten men on the
top, from Ayton cottage to the Tyne; and the first coals being put
on board the Ann and Isabella, the same was announced by dis-
charges of Artillery as before.
1809. In the spring of this year, as some workmen were level-
ling a piece of ground on an allotment of Aydon Common, in
Northumberland, belonging to Mr. Bulman of Newcastle, they
found an urn with the mouth downwards, which would hold about
four gallons, having a smaller one within it, with the mouth also
downwards, and which contained a quantity of small bones, which
crumbled to pieces on being removed.
May 30. The Society of Arts presented to Mr. Luke Clennell,
a native of Morpeth, and who had been a pupil to Mr. Thomas
Bewick, of Newcastle, a medal for an engraving on wood of the
Highland Society's diploma. May 27th, 1806, Mr. Clennell was
presented by the same society with the gold pallet, for an engrav-
ing on wood of a battle.*
June 9. The drying-house of Mrs. Cook at Athelstone Abbey
paper-mill, near Barnard-castle, was discovered to be on fire. She
and her two daughters in endeavouring to remove what paper pos-
sibly could be saved, were soon enveloped in flames. The neigh-
bouring farmers, after the alarm was given, were obliged to break
in the shutters, and with much difliculty got them out of the place
from the top windows. Mrs. Cook was carried down apparently
lifeless, and expired the next day ; the eldest daughter leaped out
of one of the windows, but so much burnt that her life was
despaired of ; the other was carried down in the same manner as
her mother, nearly suffocated.
July 31. A grand masonic procession took place from the
Granby lodge-room, in Old Elvet, Durham, at half-past eleven
o'clock in the forenoon, for the purpose of laying the foundation
stone of the county courts, new gaol, &c., in that city. It was
performed by Sir H. V. Tempest, bart., P. G. M. pro. tern, assisted
by R. J. Lambton, P. G. M., and the officers and brethren of the
provincial grand lodge of the county, in presence of the lord bishop
of Durham, the magistrates, clergy, and gentry of the country, and
* The wood cut of the Life Boat at page 352, vol. i., is the %vork of this
A.D 1809-] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 45
the corporation of the city. When the masonic procession were
in the street, they were honoured with a salute from Colonel
Shipperdson and the Durham volunteers, who were drawn out to
join them ; and the bishop of Durham, magistrates, &c., joined
the procession soon after. When the front of the procession
arrived at the ground, the volunteers filed off, and formed three
sides of a square to keep the ground. When the grandmaster arrived
in the trench, he, with the provincial officers, formed on three sides
of the square, and the bishop, magistrates, &c., at a little distance
on the fourth side. The bishop then deposited gold, silver, and
copper coins of the reign of King George III., in a chamber in the
stone, which was covered by a plate, with a suitable inscription.
The masonic ceremony of laying the stone having been gone
through, the volunteers saluted, the band playing ' God save the
King" The procession then proceeded to the Assembly Rooms,
in the Bailey, where the bishop took his leave, and the company
sat down to an excellent dinner. The county courts were opened
August 14th, 1811. The prisoners were not removed from the
old gaol and house of correction till August 4th, 1819.
1809 (August 1). A violent thunder-storm, accompanied with
rain and hail, took place at Alnwick ; the electric fluid entered the
house of Major Castles, and shivered a bed-stead to pieces, tore
the wall in several places, and completely demolished the bell-
wires ; a servant-maid was in the bedroom, but escaped unhurt ;
it left such a sulphureous smell in the house that they could scarcely
breathe in it for some time.
August 3. An awful storm of thunder, lightning, and hail passed
over Newcastle. The lightning entered the house of Mr. David
Sutton, in Prince's-street, and did very great damage. It first
struck the chimney, which it threw down, partly into the street,
and partly into the house. It then followed the direction of the
chimney into the sitting parlour, in which eight persons were at
tea, bringing down a quantity of bricks and soot along with it
dashed over the urn and broke the cups, but fortunately injured no
person ; it shivered the book-case, seized the bell-wires, which it
melted all over the house, following them from room to room in an
upward direction; it tore the stair-case up in its passage, broke the
glass of the clock, and stopped it, and split three bed-poles to
pieces, fusing some of the iron work, and finally passed out at the
roof. In the different rooms, twenty-eight squares of glass were
broken and forced outwards, and in one of the rooms, Mr. Sutton
had a most providential escape, being there with the intention of
shutting a window at the time it was struck. The lightning appeared
in the parlour like a globe of fire ; which afterwards divided
into small globules that burst like a rocket. The oxydation of the
bell-wires produced an effect beautiful beyond description. The
door jamb of an adjoining house was torn off. The lightning also
struck down a chimney, and entered thereof of Mr. Edward Humble's
(bookseller) dwelling-house, near the Forth, and at the same instant
46 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1809.
with and destroying all the wires of the bells in the first and
second stories, shattered the stock of a gun in the kitchen, also the
window shutters of three rooms, singeing the paper, and tossing
about the lime from the tops of the windows where the bell-wires
communicated ; then burst out of the back stair case window with
a dreadful explosion, similar to the discharge of a cannon, and
filling the rooms with a black sulphureous smoke. None of the
family were materially hurt ; Mrs. Humble was deprived for a few
minutes of her hearing, and experienced a numbness in one arm :
one of the maid- servants was slightly scorched in one. The light-
ning set a bark mill near St. Andrew's church on fire, but fortu-
nately it was extinguished without much damage, except to the
wands and one beam. Mrs. Hawks' house, near Jesmond, was
struck, and the works of a gold watch, which was hanging up in
one of the rooms, were melted, and considerable damage was done
to the walls, pictures, &c. The lightning struck the house of Mr.
P. Dale, of Walker, near Newcastle, threw down the chimney and
a great number of tiles, broke seventeen squares of glass, tore off
the window shutters, and dashed them against the garden pales,
scattered the plaster about the house, and filled the rooms with a
sulphureous smoke, but did not injure any of the family. A horse
was killed by it at Coxlodge. The hailstones, or rather pieces of
ice, were very large, and fell in great abundance.
1809 (Aug. 12). One of the heaviest showers of rain ever
remembered fell in Newcastle, and its neighbourhood. It con-
tinued with little intermission for the space of six hours, with such
violence, that every brook and rivulet were swelled to a most
alarming height. The small stream of water, which runs through
Pandon, in that town, overflowed its banks, and inundated most
of the houses in New Pandon-street and the Stock Bridge, to the
depth of three to four feet of water. A boy, named George
Innis, about five years old, son of George Innis, smith, Pandon-
gate, had a most miraculous escape. Whilst amusing himself
along with several other children, with wading in the water near
the mustard-mill, at the foot of Pandon Dean, he ventured too
much into the stream, and was swept away, by the impetuosity of
the current. Near the place from whence he was taken away, the
water enters an enclosed conduit, through which he was carried
for the space of three hundred yards, and precipitated with great
fury down a fall of sixteen feet in the midst of its course. At
the extremity of the conduit, he was most providentially perceived
by a man, who, at the imment hazard of his own life, sprang
into the water, and succeeded in rescuing him from his perilous
situation ; and such was the rapidity of the current, that it was
with great difficulty the man was himself prevented from being
borne away by it. The boy, when first taken out, exhibited very
little appearance of animation, but in a short time he came to him-
self, having received only some bruises. At four o'clock the same
A.D. 1809.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 47
run for shelter into a shed at the Cowgate on the town-moor, was,
together with four horses, struck dead by the lightning. It was
somewhat remarkable, that the hat of the deceased was torn from
his head, and forced upwards with such fury, as to be closely
jambed in the crevice of two boards which were placed immediately
over the place where he had been standing. Another man and a
boy, and two other horses, in the same place at the time, were
also struck down, but afterwards recovered. Several cows and
horses at the fair, at that time holding on the Cowhill, were
scorched by the lightning. A man named Liddell, servant to Mr.
Freeman, miller, near West Jesmond, in endeavouring to cross the
Ouseburn,near that place, with ahorse, was unfortunately drowned;
the horse was saved.
1809 (Aug. 16) Lord Barnard, the eldest son of the earl of
Darlington, attained the age of 21 years, upon which occasion, a
plentiful dinner was provided at Raby castle, for his lordship's
tenantry. The park guns were fired at one o'clock, and a ball was
given to the tenants' wives and daughters in the evening. An ox was
roasted whole at Darlington, and distributed with plenty of bread
and ale to the populace ; another was roasted and distributed in like
manner at Piersebridge; a third at Staindrop; a fourth at Cockfield ;
a fifth at Barnardcastle ; and a sixth at Middleton-in-Teesdale, at
all of which places, there were great rejoicings.
Auyust 19. John Boyd was executed at Morpeth, pursuant to
his sentence, for a forgery on the Durham Bank. He was taken
to the place of execution in a chaise ; and being a Roman Catholic,
was attended by the Rev. Mr. Lawson. He was handsomely
dressed in a suit of black, with black silk stockings, in which attire,
at his own request, he was deposited in the earth. This unfortunate
young man, who was only twenty- four years of age, had very
respectable connexions in Ireland, but had assumed a false name,
that this history of his guilt might never reach the knowledge of
his friends and relatives.
September 14. An explosion took place in Killingworth colliery,
by which unfortunate occurrence twelve human beings lost their
lives.
October 8. In the evening, two daughters of Mr. John Storey,
of Cambo, near Blyth, one aged 22, and the other 11 years, were
unfortunately drowned. The father had been fishing at sea for
his amusement, and returned in the evening ; the eldest daughter
went to assist in securing the boat, the younger remained at a
distance with a light, which, suddenly disappearing, the elder went
to ascertain the cause ; but the unhappy father beheld them no
more alive. It was supposed that they had got on a quicksand at
the edge of the river, and then fell in. October 25th, the unhappy
parent, in a fit of despondency for the loss of his daughters,
terminated his life by throwing himself into the river with a large
stone tied about his waist. He left a widow and six children, the
youngest at the breast.
48 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1809.
castle, having stopped the mill and ascended the wands to adjust
the sail, the brake suddenly gave way, and he was carried round
upon the wand with great velocity for near a quarter of an hour.
His distressing situation being perceived by the men of Pandon
Dean mill, assistance was immediately sent, and he was rescued
from his perilous situation without having received any bodily
injury ; it was, however, a considerable time before he recovered
his recollection.
1809 (Oct. 25). The jubilee, on his majesty's (King George
III.) entrance into the 50th year of his reign, was celebrated in
Newcastle by public rejoicings, and acts of munificence and
liberality ; it having been ascertained that it would be more
grateful to the feelings, not only of the monarch, but also of the
subject, that in lieu of an illumination, a collection should be made
for the foundation of a public school, upon the plan of Mr. Lancaster
and Dr. Bell, several respectable persons obligingly undertook to
wait upon the inhabitants on the two preceding days for their
contributions, when upwards of 600. were collected. By another
subscription, commenced amongst the ladies and gentlemen, ten
prisoners were liberated from the gaol. To this last the corpora-
tion subscribed 50 guineas, and the members of parliament for the
town 30 guineas, making in all 186. 17s. 6d. The day was
ushered in by the ringing of bells, the flag was hoisted on the
castle, flags were also displayed upon some of the churches, and
also by the ships in the river. The Union Society of change-
ringers rang in St. Nicholas' belfry a complete peal of Holt's grand-
sire triples, consisting of 5,040 changes, in three hours and nineteen
minutes. The Newcastle Associated Volunteer Infantry, under the
command of Sir Matthew White Ridley, bart., marched to St.
Nicholas' church, as did also the West Suffolk, the Royal
Artillery, and the 6th Dragoons ; the mayor and magistrates
attended divine service, also lieutenant-general Dundas and his
staff; an excellent sermon, from the 3d chapter of St. Paul's
epistle to the Hebrews, part of the 4th verse, was preached by the
Rev. John Smith, A.M., vicar ; after which the above-mentioned
corps, with the Newcastle volunteers, and South Tyne legion,
proceeded to the Town-moor, where they were drawn up in line,
and after the artillery had fired a royal salute of 21 guns, made
three excellent vollies in honour of the day ; they then marched
past lieutenant-general Dundas. The volunteers proceeded to the
Sandhill, and fired three vollies. The mayor, the members of the
town, the sheriff, Lieutenant-general Dundas and his staff, Sir
C. M. L. Monck, and about 80 gentlemen, dined at Loftus's ;
the band of the armed association attended. Upwards of 500
poor persons belonging to the parish of St. Nicholas dined in the
yard of the poor-house of that parish. By the hospitality of
major Anderson, and a few other benevolent burgesses, the poor
members of the Freemen's Hospital, in the Manor Chare, dined
together, on the green before the house. The boys and girls in
each of the charity schools were dined, by orclcr of a party of
A..D 1809.] REMARKABLE EVENTS, 49
gentlemen, who, after the children had dined, ordered the teachers
a dinner, and a bottle of wine each. Sir Cuthbert Heron, bart.,
distributed beef and bread to fifty poor housekeepers in Gallowgate.
The congregation of the Rev. William Turner, in Hanover-square,
gave to each of the poor belonging to that chapel, beef, bread,
porter, tea, and lump-sugar, to be used at their own houses.
Lieutenant-colonel Burdon presented the officers of the South
Tyne legion with a dinner, at Forster's, the Queen's-head inn ;
and an elegant cup, of the value of 120., was presented by the
non-commissioned officers and privates of that regiment to their
commandant, who provided a dinner for them, in a field near
West Jesmond. In the evening, there was a ball and supper at
the Assembly-rooms, which was numerously attended.
The inhabitants of the city of Durham evinced their attachment
to their sovereign, by various acts of munificence, extending to
their dependents and inferiors satisfaction and comfort, and
expressive of their own contentment and happiness. Exclusively
of a large sum appropriated by the reverend the dean and chapter
for the liberation of prisonei's confined for small debts, a general
collection, amounting to 120., was made and distributed to
more than 1,000 poor families. Thomas Wilkinson, of Oswald-
house, esq., presented to a great number of poor old persons
two shillings and sixpence each ; upwards of 500 charity children
were also enabled to participate in the general festivity. Besides
the masonic, there were several select dinner parties. Tho
ball and supper at Alsop's rooms, were most fashionably and
numerously attended.
The jubilee was celebrated at Alnwick with uncommon festivity
and joy. An appropriate sermon was preached in the parish
church by the Rev. Mr. Proctor, to a crowded audience ; each
freeman and freeman's widow received one guinea to drink his
majesty's health. The chamberlains and council dined at the
Black Bull. The Percy tenantry were placed upon the extensive
ramparts of the Castle, and the artillery at the battery, and the
cavalry were drawn up on the plain before the battery, when
three feux de joie were fired throughout the whole, which had a
most beautiful effect ; after which, the officers dined at the castle
with Earl Percy, their' colonel ; and the different companies dined
at the various inns.
At Berwick, the day was ushered in with the ringing of bells.
In the forenoon, the mayor and magistrates attended divine
service at church, when an appropriate sermon was preached
by the Rev. Joseph Barnes, the vicar. After the service in the
church was concluded, the Forfarshire militia marched from the
barracks to the walls, and being set at proper distances round the
fortifications of the town, fired three feux de joie, the cannon
firing betwixt each round of the infantry, twice seventeen and
once sixteen times, making fifty rounds in honour of the day.
The militia having marched into the Parade, fired three excellent
VOL. II. H
50 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1809.
vollies. Colonel Allan, M.P., gave a dinner to above six hundred
boys, mostly belonging to the schools in the town, the masters
of which attended. The mayor, magistrates, and a great number
of gentlemen, dined at the Red Lion Inn. In the evening there
was a ball at the Assembly Room ; there was also a ball and
supper at the Town Hall (which, with the spire, was illuminated),
given by Colonel Allan, both of which were numerously attended.
The evening's amusements out of doors concluded with fire-
works.
Every town, and many of the villages within the counties of
Durham and Northumberland, evinced their joy and gratitude at
their beloved monarch's lengthened years.
1809 (Nov. 22). Died, in the Freemen's Hospital, in the
Manor-chare, Newcastle, Mary Huntley, aged 102 years.
This year, died, at Wingate Grange, in the county^ of Durham,
Mr. T. Watson, .aged 106 years.
An act was this year passed for constituting Gateshead Fell a
separate rectory, and one acre of ground was ordered to be allotted
to the rector of Gateshead, for the site of a church and church-
yard, leaving, however, the whole of the original parish still united
as to the joint maintenance of the poor. The foundation stone of
a new church on Gateshead Fell was laid May 13th, 1824, which
see.
An act was also obtained this year for paving, watching, light-
ing, and cleansing the town of Sunderland ; for removing the
market, for building a town-hall or market-house, and otherwise
improving the said town, and for establishing a watch on the river
Wear.
The Moot-hall, in the Castle Garth, Newcastle, where the
assizes, &c., for the county of Northumberland were held was pulled
down.
A Buoy, stationed about two miles to the north-east of Bam-
borough-castle, in Northumberland was, in the winter of this year,
carried away in a violent storm, and found, together with a large
piece of metal, which served as an anchor, on the sand near Nova-
Scotia,
On opening a gap in a wall near Bamborough, for the passage of
carts, a toad, which had been incarcerated in the centre of the
wall, was found alive and set at liberty. A mason, named George
Wilson, when building this wall sixteen years before, had wantonly
immured the animal in a close cavity formed of lime and stone,
just sufficient to contain it, and which he plastered so closely as
seemingly to prevent the admission of air. When discovered, it
seemed at first, as must naturally be supposed, in a very torpid state ;
but it soon recovered animation and activity ; and as if sensible of
the blessings of freedom, made its way to a collection of stones,
and disappeared.
1809. This year and the following, Collingwood-street, in
Newcastle (called after the gallant admiral), was formed, and the
A.D. 1810.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 51
houses which stood near the porch of St. Nicholas' church,
were pulled down, by which a large area, called St. Nicholas'
Square, is formed in front of that elegant structure. An equestrian
statue, or a column, in memory of a monarch, or an illustrious
townsman, erected in the centre of this square, would be highly
ornamental.
1810 (Jan. 10). Died, at Alnham, in Northumberland, John
Rutherford, aged 100 years. He had formerly been a shepherd.
IB 10 (Jan. 16). Died, within the rules of the King's Bench pri-
son, London, and was buried on the 23rd in the vault of St. George's
church, in the Borough, Andrew Robinson Stoney Bowes, esq.
This Irish fortune hunter, then Mr. Stoney, came to Newcastle, an
ensign in the 4th regiment of foot, where he had the address to
marry Miss Newton,* only child of William Newton, of Burnop-
field, in the county of Durham, esq., with a very large fortune. In
1770, Ensign Stoney succeeded Mr. Forrest (promoted to a cap-
taincy) as lieutenant in the 4th regiment of foot.f After the
regiment was disbanded, Mr. Stoney retired on half-pay to the seat
of his wife's ancestors. His wife, after suffering much cruel treat-
ment, died, leaving no issue. In 1777, he married the countess
of Strathmore, a most accomplished young widow, whose lord
had died at Lisbon, leaving her in the possession of immense
property. In consequence of this marriage, he assumed the name
of Bowes. On the death of Sir Walter Blackett, this year, he
stood a contest for Newcastle, against Sir John Trevelyan, bart.,
but was unsuccessful. In 1780, he served the office of high
sheriff of Northumberland ; and in the month of September, the
same year, was chosen a representative in parliament for Newcastle.
In 1785, the countess obtained a divorce against her husband for
cruelty ; and in 1787, articles of peace were again exhibited
against him, in consequence of which he was finally sentenced to
pay a fine of 300 to his majesty, to be confined in the king's
bench prison for three years, and at the expiration thereof, to find
security for fourteen years, himself in 10,000, and two sureties
in 5,000 each. The countess wrote a very bitter, but just,
epitaph, which she sent to Bowes during his confinement. In
] 790, a sentence of excommunication, decreed by the high court of
delegates, against A. R. S. Bowes, esq., for contumacy and not
having paid the expenses of the said court, amounting to 553.
8s. (id. ; in a cause instituted by Mary Eleanor Bowes, his wife,
was read in the parish church of St. Nicholas, in Newcastle.
Bowes was a compound of baseness and hypocrisy, and his acts
(even when in prison) were of the blackest dye. To sum up his
character in the words of his biographer, " he was a villain to
* November 5th, 1766, was married at St. Andrew's church, in Newcastle,
by the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Ellison, Andrew Kobinson, Stoney, esq., an
ensign in the 4th regiment (Bmdenell's), to Miss Newton, of Westgate-street,
an heiress with a fortune of 20,000. Newcastle Courant and Newcastle
Journal of this date.
t Neiccastle Chronicle, January 27th, 1770.
52 HISTORICAL, REGISTER OP [A.D. 1810.
the back- bone !" A portrait of Bowes is prefixed to the memoirs
of his life, written by Jesse Foote, his surgeon and friend. The
countess of Strathmore died April 28th, 1800. See vol. i. } pages
229 and 270.
January 20. Died, at the forest Burn, Rothbury, Matthew
Hall, aged 107 years.
January 30. Died, in the county poor-house, in Gallow-gate,
Newcastle, Mary Walker, widow, aged 102 years.
February. Previous to digging the foundation for the county
courts, in Newcastle, it was necessary to remove an enormous
mound, surrounded by the Moot-hall on the north, (then removed),
and by what was called the half-moon battery, on the south.
This vast accumulation of ashes, &c., was about thirty-two
feet high, about one hundred feet in length, and of great breadth.
The beginning of this month, on digging the foundation after
its removal, several antiquities were discovered, which proved
this to have been the site of a Roman station. When at the
depth of five feet from the surface, a well of Roman masonry was
discovered near the edge of the bank. It is near the centre of
the present building. To raise it to the desired level, a very
strong wall in the form of a trapezium, and inclosing about ten
square yards, had been constructed on frame work, of beams of
oak, fixed perpendicularly and horizontally in the river bank, and
filled up within and without with clean blue clay. The beams of
oak were remarkably fresh, and near the bottom of two of them,
that were placed perpendicularly, stags' horns of great size and
thickness were found. Between the factitious and original bank
was a thick layer of ferns, grasses, brambles, and twigs of birch
and oak, firmly matted together. Near the north-east corner of
the court-house were found two Roman altars, one bearing an
illegible inscription the other plain. There were also large
quantities of Roman pottery, two copper coins of Antoninus Pius,
and a part of the shaft of a Corinthian pillar, richly fluted and of
excellent workmanship. Near the altars there were found a
small axe, a concave stone, bearing marks of fire, split and with
thin flakes of lead in. the fissures, also fragments of millstones and
foundations of walls, firm and impenetrable as the hardest rock.
At the bottom of the well were found two buckets with their iron
chains.
1810 (Feb. 6). Died, at Barnard-castle, Margaret' Gowland,
aged 105 years.
February 22. About two o'clock on the morning, a most
tremendous fire broke out in the steam corn and paper mill, on
the premises of Mr. Harrison, baker, Gateshead. A few minutes
after the first discovery of the calamity, the whole of the mill
was completely in flames, and the fire had communicated to the
adjoining dwelling house of Mr. Harrison, where it spread itself
with such rapidity, that the family had scarce time to save
their lives ; happily, however, they all escaped unhurt, but
A.D. 1810.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 53
of the furniture and other effects of the house, not any part
was preserved, not even a single article of wearing apparel.
On the first alarm, the fire-bell was rung, and the fire-engines
hastened to the spot, but before they could be of any use, the
dwelling-house of Mr. Harrison was completely levelled with
the ground ; and the adjoining one occupied by Mr. Anderson,
grocer, in such a state of conflagration, that it was utterly
impossible to prevent it sharing the same fate. The fire
was, however, prevented from spreading farther on that
side, and the exertions of the firemen were happily attended
with such success, that the dwelling house adjoining to Mr.
Harrison on the other side, and tenanted by Mr. John Mar-
shall, printer, was preserved from destruction, and the fire which
had communicated to it extinguished. The whole was got under
about nine o'clock. Mr. Anderson lost the whole of his furniture,
clothes, &c., and nearly the contents of his shop. Mr. Marshall also
sustained a considerable loss by the hasty removal of his stock,
the premises being contiguous to the river, made the illumination
awfully grand from Newcastle. There was a very liberal subscrip-
tion for the sufferers.
1810 (Feb. 27). A grand masonic procession took place at
Berwick, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of a new
pier for that harbour ; the day was ushered in by the ringing of
bells &c. The different lodges of freemasons from the neigh-
bouring towns joining that of Berwick, assembled on the morning,
at the town-hall, along with the magistrates, commissioners, and
a number of respectable inhabitants, from thence they walked to
the church in due order, where an excellent sermon was preached
on the occasion by the Rev. J. Barnes, vicar of Berwick. After
service, they proceeded (attended by the band, and a guard of
the Forfarshire militia then lying there), to lay the foundation
stone. After the Rev. William Johnstone, of Spital, chaplain to
the lodge of St. George, had delivered a short prayer, the stone in
which was deposited a bottle, containing all the different coins of
George III. with several medals, and two plates, with suitable
incriptions on them, was laid down amidst the acclamtions of
an immense concourse of people. When the ceremony, which
was honoured by a royal salute from the cannon on the ramparts,
followed by the ships of the harbour, who displayed their flags on
the occasion, was over, the procession returned to the town-hall,
where the lodge of St. George dined ; the other lodges dined at
their respective rooms, and the day concluded with the greatest
harmony.
March 7. Died off Minorca, on board the Ville de Paris, the
day after his departure for England, vice-admiral Lord Colling-
wood, born at Newcastle in the year 1750. He was the friend and
confident of Lord Nelson, and after the fall of that gallant admiral
at the battle of Cape Trafalgar, Admiral Collingwood completed
the victory in the most gallant style, for which conduct November
54 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1810.
24, 1805, the freedom of the city of London and a sword of 200
guineas value were voted to him. November 21st the same year,
the common council of Newcastle, voted him a piece of plate value
150 guineas, and the master and brethren of the Trinity-house,
presented him with the freedom of that corporation in a gold box.
The Newcastle Armed Associated Volunteer Infantry voted him
a piece of plate, value 125 guineas, for his meritorious conduct on
the same occasion. It was made in London, and was an elegant
silver enchased tureen, containing his lordship's arms, with other
emblematical devices, and an appropriate inscription. May llth,
his lordship's remains were interred in St. Paul's cathedral. August
6th, 1812, a fine whole length portrait of his lordship which had
been voted by the Newcastle Volunteers, to be placed in the
Guildhall of that town, was, after an elegant speech, presented by
lieutenant-colonel Clennell, at the head of the regiment, to the
mayor and other members of the corporation. The regiment then
fired three vollies, and the guns on the castle fired a salute. The
portrait is painted by Lonsdale in his best mariner. In 1821. a
cenotaph by Rossi, to the memory of Lord Collingwood, was placed
in the nave of St. Nicholas' church, Newcastle. It is a marble
bust of his lordship, placed upon a pedestal, whereon is recorded his
various achievements. An engraved portrait is prefixed to his
memoirs. Lady Collingwood died September 16th, 1819.
1810 (March 15). A self-acting plane of a wonderful con-
struction, was put in motion, for the purpose of conveying coals
from Bewicke-main colliery, to the Tyne. It was constructed
and executed under the direction of Samuel Cooke, esq., of Ayton-
house, one of the owners of the colliery. The length of the rope
on this plane was 1,600 yards, and it was made to convey fifty
chaldron waggons of coals, at the astonishing speed of ten miles in
one hour.
March 16. Died, at Lamesley, in the county of Durham, Mrs.
Mary Potter, aged 100 years.
This month, as the workmen were digging to the common sewer,
for a house in Collingwood-street, Newcastle, then building for the
late Mr. John Arnett, tallow-chandler, they discovered a fine frag-
ment of the Roman wall, built by the Emperor Severus, upwards
of 1,600 years before. In the wall was found a stone hollowed
out like a mortar, and containing some bones and ashes or red
earth. This hollow stone was inverted upon a thin stone and
formed part of the face of the wall.
April 7. About one o'clock on the morning, several Cullercoats
fishermen launched their boats and went to sea, it being smoother
than it had been for many days. They got off and examined their
great lines, where they had left them some time previously. Whilst
they were thus employed, a heavy storm arose. The alarming
situation of the boats were seen from Hartley. The Blyth life-boat
was sent for, and promptly obtained, accompanied by numbers of
people. The wind, about three o'clock in the afternoon, blew
A.D. 1810.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 55
strong from E.S.E., and the sea very high. The boat being manned,
then pulled through the breakers, soon reached the fishing
cobles, and after taking out the men and much of their gear, the
majority unfortunately agreed to land near Bates's Isle, instead of
making for Blyth or Shields harbours, the former of which they
could have reached in an hour. In returning and nearing the mar-
gin of the tempestuous main, one high and ridgy wave broke into
the boat, killed or dreadfully maimed the steersman and two or
three others, stove the boat almost to pieces, yet she still floated,
her gunwales even with the broken water. Another heavy wave
following when she was near the land and under no command, she
struck the ground, splitting nearly in two, the cork floated out, and
the fragments were entirely dispersed. Only two men out of twenty-
seven escaped to land one a Swede, and the other a seaman
named Thomas Lilly, belonging to Hartley. During the whole of
this heart-rending scene, the shore was lined with near two
thousand people. Among the sufferers were a father and four sons,
named Armstrong ; several left widows and large families. A
very liberal subscription was raised in the neighbouring towns for
the distressed families.
1810 (April 15). Died, at Chester-le- Street, aged 79, Sir
Thomas Conyers, bart. He inherited of this once illustrious
family, nothing but the title, which expired with him. Such is the
mutability of human affairs, that this man, whose ancestors were
lords of Horden, and inheritors of extensive lands, actually broke
stones upon the turnpike ! and was in the poor-house at Chester-
le-Street, until by the generous charity of the late bishop (Bar-
rington) of Durham, and other gentlemen of the county, his latter
days were made comfortable. Their is a small engraved portrait
of Sir Thomas Conyers.
April 23. This being the day appointed by Simon Temple, esq.,
for opening his new colliery at South Shields, the morning was
ushered in by the ringing of bells, &c., &c. Eight waggons being
loaded with the coals, were, about one o'clock, drawn by one horse
from the pit to the staith, preceded by the band of the East York
militia, and followed by Mr. Temple, and a long procession of his
friends, and two associations of shipwrights under their banners.
Seven of the waggons in succession, were let down by a new
inclined plane to the deck of the ship Maida, belonging to Mr.
Temple, which was decorated with colours. The delivery of each
was succeeded by a general discharge of cannon, and three times
three cheers from the surrounding multitude. The eighth waggon
was given to the families of the unfortunate men belonging to South
Shields, who were prisoners in France. The company then pro-
ceeded to Hylton castle, where one hundred and fifty gentlemen
sat down to dinner. The high sheriff of Northumberland, the
mayor of Newcastle, several of the chapter of Durham, and most
of the magistrates of the district, were at the table. At eight
o'clock the ball commenced. At one o'clock, near four hundred
56 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1810.
ladies and gentlemen sat down to supper ; after which dancing
recommenced, and continued till near six, when all retired highly
pleased with the entertainment and respectful attention paid to them.
Same day, died at Sunderland, Mrs. Douglas, in the 101st year
of her age.
May 1. The lighthouses at North Shields, after being rebuilt,
were first lighted, and the tide flag hoisted.
May 9. The foundation stone of a wall to form a new street
between Newgate-street and Gallowgate, Newcastle, was laid by
Sir Cuthbert Heron, bart., under which he deposited silver and
copper coins of his majesty George III. This street was afterwards
called Heron-street. In 1824, this street was much improved by
pulling down an old house which stood across it.
May 21. A most tremendous storm of thunder and lightning
visited Felton and the neighbourhood. The electric fluid entered
the house of Mr. William Cowens, farmer, at East Thirston, it
shivered to pieces a press-bed standing in the kitchen, and ran along
and melted the bell-wires attached to three rooms ; in the parlour
a closet door was split. At this moment Mr. Cowens came in from
the field, and his dog, which was close behind him, was killed on
the spot. There was a loaded gun standing in the passage, which
exploded soon after. When the alarm had a little subsided, it was
discovered that the rooms on the second floor were on fire, and it
was supposed that the lightning, which had been attracted by the
curtain rods, had set fire to the window curtains and bed-hangings.
The flames were, however, soon extinguished. A great number of
squares of glass in the windows were broken, and the roof of the
house was penetrated in several places, but no person sustained
any injury.
1810 (May 24). The foundation of a new bridge was laid at
Thropton, near Rothbury. On this occasion, the Coquetdale
rangers and Percy tenantry paraded. The Rev. Dr. Watson laid
the first stone, and delivered an appropriate prayer ; as each stone
was laid, the volunteers fired a volley. The ceremony being finished,
the procession returned to Thropton, where a large party sat down
to dinner, and spent the day in the greatest harmony.
May 29. The Society of Arts presented a gold medal to the
late Mr. Isaac Jopling, senior, of Gateshead, for penetrating into
the remotest corners of the North Highlands, discovering variety
of marbles, working the quarries, and bringing (at great labour and
expense) the produce of these almost inaccessible regions into use.
For an interesting account of the difficulties which Mr. Jopliug
had to encounter, whilst working the quarries in Sutherlandshire,
see the "Transactions of the Society of Arts, $c." for 1810, vol.
xxviii. p. 59. The marble works in Gateshead, are still carried on
by Mrs. Isaac Jopling, junior.
June 1. Died, at South Shields, Mr. Andrew Bowmaker, aged
103 years.
June 4. The foundation stone of the Jubilee school, near the
A.D. 1810.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 57
keelmans' hospital, on the New-road, Newcastle, was laid by George
Anderson, esq., in commemoration of the 50th year of the reign
of his majesty George III., and being also the anniversary of his
birth, the troops in the garrison, joined by several volunteer corps,
assembled on the Town -moor, and fired in honour of the day.
March 4th, 1811, this school was first opened.
1810 (June 21). The foundation stone of a new charity school,
near the church, North Shields, was laid with great solemnity by
John Scott, esq., one of the magistrates for the county, assisted by
William Linskill, Robert Laing, esqrs., and others. The Rev.
William Haswell, then stood upon the stone, and pronounced a
benediction suitable to the occasion, after which he delivered an
elegant oration. A brass plate with an inscription, and several
coins of the reign of George III., were deposited in the stone.
Same day, died, at Jarrow, Mary Wolfe, aged 105 years.
July 15. Died, at underland, Elizabeth Hall, aged 105 years.
Her twin- brother died about five years before, aged 100 years, and
her mother lived to the age of 108 years,
July 23. The foundation stone of the new county courts for the
county of Northumberland, in the Castle Garth, Newcastle, was
laid by the right honourable Earl Percy, as representative of his
grace the duke of Northumberland. The magistrates and a con-
siderable number of gentlemen of Newcastle and the county
assembled at the Guildhall, at eleven o'clock, and from thence
walked to the site of the courts. On the arrival of Earl Percy and
the procession at the site, the Percy tenantry and the Newcastle
volunteers, who were drawn up in a square, presented arms, and
a royal salute of 21 guns was fired from the castle. Thomas Clen-
nell, esq., the chairman of the bench of magistrates of the county
then made a neat speech, after which he presented the silver trowel
to the noble earl, in the name of the justices to lay the foundation
of the building. A plate, with a suitable inscription, and various
gold, silver, and copper coins of the reign of King George III.,
having been deposited in a cavity cut in the stone, his lordship
proceeded to the masonic part of the ceremony, after which, his
lordship addressed the audience, which was received with a burst
of acclamation. The clerk of the peace, then handed to the chair-
man a letter from his grace the duke of Northumbei'land, inclosing
a donation of 3,000. towards the erection of the building, in aid
of the county rates, which, his grace observed, would fall heavy on
the less opulent freeholders. The chairman mounting the stone,
and displaying the three bank notes of 1,000. each, explained the
purport of the letter, and observed, this was another proof of the
generosity of the noble house of Percy. The gift was received
with three times three cheei's, and on the proposition of the chair-
man, the letter and the thanks of the magistrates were immediately
entered in the archives of the county. Another royal salute Avas
fired from the castle, the Newcastle volunteers firing a volley be-
tween every seventh gun. The procession then returned to the
Guildhall. In the afternoon, about ninety gentlemen sat down to
VOL. II. I
58 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [>.D. 1810.
a sumptuous dinner v * at the Queen's Head inn, in Pilgrim- street,
Earl Percy in the chair. His lordship gave 50. to the workmen
employed in building the courts. This and the following year, the
assizes for the county of Northumberland were held in St. Nicholas'
church.
1810 (Aug. 2) A young whale, called a finner, was towed into
Sunderland by a Scots sloop, which picked it up off Holy Island.
It measured thirty feet in length.
August 7. Whilst an act of parliament was passing for rebuild-
ing St. Edmund's chapel, in Gateshead, which had long been in
ruins, a new chapel was begun and built by subscription. It was
consecrated by the lord bishop of Durham, on the above day, and
an appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. John Collinson,
A.M., rector of Gateshead, from 1 Tim. chap. iii. ver. 15. August
7th the following year, the burial ground of this chapel was con-
secrated by the lord bishop of Durham, and an appropriate sermon
preached on the occasion by the Rev. John Collinson, A. M.,
rector of Gateshead, from Genesis, chap, xxiii, ver. 2, 3, 4. The
following year the ruins of St. Edmund's chapel were taken down
and houses for the three elder brethren were at the same time re-
built a little to the north of the new chapel.
August 16. An extraordinary high tide, accompanied with a
boisterous north wind, and a very tempestuous sea, swept away
about thirty-six yards in length of the outer wall of Clifford's Fort,
at the east end of North Shields. Some masses of stone were
carried by the force of the water, near thirty yards from the site
of the wall. It also tore up and carried away some hundreds of tons
of earth and gravel to the eastward of the Fort, and destroyed the
blocks which had been erected for laying down the frame of a new
ship on his grace the duke of Northumberland's premises.
September 3. The remains of a human skeleton were dug up on
the bank side, near the southern end of Stephenson-street, North
Shields. An old house had been pulled down near the spot, in
order to enlarge and beautify the street, and within a few yards of
its site, the bones were discovered ; a few years before, another
skeleton was dug up near the same place. It was believed this
was the old house, wherein, in the year 1705, the duke of Argyle,
then a resident at Chirton, near North Shields, received so many
bruises in a night brawl or revel, as occasioned his death shortly
thereafter. It was occupied by Paphian nymphs, and often resorted
to by the noble duke, of pleasurable and profligate memory.
The following is extracted from the register of baptisms at
St. Nicholas' church, in Newcastle : " 1701, November 18th,
Archbald, son of Mr. Andrew Kennedy, vintner ; Barbara Ux.
Archbald, duke of Argile, Bartram Stote, esq., and Mrs. Ann
Potts, ff markt." The three last-mentioned persons were sponsors
of the child, who had been named after this unfortunate noble-
* Anthony Hood, esq., alderman of Newcastle, felt rather indisposed during
the procession, which prevented his attendance at dinner, and he died in the
night, to the great grief of all his acquaintance.
A..D. 1810.] EEMARKABLE EVENTS. 59
man ; Mr. Stote was no doubt of the family of Stote, once owners
of Stote's hall, at Jesmond. " ff Markt" means the Flesh Market,
where I would infer Mr. Kennedy, the father of the child, resided.
See June 2d, 1814.
1810 (Sept. 18). The opening of the cut, or canal, made for
altering the course of the river Tees, between Stockton and Port-
rack, was commenced at Stockton by public rejoicings. The
morning was ushered in by the ringing of bells. At half-past
seven, three sloops decorated with flags, &c., proceeded from Port-
rack through the canal, attended by the volunteer band of music,
the custom-house boat, the Redcar life- boat, and a numerous
assemblage of pleasure-boats, &c.; several guns were fired from the
vessels as each entered into and went out of the canal, which were
returned by guns placed on the quays at Stockton. When the
sloops arrived at Stockton, the company's flag (most elegantly
designed) was taken down from the mast head of the sloop which
came up first, and conveyed through the street, preceded by the
band of music, and placed on the top of the cupola on the Town-
hall. At twelve o'clock, the workmen were regaled with meat and
drink, and at two o'clock, seventy gentlemen sat down in the Town-
hall to dinner, the volunteer band performing.
October 25. This being the day which completed the half
century of the reign of his late majesty George III., was celebrated
at Alnwick with great splendour. The day was ushered in by the
reveille and a morning gun, when the colours were hoisted on the
castle, and before noon, Lord Percy's artillery, wall-piece men,
cavalry, and nine companies of the rifle corps, upwards of 750
men, had marched into the castle, and taken post upon the saluting
battery, the towers and battlements of the castle ; the other half
of his lordship's corps having assembled on Tyneside. At one
o'clock, the feu de joie was fired by each branch of the corps
respectively, mingled with the loudest cheers and music. After
firing, the volunteers were refreshed with cold meat and ale : they
then returned to their quarters, where good hot dinners were pre-
pared for them at the duke's expense. His grace ordered an ox
to be roasted in the Market-place, and three carts attended with
ale and bread to be distributed to the populace. But the better
to commemorate the day, the duke of Northumberland caused the
first stone of a school to be laid, capable of containing 200 boys,
to be educated under Mr. Lancaster's plan, which was built and
supported at his grace's sole expense. The school was opened
August 12th, 1811, ivhich see.
October 25. The foundation stone of the Granby Lodge of
free and accepted masons was laid in Old Elvet, Durham, by the
right worshipful provincial grand-master, Sir Ralph Milbanke, bart.,
accompanied by a great number of officers and brethren. In a
cavity of the stone were deposited various coins of the reign of
George III., with a jubilee medal, on the completion of the 50th
year of his reign. After the ceremony, the officers and brethren
dined, and the day was spent in great harmony.
6.0 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [.V.D. 1810.
1810 (Nov. 6). The foundation stone of St. Cuthbert's Lodge, in
Tweedmouth (under the ancient constitution, the duke of Athol,
grand-master), was laid by brother Selby Morton, acting master,
amidst the acclamations of most of the brethren in the neighbour-
hood. In the stone was inclosed a bottle, containing several coins
of the reign of George III., and some old ones of king William
and Queen Mary.
November 13. Died in the house of correction at Durham,
where he had been confined upwards of seven years, under sen-
tence of transportation for life, James Allan, a character well know
in most parts of the United Kingdom, particularly in Northumber-
land, where he was known by the name of Jemmy, the duke's piper,
and was in early life a great proficient on the pipes. He was
capitally convicted of horse-stealing, at the assizes held at Durham,
in 1803, and received sentence of death, but was afterwards par-
doned on condition of transportation for life ; but on account of his
age and infirmities, his sentence could not be carried into execu-
tion. He had nearly completed his 77th year, and, for the greatest
part of his confinement, was afflicted with a complication of dis-
orders. Had the chequered life of this notorious character been
prolonged a little, he would have regained his liberty, as the first
signature of the Prince Regent, officially addressed to the city of
Durham, was a free pardon for Allan ; but death had removed him
beyond the reach of royal clemency. There is a portrait of Allan
prefixed to his Memoirs. Died, on the 27th of March, 1830, at
Bothbury, Tibby Allan, aged 109 years, widow of the noted Jemmy
Allan, the celebrated Northumberland piper.
November 24. Died, in Sandgate, Newcastle, where she had
resided ever since she was born, Thomasin Robinson, aged '111
years. When upwards of 100, she had her thigh broken, and re-
covered perfectly.
This year, as Sir Carnaby Haggerston's workmen were digging
in Floddon Field, they came to a pit filled with human bones, and
which seemed of great extent ; but alarmed at the sight, they im-
mediately filled up the excavation and proceeded no further. A
fine seal, supposed to be Roman, was found here, which was in the
possession of the late Countess Cowper.
The Baptist meeting-house, at the west end of Walker-gate lane,
Berwick, was this year built.
This year, the north wall of Ponteland church fell ; but the
whole structure has since that time been repaired.
Albion-street and Albion-place, Newcastle, were this year formed.
This year, an act was obtained for making a turnpike road from
Durham (through Lanchester) to Shotley-bridge. The road passes
directly through the vale, instead of the old circuitous route along
the heights.
The corporation of Newcastle this year purchased the Old Castle
in that town, which they put into a state of repair, and battlements,
guns for rejoicing days, &c., were placed upon the top. It was the
property of the government. See vol. t., page 14.
A.B. 1811] BEMARKABLE EVENTS. 61
1811 (Jan. 3). Died, at Blyth, Mrs. Blakey, aged 104 years.
February 1. In the night of this day, the Low-light, on the
Fern Island was first lighted.
February 23. Died, at the High Felling, in the county of
Durham, Mr. Isaac Jackson, aged 104 years.
February 28. Died, in Gateshead, Mr. Richard Bentley, aged
101 years.
March 6. Died, at Kenton, near Newcastle, Mrs. Margaret
Milburn, aged 104 years.
March 12. About ten o'clock in the evening, a carriage was
unfortunately overturned near Jesmond House. It had set off
from the residence of James Losh, esq., of that place, but had not
proceeded far, when the driver mistaking the proper turn to go
along the bridge, the carriage and horses were precipitated over a
low fence into the entrance of Jesmond Dene, the height of at least
18 or 20 feet. There were two gentlemen in the carriage, one of
whom leaped out as the vehicle was passing over the fence, the
other was carried to the bottom, and miraculously escaped any
injury. The driver was severely bruised, and one of the horses
died a few minutes after the accident.
This month, a cannon ball, weighing 96 Ibs., and thirty inches
in circumference, was dug out of the ruins of the old castle in
Berwick ; it had penetrated the castle wall about three yards, at
a place where it had been flanked with a tower, which must have
been first penetrated, and of which there were sufficient remains
to ascertain the fact. This was supposed to be the identical ball
which destroyed one of the principal towers of the castle, and
caused its immediate surrender to the royal army. See the year
1405, vol. I., page 56.
April 10. Died, at Anick, in Northumberland, James Crozier,
aged 101 years.
May 28. The Society of Arts presented the silver pallet medal
to the late Mr. Isaac Jopling, junior, for a plaster cast, a copy of
the Gladiator.
This month, died at Seaton, near Hartlepopl, Eleanor Smith,
widow, aged 107 years. She retained her faculties to the last.
June 4. As three hundred men belonging to the 82nd regiment,
then stationed at Tynemouth, were crossing in the military passage
boat, from North to South Shields, to fire on Whitburn sands, the
boat was struck and upset by a ship entering the river Tyne, which
caused considerable alarm, and might have had dreadful conse-
quences. None of the men were lost, but many very seriously
bruised and wet. One died from the effects next day. Several
muskets, side-arms, and hats, were lost.
June 10. As some workmen were digging at the head of the
Long-bank, Sunderland, they found a human skeleton, about two
feet below the surface.
June 12. The workmen employed in lowering the level of the
flat pavement, at the south door of St. Nicholas' church, in New-
castle, discovered, within six inches of the surface, a very perfect
62 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1811.
stone coffin. It contained some bones, and a quantity of earth ;
there being no cover to it, the bones were immediately buried.
The coffin seemed to have been made to contain a person of about
five feet six inches high. There was a proper excavation for the
head of the corpse, and a circular perforation in the bottom of
the coffin, for the purpose of keeping it dry.
1811 (June 29J. Died, at the North Shore, near Newcastle,
Mrs. Sarah Gibson, aged 102 years.
July 23. About three o'clock on the morning, a fire broke
out in a stable belonging to Mr. Jonathan Bell, of Walwick, near
Chollerford, which totally consumed the same, together with five
horses and their trappings, belonging to Mr. Thomas Wright, the
Carlisle carrier.
This month, in taking down that part of the town's wall, in New-
castle, which extended from Pilgrim-street to the Weavers' tower
in New Bridge-street, three cannon balls, of 22 Ib. weight each,
were found lodged deep in the wall. They had been shot during
the siege of that town by the Scots, in 1644. See vol. i., page 97.
August 5. The lord bishop of Durham consecrated a new
burial-ground at Trirndon, in the county of Durham.
August 12. This being the birth-day of the Prince Regent
(afterwards George IV.), his grace the duke of Northumberland
endowed and opened, at Alnwick, a seminary for 200 boys, the
children of the neighbouring poor, to be clothed, fed, and educated
at his grace's sole expense and bounty, enacting, as an express
clause in this permanent institution, that the natal day of the
Regent should be observed for ever as a holiday, in order that the
boys, as they grow up, may learn to reverence and bless that
Prince to whose honour this munificent establishment has been
dedicated.
August 28. Died, at Barlow, near Ryton, Durham, John
Anderson, shoemaker, aged 108 years. He died in the act of
soling a pair of shoes. He enjoyed good health and never wore
spectacles.
September 14. Died, at Lesbury in Northumberland, aged 78
years, the Rev. Percival Stockdale, the ingenious vicar of Lesbury
and Longhoughton. Being the only child of the Rev. Thomas
Stockdale, vicar of Branxton, and perpetual curate of Cornhill, he
was nurtured with excessive care, and after being at the grammar
schools of Alnwick and Berwick, he was entered of the university
of St. Andrews. On the death of his father he became a second
lieutenant in the 23rd, or Royal Welsh Fusileers, in which regiment
he served in the expedition against St. Philip, in Minorca. On his
return, his regiment being ordered to India, he resigned his com-
mission in November, 1757. Two years afterwards he was ordained
deacon by Dr. Trevor, bishop of Durham ; he then went to
London, where he enjoyed the society of Garrick, Dr. Johnson, Dr.
Brown, Goldsmith, and others of that bright constellation of genius.
He afterwards became curate to Mr. Thorp, vicar of Berwick, but
in a short time returned to London, and being without any church
A.D. 1811.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 63
employment, he, in 1767, embarked for Italy, where he read and
wrote very assiduously. After his return to London in 1769, he
translated "Tassel's Aminta." The booksellers having conceived
a very high opinion of his talents, he was appointed successor to
Dr. Guthrie in the management of the "Critical Review" He also
wrote a very elegant life of Waller the poet, for Davies, and
translated for the same publisher the "Antiquities of Greece"
from the Latin. In 1771, he compiled the "Universal Magazine"
and two years afterwards appeared his most distinguished work,
"The Poet" About this time, Mr. S. became chaplain of the
Resolution, guardship, of 74 guns, stationed at Spithead. During
the three years he was attached to this ship, his mind was not
inactive, having, besides some minor poems, compiled six sermons
to seamen, and translated into English, Sabbattiers' "Institutions,
Customs, and Manners of the Ancient Nations" He afterwards
wrote an "Essay on the Writings and Genius of Pope " against the
essay by Wharton on the same subject. This performance met
with the approbation of Gibbon and Burke. He next wrote
several political letters, signed Agricola, in the Public Advertiser,
was a short time tutor to Lord Craven's son, and next became
curate of Hineworth, in Hertfordshire, where he wrote fifteen
sermons. In 1782, he took priest's orders, and wrote his
"Treatise on Education" The year following, Lord Chancellor
Thurlow presented him with the living of Lesbury, to which the
duke of Northumberland added that of Longhoughton, in the
same county. Here Mr. S. wrote his tragedy of "Ximenes" but
the climate not agreeing with his health, he accepted an invitation
from his friend Mr. Matra, British consul at Tangier, to pass some
time with him under its more genial sky. On his return in 1790,
he wrote an elaborate "History of Gibraltar," which, in a fit of
despondency, he committed to the flames, but he soon resumed his
studies and composed two poems, " The Banks of the Wear," and
" The Invincible Island," and in 1807, he completed and published
his "Lectures on the Poets." His last publication was "Memoirs
of Himself," which are dedicated to the ingenious Miss Porter.
There is a portrait of Mr. Stockdale prefixed to his poems.
181 1 (Oct. 3^). Thomas Elliot stood in the pillory at Sunderland,
according to his sentence, having been convicted of an assault on
a young girl. The novelty of the scene brought together an
immense concourse of people (supposed not less than 20,000),
who behaved in the most orderly manner, hardly a single insult
being offered to the convicted delinquent.
October 12. The estate of Andrew Robinson Stoney Bowes,
esq., at Benwell, near Newcastle, was brought to the hammer at
the Queen's Head inn, in that town. It was sold in lots, which
together with the wood upon the estate, amounted to about
65,000. When purchased by Bowes for about 24,000, it was
considered a very dear bargain. In 1771, when this estate was
advertised for sale, the mansion-house, which has since become a
heap of ruins, was in the most perfect condition. There had been
64 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF ' [A.D. 1811.
a chapel near its south end, which was pulled down on account of
intercepting the view from the house ; when this took place, I
have not been able to ascertain, but a vault and a few grave
stones, one of which dated so late as the year 1759, still continue
to mark the site of the burial-ground, where,
" Each in his narrow cell for ever laid,
" The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
1811 (Oct.) A very curious machine for cleansing and deepen-
ing Sunderland harbour was set to work. A steam-engine of great
power was erected upon a floating barge, which continually drove
round a number of iron buckets fastened to a chain, and which
filled themselves with sand and gravel at the bottom of the harbour,
and successively emptied themselves at the top of the shaft into a
spout ready to receive them. This machine could lift 55 tons of
ballast in 35 minutes.
This month, after much stormy weather, the high sea washed
away nearly the whole of the two slips for ship-building at the Low
Lights, near Clifford's-fort, North Shields, together with much of
the adjoining land near the Fort-gate. October 30th and 31st, it
also washed away some thousands of tons of earth and rubbish ;
laid Ware and then tore up the foundations of an old fort, which,
from the nature of the cement between the stones, appeared to
have existed previous to Clifford's-fort, built in 1672.
November 17. The new built Scots church in Howard-street,
North Shields, was opened for divine service. A very excellent
and appropriate discourse was delivered on the occasion by the
Rev. Mr. Knox, to a crowded audience.
s^JC
This month, in consequence of the scarcity of silver coin, Mr.
John Robertson, silversmith, of Newcastle, issued silver tokens of
one shilling and sixpence each. This wood cut represents the
shilling token. Mr. R. afterwards issued tokens of half-a-crown.
Mr. Kelty, silversmith, of Newcastle, issued silver tokens. Silver
and copper tokens were also issued from Bewicke Main colliery
office in Newcastle.
Messrs. Christopher and Jennett, booksellers, Stockton, issued
silver and copper tokens. Various other tradesmen in the counties
of Durham and Northumberland issued tokens.
December 28. An alarming fire broke out in a house in New
Pandon-street, Newcastle, belonging to, and occupied by Mr.
A.D. 18 1C.] IlEMARKABLE EVENTS. 65
Cooke, ship-biscuit baker, which communicated to the house
adjoining, and terminated in the destruction of both.
HIM year, the Westgate, in Newcastle,
was pulled down. It was one of
those strong entrances through the
town-wall, and had been in former
times secured with massive gates of
oak beams and iron doors. This
gate consisted of four wards, and
was said to have been built by the
munificent Roger Thornton. In the
year 1782, a footway was opened on
the north side of this gate. Upon
the site of this gate are built a toll-
house; the House Carpenters' meet-
ing-house, and the Peace and Unity Hospital. It was long used
as a magazine for military stores. This gate had formerly been a
prison. See the year 1648, vol. i., page 102.
1811. This year, Cornsay alms-houses, in the parish of Lan-
chester, Durham, for six poor men and six poor women, were built
and endowed by the late William Russell, esq., of Brancepeth castle.
Forth-street, Orchard-street, and Castle-street, in Newcastle,
were this year formed. The quay was also considerably widened
opposite the Exchange, Newcastle.
This and the preceding year, the chapel of St. Hilda at South
Shields, which is of very high antiquity, probably nearly coeval
with Jarrow church, was almost nearly rebuilt, except the steeple,
the south and west wall, and part of the east wall ; the pillars
forming the north and south aisles were removed, and a single roof
thrown over the whole structure ; the ground floor was new paved,
and a handsome uniform gallery extended round the north, south,
and west. The ceiling of the whole is handsomely stuccoed.
1812 (Jan. 27). Died, at Pit Hill, in the parish of Chester-le-
Street, Catherine Aisbert, aged 104 years.
February. Several Roman antiquities were this month sold by
a person (to all appearances a farmer) to Mr. Thomas Watson,
silversmith, of Newcastle. They consisted of an oblong silver
salver, about eighteen inches in length, carved round the edge ;
when discovered it was quite entire. A silver cup, about five
inches in diameter, with only a small damage on one side ; another
about the same size, was so much corroded as to fall to pieces.
A long flat handle, which appeared to have belonged to one of
the cups, most beautifully carved with flowers and the heads of
birds, with the following inscription, inlaid with letters of gold,
MATH. FAB. D v B i T. two pieces of silver, carved and gilt,
which seemed to have been the side pieces of a bridle bit. Several
gold and silver rings, some set with stones, and one with an in-
scription. The rings were in the shape of serpents. Along with the
above was discovered a number of silver coins ; and a massy gold
chain about eighteen inches long. The above were found in
VOL. ii. K
66 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [JA.I>. 1812.
Northumberland, but the person who sold them, from interested
motives, refused to give any information respecting the place.
1812 (March 15). The new Methodist chapel in Vine-street,
Sunderland, was opened, on which occasion, the Rev. John Slack
officiated.
April 4. The remains of the hon. lady Julia Percy, arrived in
Newcastle from Alnwick. In the evening the body lay in state at
the Turk's Head inn, and early the next morning was again carried
forward on its melancholy route to the family burial place at
Stanwix, in Yorkshire.
April 15. The first stone of the new work, at Hartlepool pier,
was laid by Carr Ibbetson, esq., amidst great rejoicings.
April 28. Died, at Darlington, Mrs. Alice Turner, aged 103
years.
May 2. The public market for the sale of wheat, maslin, rye,
beans, and peas, was removed from near the foot of Pilgrim-street,
to the open area on the north side of St. Nicholas' church, New-
castle.
May 5. An act for lighting and watching Newcastle, without
the walls, received the royal assent, and on Saturday night, Sep-
tember 26th, the same year, Newcastle, without the walls, was
first lighted with oil.
May 7. This being ascension day, a very melancholy accident
happened on the return of the aquatic party from Shields to New-
castle in the morning. As John Robson, a mason, one of the party,
who were discharging the cannon on the top of the old castle, was
in the act of reloading a gun, owing to some accident, the cartridge
which he was ramming down unfortunately exploded, by which
his right hand was blown off, and his body fell over the battle-
ments of the castle, and was dashed to pieces.
May 14.- The lord bishop of St. David's consecrated a piece of
ground, as additional to the church-yard of Whickham, in the
county of Durham.
May 18. Died, in New Pandon-street, Newcastle, Mrs. Margaret
Clark, aged 105 years.
May 25. About half-past eleven o'clock on the morning, "one of
the most tremendous explosions on record in the history of the
collieries, took place at Felling, near Gate'shead, in the mine be-
longing to Mr. Brandling, which was always considered one of the
most safe in the district. Nearly the whole of the workmen were
below, the second set having gone down before the first had come
up, when a double blast of hydrogen gas took place. A slight
trembling, as from an earthquake, was felt for about half a mile
around the workings ; and the noise of the explosion, though dull,
was heard to three or four miles distance, and much resembled an
unsteady fire of infantry. Immense quantities of dust and small
coal accompanied these blasts, and rose high into the air, in the
form of an inverted cone. The heaviest part of the ejected matter,
such as corves, pieces of wood, and small coal, fell near the pits ;.
but the dust, borne away by a strong west wind, fell in a continued
A.D. 1812.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 67
shower from the pit to the distance of a mile and a half. In the
village of Heworth., it caused a darkness like that of early twilight,
and covered the roads so thickly, that the footsteps of passengers
were strongly imprinted in it. The heads of both the shaft frames
were blown off, their sides set on fire, and their pullies shattered
to pieces ; bnt the pullies of the John Pit gin, being on a crane
not within the influence of the blast were fortunately preserved.
The coal dust ejected from the "William Pitt into the drift or
horizontal parts of the tube was about three inches thick, and soon
burnt to a light cinder. Pieces of burning coal driven off the
solid stratum of the mine were also blown up this shaft. As soon
as the explosion was heard, the wives and children of the workmen
ran to the working pit ; wildness and terror were pictured in every
countenance. The crowds from all sides soon collected to the
number of several hundreds ; some crying out for a husband,
others for a parent or son, and all deeply affected with an admixture
of horror, anxiety, and grief. In this calamity 91 men and boys
perished. The few men who were saved, happened to be working
in a different part of the mine, to which the fury of the explosion
did not reach. After the mine had been made air tight for about
six weeks, to extinguish the fire, it was again opened, and on the
8th of July the workings were entered, and the first dead body
found. From various obstructions, the last of the bodies (some of
whom were under six or seven feet of stone) was not found until
the 19th of September. All these persons (except four, who were
buried in single graves) were interred in Heworth chapel-yard, in
in a trench, side by side, two coffins deep, with a partition of brick
and lime between every four coffins. In commemoration of this
catastrophe, a neat plain obelisk is erected, nine feet high, fixed in
a solid stone base. It has four brass plates let into the stone on
the four sides, on which are inscribed the name and age of each of
the ninety-one sufferers alphabetically arranged.
1812 (May 26). The Society of Arts presented a gold medal
to Mr. Thomas Machell of Wolsingham, Durham, surgeon, for the
invention of an annular saw, which cuts deeper than its own centre,
well adapted for the division of cylindrical bones, surrounded by
muscles, blood-vessels, or nerves, and with less injury to those
parts than by any other instrument in use.
The same day the Society of Arts presented a gold medal to the
Rev. Dr. F. Haggit for his improvement of 50 acres of waste land,
at Pittington, near Durham.
June 8. The public market for the sale of bread, oatmeal,
vegetables, fruit, and gingerbread, was removed from the Sandhill
to a plot of ground on the south side of the new Butchers' market.
These stalls were without any covering until the year 1831, when
they received this very necessary addition.
June 15. The freemen of Durham, in consequence of several
encroachments, perambulated the boundaries of that city, a custom
which had been neglected since the inclosure of the adjacent moors.
The procession -set out from the town-hall at 10 o'clock: the
68 HISTORICAL REGISTEK OF [A.U. 1812.
grassmen on horseback, attended by the banners of the various
trades, the city waits (music), drums, beadle, &c.
1812 (June b). The races on the town-moor, Newcastle, were
attended by one of the most numerous concourses of spectators ever
remembered. Just as the last heat for the gold cup was finished,
the temporary stand belonging to the White Hart inn, being very
much crowded, gave way in the middle, and involved nearly a hun-
dred persons in the crash. About forty persons were seriously
hurt, and about twelve dangerously, several of them having limbs
broken. The medical gentlemen who were on the ground gave
their ready assistance, and many of the sufferers were admitted
into the grand stand, or were accommodated with carriages from
thence. A woman named Smith was seriously injured, she being
below at the time of the accident. Mr. Redhead,* senior, of
Walker, Mr. Blackbird, of Newbottle, Mr. Fiddler, a midshipman,
a pitman called " The Duke" and Sir EL Vane Tempest's groom,
had all limbs broken ; Mr. Moffitt, of Newcastle, Mr. Allison,* of
Whitburn, and several others, were seriously bruised. Mrs.Wylam,
the proprietor, was hurt in the shoulder. A quantity of the stock
of wine, spirits, and ale, was destroyed.
July 29. The chapel at Gibside, Durham, completed by the
right hon. Earl Strathrnore, was consecrated with great solemnity
by the lord bishop of Durham. This elegant edifice, which was
commenced building by George Bowes, esq., in the year 1760, as
a chapel and mausoleum, is ornamented with a portico and dome
highly embellished. It stands at one end of a most beautiful ter-
race in front of the mansion-house ; the other extremity is termi-
nated by a wood, out of which rises a fine column of stone sur-
mounted by a figure of Liberty, built in 1756. See vol. i., page 216.
August 6. The high sheriff of Northumberland, Mr. Bates, of
Milburn hall, the judges of assize, and a large attendance of gen-
tlemen, went in procession along Bailiff-gate and Castle-street,
Newcastle, to the new county courts, to open the commission.
They had not gone this way before for perhaps some centuries,
having from time immemorial gone to the Old Moot-hall by that
dark, narrow, and dangerous passage called the Black Gate.
August 10. The foundation-stone of the Exchange, Town-hall,
&c., at Sunderland, was laid with masonic honours, by the provin-
cial grand lodge for the county of Durham. Sir H. V. Tempest,
bart. (in the absence of Sir Ralph Milbanke, bart.), P. G. M. pro
tern. The procession went from the Phrenix-hall, preceded by the
Sunderland volunteer infantry. A plate with an inscription having
been deposited in the stone, the usual ceremonies were gone
through, after which the volunteers presented arms. After the
P.G. Chaplain had delivered an oration, the volunteers fired three
vollies in the air. The procession then returned to their lodge,
and elected their officers for the following year. At three o'clock,
the brethren, gentlemen of the committee, and others, to the num-
ber of nearly two hundred, sat down to an excellent dinner in the
* These afterwards died of their wounds.
A.D. 1812.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 69
Phoenix-hall, Sir H. V. Tempest, bart., in the chair, who that day
distinguished himself by various acts of liberality. May the 26th,
1814, this elegant structure was opened to the subscribers, on which
occasion, in the absence of the president, J. G. Lambton, esq., M.P.,
the chair was taken by John Davison, vice-president, who addressed
the meeting ; this was followed by an address from the Rev. J.
Hampson, both of which were very ably delivered. This building
cost 8,000, subscribed by individuals in 50. shares ; half of the
ground was purchased from Sir H. V. Tempest, bart., for 600.,
and the lease of the other moiety was obtained for 63 years, under
10. rent
1812 (Aug. 17). Died, in Gateshead, Isabella Sharp, at the great
age of 114 years. It appeared by the baptismal register of that
place, that she was christened August 17th, 1698.
August 31. The Newcastle Associated Volunteer Infantry
presented their colonel, Sir M. W. Ridley, bart., with a magnficent
piece of plate, as a token of the high estimation in which they held
his conduct as their commanding officer. At two o'clock, the
regiment assembled in Pilgrim-street, from whence they marched
to the Moor, attended by a great concourse of people. Having
inarched past their colonel in review, the regiment formed three
deep, was wheeled forward and formed in a circle, in the centre
of which the vase being placed, lieut.-col. Ridley stepped forward,
and addressed Sir M. W. Ridley in the most appropriate language,
to which the colonel made a suitable reply. The ceremony of
presentation being over, the regiment greeted him with three times
three cheers, in which they were joined by the company present.
The regiment was then wheeled back into line, when they fired a
feu dejoie, the guns on the castle firing a salute. They then ad-
vanced in line, and made a general salute to their colonel. Before
the regiment was dismissed, the companies were presented with ten
guineas each by the colonel, to regale themselves with on the occasion.
The bells of St. Nicholas' church continued to ring at intervals
during the day. In the latter part of the day, a magnificent
dinner was served up in the Assembly-rooms, to the officers and a
large party of visitors. Besides Jhe officers of the regiment, there
were present the mayor and principal members of the corporation
of Newcastle ; the general officers and staff of the northern dis-
trict ; the commanding officers of the cavalry, artillery, engineers,
and militia then in Newcastle, and of the different volunteer corps,
&c., in the neighbourhood, besides a great number of visitors,
making in all a party of 132. The vase presented on this occasion
was of silver, of an elegant Etruscan form, and was nearly two
feet high. The sides were ornamented with military trophies and
the arms of Ridley; its cover was surmounted by an elegant female
figure, representing the town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It was of
the value of 350.
September 23. Died, at North Shields, Daniel Todd. aged 64
years; an eccentric character,well known bythe name of Lord Blake.
October 10. An explosion took place in Herrington-mill Pit.
when twenty boys and four men were killed.
70 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1812.
1812 (Oct. 21). There was a remarkably high tide at Shields.
About 60 feet of the wall of Clifford's Fort were swept away, and
the Northumberland life-boat house was entirely broken to pieces.
Some hundreds of masts, buoys, &c., were carried away, and the
water flowed into many of the houses in North Shields. It flowed
upon his grace the duke of Northumberland's new quay, and reached
the doors of the warehouse.
November 18. Some workmen employed in a quarry at Byker-
hill, near Newcastle, on splitting a huge block of freestone, nearly
three tons weight, found a living toad in the middle of it. The
cavity that contained the animal, to which there was no passage,
was the model of its figure, and was lined with a black substance,
suffused with moisture.
The new building in Claypath, in the city of Durham, was this
year opened for the Blue-coat and Sunday schools.
The Anti-burgher meeting house, near the middle of Church-
street, Berwick, was this year built,
This year, the bridge was built over Pandon-Dean, Newcastle,
and Bridge-street formed.
About this year, in forming drains at the northern extremity of
the slake at Hartlepool, about five feet beneath the surface, several
holes or graves, about eight feet square, were discovered, filled with
human bones, trees also, the wood of which was found in excellent
preservation, together with the antlers of deer, and an immense
number of teeth, which, on being examined with attention, were
supposed to have belonged to these animals.
1813 (Jan. 28). Between four and five o'clock on the morning,
a fire was discovered in the house of Miss Rudd, in Mosley-street,
Newcastle, which had a most alarming appearance ; but by the
timely arrival of the Newcastle and Royal Exchange fire-office
engines, and the great exertions of the men belonging to the same,
it was happily extinguished soon after seven o'clock, though not
before considerable damage was done to the house, and to Miss
Rudd's stock of millinery. A party of the Royal Bucks militia
attended with the greatest promptitude upon the occasion, and were
of service in protecting the property and in keeping off the crowd.
February 6. The Antiquarian Society of Newcastle was esta-
blished, when the purport of its institution was declared to be
"Inquiry into Antiquities in general, but especially into those of
the North of England, and of the counties of Northumberland,
Cumberland, and Durham, in particular." The first part of the'
Society's Transactions was published in Newcastle in 1816, under
the title of Archceologia sEliana.
Same day, the wind corn-mill of Mr. Watson, near South Shields,
was 1 burnt down. The fire was occasioned by violent friction.
February 30. About one o'clock on the morning, a fire broke
out at the New Mills, belonging to the corporation of Berwick,
occupied by Mr. John Forster, which burnt two barley mills and
one grey-stone mill, and a quantity of oatmeal, before it was got
under ; but by timely assistance, it was prevented from reaching
the flour mills and principal buildings.
A.I>. 1813.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 71
1813 (March 31J. The labourers employed in removing the hill
of earth called the Mount, near the old castle, in Newcastle, found
the skeletons of two men, about a foot and a half below the sur-
face ; one of them was lying with the face downward, and from the
freshness of its appearance, would seem to have not been buried
many years.
This month, died, at Todholes, near Elsdon, in Northumberland,
Mr. William Snowdon, farmer, aged upwards of 100 years.
April 1. At the quarterly court of the Infirmary of Newcastle,
an excellent full-length portrait of William Ingham, esq., painted
in consequence of a subscription by his private friends, was pre-
sented to the institution, as a testimony of respect for his valuable
services to the charity as surgeon during thirty-three years. The
painting, which is admirably executed, is by Mr. Nicholson, of
Newcastle. Mr. Ingham died November 26th, 1817. There is a
very finely engraved portrait of Mr. Ingham, done at the expense
of his family, and presented to particular friends.
April 6. Died, in High Friar-street, Newcastle, William Gant-
ney, aged 102 years. He had been 60 years an out-pensioner of
Chelsea hospital.
April 12. Died, at Great Whittingham, in Northumberland,
Sarah Robson, aged 104 years. She reaped in the harvest field
in her 102nd year, and retained her faculties to the last.
April 15, An act for improving the pier and port of Hartlepool
received the royal assent. It had long been in a ruinous state.
This year, also, a life-boat was established at Hartlepool.
* April 16. Died, at
his hoiise in Portland
Place, London, after an
illness of two days, Sir
Matthew White Rid-
ley, of Blagdon, in
Northumberland,bart. ,
in the 67th year of his
age. May 3rd, he was
interred in the family
vault in St. Nicholas'
church, Newcastle.
The concourse of sor-
rowing spectators on
this melancholy occa-
sion was very great.
He was the represen-
tative of Newcastle in
eight successive parlia-
ments ; also for many
years an alderman of
that corporation. He
commanded the loyal
Newcastle associated
72 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1813.
volunteer infantry from its first establishment, in 1798, to the
period of the general dismisaal of the volunteers in 1813 He was
one of the oldest members of the merchants' company, and at the
period of his death had been 35 years its governor. In 1819, a
beautiful monument to his memory, by Flaxman, was placed in the
nave of St. Nicholas' church. It displays, in very high relief, a full
length figure of the deceased, as large as life, dressed in a Roman
toga, and standing in a graceful and dignified attitude, with other
attributes, together with a shield charged with the family arms.
There is a large portrait of Sir M. W. Ridley, bart., engraved by
Fittler, from a painting by Hoppner. There is also a reduced copy
of this published by John Sykes. Lady Ridley died, August 3rd,
1806. On the 18th, the body arrived in Newcastle from London,
and was interred in the family vault in St. Nicholas' church the
day following, The preceding wood-cut shews a portion of Sir
M. W. Ridley's monument.
1813 (April IG). George Wilson, of Newcastle, the celebrated
pedestrian, whilst confined for debt in the gaol of Newgate, in that
town, undertook, for the trifling sum of three pounds one shilling,
to walk 50 miles in twelve successive hours, within the prison walls.
A small flagged yard, measuring thirty-three feet by twenty-five
and a half, was chosen as the stage of action. This he performed
four minutes and forty-three seconds within the time stipulated,
being an uncommon effort in so circumscribed a situation, having
taken 10,300 turns to make up the distance, at four turns to each
round. He walked the last six miles in one hour, twenty minutes,
and forty seconds. Since that time, this man has done various
feats in pedestrianism both in London, Newcastle, and other places.
There are various portraits of this pedestrian, both in wood and
copper ; the former have accounts of his different pedestrian feats
underneath. After his memorable struggle with the Blackheath
magistrates, a life of him was published in London in 1815, 8vo.,
with a portrait, aged 50.
May 7. Died, at Fowberry Tower, in Northumberland, in the
79th year of his age, George Culley, esq., the eminent agriculturist
and breeder. Mr. Culley, assisted by Messrs. Bailey and Pringle,
drew up the " Agricultural Survey of Northumberland, Cumberland,
and Westmoreland," 8vo., 1805.
May 12. Died, in the poor-house at Sunderland, Mr. Thomas
Hunter, aged 104 years. He had formerly been a sea captain.
May 25. The Society of Arts presented a gold medal to William
Backhouse, esq., of Field House, near Darlington, for planting
300,000 larches, and 50,000 other timber trees, on waste ground ;
and to Jonathan Backhouse, jun., esq., of Darlington, for planting
271,000 larches, a silver medal.
The same day, the Society of Arts presented the lesser silver
medal to Thomas White, esq., of Woodlands, in the county of
Durham, for his application of larch bark to answer all the pur-
poses of oak bark in tanning leather.
June 9. A handsome school-house, built at an expense of nearly
K KM A UK A B 1. !; E V KXTS.
73
A.U. 1813.]
300, was opened at Heigliington, in the county of Durham. The
school was originally founded in 1601, by Elizabeth Jenison, of
Wai worth, widow of Thomas Jenison, esq.
1813 (June 11J. Died, at Barnardcastle, Mr. Cuthbert Vasey,
farmer, aged 100 years.
June 13. A new Methodist chapel was opened at Stockton,
and two appropriate discourses were delivered by the Rev. T.
Lessey, to upwards of 2,000 people.
June 23. The foundation-stone of a new bridge over the river
Allen, near Allendale smelt-mill, was laid by Colonel Wentworth
Beaumont, with the usual ceremonies. In the centre of the stono
were deposited several coins of George III. The colonel and a
party of his friends afterwards partook of a cold collation with the
committee; and on retiring, he gave 21 towards the erection of
the bridge, and 5 to the workmen employed in building it.
July 6. Died, at Fulham, near London, in the 79th year of hi<
age, Granville Sharp, esq. This venerable character was born af
Durham, on the 10th of November, 1725, O. S. He retained the
vigour of his mind and body till within a short period of his dis-
solution, and, without any symptoms than those of natural decay,
terminated a life which had been actively devoted to the best in-
terests of libert}', religion, and humanity.
July 17. An unfortunate accident happened by fire damp at
Collingwood Main colliery, on the river Tyne, by which eight men
were killed, and two severely burnt. Several horses also suffered.
July 28. Died, in Gateshead, Mary Gold, aged 101 years.
August 1. Died, after a short but
severe illness, at his seat at Wynyavd,
near Stockton, Sir Henry Vane Tempest,
bart., M.P. for the county of Durham,
and on the 12th, his remains were depo-
sited in the family vault of Long-Newton.
The melancholy procession left Wynyard
at ten o'clock, attended by an immense
train of his friends and tenantry, passing
through Wolviston, Stockton, and Elton,
to Long-Newton. The road was thronged with anxious spectators,
drawn from all parts of the county, to pay the last tribute of
respect to the memory of the deceased. At two o'clock, the
funeral procession reached Long-Newton, the ancient residence
of the Vane family. The pall was supported by J. D. Nesham,
R.E., D. Shafto, Edward Shipperdson, Richard Wright, Cuthbert
Sharp, Thomas Wilkinson, John Wharton, and Robert Surtees,
esquires. The chief mourners were M. A. Taylor, esq., M.P., and
Mr. Vane. The church of Long-Newton was crowded to excess,
and the solemn service was frequently interrupted by the sighs and
tears of the congregation. It seemed as if every one present had
lost his dearest friend and nearest connexion, so much was Sir H.
V. Tempest beloved and lamented. May 3 1st, 1820, Lord Stewart
(now marquis of Londonderry) presented a whole-length portrait
VOL. II. L
74 "HISTORICAL EEGTSTEK OF [A.D. 1813.
of Sir Henry Vane Tempest, in a splendid frame, to the Exchange
Coffee-room at Sunderland.
1813 (Aug. 9). About six o'clock in the evening, a fire broke
out in the paper-hanging manufactory of Messrs. Goodlad and Co.,
situated in a yard opposite the Cross-house in Westgate-street,
Newcastle. This manufactory occupied part of the second storey
and all the upper part of the building, and, with its contents, was
entirely consumed. Considerable damage was sustained in the
stable and warehouses of Mr. R. Pearson, drysalter, wnich were
on the ground floor in the same building, and to \vhom the
premises belonged, Mr. Hodgson, a coach-maker, whose work-
shop was in the second storey, also suffered considerable loss.
August 27. As the workmen of Messrs, Hawks & Co. were
trying some new ordnance, they, by some accident, missed their
intended mark, and the ball went over into Gateshead, struck the
stone in front of Mr. Roddam's house, broke eleven panes of glass,
and fell into the street without other mischief.
September 1. Died, at Heddon-on-the- Wall, Mrs. Ann Ruther-
ford, aged 102 years.
September 2. An ingenious and highly interesting experiment
was performed in the presence of a vast concourse of spectators,
on the railway leading from the collieries of Kenton and Coxlodge,
near Newcastle, by the application of a steam-engine, constructed
by Messrs. Fenton, Murray, and Wood, of Leeds, under the direc-
tion of Mr. John Blenkinsop, the patentee, for the purpose of
drawi?ig the coal waggons. About one o'clock the new invention
was set a-going, having attached to it sixteen chaldron waggons
loaded with coals, each waggon with its contents weighing four
tons or thereabouts, making altogether an aggregate weight little
short of seventy tons. Upon perfectly level road, the machines so
charged, it was computed, would travel at the rate of three and a
half miles per hour, but in the present instance its speed was short
of that, owing, no doubt, to some partial ascents in the railway.
Under all the circumstances, it was very highly approved of, and its
complete success anticipated. After the experiment was finished,
a large party of gentlemen connected with coal mining partook of
an excellent dinner, provided at the Grand Stand for the occasion,
when the afternoon was spent in the most agreeable and convivial
manner.
September 21. Died, at South Shields, Mr. William Bell, miller,
aged 100 years.
September 28. The Hall pit at Fatfield colliery, in the parish
of Chester-le-Street, fired from the foul air, and thirty- two men
and boys were killed.
October 6. The Rev. John Hodgson presented to the Anti-
quarian Society of Newcastle a copper coin of Egfrith, king of
Northumberland, called a styca. This coin is of great rarity, so
much so that, according to Pinkerton, it is upwards of 150 years
earlier than any other Saxo-Northumbrian coin known to be in
existence. A small vessel of red earthenware, containing several
A.D. 1813.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 75
of these coins, was found in the chapel-yard of He\vorth, in the
county of Durham. The same gentleman afterwards presented
the vessel to the above society.
1813 (Oct. 10). An elegant new Methodist chapel, on the New
Road, Newcastle, was opened for divine service, and collections
were made towards the building, amounting to nearly 90. Part
of this building was afterwards used as a granary, but the whole
building is now again used as a place of worship.
October 18. Died, in Newcastle, aged 55 years, Mr. Isaac
Garner, printer. He was the author of many poetical pieces of
considerable merit, which appeared in different journals, among
which are " The Hind, or a Voyage to the West Indies," " The Splendid
Guinea" "Sonnet to the Rainbow" fyc. These pieces particularly
attracted public notice.
November 3. The members of the Antiquarian Society of New-
castle, established under the patronage of his grace the duke of
Northumberland, held their first meeting in apartments in the old
castle of that town, which were neatly fitted up for their reception.
November 11. Died, at Collingwood Main, near North Shields,
Mrs. Richardson, aged 104 years. She retained all her faculties
to within a few weeks of her death.
November 15, and the following day, the Northumberland militia
passed through Newcastle, on its route to Scotland. The van
division of the regiment, which was headed by lieutenant-colonel
Coulson, was, on its entrance into the town, greeted with a salute
of guns from the old castle, the bells of St. Nicholas' church rang a
peal, and every demonstration of joy was displayed, in compliment
to the " Lads of the Tyne" The crowds of people assembled to
meet them were immense. Dean-street was completely blocked as
they marched up. The regiment had not been in Newcastle for
upwards of ten years. June 24th, 1814, this regiment was disem-
bodied at Alnvvick ; they had been in actual service upwards of
eleven years.
November 20. An alarming fire broke out in a building adjoin-
ing the Rev. Mr. Pringle's new chapel, in Clavering-place, in New-
castle. The fire began in a room which was used as a work-place
by the joiner who was employed on the premises ; but its origin
could not be accounted for, as he had carefully watered out his fire
at four o'clock, and another person who looked into the room about
eight, found it perfectly dark. The building was entirely consumed,
with its contents, among which was a valuable library belonging
to the society. By great exertions, the chapel and the neighbour-
ing houses were saved from conflagration. An extensive library
in Mr. Cuthbert's house adjoining was greatly injured, and at one
time the fire had caught the roof of the chapel.
November 29. Edward Moises, aged 16 years,only son of the Rev.
Edward Moises, M.A., and Christopher Hesleton, aged 17 years,
were unfortunately drowned in the new water-pond on the Town-
moor, Newcastle, from the ice giving way, whilst skating upon it.
There is a neat mural monument to the memory of the former put
7C HISTORICAL REGISTER OP [A.D. 1813.
up in the vestibule of All Saints' church, into which is inti-oduced
liis watch, still remaining at the time when it was stopped by the
water.
1813 (Nov. 29J. Sunderland was illuminated three nights, to
commemorate the glorious news of Holland and Hanover being
free. On the above night, the town shone uncommonly brilliant,
when were displayed numerous devices and transparencies of
" ORANGE BOVEN," " WELLINGTON," &c., &c. The only draw-
back to the general joy was the fury of the lower orders towards
that very peaceable sect, the Friends, who would not light up,
and numerous were the squares of glass that were broken each
night : one person of that persuasion had every square of glass in
his house broken, and at one time several empty tar-barrels were
in a blaze before his shop and house, to the great terror of the
inmates.
December 15. In celebration of Lord Algernon Percy having
attained his 21st year, the bells of the different churches in New-
castle were rung through the day. The morning was ushered in
at North Shields by a discharge of 21 guns in the Market-place.
At noon, the Percy volunteer cavalry, commanded by Captain
Coward, paraded in the Market-place, and fired &feu dejoie, which
was returned by a round of 21 guns. At sun-set another discharge
of 21 guns took place, after which there was a grand dinner at Mrs.
Carr's, the Northumberland arms inn; William Linskill, esq., in the
chair. This young nobleman was at this time serving his country
in the royal navy, stationed in the Mediterranean sea.
December 22. There was a grand dinner at the Assembly-rooms
in Newcastle, in commemoration of the deliverance of Holland from
French oppression, and of the series of brilliant successes which
had attended the arms of England and those of her allies. About
six o'clock the company, consisting of two hundred, sat down to
dinner, the right Avorshipful the mayor of Newcastle in the chair.
Amongst the company present were the earl of Strathmore, Sir J.
E. Swinburne, Sir Thomas Liddell, and Sir Charles Loraine, barts. ;
Cuthbert Ellison, esq., M. P., Major-general Fuller, the High-
Sheriffs of Northumberland and Durham, Archibald Reed, esq.,
Thomas Gibson, esq., &c., &c. The outside of the building was
literally covered with variegated lamps, with the words " OKANGE
BOVEN" in gilt letters. A transparency of the " Dutch Night-mare"
representing Buonaparte asleep in his tent, with a huge Dutchman
seated upon his breast, smoking his pipe, excited considerable
curiosity.
December 24. About half-past one o'clock on the morning, an
explosion took place in Felling colliery, by which twenty-two per-
sons were hurried into eternity, several others severely burnt, and
all the under-ground horses but one destroyed. The accident
occured at the time of calling course, or when one set of men were
relieving another. Several of the morning shift men were stand-
ing round the mouth of the pit, waiting to go down, when the
blast occurred, and the part who had just descended met it soon
A.I>. 1814.] REMARKABLE EVEXTS. 77
after they had reached the bottom of the shaft ; these were most
miserably burnt and mangled. Among the unfortunate sufferers
were the two overmen of the colliery, Mr. William Haswell and
Mr. Thomas Morrows, and two of the deputies, Mr. Robert Stoves
and Mr. Martin Greener. Some of the men left large families.
1813. This year, a society was instituted at Sunderland for the
prevention of accidents in coal mines.
The church of Elwick, in the county of Durham, dedicated to
St Peter, was this year considerably repaired, and the leaden roof
exchanged for slate. It is a picturesque, grey structure, with a low
massy tower and buttresses.
This year, died, at Barnardcastle, Hugh Maclaine, aged 104
years.
1814 (Jan. 15). The frost was so intense, that the river Tyne,
at Newcastle, was completely frozen over. The temptation to
indulge in skating was not to be resisted ; and on the above day
(Saturday^ a Dutch seamen put the strength of the ice to the test,
by passing over it with beef bones tied to the soles of his shoes,
and a long pole of wood in his hand, that in case the ice had broken
under him, he might have supported himself with the pole until
assistance had been afforded him. Numbers soon afterwards ven-
tured upon it, and the next day, notwithstanding it snowed very
hard almost the whole time, the skaters were numerous, and con-
tinued their diversion till the evening. On the Monday and Tues-
day, the ice having been swept by the keelmen, who, by this means,
endeavoured to raise a little money to maintain themselves whilst
laid off work by the frost, the number of people who ventured upon
the ice was very great, and even ladies graced the scene with their
presence. The skaters were very numerous, and amongst those
who delighted the spectators by their grace and expertness in this
most elegant exercise, were particularly noticed Cuthbert Ellison,
esq., M.P., for Newcastle, and Messrs. Gibson, Horne, Bigge,
Smith, &c. The ice, after these two days, was covered with such
a quantity of snow as to render skating impracticable. The snow
being reduced by a quantity of rain which fell, became afterwards
so frozen as to present once more an uncommonly thick surface of
ice. Of this opportunity numbers availed themselves ; the river,
for several days, continued to be covered with crowds of people,
amusing themselves in different ways upon its surface. Several
booths were erected upon the ice for the sale of spirituous liquors,
and some fires kindled. The immense thickness of the ice removing
all fear of danger, numerous parties, of all ages, ranks, and sexes,
were to be seen in every direction, perambulating over it* glassy
surface, and enjoying the novelty of the scene. Several races took
place, both with and without skates, for prizes consisting princi-
pally of different pieces of wearing apparel, as hats, stockings, &c.,
but in one instance, of the substantial comfort of a leg of mutton/
These afforded great amusement. On other parts of the ice, parties
might be seen playing at foot- ball, quoits, &c., and in other
directions, fruit and cake sellers, fiddlers, pipers, razor-grinders,
78 HISTORICAL KEGI8TEH OF [A.D 1814.
recuiting parties, &c., were to be met with. In short, the whole
scene more resembled a country wake or fair, or a race-ground,
than any thing else to which it could be compared. From the
brilliancy of the moon, which was then full, the sports were
continued each night to a late hour. Another partial thaw took
place, but a very sharp frost succeeding, the same scenes and
amusements were renewed. On one day, a horse and a sledge
were upon the ice, and on another, a horse and a gig. Both
getting on and off the ice was attended with some difficulty, the
edges being so broken by the rising and falling of the tide.
Gangways were laid down at different places, to remedy this
inconvenience, and a toll being exacted from every person who
passed over, became a source of revenue for those persons who
were laid off employment by the frost. Each gangway was
attended by four men, who were changed every day. The average
thickness of the ice was stated at about ten inches ; in some places
there was a double ice. The sheet which admitted of skating
extended from Eedheugh to the Glass-house bridge. The naviga-
tion of the river was completely closed, as far down as St. Peter's
Quay. The ice finally broke up on Sunday, the 6th of February.
1814 (Feb. 8). Died, at Tweedrnouth, James Robinson, com-
monly called Jemmy Dumps, aged 94 years, an eccentric character.
He was a drum-major at the battle of Preston, in 1746, and was
highly offended when told that he ran away on that day. He
gained his livelihood by leading coals and sand, and attending to
farmers' carts, on the High-street, at Berwick. He slept in the
same apartment with his asses, and had not lain on a bed for
twenty-two years.
The beginning of this month, two swords were found at Ewart
Park, near Wooler ; they seemed to be a compound of brass and
copper, the handles quite wasted by time. They were twenty-one
inches long from the handle to the point. They were found in a
perpendicular position, as if struck down on purpose. One of them
was presented to the Antiquarian Society of Newcastle, by Mrs.
St. Paul, of Ewart Park.
February 20. Died, at Polam Farm, near Darlington, John
Yarrow, aged 110 years. He was a native of Mason Dinnington,
in Northumberland ; was a servant to a farmer near North Shields
in 1715 ; and remembered assisting at the plough when the con-
stables went into the field, and demanded the horses to convey
military stores in the rebellion. He was able, the preceding
summer, to cut turf in a field, as well as to attend to many
domestic and rural occupations ; his diet chiefly consisted of bread,
milk, and cheese.
February 23. Died, at Capheaton Clock-mill, Mrs. Margaret
Tours, aged 104 years.
February 28. Died, in Pilgrim-street, Newcastle, Mrs. Mary
Taylor, aged 103 years. She possessed all her faculties to the last
moment, and walked about on the morning of her death.
March 6. As the sexton was digging a grave on the north side
A.I). 1314.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. v 79
of Chatton church, he found a stone coffin about ten inches below
the surface. It was securely and neatly covered with three stones.
In the coffin were the remains of a human body. The skull was
nearly perfect, and the teeth of the upper jaw were a full set ; the
thigh bone measured eighteen inches ; but the skull was nearly full
of water. The earth being carefully examined, one of Robert
Bruce's silver pennies were found, also a steel spur, and several
relics of ornamental brass and iron work, supposed to be the remains
of the helmet of the warrior who had been interred in the coffin.
1814 (March 12J. As some labourers were at work on the
summit of a green hill, in the farm of Old Earle, near Wooler, they
struck into a complete urn of baked clay, unglazed, inverted on a
flat stone, a little inclined. Some fragments of a human skull, and
other bones, in a sound dry state, and a thin piece of flint, were
found under the urn. The small end of the urn was not a foot
below the surface, with a few stones remaining over it.
April 5. An explosion took place in Howdon Pit, Percy Main
colliery, when four human beings lost their lives.
April 7. Died, at Barnardcastle, aged 82 years, William
Hutchinson, esq., F. S. A., clerk of the lieutenancy of the county
of Durham, whose death was preceded only two or three days by
that of his wife, aged 78 years ; they were both interred in the
same grave. Mr. Hutchinson had distinguished himself by the
publication of three county histories. 1. " A View of Northumber-
land, u-ith an Excursion io the Abbey of Mailross, in Scotland" 1776,
1778, 2 vols. 4cto. 2. " The History and Antiquities of the County
Palatine of Durham," 1785, 1787, 1794, 3 vols. 4 to. 3. " The
History of the County of Cumberland, and some places adjacent,
cj-c., $c., 1794, 2 vols. 4:to. He also published "An Excursion to
the Lakes in Cumberland and Westmorland," 1776, 8vo. " The
Spirit of Masonry," 12mo., and various dramatic and miscellaneous
works. There is a small portrait of Mr. Hutchinson on the title
page of the Spirit of Masonry, also on the same plate with that of
George Allan, esq., of the Grange, F. S. A., which forms the
frontispiece of the 8th volume of Nichols' Literary Anecdotes.
Seepage 3, May 18, 1800.
April 9. Died, at Sunderland, Mary Pearson, aged 101 years.
April 13. The city of Durham was elegantly illuminated on
account of the news of the surrender of Paris to the Allies. On
the morning, a great number of red, white, and orange flags were
hoisted out of the windows in the different streets, which had a very
good effect. The signal for lighting was given by the bells of the
cathedral, and all the other churches beginning a merry peal at
eight o'clock, and in a short time after, the whole city and suburbs
were apparently in a blaze. The fountain in the college was taste-
fully decorated with coloured lamps, &c., as was also the town-hall.
The many transparencies and devices which were exhibited at the
principal h6uses, showed an uncommon degree of taste. An effigy
of Buonaparte, mounted on an old horse, was carried through the
streets, and at length brought to the market-place and committed
80 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [.\.D. 1814.
to the flames. A band of music paraded the streets, playing seve-
ral martial airs, which added much to the hilarity of the evening.
1814 (May 1). The petitions to parliament from Newcastle,
against any alteration in the corn laws, were transmitted to the
members of parliament for that town. They were signed in the
course of three days by 11,500 persons, and filled ninety skins of
parchment.
May 3. The foundation stone of the Independent chapel in
Chester-le-Strcet, was laid by the Rev. Ralph Davison, of the
Postern Chapel, in Newcastle, when, at the same time, he delivered
an appropriate address to an attentive audience.
May 9. Samuel Walker Parker, esq., entertained a large party
to supper, &c., at his house at Low Elswick, near Newcastle. The
Shot Tower was illuminated both inside and out with coloured
lamps; round the galleries, &c , on the outside, and placed at inter-
vals quite up the winding staircase in the inside ; the tout en.--.-
had a fine effect. A considerable quantity of excellent fire-works
was discharged on the field behind the works, and considerably
heightened the pleasure of the scene. The Shot Tower was also
illuminated, and had a flag flying on the following evening, and
looked particularly well from Newcastle-bridge.
May 10. Having been fixed for the illumination of Newcastle,
on account of the peace of Europe, it was a day of general joy, and
the town was crowded with strangers. Precisely at twelve o'clock
the Right Worshipful Thomas fmith, esq., mayor, the recorder,
aldermen, sheriff, town-clerk, and the other officers of the body
corporate, attended by the stewards, and a numerous company of
the free burgesses, went in procession from the Guildhall to the
Westgate, to lay the foundation stone of a new hospital for indigent
freemen and their widows. Upon the procession coming in view
of the castle, a salute of twenty-one guns was fired, which was re-
turned by loud cheerings in the open area fronting St. Nicholas'
church, The procession then moved forward to the site of the
building, and the arrangements having been previously made, the
town-clerk read the inscription engraved upon a plate of brass,
which being deposited, the mayor laid the foundation stone in due
form, and then standing upon it, congratulated the immense assem-
blage of spectators on the combination of charity and public happi-
ness in the business of the day. Mr. Joseph Clark then followed,
and after a neat speech, proposed that the building should be called
" The Peace and Unity Hospital." This was agreed to, and loudly
cheered. The procession then returned in form to the Guildhall,
where it separated. At half -past eight o'clock in the evening, the
signal for illuminating was given by a gun from the castle, and the
town was presently in a blaze of light. Never before was such an
illumination seen in Newcastle. The weather also was favourable,
dark, dry, and calm ; and though the streets were crowded to
excess, through the precautions taken by the mayor, all disorder was
avoided ; not a gun was fired nor a squib let off. Many persons
wore white cockades ; the number of variegated lamps was very
A.D. 1814.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 81
great, and probably the devices, serious and humourous, exceeded
four hundred. At twelve o'clock a gun from the castle, announced
that the time for extinguishing the lights had arrived, when in a
few short fleeting moments " all was dark" Not less than between
forty and fifty thousand people were in the streets, many of them
from a great distance. It seemed rather strange to see the Durham
and Sunderland coaches, and Shields boats, leaving Newcastle at
eleven and twelve o'clock at night,
1814 (May 12). North Shields was most brilliantly illuminated
in honour of the peace.
Illuminations and other rejoicings took place at South Shields,
Berwick, Belford, Darlington, Stockton, Sunderland, and the other
towns in Northumberland and Durham ; each town vieing with
the other in testifying their loyalty by various elegant transparencies
and mottoes.
May 14. Mr. Edward Wiggan, farmer, near Bedlington, was
arrested in Newcastle, for a small debt, and safely lodged in gaol.
At the time of his arrest, he declared that he would not long be in
confinement, and on the 17th he made the following desperate
attempt at escape: whilst walking with the other debtors on the top
of the prison, he mounted the parapet of the gaol, next to Gallow-
gate, where the wall was fifty feet high, and leapt off in the hope of
reaching a dunghill which lay about five yards from the wall of the
prison. He succeeded in reaching the outer edge of the dunghill,
in which he sunk up to his knees, and it was perhaps owing to this
circumstance that none of his bones were broken by the fall, but
he was so dreadfully shaken, that on taking him up, no hopes were
entertained of his recovery. He finally surmounted the injury.
May 19. The Tyne Steam Packet, the first built upon that
river for the conveyance of passengers, &c., between Newcastle and
Shields, commenced its course. Being Ascension Day, it joined
the procession of barges, &c., and was a great novelty. It was
afterwards named '' The Perseverance." There are now (1831)
upwards of thirty steam packets plying upon this river.
May 31. The Society of Arts presented a gold medal to Mr.
Edward Backhouse, of Darlington, for planting 363,000 larches on
waste land.
Same day, the Society of Arts presented a silver medal and ten
guineas to Mr. William Martin, of Wallsend, Northumberland, for
his invention of a spring weighing machine. This very ingenious
and self-taught mechanic was born at the Tow House, near Halt-
whistle, in Northumberland, and is the brother of Mr. John Martin,
the celebrated painter and engraver, and also of Jonathan Martin,
who is of considerable notoriety for having set fire to York Cathe-
dral. Mr. William Martin claims the original invention of the
safety lamp ; he has also made various models of bridges, railways,
&c., &<;., which prove him to be possessed of great mechanical
ingenuity. In the year 1821, he published "4 Neiv System of
Natural Philosophy, on the Principle of Perpetual Motion" with a
portrait, 8vo. This very curious work, in which he refutes Sir
VOL. II. M
82 HISTORICAL RFGTSTEU OF [A.D. 1814.
Isaac Newton's Philosophy, is replete with visions, dreams, rob-
beries, &c., &c. This variously talented man has engraved several
copper-plates, among which are a flash bank note the plates to
illustrate the life of his brother Jonathan, which the latter hawked
about for sale, also portraits of himself, views of York Cathedral,
done after the fire, and various others, and is at present (1831) en-
gaged in engraving on steel. He is also a Poet ! and has published
"A New Philosophical Song or Poem Book, called the Northnm-
lerland Bard, or the Downfall of all false Philosophy" 1827, 8vo.
He has repeatedly lectured in Newcastle and the neighbouring
towns and villages, on his own system of Natural Philosophy. In
June, 1830, he undertook a lecturing tour through England, and
returned in the summer of the following year, and he says, with
success, nobody daring to defend the Newtonian system. In
August, 1831, he sent by post a large packet, containing six or
eight sheets of paper very closely written, to Baron Brougham,
A.D. 1814.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 83
lord high chancellor of England, explaining to his lordship the
Martinian System of Natural Philosophy ! on the perusal of which,
he is confident that his lordship will take such measures as to
cause the new system to be universally adopted. Mr. Martin is a
writer upon almost every subject, which has drawn forth attacks
from numerous anonymous scribblers ; these he treats with great
contempt, always boldly signing himself " William Martin, Nat.
Phil, and Poet." The above portrait is copied from the engraving
done from Mr. Parker's painting of this philosopher.
1814 (May). Died, at Ovingham, in Northumberland, Mrs.
Johnson, aged 100 years.
June 2. The skeleton of a man was found at the depth of thirty
fathoms, in an old coal pit at Chirton, near North Shields. The
discovery excited much curiosity. The duke of Argyle,* who
resided at Chirton, in the reign of William III., built a small house
of undressed stone, in a shrubbery, which was afterwards converted
into a brothel, and remained there until the present proprietor
came to the estate, who immediately pulled it down. About the
year 1784, a young sea-faring man disappeared, and was never
more heard of. One of the nymphs of this house, vulgarly called
Cushet Hall, remembered a young man being rudely taken away
from her by three men on the Newcastle road, and he was sup-
posed to be thrown down the pit near the house. The pit was then
being filled up by order of the owners ; the rubbish had filled it
to within about thirty or forty fathoms of the top. The workmen
proceeded and entirely closed it. The owners of Collingwood Main,
having occasion for a shaft there, caused the rubbish to be cleared
out, in doing which, the skeleton was discovered. Several of the
ribs were broken. The soles of the shoes were very perfect.
June 20. Died, in Sandgate, Newcastle, Ann Corby, aged 105
years, who, till within a year of her death, earned her subsistence
by selling vegetables. She retained her mental faculties till her
death.
June 25. At noon, the right worshipful the mayor of New-
castle, attended by the other officers of the corporation, and
preceded by the mace, sword of state, &c., and trumpeters, walked
in procession from the Guildhall, to proclaim the peace, which
was done by the town-marshall, upon the Sandhill, and afterwards
in the Wheat-market, in Newgate-street, and in the Castle-garth.
The procession was loudly cheered by the populace, and saluted
by a discharge of guns from the castle, and peals of bells from St.
Nicholas' church.
This month, died at North Shields, Mr. William Robson, aged
101 years.
July 20. South Shields was visited by a tremendous thunder
storm, which occasioned considerable damage. The electric fluid
entered the house of Mr. Oliver, in Albion-street, and passed along
the bell- wires into two or three rooms, in one of which a bedstead,
bedding, &c., were literally burnt to ashes, but fortunately the
* See September 3rd, 1810, page 58.
HISTORICAL HEGISTER OF
A.I>. 1814.
fire was extinguished without doing further harm. The dwelling-
house of Mr. Hodge, adjoining Mr. Oliver's, was also much injured,
several of the chimneys were thrown down, and the roof consider-
ably damaged. Happily, no part of either family received the
slightest injury. A person in Mrs. Errington's, the Black Bull
public house, high end of the town, was struck during the storm,
but not materially hurt, at the same time, the clock in that room
was very much shattered.
1814 (July). A set of fifteen gold beads, on a bar
of metal, of which the annexed wood-cut is a repre-
sentation, were found under a cairn on Chesterhope
Common, in the manor of Redesdale, in Northumber-
land. They were presented to the Antiquarian Society
of Newcastle, by his grace the late duke of Northumber-
land.
July 28. Between two and three o'clock in the
afternoon, whilst the atmosphere was obscured by a
dense fog, the town and vicinity of North Shields was
visited by a violent storm of thunder and lightning.
In its commencement, the thunder rolled with awful
grandeur, until it nearly attained its climax, when the
hearing became suddenly stunned by a tremendous
crash. The lightning struck the house of Mrs. Wilkin-
son, the Bull Ring inn, broke several tiles, descended
from the upper storey to the next, forced out a
number of bricks, damaged the window boards, entered
the apartment beneath, and broke a bullion square of
glass in the shop window of an anchor-smith adjoining.
The grandson of Mrs. Wilkinson was slightly struck by
the electric fluid, and much terrified; when fears being
entertained on account of the servant who had
been employed in the upper storey, some persons pro-
ceeded to the spot, when they were much shocked on
finding the poor girl sadly scorched on her side and
neck, her voice was enfeebled, and her clothes were
considerably burnt, and her pockets torn off. She
eventually recovered. The lightning also struck and
materially injured the warehouse of Messrs. Coward
and Johnson, from whence, directing its course to the
house of Mrs. Wealands adjoining, it entered a clock
which stood at the head of the staircase, and which it
shivered to fragments, leaving the metal work unin-
jured ; proceeding from the clock, the lightning burst
the door frame near which Mrs. W. was standing,
threw the opposite door off the hinges, and in its descent
broke the four wooden supporters of a bird-cage without
injuring the bird, or appearing to have even touched
the wires. The glass of the window through which
it made its final exist was shivered. to pieces. Two boats were
sunk on the south side of the river. During the most considerable
A.D. 1814.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 85
part of the night there was lightning and thunder, and the rain
descended in torrents.
1814. In the summer of this year, some workmen discovered,
on the northern side of the southern peak at Tunstall, near Sun-
derland, about six feet from the base, a rude sepulchre, formed of
common lime-stones, and covered with the same materials. On the
floor were deposited the fragments of three urns, of very rude and
inelegant form, ornamented with zigzag, and all of them contain-
ing a rich dark mould, in which were interspersed small fragments
of bone, and some human teeth.
August 10. A grand masonic procession took place in Newcastle,
on account of the union of the Athol with St. Nicholas' lodge.
There were about 600 in the procession, amongst whom were Sir
J. E. Swinburne, bart., P. G. M., Sir M. W. Ridley, bart., M. P.,
Cuthbert Ellison, esq., M. P., William Loraine, esq., Isaac Cook-
son, esq., the Rev. John Collinson, rector of Gateshead, the Rev.
Mr. Wasney, &c. In consequence of the vicar of Newcastle having
refused the use of St. Nicholas' church, the procession marched to
Gateshead church, where they heard divine service, after which
112. 16s. 1 Qd. was collected for the benefit of the Infirmary. 214
of the brethren afterwards dined at the Turk's Head inn.
August 12. A melancholy accident happened at Hebburn,
colliery, near Newcastle. Elias Mould, under-viewer, had de-
scended one of the pits, with the deputies and overmen, to change
the course of the air for ventilation, when the pit fired, and himself
and ten others were unfortunately burnt to death.
August 14. Died, in Parliament-place, Westminster, Edward
Hussey Delaval, esq., of Doddington, in Northumberland, aged 85
years. Mr. Delaval was a man of very distinguished genius and
merit. He was M. A. and Fellow of Pembroke-hall, Cambridge,
and an excellent classical scholar. Chemistry and experimental
philosophy were his favourite pursuits. In 1759, he was elected
a member of the Royal Society, and in 1765 was complimented
with their gold medal, for a paper which he read to that illustrious
body. The Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester also
voted him their gold medal for his philosophical researches ; and
the Royal Societies of Upsal and Gottingen, and the Institute of
Bologna, unsolicited, enrolled him amongst their members. Mr.
Delaval corresponded, and was in habits of intimacy with most of
the scientific characters of his day.
August 25. There were upwards of 10,000 salmon in Berwick
market, which had been caught in the river Tweed.
September 8. Died, in London, Mr. Thomas Spence, a native
of Newcastle, author of several curious political works. Mr. S.
devised and published a plan by which all human kind could be
provided with sustenance without pauperism. In 1801, he under-
went a state prosecution, was convicted, and endured a year's in-
carceration, and was also subjected to a fine, of which he ever after
boasted, and used to say it would be the means of one day usher-
ing his doctrines into universal notice. His remains were attended
86 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1814.
by a numerous throng of political admirers. Appropriate medallions
were distributed, and a pair of scales preceded his body, indicative
of the justice of his views. One of his friends made an oration
over his grave, illustrative of his public and private qualities.
Upon Mr. Spence's principles, a sect was founded, called " The
Spenceans."
1814 (Sept. 9^). An explosion took place in the Leafield colliery,
in the parish of Chester-le-Street, which killed four men, and much
injured five others.
September 10. The first number of the Durham County Adver-
tiser was published in Durham, under the firm of Francis Humble
and Co. This was originally " The Newcastle Advertiser," and,
after having had various owners, it was removed to Durham. It
is at present published by Mr. Francis Humble. See Oct. 18, 1788,
vol. i., page 348.
September 20. A grand musical festival commenced at New-
castle, which continued for three days. The performances con-
sisted of three grand oratorios in St. Nicholas' church, and three
miscellaneous concerts in the theatre. On the last day there were
between 2,000 and 3,000 persons at the church, and the theatre
was crowded to excess. The receipts exceeded 2,300. ; one-fifth
was given to the Infirmary. Every one who partook of the mental
treat expressed the utmost satisfaction at the wonderful powers of
Madam Catalani and Mr. Braham.
October 8. About three o'clock on the morning, a fire was dis-
covered in the farm-yard of Mr. Ralph Atkinson, of South Gosforth,
near Newcastle, which destroyed the whole of the hay amounting
to about 150 tons, together with eleven corn-stacks. The fire was
supposed to have originated from the heat of the hay-stacks. The
thrashing machine was also much damaged by the fire.
October 22. An inquest was held at Bishopwearmouth Pans on
the body of Margaret Poole, who had poisoned herself by pur-
posely taking a large quantity of laudanum. The coroner's verdict
was " Felo de se" and in consequence she was buried in the public
highway, on the 24th, in the presence of a great concourse of
spectators.
Oct. 28, Died, at Cleasby, near Darlington, Ann Donnel, aged
105 years.
November 8. A new bridge built over the river Till, near Red
Scar, in Northumberland, fell down with a tremendous crash. The
architect, who was below removing some props, was unfortunately
killed, being buried in the ruins.
November 11. Died, in the Manor Chare, Newcastle, Mr. William
Middleton, aged 101 years.
November 27. Died, at Percy Main, near North Shields, Mrs.
Mary Tulip, spinster, aged 100 years.
December 8. Died, at Hexham, Mary Porch, aged 100 years.
December 10. Died, at his house in Somerset- street, Portman-
square, London, in the 84 st year of his age, the Rev. Dr. Scott,
A.D. 1814.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 87
was a native of Leeds. He published ten Occasional Sermons,
also three Seatonian Prize Poems, &c., which exalt him high as a
poet. As a public speaker, he had scarce an equal, and his com-
positions were of the most elegant kind.
1814 (Dec. 16). A great hurricane commenced about sun-rise
and continued through the whole day, which did great damage to
Newcastle and the neighbourhood. About eight yards of the
parapet wall, which surrounds the roof of All Saints' church, was
blown into Silver-street ; and a large stone urn was blown from
the steeple, and fell at the head of the Butcher's Bank. A window
also of that church, one of St. Nicholas', and one of Hanover-
square chapel, were blown in. Stacks of chimneys in the houses of
George Waldie, esq., S. W. Parker, esq., Dr. Headlam, Mr. Turner,
Mr. Anderson, Mr. Bell, and many others, were blown down, and
falling on the roofs, completely destroyed them. A house belong-
ing to Mr. Charles Turner, in Pilgrim-street, had the roof and two
upper storeys entirely destroyed. The high brick wall that en-
closed Mr. Croser's garden, at the Shield-field, was blown down
into the lane. The fury of the tempest was most conspicuous in
the vicinity of the river Tyne, Avhich, swelled by the rains, came
rolling down like a sea, and beating with fury against the bridge,
the spray was carried forward by the wind into the lower parts of
the town, where it fell with all the effect of a shower of rain. The
ships at the Quay were obliged to strike their topgallant-masts,
and not a boat durst venture on the river. A sailor was blown
from the mast of a vessel at the Quay, and, falling on the deck,
was killed on the spot. Two wherries were upset on the river,
from both of which the people were saved. Another, laden with
cinders, was swamped near the Close. Several keels were also
swamped, and the crews of several, which were overtaken on their
passage by the storm, were obliged to throw the greatest part of
their coals overboard, to save themselves from sinking. Carr's-hill
and Gateshead-fell, from their exposed situations, particularly felt
the effects of the storm. A great part of Jarrow church was unroofed,
and many yards of a high garden wall at Westoe, belonging to
William Ingham, esq., was blown down. The same gentleman had
a hay-stack thrown down, and scattered by the winds in all direc-
tions. Many other stacks shared the same fate, and several trees
were torn up by the roots. At North Shields several houses were
unroofed, and numerous chimneys, walls, &c., were blown down.
Many keels and wherries were sunk, and a keel belonging to
Messrs. Nichol and Ludlow was crushed to pieces. One man
fell from a keel near the New Quay, and was drowned in the sight
of several persons, who could render him no assistance. A keel
was driven out to sea with its crew on board, who, after great exer-
tions, happily succeeded in reaching Holy Island in safety. A
garden brick wall, thirty yards long, near Bedford-street, with the
fruit trees, was laid flat, almost in a mass. At Durham and the
vicinity much damage was done. A stack of chimneys in Lord
Barrincrton's house, in the College, being blown down, fell upon
88 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1815.
the roof, through which it penetrated into the hest lodging-room,
destroying the bed, and forcing its way into the drawing-room be-
low. Another stack of chimneys fell from the house of Dr. Gray
into the College. At the new school in Claypath, large slates were
blown to a distance of sixty yards ; no person received any injury.
At Sunderland, the gale blew with indescribable fury. About one
o'clock, a garden wall, on the east side of Nile-street, Bishopwear-
mouth, was blown down, and Mr. George Cameron, a very respect-
able master mason, of Sunderland, who was passing by at the time,
was so severely wounded on the head, that he only survived three
hours. The bricks flew with such violence across the street as to
break several squares of glass in the houses on the opposite side.
Several houses in Sunderland and the neighbourhood were entirely
unroofed, and numbers were partially so.
1814. Henry Collingwood Selby, esq., of Swanfield- house, near
Alnwick, has erected, on a commanding eminence called the Camp-
hill, a little to the south of his mansion, an elegant stone column, to
commemorate the victorious efforts of Britain and her allies during
the late war, and the restoration of peace to Europe, in the above
year. On the square tablets of the four sides are suitable in-
scriptions.
A. handsome cross was this year erected at Corbridge, at the
expense of the late duke of Northumberland. In 1809, the old
cross was taken down, and was in the possession of the late George
Anderson, esq., of Newcastle, who placed it in the Nun's Field,
behind his house ; but in 1828, when this piece of ground was
thrown open to the public, it was again taken down.
The spire of Potter-gate Tower, in Alnwick, was this year taken
down, by order of the chamberlains and common council of the
borough. It bore a striking resemblance to the steeple of St.
Nicholas' church, in Newcastle. The tower, which was sixty feet in
height, was erected on the site of the Old Gate, in the year 1768.
This year, died, at Whitley, near North Shields, Eleanor Gibson,
aged 108 years.
1815 (Jan. 2). The front of a house situated on the Bank-
side, in the Castle-garth, Newcastle, tenanted by five families, fell
down, and its inhabitants were placed in the greatest danger.
Fortunately, however, a ladder was near the place, by the assist-
ance of which the children were taken out of the upper window
from their perilous situation.
January 15. Died, at Park -house, near Morpeth, Mr. George
Jewit, dyer and bleacher, in his 100th year.
January 20. Died, at South Shields, James Sheriff, seaman,
aged 100 years.
January 29. Died, at Framlington, in Northumberland, Mrs.
Thompson, aged 101 years.
February 4. Died, near Hexham, Mrs. Eleanor Charlton, aged
99 years ; her brother George died at Birtley, aged 103 years ;
and James, at Hexham, aged 97 ; and her sister Elizabeth, died
at "VVark, aicd 100 years.
A.P. 1815.] REMAUKAHLT- EVENTS. 89
1815 (Ftb. 4> Died, at East Sleekburn, near Morpclh, Mr.
Stephen Watson, farmer, aged 101 years.
March 5. The Newcastle petitions against the corn bill, were
this day (Sunday) sent off to London. There were three petitions,
each 60 yards long, which contained 25,500 signatures, all signed,
within the short space of two days. .
March 6. Died, in Frarawellgate, Durham, Jane Maddison,
aged 100 years.
March 17. Died, at Shadforth, near Durham, Mary Paddison,
aged K)3 years.
March 20. In the afternoon, a, number of misguided persons,
principally keelmen and casters on the river Wear assembled in a
riotous manner near Sunderland, and determined to pull down the
bridge which had been erected across Galley's Gill, near Bishop-
wearmouth, for tho purpose of conveying tlie coal waggons belong-
ing to Messrs. Nesham and Co., to the staiths below. They then
proceeded to their work of destruction ; and having entirely pulled
down the bridge, set fire to the staiths at the head of the bridge,
and burnt all the machinery which was erected there for the purpose
of conveying the waggons down the inclined plane to the spouts,
where the coals were put on shipboard with the intervention of
keels. They also pulled dnwn one house, and unroofed .several
others. It continued till a late hour at night, when a party of
horse arrived from Newcastle, and dispersed the mob. One man
was killed by some of the falling timbers striking him. The
occasion of this tumultuous proceeding originated in an idea, that
other similar staiths were about to be erected upon the Wear, in
consequence of which, there would not be so much employment for
keelmen and casters. The injury done was estimated at 6,000.
April 6. Died, at Norton, near Stockton, Ann Cumming, aged
101 years.
May 3. A dreadful accident took place in Heaton Main Col-
liery, near Newcastle. The workings of the colliery at this time
were in one of the lower seams, at a very great depth, having a
considerable dip or inclination from one side to the other, the shafts
being on the lower side. The upper and neighbouring seams had
formerly been wrought as a colliery, under the name of Heaton
Banks, by shafts distinct from the present workings, And which
shafts when the colliery was given up, were covered over with
boards and earth. In the course of time, these old workings had
become entirely filled with water, which, at about half-past four
o'clock on the morning of the above day (Wednesday), broke
through the roof in the north-west part of the present colliery, at
a point where the strata are disturbed by a dyke, and inundated
the workings. Some of the men who were working near the spot
where the water forced its entrance, ran immediately to the shafts,
and happily escaped from the pit. On their way they met Mr.
Miller, the under viewer, and informed him of what had happened,
when he ran to give the alarm to the other men, who were working
in the higher part of .the pit, in the hope that they might be
90 mSTOKICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1815.
able to effect their escape also ; but this, alas ! was not permitted.
The water rushed in with dreadful rapidity, and flowing naturally
to the lower parts of the workings, soon cut off the only means of
escape, by closing the lower mouth of the shafts, in which the
water soon rose to the depth of nineteen fathoms. Exertions were
immediately made to reach the spot where the men were supposed
to be, from some other workmgs, but without success, as the shafts
of the old workings were choaked up by the earth, &c., which
covered their mouths when deprived of the support of the water,
having fallen in, dragging after it many trees which had been
planted in their vicinity. Attempts were made in front of Ileaton
Hall, to endeavour to reach the old workings through a shaft which
had not fallen in, but these also were unavailing, on account of
being filled with inflammable air. Three large engines (one of
130 horse-power) were incessantly employed in endeavouring to
draw the water from the pit, but without effect, as the water in
the shaft amounted at first to nineteen fathoms, but it subsequently
gained upon them, from which it appeared that some internal
reservoir had burst into the pit. At three o'clock on Thursday, it
slood at thirty fathoms. During the night the water gained upon
the engines, notwithstanding they discharged 1,200 gallons per
minute. The water in the lowest shaft was plumbed early on the
Friday morning, when it was found to be thirty-three fathoms.
By this catastrophe, 75 persons (41 men and 34 boys) lost their
lives, together with the whole stock of horses which were down
at the time. In the distance between the back of Ileaton and
Benton bridge, seven of the shafts belonging to the workings of
an old colliery on Heaton Banks, fell in, presenting most frightful
chasms. Of many of these, the surface exhibited not the least
vestige, nor was their existence known in the neighbourhood.
The old colliery is said to have been discontinued on account of
the influx of water, which was so great, that seven engines, of the
construction of that day, could not get the better of it. The first
steam-engine vised in this part of the country was erected at
Ileaton, and most probably on this colliery.* From various
difficulties, the bodies of these unfortunate men were not arrived
at until upwards of nine months from the time of the accident.
The sufferers who thus found a living grave, left twenty-four
widows and seventy-seven orphans, besides Mrs. Miller, and her
eight children, to deplore their untimely fate. On the 6th of
January, 1816, the first human body of the sufferers was brought
to bank, in a state of great decay, but ascertained, by the neck-
cloth, to be that of William Scott, between 70 and 80 years of age,
who attended one of the furnaces. Of a knife which the deceased
had in his pocket, the haft only (of bone) was entire, the blade
being entirely corroded by the mixture of the pyrites in the mine
with the water. His watch was also nearly destroyed by the same
:ause. It may, however, afford some speculation to the curious,
hat the articles of linen on the deceased were a uite fresh and
A.D. 1815.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 91
uninjured, but those of woollen fabric entirely destroyed. In a
few weeks afterwards, the remains of the rest of these unfortunate
men were found in different situations in the workings of the pit.
February 20th, thirty-nine of the bodies, forming a melancholy
procession, were interred in trenches in the south-east corner of
Wall's-End church-yard. Many of the bodies, when found, were
nearly naked, and all in a state of great decay.
1815 (June 1). Died, in the workhouse of Chester-le-Street,
Mrs. Allan, aged 104 years.
June 2. At five o'clock in the afternoon, a dreadful explosion
took place in the Success Pit, near Newbottle, in the county of
Durham, belonging to Messrs. Nesham and Co. At the time the
accident happened, seventy-two men and boys were at work in the
pit, and though the flame did not ascend the shaft, yet a large
column of dust plainly indicated to the workmen above ground the
sad catastrophe that had happened. Immediate exertions were
made to save, if possible, the lives of those in the pit, in which
they so far succeeded as to bring all the bodies to bank by the
morning of the 4th. Very few of the bodies were disfigured, and
in many life was extant; several of whom, shocking to relate,
died the moment they breathed the fresh air! Of the seventy-
two in the pit, fifteen survived, some of whom were severely hurt.
Of nineteen horses in the pit, six were killed. It appeared the
fire had passed down the ways, destroying all that encountered its
fury, until it was impeded and broken, as it is termed, by a large
waggon, which it dashed to pieces, and mangled the driver and
horse in a most shocking manner. After the torrent had passed by
them, the men left the workings in hopes of effecting their escape;
but few, alas ! were able to reach the shaft, and even some of those,
overpowered by after-damp, at the very moment they hoped to
have escaped, fell to rise no more ! The first person that reached
the surface was a little boy, six years of age. By this accident,
fifty- seven valuable lives were lost.
June 9. A meeting was held in the Town-hall, in Alnwick,
(William Burrell, esq., of Broom-park, in the chair,) for the purpose
of taking into consideration the expediency of establishing a dis-
pensary in that town, for the benefit of the poor in Coquetdale,
Bamborough, and Glendale wards, which was immediately carried
into execution by a very liberal subscription.
June 11. As some children were playing in a brick -yard near
Shield-field, Newcastle, they picked up several guineas from some
rubbish that had been led from the cellar of the Grey Horse public-
house, on the Quay. The circumstance having spread, people
flocked to the place that evening and the whole of the next day,
many of whom were well rewarded for their trouble. The cartinan
who had led the rubbish, hearing of the good fortune of so many,
and recollecting that he had taken some of it to a brick -yard
near Bridge-street, went thither and found several guineas.
This place, too, became a scene of industry. One man went at
with a dark lantern, and lined his pockets with eold. One
92 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF '[.!.. 1815.
girl got twenty-two guineas; some of them were dated 1759, but
most of them were of the coinage of 1777. Various were the
conjectures employed to account for this treasure being in so
extraordinary a situation. Some people related, that, about forty
years before, a traveller was robbed in the Grey Horse, and that a
servant, who was suspected and turned away, had concealed the
plunder in the cellar, and had not afterwards an opportunity of
carrying it off. Others reported, that a landlord of the above house
had said upon his death- bed, that he was worth a sum of money,
which could not afterwards be found, and imagined that this must
Lave been the wealth to which he alluded.
1815 (June 14J. As some workmen were employed at the North-
shore, near Newcastle, they discovered two human skeletons, the
bones of which were in a perfect state. They were both lying
together, and one diagonally over the other.
June 27. On the morning of this day, Sheriff-hill colliery, near
Gatshead, fired, during the time that Mr. William Foggett, the
viewer, and his two brothers were down, all of whom were killed
by the blast, and eight of the workmen were also suffocated by
what is termed the after-damp.
June 27. In the evening, Count Lynch, mayor of Bourdeaux,
arrived in Newcastle, on his road to visit his relation, John
Clavering esq., of Callaly. As soon as it was known who the
stranger was, he was greeted with a peal of bells (about a quarter
past ten o'clock at night), and which was continued at intervals till
past twelve. On the following morning, the count breakfasted
with Thomas Davidson, esq., "Westgate-street, and afterwards paid
his respects at the Mansion-house, and likewise waited upon several
of the Catholic families in Newcastle. As soon as the mail arrived
confirming the intelligence of the defeat of the French army under
Buonaparte, the populace assembled at the Queen's Head Inn,
where the count was, and congratulated him on the news, and
i.._./;ii greeted him Avith repeated huzzas. It will be remembered
that Count Lynch was the first to hoist the white flag in France,
and surrendered Eourdeaux to the British arms. On the count's
arrival at Morpeth, he was welcomed with a peal of bells, and the
applause of an immense concourse of spectators. The populace
were regaled with ale, and the count and Mr. Clavering joined
them at the window in drinking the king, army, &c. On his
departure, the populace took the horses from his carrriage, and
dragged him through the principal streets.
July 1. Died, at Broom-Ridge, in Northumberland, Bridget
Mahon, aged 1 03 years.
July 31. A shocking accident happened at Newbottle colliery,
owing to the boiler of the locomotive engine bursting from being
too strongly charged. It was the first trial of the machine, which
was intended to draw twenty waggons, and a number of persons
had assembled around it to witness its setting off. The brakesman
A.D. 1815.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 93
About fifty others (of whom some died) were most severely scalded
and wounded.
1815 (July). This month, a man employed in cutting a drain
behind a house on the south side of the main-street, Monkwear-
mouth, discovered the remains of two human skeletons, about three
feet beneath the surface, in a bed of dark brown sand, covered
with a large stone, but without the slightest appearance of a coffin.
One of the skeletons appeared to be that of a female.
August 28. In the night, the house of Miss Smith (now Lady
Peat), at Herrington, in the county of Durham, was set fire to,
after being robbed. Miss Smith was from home at the time, but
a servant girl, named Isabella Young, was found in a passage lead-
ing to the kitchen, nearly naked, with two wounds on the back
part of the head, and a large fracture on the fore part of it, which
had occasioned her death. The fire, when discovered about two
o'clock on tho morning of the 29th, had not reached the body of
the girl, but it appeared evident such had been the intention of
the perpetrators. At the assizes, held in the city of Durham, on
the 13th of August, 1819, John Eden, James Wolfe, and George
Wolfe, his son, were put upon their trial for burglary, murder, and
arson, at Herrington; and after the attention of the court had been
occupied upwards of nine hours, a verdict of guilty was given against
John Eden and James Wolfe, who were sentenced to be hanged
on the 16th. After their conviction, some circumstances appear-
ing in favour of Wolfe, some members of the Society of Friends
instituted an inquiry into the particulars of the case, when an alibi
was established, proving, by numerous affidavits, that James Wolfe
was one hundred miles !!! from Herrington when the murder, &c.,
had been committed. September 26th, he received a free pardon
from the king, and was released from prison. The success attend-
ing their endeavours for Wolfe, induced the same benevolent
individuals to look into the case of Eden (who still persisted in
his innocence), and they found, to their great joy, that this man
had been falsely sworn to by James Lincoln, a seaman, of Sunder-
land, no doubt for the reward offered. Eden was also liberated,
having obtained his Majesty's pardon. At the summer assizes,
held in the city of Durham, August 4th, 1820, James Lincoln was
tried, and, upon the clearest evidence, was found guilty of wilful
and corrupt perjury.
September 1. Mr. Sadler, in his balloon and car, ascended
from the Bowling-green (afterwards Bond-street, now Prudhoe-
street), Newcastle. The day was uncommonly fine, and at an early
hour the town was thronged with people to witness this unusual
exhibition. The process of inflation, was commenced at half-past
ten, and before twelve, considerable numbers had assembled in the
Green, where two bands of music were stationed for the recreation
of the company. At length the discharge of a cannon announced
that the inflation was completed ; but some further time elapsed
before all the subsequent preparations were completed, and before
94 HISTORICAL EEGISTEn OP [A.D. 1815.
three, the balloon was brought forward with some difficulty, on
account of the high state of the wind, when the attention of every
one was instantly fixed with anxions expectation on this strange
vehicle, and the daring aeronaut who was preparing to commit him-
self to the bosom of the wind. At length, after receiving his flag
from the hands of Mrs. Ellison, of Hebburn, the order to play
" God save the King" was given ; soon after which, the car was
disengaged, when the balloon rose with a tremendous bound from
the platform, and dashed with amazing velocity over Northumber-
land-street, in a direction nearly E. N. E. Soon after its ascent,
the flag of the young aeronaut was observed waving in the air, but
the balloon was carried forward with such rapidity, that its motions
soon became indistinct, and the balloon diminished to little more
than a speck. It continued in sight about fifteen minutes, when it
appeared rapidly to approach the earth; on throwing out the anchor,
one of the flukes broke, which caused it to be dragged some dis-
tance. At length the balloon and car were secured near to the
seat of T. Wright, esq., at Whitley Park, and within t\vo hundred
yards of the sea, being twenty-one minutes from leaving the Bowl-
ing-green. From Mr. Wright and the gentlemen in the neighbour-
hood, the aeronaut received the most polite and friendly attention.
About eight o'clock in the evening, Mr. Sadler returned to town,
and, as he passed through the streets, was loudly greeted by the
huzzas of the people. September 29th, 1824, Mr. Sadler was
killed by a fall from his balloon, after having ascended majestically
from the yard of the gas-works at liolton, in Lancashire.
1815 (Sept. 16). In consequence of the sudden reduction of the
navy, happening at the time of the ariival of the ships from the
Greenland and other trades, an immense body of seamen was at
once thrown, unprovided for, upon the country, and in much greater
numbers than could possibly, in so short a space of time, find
employment in the merchant service. Great numbers of unem-
ployed seamen consequently accumulated at the several out ports,
and particularly at Shields and Sunderland, where they ill-advisedly
endeavoured to obtain employment from the ship-owners, by
insisting that every ship should have a compliment of five men
and a boy for every 100 tons register admeasurement. In order
to obtain this demand, they, for several weeks, assembled in large
bodies, and forcibly prevented the sailing of all ships, by taking
out the seamen, whom they compelled to join their body, under
pain of having their faces blacked and j-ickets turned, and being
thus exhibited through the public streets, with other contemptuous
treatment. They observed the strictest discipline among them-
selves, and severely punished those who were guilty of any dis-
turbance, calling the roll every morning, and fining those who were
absent without leave, and a watch was set every night to patrole
the streets, and clear them of those who were guilty of any dis-
order, so that the greatest order prevailed in Shields streets. On
the above day, (Saturday) a general meeting was held upon Cul-
lercoats Sands, when about 3,000 were present, and on Wednesday
A.T>. 1815.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 95
the 20th, another was held at the same place of the seamen from
Shields, Sunderland, and Blyth, consisting of about 7,000, when,
after consulting on the measures to be adopted, they separated
without committing the least outrage. The above meetings had a
very alarming appearance, being composed principally of men just
liberated from his majesty's service ; but the ship-owners resisting
their demands, and getting the aid of the navy and military,
together with the vigorous measures pursued by the magistrates,
the seamen were subjected without bloodshed, and brought to a
sense of their duty, October 24th, 1815, when near two hundred
vessels proceeded to sea.
1815 (Dec. 8). As four of the workmen were employed on a
stage seventy fathoms down the shaft of Nesham's Main Colliery,
repairing tho masonry, one of them came to bank to get something
he wanted; while talking to the banksman, and incautiously
passing along a plank, he fell down upon the stage he had a few
minutes before left, and so great was the force acquired in his fall,
that three beams, six inches by four, which supported the stage,
were broken by the shock, and the poor fellow and his three
companions were precipitated to the bottom (55 fathoms further)
and all dashed to pieces.
December 9. This day (Saturday), their imperial highnesses the
archdukes, John and Lewis of Austria, with their suite arrived in
Newcastle ; soon after which, they were waited upon by the right
worshipful the mayor and several of the aldermen, when the mayor
requested the honour of entertaining them at the mansion-house,
which their imperial highnesses declined, observing that they were
sensible of the honour intended them, but that they wished to be
considered as travelling privately. On the same day they visited
Shields and Wallsend, and Percy Main Collieries, where they were
attended by John Buddie, esq., who described to them the nature
of the subterraneous workings, &c. On Sunday forenoon they
attended at the Catholic chapel in Newcastle ; and in the afternoon
paid a visit to Sunderland to see the cast-iron bridge of that town.
Their imperial highnesses and suite expressed great astonishment
and pleasure at the structure and ingenuity in the erection of the
same, and its wonderful span. On Monday they proceeded,
attended by T. H. Bigge and Joseph Lamb, esqrs., to Lemington,
to see the iron and glass-works established there. Their attention
was forcibly arrested by the locomotive engine at work upon
Wylam waggon-way. After partaking refreshment at Mr. Lamb's
they returned, and afterwards visited the shot and white-lead
works at Low Elswick, and Messrs Hawks' iron foundry at New
Greenwich. On the Tuesday morning, their imperial highnesse*
set off on their way to the south.
1815 (Dec. 11). A fire unfortunately took place in Sheriff Hill
Colliery, owing to the wooden partition which separated the upcast
from the downcast shaft, taking fire from the coal lamp, which is
used to cause the updraught of air necessary for the ventilation of
the pit. Every exertion was used to get both men and horses out
9(> HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1815.
of the pit, as the destruction of the partition necessarily destroyed
the circulation of air within the workings. They succeeded in
getting out all but five wastemen, who unhappily perished.
1815 (Dec. 20). A. most dreadful fire broke out in the extensive
granaries of Messrs. Johnson, Carr, and Co., John Dewar, John
Waugh, John Forster, and George Sligh, in Berwick. The fire
originated from the kiln used for drying grain being overheated,
and was discovered about six o'clock in the evening, but did not
burst into a flame till near seven, when it ra^ed with such fury,
that, in a short time, the granaries (about 200 feet in length) were
reduced to ashes. The whole of Bridge-street was at one time
threatened with destruction, and several of the inhabitants there
removed their furniture, &c., and the whole of Mr. Reid's valuable
stock of books were taken out of the house for safety. The
damage was estimated at 5,000. At twelve o'clock the fire bell
was rung a second time, the flames having broke out in a hay loft
belonging to William Bell, the Old Hen and Chickens inn. Had
the wind blown as strong from the west as it did from the north-
east, no exertions could have saved the whole of Bridge-street
from being burnt down. No lives were lost. Few of the sufferers
were insured.
December 29. On repairing the north aisle of Alnwick church,
Mr. Thomas, Patterson discovered two stone statues about two feet
below the surface. They are of exquisite workmanship and great
antiquity. The largest is supposed to represent a king, and is
painted as having a scarlet gown and crimson robe lined with
ermine, an ermine tippet over the shoulders, and bound about the
middle with a gilt strap. On the left side is a purse, and on the
right a string of beads ; in the left hand is a globe, in the right a
sceptre, and at the feet are the royal arms. The other statue is
supposed to represent a martyr ; it is carved as being naked, except
a piece of drapery about its middle. The legs, thighs, and body,
are transfixed with nine arrows, and the hands and feet are bound
in fetters. These statues were found without their heads. They
are placed below the belfry at the west end of the church.
In the night of this day, the paper mill belonging to Mr. Lumley,
at Butterby, near Durham, was blown down. The building
extended across a valley, and was about 100 feet long, the upper
part being constructed of wood and brick pillars, the lower floor
of stone. The wind sweeping along the vale, and taking the
building at its broadside, tore away the roof and the whole of the
upper story, or drying rooms ; nothing remained standing but the
two gable ends and the walls of the lower rooms. The fall of
the roof forced in the pillars of the drying rooms, breaking some
massy beams, and involving in the general ruin a quantity of
paper in an unfinished state, all the vats, and the various utensils
used in the mill.
December 30. In consequence of a rapid thaw, accompanied
with wind and rain, there was a great flood in the river Tyne,
which was supposed by many persons to have done nearly as much
A.D. 1816.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 97
injury, though it did not rise to so great a height, as the flood in
1771, which carried away the bridge at Newcastle. The water
was at its greatest height about five o'clock on the morning of
the above day (Saturday), when its appearance was particularly
awful. Some idea of the force of the current may be formed from
the circumstance of the Carlisle, London trader, which was lying
alongside the quay at Newcastle, having torn up the cannon to
which she was moored, and broken adrift. Another vessel also
broke adrift from the Carlisle running foul of her, but both vessels
were soon after brought up and secured. Most of the other vessels
at the Quay were obliged, for security, to bring their anchors ashore
and fasten them up to the stems, in the pavement. The Quay and
lower part of the Close were overflowed, and almost every cellar
filled with water. The loss this way was very great, many of the
cellars being full of sugars and other dry goods. A man named
James Craig, and a spirited youth named John Hoggins, belonging
to Newcastle, were unfortunately drowned, when humanely en-
deavouring to rescue Robert Lindsay and his two sons, the crew
of a keel, which, about eleven o'clock on the Friday night, got fixed
lengthways across the second arch from the north end of Newcastle
bridge. When the cries of the keelmen had given alarm for their
safety, the man and boy seized a small boat and went off to their
assistance ; they succeeded in rescuing the men from the keel,
but, on their return, were swamped in a strong eddy. The others
who were on board the boat, were saved by one means or other,
but the man and boy were drowned. Great apprehensions were
at one time entertained for the safety of the bridge of Newcastle,
some of the arches being choaked up with keels and ice, and pieces
of timber. Happily, however, the bridge stood firm. The two
southern arches of the bridge at Haydon-bridge, were carried away
at nine o'clock on the Friday night. In Shields harbour, some
lives were lost by the upsetting of a boat, and upwards of thirty
vessels drifted from their moorings, and were driven upon the Herd
Sand. Several keels were also blown out to sea, with their crews,
some of which were seen off Flamborough Head. The effects of
the flood were severely felt by the farmers and others on both sides
of the river, in the loss of horses, cows, sheep, pigs, &c. All the
low grounds in the neighbourhood of Ponteland were overflowed,
and many of the inhabitants were roused from their sleep by the
water entering their beds. Considerable damage was done at
Durham, Darlington, Sunderland, Hexham, &c. The wind corn
mill of Mr. Herron, about half-a-mile to the westward of Sunderland,
got amain, and taking fire, from the friction, was burnt to the ground.
On the river Wear, the ships and keels were nearly all adrift, but
were secured before they got to sea. Great damage was done by
this storm on the banks of the rivers Tees and Wear.
1315. This year, died, at Sunderland, Ann Appleby, aged 103
years.
1816 (Jan. 3). Died, at the Low Felling, near Gateshead, Alice
Blackett, aged 101 years.
VOL. II. O
98 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1816.
1816 (Jan. 4). Died in Gatesliead poor-house, where she had
resided 50 years, Ann Carpenter, aged 110 years.
January 9. Died, at his house, near the Windhill Hills, Gates-
head, Mr. Thomas Thompson, merchant, in the 43rd year of his age.
His death was caused by cold and fatigue in his exertions to save
his property (timber), from the ravages of the destructive flood in
the preceding month. From an humble origin, he raised himself by
his talents and merit to a respectable rank in society ; his loss was
severely felt in the extensive circle of his friends, as well as in the
public festivals of the town, to the mirth of which his exquisitely
humourous songs in thepwre Newcastle dialect, contributed a large
portion. Besides being the author of " Cannij Newcastle" " Jemmy
Johnson's Whurrey" " New Keel Row" and other descriptive local
songs, Mr. Thompson Avrote several pieces of considerable merit.
January 12. Died, at the Windy-nook, Gateshead Fell, Mary
Henderson, aged 100 years.
January 29. Died, at Bishopwearmouth, Thomas Coulson,
glass maker, aged 105 years.
This month, a stone coffin of the usual form was discovered
about afoot below the surface, immediately without the east chancel
walls of Boldon church, Durham. It had no lid or inscription.
A temporary bridge was this month finished across the river
Tyne, at Haydon-bridge, for the accommodation of travellers.
January 3. Died, in Milburn-gate, Durham, Mrs. Ann Smith,
aged 100 years.
February 5. Died, at East Brunton, in Northumberland, Mr.
John Wallace, aged 103 years.
The beginning of this year, vigorous efforts were made to
establish a branch custom-house at North Shields. This excited
considerable interest both at that place and Newcastle, and
deputations from which places, composed of respectable merchants
and ship-owners, were sent to London for the purpose of conferring
with his majesty's ministers on the expediency of the measure.
The lord chancellor and Sir William Scott, natives of Newcastle,
were decidedly against it. The lords of the treasury at length
finally determined, that no branch of the custom-house at New-
castle should be established at Shields ; but such masters of colliers,
as might wish it, would in future be permitted to sign the coast
bond at Shields. Newcastle was also highly indebted to Sir M.
W. Ridley, bart., and Cuthbert Ellison, esq., members of parlia-
ment for that town, for their unremitted exertions on this occasion.
Another attempt was afterwards made by the ship-owners of
Shields to obtain the privilege of a distinct custom-house, but the
lords of the treasury again decided against making any alteration
in the mode of conducting the customary business of the port.
April 12. Died, at North Shields, Mrs. Mary Richardson, aged
100 years.
April 20. Whole length portraits of -the lord chancellor
(Eldon), and Sir William Scott, judge of the admiralty court,
were placed in the Guildhall, Newcastle, on each side of the
A.D. 1816.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 99
portrait of Lord Collingwood, forming an illustrious trio, all
natives of that town. The portraits are by Owen.
1816 (April 2S). The second centenary of the immortal bard,
Shakespeare, was celebrated in Newcastle by a grand dinner at the
Queen's Head inn, which was attended by about sixty of the
admirers of the poet of nature. William Loraine, esq., in the chair.
Songs and glees were sung by the professional gentlemen present,
and Mr. Stephen Kemble gave a long and able dissertation on tha
comparative merits of different poets. At the theatre the per-
formance closed with a representation of Garrick's celebrated
Jubilee at Stratford.
This month, an excellent portrait of the duke of Northumber-
land, painted by Phillips, and elegantly framed, was placed in the
grand jury room, of the new courts of justice of the county of Nor-
thumberland, in Newcastle. The portrait was a present from his
grace to the magistrates of the county, who had requested " that a
picture (to be painted at their expense) of the munificent donor of
3,000 towards the building of the courts, might adorn their walls."
His grace very obligingly complied in sitting to the artist, but con-
verted the finished production into an -additional present to the
county. This portrait was most exquisitely engraved by the late
Mr. Thomrs Fryer Ranson, a native of Newcastle.
May 10. Died, at the Low Row, near Willington, Northum-
berland, Dorothy Phillips, aged 110 years.
Mat/ 14. Died, at Bishop Auckland, Mrs. Jane Webster, aged
104 years.
May 31. The Society of Arts presented a silver medal to
William Reid Clanny, esq,, M.D., of Bishopwearmouth, for his
safety- lamps for coal mines. This society the following year pre-
sented the Doctor with a gold medal for a steam safety-lump.
This month, died, in the county poor-house, in Gallowgate, New-
castle, John Moffatt, better known by the name of Dummy, never
having had the faculty of speech. This eccentric character had
been in the poor-house about 36 years, and was supposed, at the
time of his death, to be near 80 years of age. He had two large
excrescences under his chin, very much resembling the goitres of
Switzerland. He was particularly fond of military costume* in
which habiliments he was generally dressed, and his partiality for
fiddling was indicated by imitating that performance with a stick
across his arm. A whole length portrait of this harmless eccentric,
may be had of John Sykes.
June 3. In the evening, Signer de Montfort, had an exhi-
bition of fireworks in the Spital-fichl, Newcastle, when tho
following melancholy occurrence took place: Ouing to the great
strength of the wind at the time, the sparks from one of the large
wheels fell on the stage, on which four rockets were lying; these
were ignited by the sparks, and Hying off in different directions, one
of them unfortunately struck a youth of the name of John Price on
the breast, when he almost immediately expired. The deceased,
was fifteen years of age. ' Some other persons' were also hurt.
100 HISTORICAL ^EOISTEK OP |_A.D. 1816.
1816 (June 16). A fire broke out in the dwelling-house of Mr.
J. Miller, at Brinkburn colliery, near Morpeth, which, in a short
time, destroyed the house, with a joiner's shop and stable, and a
large quantity of wood. Miller's wife, with an infant only three
days old in her arms, had to make her escape by the window, with
other five children, all without clothing ; two lodgers also lost every-
thing except what they had on.
June 18. The first anniversary of the memorable victory of
"Waterloo, was observed in Newcastle, with every mark of public
rejoicing. A royal salute was fired at noon and sunset from the
guns 011 the castle, and many a merry peal was rung by the bells
of the different churches during the day.
This day was observed by the gallant 83rd regiment of foot,
quartered in Sunderland barracks, as a high festival. On the morn-
ing, the regiment had a grand field day, when the men all wore
a sprig of laurel in their caps, and fired several rounds in honour
of the occasion. The officers in the latter part of the day gave an
elegant dinner to many gentry in the town and neighbourhood.
At night the garrison was illuminated, when various transparencies
were displayed. The non-commissioned officers had a ball and
refreshments in one of the barracks; and the men were also per-
mitted to regale and enjoy themselves in commemoration of a day
when their sufferings were so great, and when they contributed so
much by their valour to the attainment of the glorious result.
June 30. Died, at Darlington, aged 53, Adam Yarker, better
known by the name of Blind Adam, having been blind from his
birth. He possessed a strong memory, which he particularly ap-
plied to the registering the number of deaths, &c., which occurred
for upwards of forty years in Darlington. Without hesitating a
moment, he could tell how many deaths had been in any given
year or month, the exact day when the individual died, to whom
they were related, &c. He was noted for keeping of poultry, in
which he greatly excelled ; his hens, owing to his superior manage-
ment, laid their eggs in the winter season ; he knew them from
each other, and could tell the name, colour, &c., as soon as he got
them in his hand. Although he was descended from poor parents,
and had but a small pittance, called the blind's bounty, with the
benevolence of a few charitable individuals, the profits arising_from
his poultry. &c., enabled him to realise 200.
July 1. The foundation-stone of a column erected by the
tenantry of the late duke of Northumberland, to perpetuate his
grace's munificence and numerous acts of kindness, was laid with
great rejoicings. The procession moved from the White Swan
inn, Almvick, to the site of the column adjoining the road on the
south entrance into that town. In a cavity were deposited the
regimental roll, written on vellum, of the late Percy tenantry
volunteers, hermetically closed in a glass tube, together with several
medals. When the clergyman had concluded a prayer, the corn,
wine, and oil, were poured upon the stone, and the company united
in shouts of applause ; after which the procession returned. The
A.D. 1816.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 101
bells of Newcastle and Gateshead announced to the public the
laying the foundation stone, commencing to ring at 12 o'clock, and
which was continued during the remainder of the day. The column
was built on the plan of his grace's architect, the late David
Stephenson, esq., of Newcastle.
1816 July G). Some workmen employed at the quarry at Hetton,
near the old Roman road, Northumberland, on removing the earth,
discovered about four feet below the surface, an urn rudely carved
and filled with black ashes, near it was a stone coffin about three
feet four inches long, and two feet two inches in width, containing
the remains of a body lying on the left side ; the legs folded up
behind the thighs. From the rough state of the coffin, no inscrip-
tion or marks could be seen.
July 10. About twelve o'clock at night, an alarming fire broke
out in the upper part of a building in the Pudding Chare, New-
castle, occupied by Mr. Beeney, painter and glazier, as a varnishing
room, and Mr. Lawson as a currier's work shop. The fire had
arrived at a considerable height before it was discovered, and when
the flames burst forth they threatened destruction, not only to the
building in which it broke out, but also to the two dwelling-houses
adgoining, and fronting to the Bigg-market. The firemen succeed-
ed in getting the fire under by about two o'clock, without doing
much further damage than destroying the upper stories of the
building in which it broke out, together with the property contain-
ed therein. Mr Beeney's loss was considerable, being unfortu-
nately not insured. Mr. Richardson the owner of the premises,
and Mr. Lawson, were both insured.
August 5. The ship Flora, of London, having just taken in a
cargo of coals from Messrs. Nesham and Go's, staith at Sunderland,
blew up with a terrible explosion, the deck beams being broken,
and the decks completely torn up, with considerable other damage.
This was occasioned by the inflammable state of the coal, and the
air being entirely excluded from the hold.
August 17. John Greig, for the murder of Elizabeth stone-
house, of Monkwearmouth, was executed pursuant to his sentence,
on a drop erected in front of the new county court house at Dur-
ham. After hanging the usual time, his body was cut down and
given to his friends for interment. He wus a stout good-looking
man, thirty-seven years of age.
August 22. About four o'clock on the morning, an alarming
fire broke out in the premises of Mr. (Joxon, of Milburn place,
North Shields, pawn broker, which threatened destruction to the
neighbourhood. Fortunately there was no wind, and by the timely
aid of the engines, it was got under, but not until the whole
internal part of the building, furniture, and pledged goods were
consumed.
Same day, died at Sunderland, Margaret Archer, aged 110 years.
September 7. James O'Neill, for robbing Mr. George Angus,
carrier of Mickley, on the highway, on his return from the preced-
ing October Cowhill fair, was executed pursuant to his sentence,
102 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1816.
on the Town Moor, Newcastle. The body, after hanging the usual
time, was cut down, and conveyed by the friends of the deceased
to a public house near the gaol, where it was leaked, and on the
following day (Sunday) it was interred at St. Andrew's church;
about thirty Irish people following it to the grave.
1815 (Sept. 10). During a tremendous hurricane, the patent iron
wands of the corn-mill at Bykcr-hill, near Newcastle, were carried
away for the third time in two years, and fell with a dreadful crash.
In Newcastle many buildings were injured, and the large ash tree,
which had for many generations stood in the west corner of the
vicarage garden in West-gate- street, was blown down, to the great
regret of the inhabitants. It was somewhat remarkable that this
tree, which, for many years, had been frequented by rooks was this
year deserted by them, a solitary pair only making their nest in it.
September 18 Many of the tradesmen in Sunderland, injudi-
ciously refused taking the shillings and sixpences that were plain,
and without remains of the impression. In consequence of this,
after dark, a large concourse of the poor inhabitants met and
commenced an attack upon the shops of Messrs. Caleb "\Vilson,
Nattrass, Middlebrook, Walton, Andrews, Hall, &c., all grocers
and flour dealers ; the windows of both shops and houses were
nearly demolished, and the shop of Middlebrook completely gutted
by the mob, who were seen running away with hams, bacon,
groceries, &c. After the shop had been forced open, the brave 33rd
regiment were called out, and on the riot act being read about
midnight, they prepared to act hostilcy, when the mob in a great
degree dispersed, but not before several soldiers received severe
bruises from bricks, &c. The house of Mr Barnes, surgeon, being
at this time rebuilding, the mob took many hundred bricks for their
destructive purposes; the town continued in great alarm and com-
motion for some time on this event.
September 21. Died, at Chirton, near North Shields, Mr.
William Klliot, aged 100 years.
September 30. Died, at Old Walker, near Newcastle, Mrs. Jane
Jowsey, aged 104 years. She possessed all her faculties until the
time of her dissolution ; she could sew, spin, knit, and read small
print without the aid of spectacle?.
September. The view of that venerable ruin, the cathedral of
Ft. L'uthbert, at Holy Island, was considerably improved by the
wreck and rubbish of the fallen ]i:.rts of the building being re-
moved from the windows, which had for ages been blocked up ;
but most especially by the great western door of the church being
opened out, which the sun had not shone upon for centuries past,
the architecture of which is the true Saxon, highly ornamented
with three columns on each side of the door. The amateurs of
antiquities arc indebted to Mr. Selby, of Swansfield for this great
improvement.
October 'J. A Roman .gold coin of the emperor Galba, about
1400 years old, with a fine head quite perfect, was found in afield
near Chester-le-Street, by a young woman gathering potatoes ; it
A.D. 1816.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 105
weighed about two-thirds of a guinea. It is now in the valuable
collection of Robert Surtces, esq., of Mainsforth.
1816 (Oct. II). Witton castle and estate in the county of
Durham, were sold by auction in the city of Durham, for the sum
of 78,000.
October 18. A riot took place at Sunderland this day (Friday),
which is the market-day there. A farmer had been asking 16s.
a bushel for his wheat, when a fellow standing by him forcibly
seized the sack and ran off with it. This daring outrage was the
signal for the whole of the corn being seized by the populace, and
instantly the whole market became the scene of the utmost con-
fusion and alarm. The shopkeepers shut in their windows, the
magistrates appeared and read the riot act, and the military were
ordered to be in readiness, but fortunately their services were not
required, By the active exertions of about 60 special constables,
the corn was nearly all recovered and tranquility restored.
November 22. A tremendous fire broke out in the premises
occupied by Mr. James Hewet, ship-chandler, in the Low-street
of North Shields, which were totally consumed^ and the adjoining
premises considerably injured.
November 29. Died, at Bishopwearmouth, Mrs. Elizabeth
Broderick, aged 104 years.
December 13. The grand duke Nicholas, of Russia, and his suite
arrived at Sunderland ; and the morning following, attended by the
Rev. Dr. Gray, minutely inspected the pier, the iron bridge, the
coal staith of Messrs Nesham & Co., and afterwards took refresh-
ment at Bishopwearmouth rectory-house. They then set out for
Newcastle, when almost immediately after their arrival, his imperial
highness proceeded to the Royal Jubilee School, where he was
met by the Rev. Wiliiam Turner, one of the secretaries. Though
Saturday is not a regular school-day, yet at the request of Dr.
Hamel, who had arrived the day before, Mr. Drury, the master of
the School, had assembled all the boys, to the number of nearly
500. This being the first Lancastrian school which his highness
had seen, he appeared, even on his entrance, to be powerfully in-
terested, and afterwards attentively examined all their performances.
Before leaving the school, he inscribed with his own hand in the
visitors' book, his name in the Russ character, to remain as a testi-
monial of his visit. From the school the prince proceeded to
\Vallsend colliery, where Mr. Buddie explained the whole process
of ventilating and working the mines and the shipping of coal.
Mr. Bewick had afterwards the honour of laying before the grand
duke specimens of his skill in the art of engraving upon wood,
which were closely examined,and much approved of by his highness.
On Sunday morning, the right worshipful the mayor, Sir Thomaa
Burdon, knt., paid his respects to his imperial highness, to tender
him the honours and hospitality of Newcastle. His highness
regretted that want of time did not allow him to accept the invita-
tion, and, indeed, he almost immediately set off for Alnwick castle,
and thence to Berwick, where he passed the night. His suite
104 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [-V.D. 1817.
consisted of the following persons : Baron Nicholay, Sir William
Congreve, Koutousof, Dr. Crichton, General Saurassoff, M. Klinker,
M. Marsell, and M. Parosky.
1816 This year the freedom of Berwick was voted to Admiral
Lord Exmouth, and to Admiral Sir David Milne, for highly dis-
tinguished and meritorious services at Algiers. His lordship replied
by a letter of thanks, stating that this was the first compliment that
he had received since his arrival in England from Algiers.
1817 (Jan. 13;. Died, at Shincliffe. near Durham, Mr. John
Lamb, farmer, aged lOOyears. It was the anniversary of his birthday.
January 30. Eighteen waggons belonging to the artillery arrived
in Newcastle on their way to Scotland, under a military escort.
They were laden with the new silver coin to the amount, in weight,
of twenty- four tons.
February 12. The valuable and extensive woollen-manufactory
of Messrs. Edward and Joseph Pease, of Darlington, was consumed
by fire.
February 13. The new silver coin was delivered from the' Mint
Office, in the Close, to the public in Newcastle, in exchange for
the old standard coin of the realm, however defaced or reduced in
weight by use.
This month, there were found in the ancient manor of Ulchester,
Northumberland, nearly 1000 silver coins, which appeared to be
pennies of the reigns of Stephen and Henry IF.
March. Died, in the poor house of St. Nicholas, Durham,
William Williamson, aged 100 years.
April 8. Di ed, in Sandgate, Newcastle, Isabella Thompson,
widow, aged 100 years.
April 14. Martha Wilson was found suspended from a nail in.
the wall of her apartment in the Trinity-house, Newcastle. After
a careful examination of witnesses before the coroner and jury, a
verdict of felo de se was found, and in consequence her body was
interred in the public highway a little east of the toll-gate, and in
front of the buildings which have since been named Ridley Villas.
April 20. Died, in the house of correction at Durham, where
he had been kept nearly 46 years, a man usually called Dicky, a
lunatic, whose real name could never be made out, but which was
supposed to have been Richard Williamson. This extraordinary
man was first discovered in 1771, in a complete state of nudity, in
an out-building, in the fields near Newton-hall, then the seat of
Thomas Liddell, esq., who allowed him Is. a-week towards his
maintenance, and which was continued by his successors, and, with
the allowance from the county, and the kind attention of the
governors of the house, rendered his life comfortable. It was
generally conjectured, that he had been a lunatic confined in some
receptacle, whence he had escaped. He was never able either to
tell his name, or give the smallest account of himself, nor could
any discovery ever be made where he camo from, or to whom he
belonged, though, from his dialect, he seemed to have come from
the south. He was perfectly harmless, and appeared to have had
A.D. 1817.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 105
a good education, from his being able to repeat many parts of the
service of the church, particularly the morning service, which he
frequently did with great propriety. He was supposed, at the time
of his death, to be about 80 years of age.
1817 (April 20). Died, at Plessy, Northumberland, Margaret
Stafford, aged 106 years.
April 28. Died, at the Westgate, Newcastle, Mrs. Ann Tindal,
aged 100 years.
April 29. The marriage of Earl Percy, at Northumberland-
house, Strand, London, to Lady Charlotte Florentia Clive, youngest
daughter of the Earl of Powis, was celebrated at Alnvvick, by the
ringing of bells, the firing of guns, and an ox roasted in the
Market-place ; it was cut up by Mr. George Lindsay, butcher on a
scaffold erected for the purpose, and distributed amongst the popu-
lace, together with a proportionate quantity of bread and ale. The
whole was conducted with the greatest harmony.
April 29. The foundation-stone of a new Independent Meeting-
house was laid with much ceremony, in Villiers-street, Sunderland,
by the Rev. Mr. Parsons, of Leeds.
This month, died, at Hexham, Mr. John Bewick, aged 10 1 years.
May 18. Died, at South Shields, Mrs. Margaret Cundell,
widow, aged 100 years.
This month, died, at Rig End, near Falstone,Mrs. Heron, widow,
aged 104 years.
June 1. Died, at St. Anthony's, near Newcastle, Sarah Forster,
aged 109 years.
June 3. Died, at the High Felling, near Gateshead, John
Maclay, aged 101 years.
June 8. Died, at Hexham, Elizabeth Cams, aged 102 years.
June 12. Died, in the gaol of Newgate, Newcastle, where he
had been confined several years, Mr. William Richardson, formerly
an eminent corn-merchant in that town. Mr. R. possessed consider-
able talents, and various were his satiric effusions, the chief of which
is " The Newcastle Attorneys," which was privately circulated, and
of course has become exceedingly scarce. His widow placed a
very singular epitaph over his remains, in Heworth chapel-yard,
which has since been much mutilated.
June 23. The corporation of Newcastle commenced building
twenty additional rooms to the Peace and Unity Hospital, at the
Westgate, for aged freemen and their widows.
June 26. Died, at Birtley, Durham, Ralph Gofton, in the 102nd
year of his age.
June 30. About eleven o'clock in the forenoon, the carburetted
hydrogen gas in the Row Pit, at Harraton Colliery, on the
river Wear, unfortunately ignited, when thirty-eight men and boys
lost their lives. It was one of the most violent explosions which
had happened for years ; corves, trams, and several utensils used
at the bottom of the shaft (82 fathoms in depth) being blown into
the air, together with the bodies of two of the unfortunate work-
men, one with the head off, and the other cut in two in the middle.
VOL. II. P
106 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [.V.D. 1817.
All the sufferers, except one from Fat field, belonged to New
Painsher, and were buried there on Wednesday, July 2nd. Amongst
them were ten belonging to one family, of the name of Hills, viz.
the grandfather, his two sons, and seven grandsons. This dreadful
accident was caused entirely by the perverse obstinacy of a young
man, named John Moody, one of the hewers, who, in defiance of
the orders of the overman, refused to use Sir H. Davy's lamp, and
lighted a candle, which was twice put out by the workmen whom
he was to relieve, but he re-lighted it by unscrewing the lamp, and
thus sacrificed his own life, and the lives of his companions. But
the painful narrative does not close here : on Wednesday after-
noon, some of the workmen went into the Nova Scotia Pit, of the
same colliery, to repair some part of the pit which had been in-
jured by the explosion of the Row Pit, and not returning in time,
another party of the men went down to seek them, but were
obliged to return without effecting their object, being unable to
proceed on account of the great quantity of choke damp which
had entered the workings, supposed from the Row Pit subsequent
to the explosion. The eight workmen who had first gone down
were obliged, therefore, to be left to their fate. Their bodies were
got out on the following day, six of whom were quite dead ; two
were still alive, with little hopes of recovery. This is the explosion
alluded to by Mr. Buddie, at page 49, folio, and page ten, octavo
editions of the "Report of the Evidence taken in 1829 on 'the State
of the Coal Trade of the United Kinydoms" The . octavo edition
was published by John Sykes.
1817 (June). This month, the foundation-stone of a Roman
Catholic chapel was laid in Bedford-street, North Shields, adjoining
the turnpike road from Tynemouth to Newcastle. July 14th, 1821,
this elegant Gothic edifice was opened with great solemnity by the
Right Rev. Thomas Smith, bishop of Bolina, and vicar apostolic of
the northern district, assisted by a number of Catholic clergymen.
An excellent sermon was preached by the Rev. Thomas Gillow, to
a crowded audience, who had been admitted by ticket, exhibiting a
cross and the rising sun. Mr. Gillow who still presides over this
chapel, is a highly respected clergyman. See Aug. 22nd, 1830.
July 4. A blast took place on board the Fly, Brown, of Ely,
which had just been laden with coals at Mr. Brandling's staith, on
the river Tyne. The hatches were fastened down about eight
o'clock at night, and about half-past eleven, the master having
been writing in his cabin, the inflammable gas from the coal having
found its way from the hold, ignited at his candle as he was going
to bed, and exploded. The master was seriously scorched; his
bed-curtains were set on fire ; the hatches were burst open, and a
boat which was upon them thrown off. Two planks on the deck
were blown up. The other men on board were in bed and received
no hurt, except the mate who was thrown out of bed, and his toes
a little burnt, and his whiskers singed off. The cat also lost her
whiskers, and was much singed. These accidents are occasioned
by immediately fastening down the hatches upon a cargo of fresh
A.D. 1817.] REMARKABLE EVENTS- 107
coals, which emit the gas for some time after they are raised from
the mine.
1817 (July 10J. Died, at Northumberland House, London, the
most noble Hugh Percy, duke' of Northumberland, unrivalled for
goodness of heart, friendship, munificence, and princely protection.
For 53 years he adorned the military profession, both at home and
abroad ; and, as a statesman, tempered the love of his sovereign
with the love of the just rights of the people. He was the father of
his tenantry, who gratefully perpetuated his memory by a stately
column. During the late war, the Percy Tenantry volunteer
artillery, cavalry, and riflemen, were clothed, paid, and in every
respect maintained in arms, at the sole expense of this patriotic
nobleman. His grace's titles and offices were, Hugh Percy, duke
of Northumberland, Earl Percy, Baron Warkworth, of Warkworth
Castle, Baron Percy, Lucy, Poynings, Fitzpane, Bryan, and Lati-
mer, a baronet, a general in the army, knight of the garter, lord
lieutenant and vice-admiral of Northumberland and Newcastle upon
Tyne, and constable of Launceston Castle, F.R.S. and F.S.A.
His grace was in the 75th year of his age. The following month,
on account of his grace's death, eleven elegant banners, coat of
mail, sword and shield, &c , were placed in Alnwick church.
July 14. Died, near Wolviston, Durham, Mrs. Mary Stephen-
son, widow, aged 104 years. Her mother died at the age of 108 ;
a sister at 107, another sister at 105, and a brother at the age of
97 years.
July 18. Died, in St. Andrew's poor-house, Newcastle, Anne
Moulter, aged 102 years.
July 19. Died, at Bishopwearmouth, Thomas Morrison, aged
102 years.
July 25. Died, at Hartley, in her 106th year, Mrs. Margaret
Lowery, who enjoyed excellent health till within a few hours of
her death, with faculties unimpaired. About twenty years before,
she was nearly blind, but she recovered her eyesight, which
remained strong and clear to the last.
-August 14. Died, at Darlington, Isabella Burnsides, aged 104
years.
September 25. An explosion took place in Jarrow colliery, by
which unfortunate event six men lost their lives.
October 11. The committee of the coal trade of the rivers Tyne
and "Wear, and the several subscribers to the superb service of
plate, which had been for some time preparing as a tribute of
gratitude to Sir Humphry Davy, for his invaluable discovery of
the safety lamp, with several of their friends, assembled at the
Queen's Head inn, to partake of a dinner given to that distinguished
philosopher on the presentation of the plate. John George Lambton
esq., M. P., for the county of Durham, was called to the chair.
About sixty gentlemen sat down to dinner, which was of the most
sumptuous kind. The meeting broke up -about eleven o'clock.
May 29th, 1829, Sir Humphry Davy died at Geneva, where he
had arrived the day before, of an attack of apoplexy.
10 g HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1817.
1817 (Oct 15). An immense whale was found at sea, by the
fishermen belonging to North Sunderland, when, after great exer-
tion, they succeeded in towing it ashore, at North Sunderland pier,
where it lay some time for the inspection of the curious. .
November 3. An explosion took place in Ouston colliery, near
Chester- le-Street, by which a man named John Turnbull lost his
life, and three others were severely burnt.
November 8. On the receipt of the intelligence in Newcastle, of
the death of the Princess Charlotte, the great bell of St. Nicholas,
and the bells of all the other churches tolled heavily for an hour,
and the flag of the castle was displayed half-staff high ; many of
the ships in the harbour made a similar mournful display. At Dur-
ham, the bells of St. Nicholas' church rung a mournful peal, and
the great bell of the cathedral was also tolled for a considerable
time. At North and South Shields the bells of the churches rung
muflled peals, and the ships displayed their mourning. The flags on
Cliff ord's-fort and Tynemouth castle, were also hoisted in mourning.
November 19th being the day when the mortal remains of this most
beloved princess were to be consigned to the cold and silent tomb, it
was observed in Newcastle with every mark of solemnity and sorrow.
At sun rise, on the signal of a gun from the castle, a muffled peal
was slowly rung on the bells of St. Nicholas, and the other churches,
and the flags of the castle and the ships in the harbour were
hoisted half-mast high. All the shops were closed, and business
of every kind suspended. Divine service was performed at the
several churches in the morning, and was most numerously attended.
The mayor and corporation passed in slow procession to St.
Nicholas' church, where also the several lodges of free masons in
that town and Gateshead assembled, properly attired in black,
with hatbands and white gloves, to join in the mournful service
of the day ; the church was exceedingly crowded. The pulpit,
reading desks, &c., were all hung with black cloth. After service,
the church bells tolled heavily for a considerable time, and at sun-
set, another mournful peal closed the sad observance of the day.
At Gateshead church, there was also service in the evening, when
an effecting sermon was preached by the Rev. Christopher Benson,
of Newcastle. This mournful event was similarly observed at all
the other towns. She died Nov. Gth, 1817.
November. Died, at Matfen, in Northumberland, John Arm-
strong, game-keeper to Sir Edward Blackett, bart., in his 101st
year. He retained all his faculties to the last.
December 3. The awful sentence of the law was carried into
execution against Charles Smith, for the wilful murder of Charles
Stuart. About ten o'clock the procession moved from the gaol to
the gallows, which was erected on the Town-moor, Newcastle, a
little north of the barracks, on the opposite side of the road.
When arrived at the gallows, he, in a firm and impressive manner,
addressed the spectators at some length, denying his having shed
the blood of Stuart, and stating that he forgave all who had
appeared against him. After joining in prayer with the Roman
A.D. 1818.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 109
Catholic clergyman (Rev. Mr. Worswick), he was launched into
eternity. His body was afterwards taken to the Surgeons' Hall
for dissection. He had been respited from the 18th August.
1817 (Dec. 14). Died, at Hexham, Mrs. Margaret Davison,
aged 102 years.
December 18. An explosion of inflammable air took place in the
Plain Pit at Rainton colliery, when twenty-seven persons (eleven
men and sixteen boys) lost their lives ; the accident took place a
short time before all the workmen had descended to their work';
had it occurred a little time later, there would have been upwards
of 160 men and boys in the pit, most of whom, it is probable "would
have perished.
This year, Mr. Grey, of Millfield Hill, found near the traces of
an ancient encampment, a short distance from Flodden Hill, a
tumulus, which, on removing, exhibited a very singular sepulchre.
In the centre a large urn was found, but in a thousand pieces. It
had either been broken to pieces by the stones falling upon it
when digging, or had gone to pieces on the admission of the air.
This urn was surrounded by a number of cells formed of flat
stones in the shape of graves, but too small to hold the body in its
natural state. These sepulchral recesses contained nothing except
ashes, or dust of the same kind as that in the urn.
This year, Gilesgate moor, Durham (270 acres), was divided.
The marquis and marchioness of Londonderry, had one sixteenth
allotted as lord and lady of the manor, and reserved the mines.
This year, died at Rushyford, Durham, Mrs. Mary Young, aged
101 years.
1818 (Jan. 10). A savings' bank was opened at Newcastle, and
upwards of 300 paid in by between 60 and 70 depositors.
In the evening of the same day, a partial lighting of the gas
lights took place in such of the shops in Newcastle as had com-
pleted their arrangements. The lamps in Mosley-street were not
lighted till the 13th (Tuesday evening), when a great crowd
witnessed their first lighting up, and a loud cheer was given by
the boys, as the flame was applied to each burner.'
January 12. A numerous and most respectable party of gentle-
men dined together at the Assembly Rooms, in Newcastle (Charles
John Brandling, esq., of Gosforth, in the chair), on the occasion
of presenting a piece of plate (a tankard of large dimensions) to
Mr. George Stephenson, for the service rendered to science and
humanity by the invention of his safety lamp. This, added to a
former donation of the coal trade at large, amonnted to nearly
1,000.
February 8. Died, in the workhouse at Bishop Auckland,
Hannah Robinson, aged 103 years.
February 12. Died, at Haggerstojie, in Northumberland,
Thomas Ewart, aged 101 years.
February 14. Died, at Sunderland, Mrs. Mary Usher, aged
101 years.
February 15. The chapel of St. Andrew's, at North Shields,
HO HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1818.
was first opened for service, by the Rev. John Wilson, A.M., after
the solemn Presbyterian form of Scotland. The foundation stone
of this chapel was laid in June, 1817.
1818 (Feb. 18;. Died, at North Shields, Jane Macdonald, aged
101 vcftrs
February 21. Died, in Sunderland Old Road, in the chapelry
of Heworth, at three o'clock in the morning, Hannah, aged 100
years, wife of James Bell, and at nine the same morning, James
Bell, her husband, aged 103 years. He had been indisposed for
some time ; and a few days previous to his dissolution, his wife
observed to him, that he would not live long, but that she would
go before him, which she did as above stated ; without any
previous illness, she complained of being sick and expired Their
youngest daughter aged 68, attended them during their last
moments.
March 10. When the workmen were digging the foundation of a
circular addition to the north side of the church at Bedlington, they
discovered three monumental stones, on which were cut out a sword,
the cross of which was decorated with ribbons, and human figures.
One one stone was inscribed " Orapro nobis " The bones of a human
being were also found close to the buttress, of the steeple. They
were supposed to be the remains of Cuthbert Watson, a noted
somnambulist. On February 14th, 1669, he rose in his sleep, and
wandering to the church, climbed up the buttress on the north side
of the steeple. A person passing at the time, being alarmed for
his safety, called to poor Watson, who awoke, fell, and was killed
on the spot. This story is verified by tradition, the parish register,
and the date cut upon the buttress, called u Watson's Wake"
March 24. Died, in the Keelmen's hospital, Newcastle, Ann
Hamilton, aged 100 years.
Same day, a large floating dock, belonging to Mr. Farrington,
ship-builder, was launched from his yard at Sandgate Shore, New-
castle, in the presence of many hundreds of spectators.
March 27. A grand masonic procession took place from Mr.
Smith's, the Anchor inn, at Wooler, which was met by a deputation
of the trustees, elders, and others of the congregation of Protestant
Dissenters of the West chapel, thie Rev. Mr. Mitchell, minister,
and proceeded to the site fixed upon for a new meeting-house,
where the foundation-stone was laid by Mr. Richard Jobson. Under
the stone were deposited in a sealed bottle, various coins of George
III., and a roll of parchment containing a list of the presiding
officers of the society and the lodges, after which, an appropriate
oration was delivered by brother Joseph Armstrong.
In the spring of this year, a part of the south wall of Barnard
castle fell. It battered in the roof of a house, and a man at work
in a saw pit below was providentially preserved by a tree falling
across it.
April 15. At the anniversary meeting of the Royal Humane
Society, holden at the London Tavern, his royal highness the
duke of Sussex, president of the society, delivered the honorary
A.D. 1818.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. Ill
medallion to John Davison, esq., of Bishopwearmouth, for his in-
vention of the improved Sunderland life-boat. His royal highness
in addressing Mr. Davison, observed the society had been highly
pleased with the life-boat, the principle of which his royal highness
explained to the numerous party assembled. He also stated that
the society were much gratified by Mr. D's being present to
receive the medal in person, and he further observed as one of
the royal family, they were deeply interested in every invention
that tended to preserve the- lives of his majesty's subjects, and
condescendingly added, in presenting the medal to Mr. Davison,
that he had well deserved it.
1818 (May 2). A fire broke out in the Hartford, London
trader, Captain James Otway, belonging to Mr. Robson, wharfin-
ger, of Newcastle. She was lying near the cinder kilns, on the
south side of the Tyne ; and about one o'clock on the morning,
the alarm of fire was given by the mate and his wife, who, with
a boy, were the only persons on board. Two engines from neigh-
bouring glass-houses were not long in arriving at the place, and
about four o'clock, one of the engines from the Newcastle fire
office, proceeded down the river in a wherry. Every exertion was
made to prevent the progress of the fire. The vessel was scuttled,
but being in shallow water, she of course sunk very little, At
one time the flames issued through the skylight, set fire to the
trysail, and would certainly have destroyed all the rigging, had not
a man instantly cut away the lanyards on one side of the vessel,
which caused the mainmast to fall overboard. Notwithstanding
these efforts, the fire continued to rage in the cabin (where it
originated), and the after part of the hold till six o'clock, and
consequently did considerable damage to the vessel, as well as
destroying everything on board belonging to the captain and the
crew ; fortunately no goods were on board. A new cable was
found lying coiled, apparently as perfect as when first laid into
the vessel, but upon being touched, fell into dust. William Lamb,
who was employed at the Tyne Glass-house, unfortunately fell
down the hatchway ; it was not long before he was brought up
with a hook, but life had fled ; he left a widow and five children,
for whom a subscription was set on foot.
May 11. Died, in Northumberland Square, North Shields, Mr.
Robert Wilkinson, librarian to the Public Subscription Library,
Howard-street, aged 48 years. He was well skilled in the
mathematics, as many of his productions in the Diaries and other
publications, will testify. His calculations, often made without
putting pen to paper, were very astonishing. He was also a poet
of no mean celebrity. In short, in him were combined some of
the rarest qualities of the human mind. Mr. Wilkinson was a
native of Northumberland.
May 30. Died, at his house in Welbeck-street, Cavendish-
square, London, in the 54th year of his age, William Burdon,
esq., of Hartford-house, in Northumberland, a gentleman of great
literary attainments. Mr. Burdon was a native of Newcastle, and
112 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [>.D. 1818.
educated at the Free Grammar-school there, from whence he was
sent to Emanuel college, Cambridge, where he obtained a fellowship.
Mr. Burdon was designed for the church, but on reading the early
history of Christianity, he came to the conclusion of not entering
into priest's orders, and he resigned his fellowship in 1796. After
his retirement from the university, a number of curious and valuable
works proceeded from his fertile pen. his' publications were
"Three Letters addressed to the Bishop of Llandaff. Cambridge,
1795," "Life and Character of Buonaparte" "Examination of the
Pursuits of Literature" ^Materials for Thinking" 2 vols., 8vo.,
"Letters on the A/airs of Spain " "Thoughts on Politics, Morality,
and Literature" "A. Vindication of Pope and Grattan" "Treatise on
the Privileges of the House of Commons" and several miscellaneous
essays and papers in the periodical publications of the day. For
some years, a small swelling had affected his thigh ; this increasing,
and occasioning an intense and unremitting pain, he removed to
London in 1817, for the purpose of an operation ; the consequence
was, that the thigh was amputated close to the trunk of the body.
In two months he was able to take an airing in his carriage,
although he was never free from pain. About the middle of May
he gradually relapsed, and found great difficulty in breathing,
attended with spasms, and expired as above stated.
1818 (June 2). The Society of Arts presented the silver medal
and ten guineas to Mr. John Common, of Denwick, near Alnwick,
for his invention of a double-drill turnip sower. He was also pre-
sented with thirty guineas from the Highland Society for this
invention. The following curious account of this tm-Common family
may be interesting : Mr. Common's family have been remarkable
for stature, strength, longevity, and cleverness. His great-grand-
father, Thomas, lived until he was above 110 years of age. Some
time before his death, which happened at Dunsheugh, he got a new
set of teeth. He left seven sons ; one of them, named Andrew,
measured 27 inches across the shoulders, and frequently went to
Alnwick market from Thrunton, with a stick over his shoulder, to
which a boll of peas was suspended. Robert, another son, seized
two men who were assaulting his master at Warkworth Barns, and,
carrying one of them under each arm, ran and threw them both
into the Coquet. Being present when a party of men were trying
theirjstrength by throwing an axe towards a house at High Buston,
he joined in the sport ; but instead of throwing it towards the
house, he threw it over it. There was another son, named Matthew,
possessed of uncommon strength. At one time he leaped forwards
and backwards over a yoke of oxen in Alnwick streets. Thomas,
the youngest, Mr. Common's grandfather, was the least, yet he
weighed fourteen stones. He had two sons, Thomas, and Robert
Mr. Common's father. They were both ingenious mechanics and
noted pugilists. Thomas excelled in the erection of windmills and
steam-engines ; and Robert, in making winnowing machines on an
economical plan. He made some improvements in the construction
of ploughs, and invented the bonnet maker's mangle. He also
A.T). 1818.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 113
performed well on the bagpipes and violin, both of which instru-
ments he made himself. YVhen a boy, he was severely corrected
by his father, for standing upon his head on the steeple of Shil-
bottle church. His eldest son, Thomas, is now an eminent mill-
wright at Quebec. William, another son, carries on the same
business in Buston, his native place. He possesses a portion of
the nerve and agility of his forefathers, as he can leap through a
hoop two feet in diameter, while a tall man holds it above his head.
His brother, Mr. John Common (from whom these particulars were
obtained), when a youth, stood upon his head on the highest tower
of "Warkworth castle. He performed the same feat on the edge of
the grate of Brislee tower, and on the stern-piece of a boat while
agitated on the water. He has also laid his hands on a board the
height of his chin, sprung up, and rested upon his head. He has
likewise walked upon his elbows on level ground, and upon his
hands on the battlement of Warkworth bridge, and the highest
part of Eshott-hall! About the time that King James I. mounted
the English throne, one of this wonderful family farmed the Free-
stone Barn, near Whittingham, and tradition records how boldly
he fought with a party of moss-troopers who had stolen his cattle.
John, the brother of Mr. Common's great-grandfather before men-
tioned, lived until he was 115 years old ; and Peter, another bro-
ther, until he exceeded his 132nd year. He died at Rugly, about
ninety years ago. This patriarch was casting flags on Hazon moor,
when a Mr. Lisle rode up, and demanded to know by whose au-
thority he worked there ? "I have cast flags here by times," said
Peter, "above a hundred years, and no man ever asked me the
question before." " Cast on while you live," replied the gentle-
man, throwing him half-a-crown ; ' I will never forbid you."
John, while serving at Titlington, was seized by a party of soldiers,
whom his master, in a joke, had sent to take him ; but he defended
himself so resolutely with the spade, that the poor fellows were
glad to effect their escape. His eye-sight remained unimpaired to
the last ; so that a few days before he died, while lying in bed, he
could read a printed paper that was pasted up at some distance
upon the wall of his room. He was buried at Warkworth.
1818 (July 18J. A tremendous fall of rain, called by the country
people a water-spout, fell upon Davyshield Common, and caused
the rivulet which passes Otterburn to overflow its banks, carrying
away potatoes, turnips, corn, &c. The rise was so rapid that most
of the inhabitants of the village of Otterburn were compelled to
quit their houses for safety ; the women and children were carried
off upon the men's shoulders. In a few minutes all was confusion
and desolation. Scarcely an inhabitant of the village west of the
bridge, but was a sufferer more or less. The scene was truly
awful swine, hay, dunghills covered with poultry, and various
utensils of husbandry, all driven off by the flood.
July 28. A new burial-ground, which had been added to the
church yard at Sunderland, was consecrated by the lord bishop of
Oxford.
VOL. II. Q
jj.l HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A. D. 1818.
118 (July 28;. Died, at the pin manufactory, Durham, Mrs.
Catherine Kichardby, aged 102 years.
Juli/ 30. The additional cemetery, adjoining bt. Andrews
church-yard, in Newcastle, was consecrated by the lord bishop of
Oxford, amidst nn immense concourse of spectators.
",/,,/y 31. His imperial highness the grand duke Michael brother
to the emperor of Russia, accompanied by his suite, arrived
at the Bridge inn, Sunderland. They were soon after waited upon
by the Rev. Dr. Gray, whom they accompanied to the rectory,
where they took refreshment. They afterwards inspected the iron
bridge, patent ropery, burracks, exchange, &c., and took an excur-
sion up the river Wear in a boat. During the time of the grand
duke's visit at Sunderland, a guard of honour was placed at his
door. Next morning, his imperial highness and suite left Sunder-
land for Newcastle. They soon after paid a visit to the Royal
Jubilee school, where they were received by the committee and
the master the boys who had broken up for the harvest holidays
the day before having been expressly assembled. After staying
here a short while, the party paid a visit to the low glass-houses and
Heaton colliery. Next morning they left Newcastle for Alnwick
castle, where they were engaged to dine with the duke of North-
umberland. On their arrival, his highness was received on the
steps of the principal entrance by their graces the duke and duchess
of Northumberland, and immediately upon his alighting, the band
struck up" God save the King" and a salute of 21 guns was fired.
This month, a large painting (seventeen by seven feet), by Tin-
toretto, of our Saviour washing the apostles' feet, presented to
St. Nicholas' church, Newcastle, by Sir M. W. Ridley, bart., was
placed at his expense above the altar-table, the church having
undergone a thorough repair and cleaning.
August 1. The lord bishop of Oxford consecrated a piece of
ground which was added to the cemetery of Berwick church.
August 4. The mayor and corporation of Newcastle, attended
by the proper officers, waited upon the duke of Northumberland
(whilst on a visit to Newcastle), and presented to him the freedom
of that town, which they had previously voted to him. After the
presentation of the freedom, the bells of St. Nicholas' church
struck up a merry peal, and a salute was fired from the guns on
the castle.
A vjitst 5. An explosion of inflammable air took place in Wall's
End colliery, by which four men lost their lives. This is the only
explosion that has been known to have happened at the Davy
lamp. It occurred as follows: Two men and two boys were work-
ing in an explosive mixture. One of the men extinguished his
Davy in trimming it, and sent one of the boys to the " stationary"
light, in a safe part of the mine, to get it relighted. The boy,
returning with it in haste, fell when near to the man to whom he
was carrying it, and falling with the lamp upon the corner of a
cast-iron tram-plate, burst a hole in the wire gauze cylinder of the
lamp, and the explosion instantly took place. The man survived
A.D. 1818.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 115
a few hours, and told Mr. Buddie the circumstance, who took up
the Davy on the spot where the boy was killed, and found it in
the state described.
WARK CHURCH.
1818 (August 8, 9, 10;. The lord bishop of Oxford, as the
representative of the late venerable prelate (Harrington) of the
diocese, consecrated the three new churches and cemeteries for
the new parishes of Thorneyburn, Grey stead, and Wark, which
had been erected within the extensive parish and rectory of
Simonburn, in Northumberland, which became, on the death of
the Eev. Dr. Scott,* the former incumbent, separated into six
distinct rectories and parishes, viz. : Simonburn, Wark, Belling-
ham, Thorneyburn, Falstone, and Greystead. On the llth,
his lordship also consecrated the new chapel and cemetery at
Humshaugh, as a chapel of ease and additional cemetery to the
parish of Simonburn. The above new churches and chapel were
built by the commissioners and governors of Greenwich hospital,
who are the patrons of Simonburn, and of the several above new
rectories and parishes. After the conclusion of the consecration
of Thorneyburn church and cemetery, his lordship proceeded to
Falstone, where he consecrated the ground for the additional
cemetery to Falstone churchyard.
August. M. Cottu, the French judge who tried Sir Robert
"Wilson, and Messrs. Bruce and Hutchinson, for aiding the escape
of Lav alette, attended on the northern circuit, being sent by the
French government to observe and report the British mode of
administering justice, particularly as regarded the rules of evidence
and reception of proofs. The French judge appeared to be very
attentive to the proceedings.
September 24. About four o'clock in the afternoon an alarming
fire broke out in Hexham Abbey, the seat of T. W. Beaumont,
esq., M.P. for Northumberland. The building was in the form of
* See December 10th, 1814, page 86.
116 HISTORICAL REGISPEK OF [A.D. 1818.
a quadrangle, the whole of the south and west sides of which, and
part also of the north side, were entirely consumed. About seven
, k, the roofs fell in with a tremendous crash. About eight
o'clock, an express arrived in Newcastle, requesting the assistance
of the engines belonging to the Newcastle Fire-office, which
were consequently dispatched with the greatest expedition. The
engines arrived at llexham between one and two o'clock, when
the ruins were still in flames, but a plentiful supply of water being
at hand, the engines were immediately set to work, and soon
succeeded in extinguishing them. The damage was said to be
about 10,000. There was little wind at the time, and it
fortunately was from the south-east, to which providential circum-
stance was attributed the preservation of the venerable church,
which is close adjoining to the east side of the Abbey.
1818 (Oct. II). As Joseph Madelen, a miner, employed in
South Moor colliery, in the county of Durham was hewing at a
solid stratum of coal, about six feet in thickness, and thirteen
fathoms from the surface of the earth, he found a frog enclosed
in the solid mass, which, immediately on being liberated, began
to exercise the functions of animal life. The recess in the coal
in which it was found, was exactly fitted to its body, and had
apparently no communication whatever with the surface of the
block. The animal was exactly the colour of the coal, but on
being put into a vessel of water, its sooty covering disappeared,
and it appeared speckled like the rest of its species.
October 30. The workmen of Collingwood Main colliery, in
cutting through part of the lands at Chirton, near North Shields,
for a water level, came to the remains of a human body, enclosed
in flag-stones set upon their edges, about four feet below the
surface, and covered over by others of a similar description.
Only a skull and two or three mutilated bones were found, which,
on being exposed to the air, crumbled into dust; the bottom of
the iuclosure contained nothing else, except some white sand.
This month, died at Hatheruick, in Northumberland, Mrs.
Potts, in the 104th year of her age.
. His imperial highness the archduke Maximillian,
cousin to the emperor of Russia, with his suite, on their tour to the
north, honoured North Shields and Tynemouth with their presence.
Accompanied by Nicholas Fairless, esq., and other gentlemen, he
visited the ancient priory and fortifications of Tynemouth, the
North Shields Subscription Library, and the various manufactories,
and expressed himself highly gratified, particularly with Mr. Flinn's
improved harpoon guns, whale lances, and other instruments used
in the Greenland Ii>hery. The same evening, his imperial highness
and suite arrived at the Queen's Head inn, Newcastle, and on the
following day visited several of the collieries on the north side of
the Tyne, below the bridge, attended by William Clark, esq., of
iJniton, and Captain Morgan. They also examined St. Nicholas'
id otlier objects of curiosity in that town. On the 5th,
they left Newcastle for Alnwick castle, on their way to Scotland.
A.I>. 1818.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 117
1818 (Nov. 10). On the morning, John and Lancelot Young-
husband, brothers, and very respectable farmers at Heckley Grange,
near Alnvvick, the one about 70 years of age and the other 60, left
their house between the hours of nine and ten o'clock ; when one
of them went to give instructions to a boy ploughing in the field,
the other brother approached, and asked, " Are you ready ? "
Being answered in the affirmative, they left the field together.
Their long absence from home created alarm, and servants were
sent to search for them, when they were discovered within a few
yards of each other, each having his throat cut, and a razor near
his body. A watch was also found beside one of them, from which
it was inferred that they had resolved to die at the same moment.
A jury held an inquest, and after several adjournments, returned
a verdict of Felo de se. The farming stock and utensils were then
valued., and the bodies were buried at midnight, in cross roads near
the church. This not being considered a sufficient compliance with
the terms of the statute, an order was given by the magistrates to
the churchwardens, that the sentence of the law should be carried
strictly into execution. The bodies were accordingly taken up,
and buried again, amidst a great concourse of people, in a highway
near Hinding-lane, not far from the spot where they committed
the fatal act.
November 16. A numerous and respectable meeting of the in-
habitants of Bishopwearmouth aud Sunderland, and their vicinities,
was holden at the Exchange Buildings, Sunderland, (the Rev. Dr.
Gray in the chair) to consider of the expediency of establishing an
Infirmary at Sunderland. January 10th, 1822, the foundation
stone was laid by the right honourable Lord Stewart, now marquis
of Londonderry.
November 28. Died, at Bishopwearmouth, in his 45th year,
George Wilson Meadley, esq. Mr. Meadley wrote " Memoirs of
Dr. Paley" 8vo. ; he was also the author of " Memoirs of Algernon
Sydney," 8vo., &c., &c. His remains were followed to the grave
by the president of the Sunderland Library (of which he was one
of the founders), and a very large party of the subscribers and
other gentlemen.
November. Died, at Monckton, in the county of Durham,
Elizabeth Clark, aged 103 years.
This month, the entire skeleton of a woman was found in a bog,
which was draining, on a farm in the parish of Monk Hesledon,
near Castle Eden. The brain was in a considerable state of pre-
servation. The skeleton was much bent in the middle, as if thrust
by force into the bog. No appearance of clothes remained.
December 2. Being the day appointed for the funeral of her late
majesty, Queen Charlotte, the same was observed in Newcastle
with every mark of mourning. and respect. All business was sus-
pended, the shops being universally shut. The flag of the castle
was hoisted half-staff high, and the flags of all the ships in the river
were displayed half-mast high. Slow muffled peals were rung upon
the bells of the several churches, at different times during the day,
US HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1819.
and the great bell of St. Nicholas' tolled very slowly from one till
two o'clock. At sunset, minute guns were fired from the guns of
the castle, for the space of one hour, each gun being followed by a
solemn toll of the bell of St. Nicholas'. The usual service was
performed in the churches on the morning. Her majesty died
November 17th, at Kew Palace, in the 75th year of her age.
1819 (Jan. 10). Died, at Throckley, in Northumberland, Mr.
Alder Penman, aged upwards of 100 years.
February 7. Died, in All Saints' poor-house, in Newcastle,
Margaret Purvis, in her 100th year. She was the mother of the
famous >n*ici<in, William Purvis, better known by the name of
Blind Willie, never having had the use of sight, who is in the same
poor-house, and who has travelled the streets of Newcastle, time
out of mind, without a covering upon his head. Several attempts
have been made, by presenting him with a hat, to induce him to
wear one, but after having suffered it for a day or two, it is thrown
aside, and the minstrel again becomes uncovered, preferring the
exposure of his pate to " the pelting of the pitiless storm." A
bard of the Tyne has declared, that should he survive, he will com-
pose a solemn dirge on the death of Blind Willie, as he considers
him the most worthy and harmless of all the Newcastle eccentrics,
and therefore he ought to be placed at the head of them. New-
castle has had another blind minstrel. See January 7th, 1749, vol.
i., page 189. There is an engraved whole-length of Blind Willie,
published by John Sykes.
February 12. Died, at Hawkhill, Northumberland, David Wat-
son, aged 102 years.
February 15. Died, at Longhorsley, Northumberland, Mrs.
Alary White, aged 102 years.
February 28. Died, at Lumley near Chester -le-Street, Eleanor
Turner, aged 100 years.
March 22. Jonathan Raine, esq., arrived in the city of Durham,
and opened his commission for holding a general gaol delivery in
the four northern counties. March 27, he arrived in Newcastle,
and opened his commission in the town and county courts. These
were the first spring assizes held north of York.
April 12. George Atcheson, aged 67, was executed in front
of the new County Courts at Durham, for a rape on the body of
Isabella llamshaw, a child under ten years of age. From the time
of his condemnation to the period of his execution, he was very
penitent, and often expressed a wish that his untimely end might
be a warning to others, and deter them from a commission of such
a crime as an ignorant course of life had led him to.
April 1 i. The execution of Joseph Charlton, aged 24 years,
for an unnatural crime, took place at Morpeth. He was conducted
from the gaol to the place of execution in a chaise, when he ascended
the platform with great firmness, but very penitent, and after
spending some minutes in prayer, he was launched into eternity.
After his body had hung the usual time, it was cut down and de-
livered to his friends. On the arrival of the hearse with the body
A.I). 1819.] IlEMAIJKABLE EVENTS. 119
at Earsden, four miles from Tynemouth, it was met by near 1,000
people, and by the time of its arrival at Tynemoutb priory, the con-
course had increased to upwards of 2,000, yet great order was pre-
served. It was half-past eight o'clock at night when the proces-
sion reached the grave, in which it was deposited, with decent so-
lemnity, by candle light.
1819 (April 15). An elegant masked ball and supper took
place at the Assembly Rooms, in Newcastle. From the prepara-
tions made by the committee, the entertainment was supposed
never to have been surpassed in any provinicial town. The cos-
tumes were superb, and the characters were supported with great
judgment and spirit.
April 24:* Died, at his house, at Chimney-mills, on the Leazes,
near Newcastle, Mr. John Mitchell, editor and printer of the Tyne
Mercury, aged 47 years. April 27th, his remains were interred at
the foot of the garden of his residence. The procession was con-
ducted in the usual manner, and a numerous assemblage of friends
attended the body to the grave. Before the principal part of the
funeral service, which was read in a most impressive manner,
from the reformed liturgy of Dr. Lindsey, by the Rev. William
Turner, of Hanover Square chapel, that gentleman delivered the
following explanatory address: "Friends and Fellow Christians,
We are here assembled to discharge the last offices to the me-
mory of our departed friend. If any should enquire into the rea-
sons why we are called upon to do it in this place, rather than
according to the customary mode of the country in which we live,
I am desired by the family to state, that our friend always expressed
the strongest reluctance to disturb the living with the remains of
the dead, by crowding with them our churches and church yards,
and the most populous parts of our towns ; and that he was often
shocked at the little respect paid to those very remains, when he
saw them lying promiscuously around the newly-opened graves ;
and as it appears from several remarkable passages that the scrip-
tures authorize family burial places, and that particularly in gardens,
he was anxious to imitate this primitive custom ; himself made
this express preparation for it,* and earnestly charged his family
to comply with this his last request. However, therefore, we may,
any of us, regret this departure from ordinary custom, or be led to
question, in other respects, its prudence or propriety, I persuade
myself these reasons will sufficiently acquit him of having directed
it through any disregard to religion, or disrespect to the institutions
of his country (I know that he firmly believed the religion of
Jesus Christ, and thought its dictates, precepts, and promises,
the most valuable gift of God to man, however imperfectly he
might himself observe them and which of us but observes them
very imperfectly !) especially when I add, that it was his desire
that his interment might be accompanied by some religious service.
This it has fallen to my lot to conduct, and I have endeavoured to
* He had planted a spot of ground with laburnums, lilacs, and other trees
in the centre of which he desired his remains might be deposited.
120 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1819.
make it as conformable as I consistently could with the form
appointed by our established church. Agreeably to that form, we
will now proceed to commit the remains of our friend to the silent
abode which he has chosen for himself." Mr. Evelyn in his "Sylva"
lias very justly observed, " That there is no place more fit to bury
our dead in than groves and gardens, where our beds may be
decked and carpeted with verdant and fragrant flowers, trees, and
perennial plants, the most natural and instructive hieroglyphics of
our resurrection and immortality."
1819 (April 27). The foundation stone of a bridge over the
river Wear, near Lambton-hall, built by J. G. Lambton, esq.,
M.P (now Lord Durham), was laid on the south side of the river.
It was completed September 27th the same year. The bridge, a
simple elegant design by Bonomi, consists of a single arch, of
which the span is 82 feet 6 inches.
May 25. Died, at Nesham, near Darlington, Frances Water,
a pauper, in her 101st year.
May 29. Died, at North Shields, Mrs. Elizabeth Grey, aged
104 years.
j une 4. Died, John Bailey, esq., of Chillingham, Northumber-
land, aged 68 years. He was the son of Mr. William Bailey, of
Blades Field, near Bowes in the county of York. Mr. Bailey
shewed a taste for drawing very early in life, and was patronized
and assisted in his pursuits, both in drawing and in mathematical
studies by the late George Dixon, of Cockfield, who was his uncle
by marriage. He was employed when a young man by Mr. Dixon
as tutor to his children, during which time he employed himself in
his leisure hours in drawing and engraving many pieces which bear
his name. He never followed engraving as a sole occupation. Mr.
Dixon was a very ingenious man a good mathematician, a minera-
logist, a painter, an engraver, a great experimentalist in chemistry,
hydraulics, and pneumatics, and also an excellent land-surveyor,
and most beautiful planner. No doubt Mr. Bailey profitted largely
in his scientific knowledge by living under the roof of his relation.
Mr. Bailey, after attending to the education of his cousins, practised
land-surveying, and for a short time was mathematical teacher
under the Rev. John Farrer, at Witton-le-Wear. He there married
the daughter of Nicholas Greenwell, esq., and shortly afterwards
became Lord Tankerville's land-agent at Chillingham, which he
continued to the time of his death. He at the same time did a
great deal of business as a general land-agent and surveyor, and
few men have greater claims to the gratitude of posterity for the
many lasting improvements in rural economy planned and executed
by him. Mr. Bailey engraved several of the plates of Hutchinson's
topographical works ; he was also the author of an " Essay on the
Construction of the Plough," 8vo., and joint writer with Mr. Culley
of the Northumberland Report, drawn up for the Board of Agri-
culture. See May 7th, 1813, page 72.
June 7. Died, at Allenhcads, Northumberland, Mr. Peter Green,
aged 100 years.
A.I). 1810.] JIEMARKABLE EVENTS. 121
1819 (June). This month, as the sexton was digging a grave
in the burial ground within Tynernouth castle, his spade struck
against a stone coffin, which, on being examined, was found to
contain a perfect skeleton, the bones of which were covered with
leather, curiously cut and ornamented. On looking further,
another coffin of the same description was found, which also con-
tained a skeleton, but without the head. The bones of this latter
were defended and adorned with leather in the same way as the
other. The leather was sewed tight round the bones, and it v/as
therefore evident that the bodies had been anatomised before
interment.
July 18. Died, at North Shields, Mrs. Mary Ferguson, widow,
aged 105 years.
July 19. A terrible accident occurred at Sheriff -hill colliery,
near G-ateshead. After the hewers had left work, an explosion of
fire-damp took place, which unfortunately proved fatal to two men
and thirty-three boys who happened to be in that part of the mine.
This event occurred only half-an-hour before the pit was to have
finished its day's work, otherwise the loss would, in all probability,
have been more extensive. Upwards of twenty men and boys
were in other parts of the mine when the accident happened, but
fortunately escaped, a few only being slightly injured by the con-
cussion and after-damp.
August 1.4.- About five o'clock in the afternoon, his royal high-
ness Prince Leopold, accompanied by Baron Hardenbroke, Sir
Robert Gardiner, and Dr. Stockmar, arrived at the Queen's Head
inn, in Newcastle- A considerable concourse of people assembled
in front of the inn, and his highness repeatedly gratified their
curiosity by exhibiting himself at the windows. In the course of
the evening, he visited the Northumberland glass-house, and saw
the process of glass making ; he also visited the Assembly Rooms,
with which he expressed himself much gratified. On the following
morning (Sunday), his royal highness went to the house of William
Loraine, esq., near St. Nicholas' church, where he condescendingly
shewed himself at one of the windows to an immense number of
persons assembled in front of the house. It being assize Sunday,
as soon as the procession of the judges and corporate body had
passed, and they had taken their seats in the church, his highness,
accompanied by Sir William Scott (now Lord Stowell, who was
then on a visit to his relation, Joseph Forster, esq., mayor), and
followed by his suite, proceeded to St. Nicholas' church, which he
entered just before service commenced, and was conducted by Sir
William Scott to the corporation seat. The church was crowded
to excess, in expectation of his attendance ; and as he passed along
the aisle, both in going and coming out of church, he repeatedly
bowed to the company on each side. After service, his royal high-
ness proceeded to view the Guild-hall, from whence he went to
the Mansion-house, and on his way was saluted by the guns on the
castle. On his arrival at the Mansion-house, he was received in
form by the corporate body in their robes, and conducted into the
VOL. n. u
J92 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [<V.D. 1819.
interior, where his highness partook of a collation. His highness
.,ftc>r returned to the Queen's Head inn, and about half past
k li-ft Newcastle for Alnwiok castle, to dine with his grace
the duke of Northumberland. His royal highness arrived at
Berwick on Monday evening, about seven o'clock ; his approach
to that town was announced by a royal salute from the cannon on
tin- fortifications, and his entrance greeted by the ringing of bells.
During his short stay in Berwick, he was waited upon by the mayor
and magistrates, when the former presented him with the freedom
of the borough. His royal highness seemed much pleased with
his reception. Prince Leopold was the widowed husband of the
universally lamented Princess Charlotte. He is now king of
Belgium.
1810 (Avg. 16). John King, for the wilful murder of James
Hamilton, in the cabin of New-bottle colliery staith, during the
niizht of Sunday, the IGth of the preceding May, was executed
pursuant to his sentence, at the New Drop, in front of the courts,
in the city of Durham.
September 7. The first stone of a Presbyterian chapel was
laid at Thirston, near Felton, by Alexander Davison, esq., of Swar-
land, on a piece of ground generously granted by that gentleman,
who also liberally subscribed 40 to aid in the erection of the said
chapel. On this occasion, the Rev. George Atkin, of Morpeth,
prayed, and an address was delivered by the Rev. Alexander Hoy.
September 23. On the morning, a fire broke out in the dwelling
house of Mr. Young, of \Yestoe, near South Shields, which, in a
short time, destroyed the whole fabric.
This month, in digging to make gas tanks, at the Low Lights,
near North Shields, in a place called the Salt Marsh, in Pow
Dean, at the depth of twelve feet six inches from the surface, the
workmen came to a framing of large oak beams, black as ebony,
pinned together with wooden pins or tree-nails ; the whole resem-
bling a wharf or pier, whither ships drawing nine or ten feet water
had come. Mussel-shells lay under an artificial spread or coating
of fine clay, as in the bed of a river. Julius Agricola, about the
83rd year of the Christian era, had his fleet in the river Tyne ; but
tradition says he moored them in the brook Don, near where Jar-
row church now stands ; he may have also moored some of them
in this place (opposite to the Roman station, near South Shields),
as it has been a secure estuary at the mouth of the Pow Burn,
girirded from the sea by a peninsula of clay and sandy land, now
called the Prior's Point, whereon Clifford's Fort was built in 1672.
Large oak beams were also found, hollowed out as if to convey
Had there been any scoria?, or calcined stones, conjecture
':t have pointed to salt-works having been here; but, on the
K w stones were found, only sandy black mud, twelve or
thirteen feet deep, and one freestone, squared out in the middle
to Uold the foot of a wooden pillar ; hammer marks were visible in
of the square hole. On the side of the peninsula above
to, next to the estuary, salt pans were working in the time
A.T>. 1819.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 123
of the priory, at Tynemouth ; probably as early as the year 800,
and so to the dissolution in 1539 ; and according to local history
and other records, the Pow Pans were making salt in the reign of
queen Elizabeth; and in 1634, the corporation of the Trinity-house,
Newcastle, bought land near Tolland's, Deleval's, and Selby's pans,
to erect their Low Light upon. The Danes often moored fleets in
the river Tyne, in their pillaging and murderous excursions in the
8th, 9th, 10th, and llth centuries. The peninsula called Priors'
Point, appears to have had a fort erected upon it previous to build-
ing Clifford's Fort. See October, 1811, page 64.
1819 (October 9). A dreadful accident happened from the ex-
plosion of inflammable gas, in the George Pit, near Lumley. The
gas ignited at the candle of a hewer named Gee, who had worked
into a board, where, owing it was supposed, to a fall of the roof, a
quantity of gas had accumulated from a blower. By this accident,
eleven men and boys were killed on the spot. Gee and another
boy died on the following day of the injury they sustained, and
many others were severely hurt.
October 11. A meeting of the inhabitants of Newcastle, and
neighbourhood, to deliberate on the outrage at Manchester, was
held on the town-moor, near Newcastle, and was most numerously
attended. In the early part of the forenoon, the reform societies
of Benwell and Fawdon arrived in town, and proceeded to join the
Newcastle society assembling in the Castle Garth. At half-past
eleven, the reform societies of Winlaton, Gateshead, North and
South Shields, Sunderland, and the eastern part of the Newcastle
district, passed through the town. When this immensely long line
arrived at the head of Northumberland-street, it halted until the
party which had assembled in the Castle Garth, and which did not
leave its station till twelve o'clock, passed by it, and took its place
at the head of the procession, which then moved to the moor. The
whole was preceded by the hustings, which consisted of a covered
platform raised upon the frame and wheels of a waggon, and drawn
by three horses, decorated with red ribbons ; the hustings were
hung round with black cloth, and on the front were inscribed the
words, in black letters on a white ground, " TIUJTH ! ORDER !
JUSTICE ! " Several of the reform societies which formed the
procession, were, preceded by a person bearing a Roman Fasces, and
by a band of music which played at intervals. Next the band,
walked the committee, each member of which was distinguished
by a white rod, at the top of which was a small knot of crape tied
with white; after these came the classes into which the societies were
divided ; each being headed by the class leader, bearing at the end
of a short black rod a small painted board, on which the number
of the class and the initial letter of the society were painted. Each
society was also attended with several flags, and at the head of the
whole was borne an union jack, hoisted half-staff high, in token of
mourning ; many of the committees wore white hats with black
hat-bands, and many were in black. The classes walked four
abreast, holding each others hands. The Shields reformers were
accompanied by about three hundred sailors. Several parties of
124 HISTORICAL ttEGISTEU OF [A.D. 1819.
female reformers were seen in the procession. On the most
moderate computation, there could not be fewer than twenty or thirty
thousand in rank, while some were of opinion the number was
much greater. It was, however, afterwards ascertained, by actual
admeasurement, that the space occupied by the compact body of
the meeting would hold 76,000 persons, at the rate of four to a
square yard ; but when the thousands of scattered spectators are
included, and the close manner in which the great body stood,
the \vhole may be safely stated at 100,000. The announcement
of this meeting (by hand bill), intended at first to be held on the
parade ground, excited a great deal of attention and curiosity, and
many idle reports of apprehended tumult were in previous circula-
tion, but the result proved what little cause there was for these,
for never was there a meeting conducted with greater order and
decorum, or one which passed off more peaceably.
1819 (Oct. 14). A serious disturbance took place at North
Shields. The mayor of Newcastle (Archibald Reed, esq.,) had
proceeded down the river with the civil power, aided by the boats
of his majesty's ships, with a view of opening the navigation of the
river, (which had been interrupted for some time by the riotous
proceedings of the keelmen), and had gone on shore at North
.Shields. After the mayor, and the other gentlemen who accom-
panied him, had retired to the Northumberland arms inn, the
mob made an attack, with paving-stones and other missiles, upon
the Speedwell steam-packet, by which several of the peace officers,
and the coxswain of the packet, were severely hurt ; the marines
then fired in protection of themselves and those in the steamboat,
when, unfortunately, one man named Joseph Claxton was shot
upon the New Quay. This so exasperated the mob, that they
turned their fury upon the inn, with threats of vengeance against
the mayor, and exclaiming that they would have blood for blood.
By the application of some iron pipes, they soon demolished the
doors and windows of the inn, and liberated a man who had been
taken into custody, when in the act of throwing stones. By the
spirited exertions of Mr. Donkin, the high constable of the district,
who fortunately arrived at the door in a chaise at the very time,
they were held some time in check, and time was thus afforded
Mr. Mayor and the gentlemen to escape by the back part of the
inn. From the fury with which they were actuated, there was
too much reason to fear that they would have carried their threats
into execution ; and so eager were they to attain their object, that
they searched almost every part of the house. Their design was,
however, frustrated. They also sought to wreak their vengeance
on the officers in the steamboat, but these had fortunately escaped
over in boats to the south side of the river. The mob continued
in the streets in the most tumultous state till a late hour ; but the
arrival of a party of the Gth dragoon guards from the barracks at
Newcastle, somewhat quieted the fears of the inhabitants. The
town continued agitated for several days. The jury, after having
sat five days on the body of the unfortunate man, returned a
verdict of justifiable homicide.
A.I). 1819.] REUAItKAliLK EVENTS. 125
1819 (Nov. 2). Died, at Tynemouth, Mr. Robert Mills, aged
101 years.
November 5. Died, at Throckley, Mr. John White, aged 105
years.
December 1. Died, at Bishop wearmouth, Mr. John Stephenson,
butcher, aged 102 years.
December 9. Died, at his house, in the Pudding Chare, New-
castle, Mr. George Gray, an eminent fruit-painter, in the 61st year
of his age. Mr. Gray, who was of very eccentric habits, was well
skilled in chemistry and botany. His fruit pieces, when offered for
sale, generally bring good prices. He was the son of Mr. Gilbert
Gray, whose death is mentioned at page 371, vol. i. A portrait
of Mr. George Gray was painted by Mr. Parker, and also etched
by that artist.
December 12. Died, in Pipewellgate, Gateshead, Mr. John
Anderson, aged 103 years.
December 22. Died, at Sunderland, Mrs. Catherine Clark, aged
107 years.
December 26. Mr. Joseph Price, of Gateshead, glass manufac-
turer, presented to the inhabitants of that parish a valuable and
elegant window of stained glass, for the south transept of St. Mary's
church; in the centre is a representation of the annunciation of the
virgin, to whom the church is dedicated, below which is a reference
to St. Luke, chap, i., verses 28 and 38, and the following inscrip-
tion: "Presented to the inhabitants of St. Mary, Gateshead, by
Joseph Price, 1819." On each side of the principal compart-
ment are also arched divisions of coloured glass, into which are
introduced the arms of the borough of Gateshead, and the goat's
head in a shield, with a crest taken from an old chair in the
vestry, bearing date 1666, with the initials of the churchwardens of
that year. See vol. i., page 113. On a line crossing the window,
and dividing the above from the lower compartments, which are
composed of variegated stained glass, are twelve coats of arms in
the following order, viz.: of the present rector (Rev. John Collin-
son), of the Rev. Henry Phillpotts (now bishop of Exeter), and Dr.
Prosser, late rectors ; of Adam Askew, esq., Cuthbert Ellison, esq.,
M.P.; the bishop of Durham (Barrington); the earls of Darlington
and Strathmore ; Sir Thomas Liddell, bart. (now Lord Ravens-
worth) ; Sir Thomas Clavering, bart.; John George Lambton, esq.,
M.P. (now Lord Durham) ; and Sir Matthew White Ridley, bart.,
M.P. The brilliancy of the colouring, and the good arrangement
of the drapery, is highly ornamental, and reflects great credit on
the manufactory of the donor. At a meeting of the inhabitants,
held in the vestry on the above day (the Rev. John Collinson,
rector, in the chair), the thanks of the parish was unanimously
voted to Mr. Price for his liberal donation.
December 26. Died, atChilton, Durham, Robert Roan, labourer,
aged 105 years.
This month, the Northumberland and Newcastle volunteer corps
of cavalry was formed under the command of Charles John
126 HISTORICAL JIEOISTEK OP [>.D 1820.
Brandling, esq., of Gosforth House ; and a troop of dismounted
yeomanry (the measure having been sanctioned by his majesty's
rnment), to be joined to, and to act with the cavalry, was raised
in Newcastle.
1819. This year, North Gosforth chapel, near Newcastle, which
was rebuilt about the year 1798, was considerably enlarged.
1820 (Jan. 1). The first number of a newspaper entitled
" The Durham Chronicle, or General Northern Advertiser," was
published in the city of Durham, by Mr. John Ambrose Williams,
It is at present published by Mr. John Hardinge Veitch.
January 3. Died, at Wall's End, Mrs. Kenlish, aged 105 years.
She retained all her faculties till within a few days of her death.
January fi. About eight o'clock in the evening, a dreadful
explosion of gas, by which several persons were seriously injured and
an infant killed, took place in Forth-street, Newcastle. During the
greater part of that day, the family of Mr. Benjamin Slater, in
front of whose house, in that street, one of the main gas pipes passed,
but without having any communication with the house, had been
greatly annoyed with the smell of gas, which was escaping from
the pipe into the house. Information of this circumstance was
communicated to the proper persons, at the gas-works, who pro-
mised to remedy the inconvenience next day, not conceiving any
immediate danger. In the evening, however, as Mrs. Slater, was
sitting in the parlour conversing with a friend, she sent her daughter
with a candle to the closet, when a most violent explosion of gas
took place, by which the upper part of this house, and the whole
of the back part of the one adjoining, were blown out and destroyed,
and the houses otherwise much injured. Mrs. Slater's daughter
was scorched most shockingly over all her body, and a young child
was forced from Mrs. Slater's arms into the fire-place, Mrs. Slater
was also much hurt. Mrs. Fletcher, her friend escaped unhurt.
But more serious injury was sustained in the adjoining house
occupied by Mr. John Slater, who was that evening entertaining a
party of friends. The part of the house where they were sitting
was quite demolished, and they were so crushed among the ruins,
that it was some time before ttvey were extricated. Mrs. John
Slater had both her ancles put out. Mrs. Debnum had also both
her ancles put out, and her arm broken ; and had the further
misfortune of having her child, a baby of about five weeks old,
which she was holding in her arms, unfortunately killed. Mr.
Debnum also received some injury, as did Mr. John Slater, and
some others. From the violence of the explosion, some tables and
chairs were thrown across the street, and a window being blown
quite out, was thrown to a great distance. Some persons passing
were also hurt by the falling bricks, &c. At the assizes held in
Newcastle in August, 1821, Mr. Debnum brought an action against
the gas company, and obtained 460. damages.
January 12. About half-past nine o'clock at night, an alarming
fire broke out in the house occupied by Mrs. Lynn, in New Cross-
street, Sunderland. The flames burst out with great violence, and
A..I). 1820.] ItEMAllKABLE EVENTS. 127
apprehensions were entertained for the safety of the neighbouring
house?, but, by the speedy arrival of the engines, and the praise-
worthy exertions of the inhabitants in supplying them with water,
the fire was confined to the back part of the premises in which it
commenced, and which it completely destroyed. It is melancholy
to add, that Mrs. Lynn was herself unfortunately burnt to death.
1820 (Feb. 3). The accession of his majesty George the
Fourth to the throne of these realms was proclaimed in Newcastle.
About two o'clock in the afternoon, Archibald Reed, esq., mayor,
several of the aldermen, and other members of the corporation,
attended by the general of the district, Sir Andrew Bernard, and
other military officers, after having drunk the health- of his
majesty, in the Guildhall, appeared on the Sandhill in front of
that building, and there, in the presence of an immense assemblage
of people, after a flourish of trumpets, the proclamation was read
by Mr. James Sopwith, town-marshal. The reading of it was
received with cheers, and immediately after a royal salute was
fired from the guns on the castle. The procession then moved
forward, preceded by the band of the 6th dragoon guards, mounted,
playing " God save the King ;" these were followed by a party
of free-porters bearing halberds, the sergeants at mace, town-
marshall, &c., accompanied with a flag, on which was represented
the arms of the town. Next came the sword and mace bearers,
who were followed by the mayor, supported on his right by Sir
Andrew Bernard, and on his left by another officer. His worship
was followed by the recorder, aldermen, sheriff, together with
many officers and several members of the common council and
other gentlemen ; the whole was closed by two troops of the 6th
dragoon guards. When the procession arrived opposite to St.
Nicholas' church it halted, and the proclamation was again read.
The procession again moved forward up the Middle-street to the
White Cross, and along Low Friar-street, and Westgate-street, to
the castle, at both of which places the proclamation was again read.
From the castle the procession returned by the head of the Side
and Mosley-street, to the Guildhall. During the day the bells of
the churches rang several peals.
February 5. The king was proclaimed at Alnwick. The high
sheriff, William Orde, of Nunnykirk, esq., arrived a little before
one o'clock at the Swan Inn, (where several gentlemen had assem-
bled to attend him) and proceeded immediately to the Market-
cross, preceded by a band of music, the under sheriff and bailiffs
with white wands. He was accompanied by his grace the duke of
Northumberland, and several of the magistrates and country gentle-
men ; the staff of the county militia also attended. After the pro-
clamation was read, during which the people were uncovered, -the
populace joined the gentry in cheering, and his majesty's health
was drunk amidst shouts of approbation, while the band played
" God save the King" The duke of Northumberland had ordered
several barrels of ale and carts with bread and cheese, to be in
the Market-place ; the provisions and liquor were distributed to
HISTORICAL RKCSISTEU OF [A.D. 1820.
the people, while a double roynl salute was fired from the field-
pirees at the castle, and the flag hoisted. The procession then
returned t<> the Swan inn, and from thence accompanied his grace to
his princely mansion, where a very handsome collation \vas served
for such gentlemen as called. Upwards of 200 of hi* grace's per-
manent workmen, and the children of their grace's schools, with
the. militia staff, being together above 500 persons, had bread and
cheese, and ale served out to them in the inner court of this ancient
pile, where the duke and duchess set them the example of drink-
ing his majesty's health, in which they all heartily joined. The
high-sheriff, as well as the duke, broke their glasses after drinking
the king's health, according to the good old custom on such occa-
sions, to prevent their ever being used again on a less important
event Proclamations were made at all the other towns.
1820 (Feb. IG). The day of interment of the remains of his
most gracious majesty George III. was observed in Newcastle
with every mark of mourning and respect. At eight o'clock the
flag on the castle was hoisted half-staff high, and continued so
until the evening ; the flags of the several ships in the harbour
were also displayed half-mast high ; the bells in the different
churches were muflled, and rung mourning peals during the
day. At the usual time on the morning, there were service in the
several churches and chapels, and appropriate sermons preached ;
the churches were hung with black. The soldiers, composing the
garrison, consisting of some troops of the 6th dragoon guards, and
parties of royal artillery, and of the 33rd and 40th foot, marched
through the town to St. Nicholas' church in slow and solemn step,
the band playing a very mournful air ; this had a most impressive
effect. The instruments of the band were hung with crape. The
Newcastle lodge of free masons also attended divine service in St.
Nicholas' church, but without their insignia. The soldiers returned
from church without music. From one o'clock till two, minute
guns were fired from the guns on the castle, and between each gun
the great bell of St. Nicholas gave a solemn toll. This was repeated
between four and five o'clock in the evening. The shops were all
shut during the day, and business generally suspended. The day
wag observed in a similarly mournful manner at all the neighbour-
ing towns, and many of the villages. George III. died January
29th, 1820, in the 82nd year of his age, and his sou George IV. was
proclaimed in London on the 31st of January.
March 11. Died, at Salutation, near Darlington, Mr. Benjamin
Garnett, in his 105th year. He never experienced one day's
illness, and walked about till a few hours before his death, and had
the use of his faculties to the last.
March 24 This being the day appointed for the Northumber-
land and Newcastle cavalry, commanded by lieutenant-colonel
Brandling, to receive their colours, the corps, which was then on
permanent duty, preceded by the band of the 6th dragoon guards,
marched to the town-moor, and being formed on three sides of a
square, fronting the Grand Stand, Mrs. Brandling, supported by
A.I). 1820.] KF.MAUKAIJU. 12!)
Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Brown, iti their joint names, presented the
standards intended for the three squadrons observing " that when
they requested the corps to allow them the hi'_rh honour of presenting
them with their standards, they f.;lt the fullest conviction that they
entrusted them to those, who, in every situation, would defend them
like Englishmen ;" to which the colonel replied in a speech fraught
with loyalty. The standards were then delivered to the troops,
whose loud cheers, accompanied by a salute fired by the royal
artillery, had a grand and impressive effect.
1820. In the early part of this year, C. W. Bigge, esq., of Lin-
den House, munificently contributed to the comfort, convenience,
and elegance of Longhorsely church, by building a new vestry,
repairing the chancel, and enlarging the arch between the church
and chancel, which before was so contracted as literally to divide
them into two separate apartments ; he also made an elegant altar-
table and rails, from a part of an immense oak tree, dug out of a
moss in his estate, where it must have lain for an unknown series
of ages.
April 28. Died, at Langley, in Kent, her grace the duchess
dowager of Northumberland, in her 67th year. May 10th, her
grace's remains were interred in the same vault in St. Nicholas'
chapel, in Westminster Abbey, in which those of the late duke
were deposited. There were upwards of 100 private carriages in
the procession, besides mourning coaches. The funeral service was
performed in a most solemn manner by Dr. Fynnes.
April 28. An explosion took place in Jarrow colliery, by which
unfortunate event two persons lost their lives.
May 4. Died, at Heathbury Burn, near Hexham, Mrs. Margaret
Lee, aged 107 years.
May 5. The first stone of a new chapel in the Wesleyan Metho-
dist connection, was laid in Northumberland-street. Newcastle.
The Rev. Edmund Grindrod delivered a short address to a respect-
able audience. He stated, that the first stone of the contiguous
chapel (Orphan House), for which this was intended as an enlarged
substitute, was laid by the Rev. John Wesley, on the 20th of
December, 1742, (see vol. i. page 167,^) and that for many years past
it had been much too small to accommodate the stated hearers.
Friday, February 23rd, 1821, this elegant chapel was first opened
for divine worship, when eloquent and powerful sermons were
preached by the Rev. Messrs. Newton, Atherton, and Wood, to
crowded audiences. Very neat houses were soon after built on
each side of the opening which leads from Northumberland-street
to the chapel, and which is called Brunswick-place.
May 17. A thunder-storm passed over Newcastle ; a con-
cussion took place directly over the centre of the town about one
o'clock, and instantly a mass of fire fell with a stunning report, as
though a bomb had burst near the ear. The lightning struck the
chimney of a house at the foot of the Side, which it scattered
partly into the street and partly through the roof, providentially
without injuring any person. Tin.- lightning also struck the spindle
VOL. II. -
j gO HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1820.
at the mast-head of a sloop, near White-hill point, on the rivar
Tynp, shivered tlir m;t?t from end to end, burnt one of the sails to
tinder in an instant, and raised the deck from the beams four or
five inches. A hole was made in the mast, as if an 18-pounder
had pone into it.
1820 (May 2G> Died, in All Saints' poor-house, Newcastle,
Thomas Matfin, aged 77 years. When a boy, and in St. John's
charity school, he was supposed to have died. His school-fellows,
accordin" to the then custom, attended to sing at his funeral. On
entering the church porch their voices reverberated so shrilly, as to
arouse him from his lethargy, and he turned on his side to listen.
1 he underbearers, who were just setting the coffin upon the bier,
felt the motion, and in a fright informed the clergyman, who or-
dered the lid to be unscrewed. On perceiving that life had returned,
he was immediately taken home to his aunt's house in Low
Friar-street, where he was wrapped in a blanket, and having drank
a little of some invigorating cordial, was put to bed, and soon
recovered. He afterwards became a keelman, and being, in his old
age, turned out of the keelmen's hospital for irregular conduct, he
became an inmate of All Saints' poor-house, where he died, as above
stated, and was interred at All Saints' church by the Rev. Robert
Green, on the 28th of May, 1820.
June 20. Died, at Slaley, in Northumberland, Mrs. Mary Carr,
aged 100 years.
June 22. The foundation of a new bridge at Chester-le-Street,
was laid in the presence of a great number of the inhabitants. On
taking down a part of the old bridge, an old copper coin, supposed
to be of James I., was found amongst the rubbish. February 22nd,
1821, this bridge was opened for public carriages, when three
guineas, given by Earl Grey, were drunk on the bridge. The in-
scription of "Grey's Arch, November 17th, 1820," was cut on the
stone over the arch, being the day his lordship was drawn through
the town by the inhabitants, as he was returning from London
from the defence of her Majesty Queen Caroline.
June. This month, the workmen digging in the streets at North
Shields, to lay gas pipes in a place there called the Bull Ring,
came to a large flat square stone, in which, on being turned over,
"were found, greatly corroded, the iron bolt and ring to which bulls
had been made fast, when baited there in old times. At certain
festivals, in the days of Tynemouth Priory, the rude sport of ^bull-
baiting was common at Shields ; but after the reformation, and
subsequent civil wars, the practice in the north greatly declined,
and is now, with the exception of two or three recent instances,
(which, it is to be hoped, will never be repeated,) totally abolished.
July 8. The bill for lighting, cleansing, and improving the town
of Stockton-upon-Tees, received the royal assent. November 15th,
1822, the town was first lighted with gas, on which occasion there
:i public dinner, J. Wilkinson, esq., in the chair, when many
loyal and appropriate toasts were drunk, and the bells were rung
during the lighting of the lamps.
A.7). 1820.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 131
1829 (July 19). The chain bridge across the river Tweed,
near Parton Ford, about six miles above Berwick, was opened to
the public. Captain S. Brown, R.N., the inventor, in his tandem,
first, followed by twelve double-horse carts, laden with stones, aud
Mr. Molle, of Molle Mains, in his carriage, passed and returned
along the bridge. The stability of the structure being tried, the
right lion, the earl of Home and the commissioners of the high roads,
preceded by the band of the Berwickshire and Northumberland
militia, playing "God save the King" then passed along it. The
earl of Home and a numerous party of gentlemen sat down to a
most excellent dinner, prepared in a tent, by Mr, Paulin, of Horn-
dean, and the day was spent in the utmost harmony. Several
thousands of people, were present at the opening. The suspen-
sion arch is forty-five feet, and is sufficient to allow two carts to
pass, and a foot-path on each side. The extreme length of the
suspending chains from the point of junction, on each side of the
river Tweed is 590 feet ; from the stone abutments, 432 feet ;
and the height above the surface of the river is 27 feet. The
weight of the chains, platform, &c., is about 160 tons; but the
bridge is calculated to support a weight of 360 tons, a greater
weight, in all probability, than it will ever be subjected to. This
curious and elegant structure only cost 5,000, whereas a stone
bridge in the same situation could not have been erected for
20,000. It is called the Union Bridge, and was commenced
building on the 19th of July, 1819.
July 27. Died, at Darlington, Jane Rutherford, aged 100 years.
September 9. Died, at Great Ay cliff e, Durham, Ann Simpson,
aged 101 years.
September 26. Died, at Hepple, near Rothbury, Mrs. Jane Hall,
aged 101 years. ,
October 19. The town of North Shields was first lighted with
gas.
October 31. As Arthur Marlham, of Greatham, was shrimping
on the sand islands, in the river Tees, he was overtaken by the
tide in the dusk of the evening. He did not see his danger till
he was nearly surrounded by the water, and knowing there was no
possibility of escape, he began to consider how he could longest
preserve himself from being carried away by the tide. A sand-
bank of a few yards was all the uncovered space left him ; he
selected the highest spot, on which he placed his leap fa wicker
basket carried on the shoulder in shrimping), and fixing his shrimp-
ing-pole, with the net downwards, to give the pole as sure a pur-
chase as he could, he mounted his basket, and held by the pole.
The tide soon covered his feet, and gradually flowed as high as his
middle. After three hours, he thought he saw the waters fall ;
but in a few minutes a breeze sprung up, and the tide flowed again
six or seven inches. The tide, however, was falling, and he re-
mained on his sand-bank till he was relieved by the fishing boats
in the morning. His situation in the river was two miles from the
Durham coast, and three from Yorkshire, in the midst of the Tees
132 mSTOIZICAI, ttEGHTEK OP [A. P. 1-
cstuary, with the wide ocean full in front at the river mouth. He
said it was an awful sight to look over the waters ; but his presence
of mind and his trust in Providence never forsook him.
1820 (Nov. 20). Newcastle and Gateshead were brilliantly
illuminated, as a testimony of joy on the abandonment of the bill
against her majesty Queen Caroline, consort of George IV. About
seven o'clock in the evening the lighting commenced, and a num-
ber of devices and transparencies were exhibited in various parts
of the town. The smaller mottoes, in general, were "Long live
Queen Caroline ;" Innocence triumphant ;" " Earl Grey for ever,"
&c., &c. The house of Mr. Joseph Price, in Gateshead, was one
entire blaze of lamps of various tints, and of the most brilliant lus-
tre. Illuminations and other rejoicings were very general through-
out the counties of Durham and Northumberland. August 7th,
1821, her majesty died at Hammersmith, after an illness of eight
days.
This month, immediately above the excavation of the lime-stone
at Carley-hill quarry, which is situated about a quarter of a mile
west of Fulwell hill, in the parish of Monkwearmouth, and about
two hundred yards west of Hill-house, the residence of Mr. Wake,
senior, whilst removing the surplus soil, Thomas Dobson, quarry-
man, found a Roman figure, which appeared to be a Lar. There
were found at the same time, several portions of human bones, and
a quantity of common rock limpit shells, embedded in lime-stone
rubbish and surface soil. It is worthy of remark, that several
excavations have been discovered in the solid lime-stone rock at
Carley-hill (similar to stone coffins) containing human bones.
The great northern gateway which stood across Sadler-street,
in the city of Durham, was this year taken down. It had been
long used as the gaol, and was a very strong fabric ; the outward
or lower part, was defended by a gate and portcullis, within which
was a recess, constructed with sally-ports and galleries, for the
annoyance of assailants who might force the first gate ; the upper
part w r as secured by double gates. This was the last of the city
gates.
This year, Mrs. Mary Pease, widow of Mr. Joseph Pease, of
Darlington, woollen manufacturer, erected four alms-houses in
Darlington, for the residence of four poor widows, of the age of
fifty years at least, and of good moral character and reputation,
to be nominated by the Society of Friends.
This year and the following, the Register office in the Palace-
green, in the city of Durham, was built by subscription on the site
of the old county courts.
1821 (Jan. 2). Early on the morning, John Wilson, a pitman,
aged 64 years, fell down the shaft of Sheriff- hill colliery, near
Gateshead. in the dark, but fortunately caught hold of the rope with
his left hand, at the depth of about 80 feet ; although it lacerated
his hand by the friction, he was able to stop his descent and sus-
pend himself, until his fellow-workmen heard his cries, and lowered
down a corf by another rope, which took above a quarter of an hour,
A.D. 1821.] liKMAllKAlU.K F.VKNTS. 133
when providentially he got into it, and was drawn up safely. Had
he descended a few fathoms lower, he would have reached the end
of the rope, and must have been killed by a fall of 450 feet.
1821 (Jan. 5). When some workmen were removing rubbish on
the premises of Mr. Fair, of Hide hill, Berwick, cabinet maker, they
found a small wooden box, containing 18 gold pieces of Henry
VIII., Mary, and Elizabeth ; and also 20 silver coins of Elizabeth.
The whole in good preservation. The gold coins weighed two and
a-half ounces, and the silver coins two ounces. The workmen
immediately sold their prize to a jeweller, and regaled themselves
with the proceeds.
January 7. Died, at Dam-house, near Kirkley, Mrs Margaret
Rowland, in her 101st year.
January 19. Died, at West Thirston, in Northumberland, aged
74 years, John Marshall, better known by the name of " Blind
Johnny" He lost his sight by the small-pox, when four years of
age, but the perfection in which he possessed the sense of hearing,
compensated in a great measure for the loss. He worked occasion-
ally at the anvil and the loom, but for a considerable time before
his death, his main dependence for support was on his skill in
playing on the violin. So intimately was he acquainted with the
surrounding country, that he could readily find any part of it with-
out a guide ; indeed, he sometimes acted as a guide to strangers.
February 15. The chapel belonging to the establishment at
Hylton-ferry, near Sunderland, erected and endowed at the sole
expense of T. J. Maling, esq., captain R.N., was consecrated by
the bishop of St. David's. Upon this occasion, a sermon was
preached by the Rev. Robert Gray, M.A., rector of Sunderland,
from Genesis, chap. 28, ver. 17.
Same day, died at the Westgate, Newcastle, aged 96 years, Ann
Nichol, formerly of Horsley. She retained her faculties to the last,
and was one of the oldest members of the Methodist Society in this
district. When the Orphan-house, in Northumberland-street, was
built in 1742, she sold a piece of cloth to enable her to contribute
towards its erection ; and it was remarkable that the Orphan-house
was closed as a place of divine worship on the day of her interment.
February 19. Died, at the North-shore, near Newcastle, Eliza-
beth Dryden, aged 107 years.
March 6. Died, at Cullercoats, Mrs. Isabella Armstrong, widow,
aged 103 years.
March 9. The brewery at Monkseaton, near North Shields,
was discovered to be on fire, and before it was got under, the dry-
ing kiln was totally destroyed, with about sixty bolls of malt.
March 20. A newly-erected steam mill, for grinding corn, at
Stockton, belonging to Mr. C. Cooke, was discovered to be on fire,
and the whole of the building, except the engine-house, together
with a quantity of corn and flour, was consumed.
March 23. Died, at South Shields, Hannah Marshall, aged 104
years.
March 28. Died, at his house in Portman-place, London, in the
]'U UISTOniCAL REGISTER OF [.A..D. 1821.
64th year of his age, Michael Bryan, esq., a native of Newcastle.
Mr. Bryan was an ingenious connoisseur in the fine arts, who also
distinguished himself as an author. He was at one time a picture
dealer, but though possessed of undoubted skill and judgment as to
the merits of the productions of ancient and modern painters, he
was so unfortunate in some of his speculations as to be obliged to
relinquish that pursuit. His taste and knowledge, however, were
so highly appreciated, that his opinion was often sought, and many
large sums have been expended in the purchase of works of art
through his recommendation. Retiring from active life, he engaged
in the composition of a " Biographical and Critical Dictionary of
Painters and Engravers" which was commenced in 1813, and
published in 1816, in 2 vols. 4to. This work is more copious and
accurate than that of Pilkington, and many of the original sketches
do much credit to the writer. Mr. Bryan was allied to a noble family
having married the sister of the earl of Shrewsbury.
1821 (March 28). Died, at Widdrington, in Northumberland,
Mr. Robt. Reed, aged 67 years. He was well known for his know-
ledge and management of bees, in which he took great delight. He
several times exhibited a swarm suspended from his hand on the
market days at Morpeth and Alnwick, as well as at other places.
This month, the lower part of the horn of a deer, of extraordi-
nary size, was dug npin the grounds at Campville, South Preston,
near Tyneinouth. Mr. Fenwick, the proprietor, had ordered a
well to be filled up, first removing the walling stones. Consider-
ably in the earth, near the stones, the remains of this large antler
were found, in the north-east angle of the Roman camp, called in
Brand, " Blake Chesters" and referred to by Camden as one of the
oblong squares (Blake Chesters being the principal) running in a
zigzag direction from Segedunum ( Wallsend) to Tynemouth. Sacri-
fices of wild animals to the Gods were frequently made in those
stations ; and some faint tradition yet remains of a temple to Diana,
or some heathen Deity, having stood at Middle Chirton, the western
side of this camp or chain of forts. The head of an ancient spear
had been dug up in the same site.
April 4. The foundation stone of anew subscription library was
laid on the site of the old gaol, in the city of Durham, on which
occasion Dr. Fenwick delivered a suitable address to the company
assembled.
April 25. The foundation stone of a new place of worship, for
the Protestant dissenters of the Baptist persuasion, was laid in
Barrington-street, South Shields, when an appropriate and impres-
sive discourse was uc-livered by the Rev. John Winter, founded on
the middle clause of the 5th verse of the 20th PsaJm.
Mai/ 16. The building a stone bridge, at the expense of the
duke of Northumberland, over the river Alne, near Alnwick Abbey,
was begun. This was u great public accommodation, as the ford
there was often very dangerous to pass.
M'IIJ 23. The foundations of a new chapel, to be built by sub-
scription, began to be dug out at Nether Heworth, in the county
A.D. 1821.] KKMARKAULE EVENTS. 135
of Durham, the first stone of which, inclosing an appropriate in-
scription on copper, was laid on the following day. This chapel
was opened for divine worship on the 5th of May, 1822. On the
27th of September, 1808, half an acre which had been added to this
chapel- yard, was consecrated by the lord bishop of Durham. See
March 21st, 176G, vol. i. page, 257.
1821 (June 2). About two o'clock on the morning, a fire broke
out in the barn, thrashing-machine, and straw-house, belonging to
John Russell, esq., of Heworth, and before the progress of the flames
could be stopped, the machinery, roofs, and interior of the liouscs
were consumed.
July 1. Died, at the Moor-houses, in Northumberland, Ann
Rule, single-woman, aged 100 years.
July 7. John, Lord Eldon, lord high chancellor of England, was
created an earl by the style of Viscount Encombe and Earl of Eldon.
July 9. An explosion took place in Rainton North Pit, when
one man lost his life.
Same clay, an explosion took place in Coxlodge colliery, by which
one man lost his life.
July 10. During the preparations in Newcastle, for the celebra-
tion of the coronation, the workmen, on breaking the pavement
on the Sandhill, for a foundation for the temporary wine pant, dis-
covered a large stone with an iron ring, to which, formerly, bulls
had been fastened for that cruel torture, bull-baiting. See January
21st and 25th, 1768, vol. i. 2C5. This must have been a second bull-
ring, as one was removed by order of the magistrates a few days
after the latter period.
July 12. The workmen employed in converting Gunner-tower,
(part of the town's wall, Newcastle), near the Forth-lane, into a
hall, for the incorporated company of slaters and tylers, found a
large quantity of shillings and sixpences of the coinage of Edward I.
July 15. Died, Mr. William Cant, master of the Blue Bell,
head of the Side, Newcastle, aged 70 years, formerly piper to the
Northumberland militia. He was an excellent performer on the
violin and the Northumberland pipes, and, like his great predeces-
sors on the latter instrument, Turnbull, Gilley, old Lamshaw, and
Peacock, he kept up the ancient tunes, with all their charming lilts
and pauses, unspoiled by the modern improvers of music, with their
" idiot notes impertinently long." He played " his native wood
notes wild," such as pleased the ears of the yeomanry of old at
Otterburn, Hedgeley Moor, and Floddon Field, and
"When e'er his pipe did silence break,
You'd thought the instrument would speak."
July 19. The day of the coronation of his majesty George IV.
at Westminster, was observed in Newcastle with great rejoicings.
The large fire-places, or rather double furnaces, between which
the two oxen intended for public distribution were to be roasted,
the immense spits, cranes, scaffolding, &c., were completed in the
early part of the week, and became objects of curious inspection ;
one was placed in the centre of the Spital the other, at the foot
io/i lll-Tt'ui' -TF.n OP [A.]). 1821.
1 . t I I-
of the Old Flesh Mark?! ; near each of th-Mn was a wooden pant, or
fountain, to run beer. In the centre of the Sandhill was another
U-iujiorarv, but larger fountain, to run wine. About two o'clock
on the morning, the fires were lighted, and the roasting of the
oxen commenced, and from that hour the streets became crowded
with people. Numbers had arrived from the country the evening
before, but on Thursday morning, the day being auspiciously fine,
they poured into the town by thousands in all sorts of vehicles.
Never did the streets of Newcastle exhibit such a congregated
mass. At six o'clock on the morning the guns from the castle an-
nounced, by a royal salute, that the rejoicings had commenced ;
the flag was hoisted, and the ships displayed their colours, and the
bells of the several churches rang their merry peals. About nine
o'clock, all was anxious expectation to witness the boat race from
Walker's Quay to Tyne Bridge, for the following prizes, which had
been announced a few days previous by bills, viz. : For the first
boat six sovereigns; second boat three ditto ; third boat two ditto ;
and the fourth boat one ditto, given by the corporation ; in addi-
tion to which, the Trinity-house was to present the first boat with
an elegant.
BLUB SILK FLAG.
GIVEN Si THE TRDOTYHOUS K
V
on which was gilt a crown and suitable inscription. This flag was
the great object of ambition to the competitors, and for which
thirteen boats had entered. In consequence of a dispute, the
prizes were not adjudged until the competitors again tried their
skill on August 1st ('the anniversary of the battle of the Nile),
when the flag was won by the Laurel Leaf, belonging to Stella.
At half-past nine o'clock, the mayor, recorder, aldermen, sheriff,
and common council, met, and voted an address to his majesty ;
after which, the mayor, George Forster, esq., was invested with a
gold chain and medallion, which had been voted at a former com-
mon council, and which was to be worn by all the future chief
magistrates of that town. At half-past ten o'clock, the mayor and
corporation, preceded by a band of music, and followed by a num-
ber of gentlemen, walked in procession to St. Nicholas' church,
A.D. 1821.]
REMARKABLE EVENTS.
137
where an appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. John
Smith, M.A., vicar, from 1st Kings, 1st chap., 39th verse. Before
the return of the magistracy, &c., from church, immense crowds
had assembled at the places which were to be the scenes of expected
festivity, particularly the Sandhill, in the centre of which stood
THE \VINE PANT,
which was a neat erection of wood, twelve feet high, painted to
resemble stone, and surmounted by a cupola, copper bronze, on
the top of which, was a full sized imperial crown, encircling a cap
of state of crimson velvet, turned up with ermine. At the bottom
of this roof was a ledge, below which was " G. Illf. R., in gilt
letters, and beneath this was a very neat painting of the arms of the
town. On the return of the magistrates, &c., to the Sandhill, it was
found utterly impossible to approach the pant, they therefore pro-
ceeded to the Town Court, when having come forward to the great
window, they drunk his majesty's health, which was followed by a
royal salute from the guns on the castle, and repeated peals of bells
from the churches. At the same moment the pant began to run
wine, when an almost indescribable scene of uproarious confusion
commenced. During the struggle to obtain a part of the wine, a
man got upon the tub, and seizing the spout, clung to it until his
clothes were literally torn from his body.* He was useful in
handing the liquor to others, particularly those on the ledge, who by
this time amounted to about eight, but two or three of them having
* Mr. Parker, the artist, of Newcastle, painted a picture of this ludicrous
scene. After being exhibited in London, it was purchased by the corporation
of Newcastle, for the purpose of Decorating the walls of the Mansion-house.
VOL. II. T
133 HISTORICAL BEGISTF.K OF [A.I>. 1821.
made too free with the " rosy god," fell to the ground, a height
of nine feet, one of them being severely hurt. After running
upwards of an hour, the wine ceased to flow, when, having nothing
to attract their attention, the mob began to throw about the pots,
soaked lint.*, caps, &c., to the no small annoyance of the peaceably
inclined inhabitants. The top of the Court was crowded with
p.-nplo, as was every window on the Sandhill. Many houses had
u kind of trallery erected on their tops with seats for the acommo-
dation of ladies and gentlemen. The pant was totally torn down,
and a great part of it carried away by the mob. During the time
of ^exhibition on the Sandhill, the ox at the bottom of the Old
Flesh Market was taken from the fire, by means of a crane, to a
stage erected for the purpose, and four butchers ascended the plat-
form to cut it in pieces for distribution. As they cut the pieces,
they threw them amongst the crowd, who, in return, pelted the
butchers with the pieces of meat and bones, until they drove them
from the stage. The remains of the ox were then taken possession
of, and soon distributed ; and the chain of the crane having been
broken in an attempt to pull the stage up with it, it was fastened
to part of the skeleton of the animal, which was then dragged
through the streets to the Sandhill. The furnace was then partly
pulled to pieces ; and fragments of meat, and even brick bats, began
to fly in all directions, many persons receiving bruises. The proces-
sion of mail coaches passing at the time, was shamefully pelted, and
one of the men much hurt, The distribution of the ox at the Spital
was attended with similar circumstances ; the butchers, &c., were
speedily driven from the stage, and the skeleton taken possession
of and dragged to the Sandhill. The ale kept runing from the
pants in the Old Flesh Market and the Spital till near three o'clock,
when the pants were demolished. By this time the crowd was at-
tracted to the town-moor to witness the race for the gold cup, and
the streets were soon quiet. This was a fortunate circumstance, for
had there been no such object, it is most probable that the peace of
the town would not have been so soon restored. As it was, on their
return from the town-moor, the mob assailed the remains of the
temporary erections in the Flesh Market and the Spital, and carried
off the planks and all the iron in their power. At ten o'clock,
further demolition was stopped by the police. There was a pant
also ran beer at the Milk-market in Sandgate, which was chiefly
occupied by women and children. The inmates of the corporation
hospitals received five shillings each from that body, and five shil-
lings more from the members for the town. The prisoners in the
gaol and house of correction received five shillings each. The
children of the endowed charity schools of the four parishes were
provided with a substantial dinner, as were the inmates of the poor-
houses. There were grand dinners at the Mansion-house and
Trinity house. At the Assembly Rooms was a ball ; and the pit
and gallery of the Theatre were opened to the free burgesses,
gratis, on the invitation of the mayor by a bill. In the forenoon
there was a grand military review on the town-moor. In the
A.D. 1821.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 139
evening Sir Robert Shafto Hawks had a very tasteful illumination
on the outside of his house in Clavering-place, which was repeated
the following evening. At Gateshead the rejoicings commenced at
six o'clock on the morning, by the bells ringing a merry peal, which,
with the firing of guns at the factory of Messrs. Hawks, continued
at intervals. At nine o'clock the children of St. Edmund's
chapel school, to the number of 340, assembled in the rectory
garden, and received each a sixpence of the new coinage, a glass
of wine, and a cake, and a copy of our national anthem, " God save
the King" which they sung with enthusiasm. The money was
subscribed by the members of the school committee. A subscrip-
tion was also entered into by the inhabitants of Gateshead, which
was distributed among the poor, and a plentiful dinner given to the
inmates of the poor-house. Much private charity was dispensed.
See 'a detailed account of the proceedings in Newcastle and Gateshead,
published by John Sykes,
Amongst the rejoicings at Durham on account of the coronation,
a small ox was roasted at the head of Old Elvet, the gift of Lord
Stewart, now marquis of Londondery. It was soon cut in pieces,
which, together with a quantity of bread, were thrown indiscrimi-
nately at the public ; but no sooner was this done, than the popu-
lace immediately commenced pelting with it those on the platform,
so that his lordship's generosity on this occasion was literally thrown
away. Several barrels of ale were also given away, which added
considerably to the tumult and confusion.
At North Shields a quantity of meat and bread was distributed
to the public in a manner highly commendable. Several tables
were set out in the market-place, and a loaf of bread, and two
pounds of meat on a cabbage leaf, with fourpence to purchase ale,
were given to such poor persons as had produced tickets for them.
1821 (July 2Q). About eleven o'clock in the forenoon, the soap-
house belonging to Anthony Clapham& Co., at the Ouseburn, near
Newcastle, was discovered to be on fire, and in a few minutes the
flames blazed with great fury, and threatened the most tremendous
consequences. The assistance of the workmen from the neigh-
bouring manufactories was immediately volunteered, by whose
exertions, with the assistance of the fire-engines, the destructive
element was in a short time overcome. It originated in, and was
confined to, that part of the building exclusively appropriated to
the preparation of alkalies, the timbers and flooring of which were
exceedingly dry, from the heat of the process, and the long con-
tinued dryness of the weather.
August 9. About one o'clock on the morning, a destructive
fire broke out in that part of the premises occupied by the North-
umberland Glass Company, which fronted the Close, Newcastle ;
and such was the violence of the flames, and the rapidity with
which they spread, that at two o'cock the greater part of the pre-
mises was in a complete blaze, and, in defiance of all efforts, that
very extensive establishment, with the warehouses, and the greater
part of the superb stock, fell a prey to the flames. The only part
140 HISTOKICAL REGISTER OF [ A - u - 1821.
left standing was the cone, containing the furnace, adjoining the
river Tyne. Some adjoining dwelling-houses, inhabited by labour-
ing people, were involved in the calamity, several families having
nearly lost their all. Great fears were entertained for the safety
of the soap manufactory (which at one time was on fire), belonging
to Messrs. Doubleday & Co., adjoining to the Glass-house on the
west side, but a strong west wind carried the flames in an opposite
direction. The Mansion-house and Messrs. Doubleday & Co.'s
counting-house being on the east side, and nearly adjoining the
G!l;!.ss-house, were in imminent danger from the flames and heavy
showers of sparks which were carried to them by the wind. And,
to add to the danger, several hundreds of barrels of rosin were lying
in an open yard close to the Mansion-house ; on them the sparks
fell thick and fast, but fortunately they did not take fire, though,
to prevent such a catastrophe, men were placed on the watch with
buckets of water, and many of the casks were removed into the
street. By great exertions the fire was confined to the glass-house
premises, and about half-past five o'clock was got nearly under,
though some of the ruins continued to burn during the day.
1821 (Sept. 10). John Wilkinson and William Surtees Hether-
ington, for robbing Mr. William Nesbit, farmer, of Long Benton, on
Benton Bank, on his return from Newcastle in the evening of the
preceding 7th of April, were executed at Morpeth, pursuant to
their sentence. They were taken from the gaol to the place of
execution in a post-chaise, preceded by a band of singers. On
their arrival at the fatal spot (a little below the east end of the
town), they ascended the scaffold with firmness, when they joined
in prayer with the clergyman, and seemed very penitent. They
were then launched into eternity, and, after hanging the usual
time, their bodies were given to their friends. Portraits of these
characters were sketched while upon their trials, by Mr. Parker,
of Newcastle, and also etched by that artist
September 28. Died, at South Shields, aged 70 years. Mr.
William Wouldhave, a native of North Shields, who had been
many years clerk of St. Hilda's chapel, in South Shields. Mr.
Wouldhave was distinguished for his eccentricity of manners, and
a peculiarly inventive genius. He is said by some to have been
the original inventor of the Life Boat, yet was suffered to die poor
and neglected. The figure of his proposed Life Boat is cut upon
his tomb-stone, and his model of it is suspended to the chain of the
chandelier in St. Hilda's chapel. He constructed various curious
instruments, amongst which were an organ, a clock, and an
electrical machine.
September 28. Died, in the Dog Bank, Newcastle, Barbara
Humble, in her 101st year.
September. The Literary and Philosophical Society of New-
castle received from Thomas Coates, esq., of Haydon-bridge, in
Northumberland, who had returned overland from India, the
valuable present of a very fine Egyptian mummy, in perfect preser-
vation, and of great beauty. During a visit which Mr. C. paid to
A.D. 1821.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 141
Gournou, the burial-place of ancient Thebes, in Upper Egypt, the
mummy was dug from its sepulchre by an old Arab. Of him he
procured it, and brought it himself to England. When received,
it was in the original case or coffin, on the lid of which is carved
a very beautiful female face.
1821 (Sept.) This month, the lord bishop of Durham (Bar-
rington) presented an elegant portrait of himself to the Newcastle
Infirmary. It is placed at the east end of the hall of that institu-
tion, between the portraits of bishop Butler and bishop Benson.
The west end is decorated with the portraits of Sir Walter
Blackett, bart., by Reynolds; Matthew Ridley, esq., by Webb;
and William Ingham, esq., by Nicholson.
October 1. The Clergy Jubilee school, on the east side of the
Carliol Croft, Newcastle, which was erected in commemoration of
the bishop of Durham attaining the 50th year of his prelacy, was
opened for instruction, and a number of scholars admitted. The
Rev. Mr. Vicar, Rev. Mr. Moises, Rev. Mr. Parkin, and the Rev.
Mr Griffith, attended to take the admissions ; and the children
being all neatly attired, and accompanied by their parents, the
sight was truly gratifying. The funds not being sufficient to carry
the purpose of the subscribers into full effect, the girls and boys
belonging to the old-established Free Schools of St. Nicholas'
parish were removed to the new school, and the whole are now
taught on Dr. Bell's plan, by one master and mistress.
October 17. The foundation of a New Scots Church for the
congregation of the Rev. John Smellie, Avas laid in a suitable piece
of ground, at the western extremity of Northumberland-court, to
front into Blaekett-street. May 17th, it was opened for divine
service, when an impressive sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr.
Hodgson, of Blantyre, in Scotland. As this chapel was not in line
with Blaekett-street, the original brick front was taken down in the
year 1828, and a stone front with pinnacles erected to line with
the street.
October 18. Lambton-park races were first established by John
George Lambton, esq. (now Lord Durham), at his seat near
Chester-le-Street.
October 19. A serious accident happened at Nesham's colliery,
at Newbottle, on the river Wear. One of the brattices erected to
close up an old working, having been broken into to obtain more
air, a current of choke-damp issued from the perforation, which
proved fatal to six of the workmen.
October 23. A dreadful explosion took place in "Wall's-End
colliery (Russell's), by which fifty-two men lost their lives. The
explosion shook the ground like an earthquake, and made the
furniture dance in the surrounding houses. This alarming the
neighbourhood, the friends and relatives hurried to the spot,
when a heart-rending scene of distress ensued. The greatest
exertions were instantly made by Mr. Buddie, the viewer, who as
soon as it was practicable, descended with his assistants, when
a most melancholy scene presented itself. At the time of the
142 HISTORICAL IlKGISTEH OP [A.D. 1821.
explosion there were fifty-six men in the pit, of which number
four only survived. The bodies of the deceased were most
dreadfully scorched, and many of them most strangely distorted.
Forty-six of the bodies were buried at Wall's- End, fourteen of
whom, being relations, were buried in one grave ; some of the
remainder were buried at the Ballast-hills, and some at Wall's-
End old church, amidst sorrowing spectators
1821 (Oct. 23> An explosion took place in Felling colliery,
by which six human beings were deprived of existence.
November 30. At night, a tremendous gale commenced at
Newcastle and its neighbourhood, which committed great ravages.
About three o'clock on the following morning, the chimney of a
house in Johnson's-chai-e, in Sandgate, Newcastle, fell through the
roof, and a poor old widow, named Elizabeth Robson, 86 years of
age, was killed in her bed, by the end of a broken beam falling on
her neck. A little boy, her grandson, Avho lay in the same bed,
was happily rescued without injury. Great damage was done in
the lower part of the town, as appeared by the quantities of broken
bricks and tiles that were lying about the streets and lanes in every
direction. One of the wands of St. Ann's mill was broken, and
the paling of the miller's garden thrown down. The walls of two
new houses building in Bridge-street, opposite Higham-place, were
blown down, a great part of which fell inwards upon the joists
which were broken to pieces, and the whole exhibited a heap of
ruins. In the garden of Hugh Harrison, esq., on the Leazes,
several yards of wall, with rails on the top, were blown over. The
Methodist chapel at Kenton, which was used as a school, had the
roof blown off, and two of the windows blown in. In Gateshead,
part of the front of a house fell into the streets with great violence.
A stack of chimnies fell and broke through the roof of Mrs.
Ludlow's house, in the Back-lane, and lodged in the garret, which
was fortunately boarded, or the Misses Ludlow, who slept in the
room beneath, would probably have been killed. A window in
Mr. Trice's glass manufactory, fronting the river, was blown in
entirely, and forced to the further end of the apartment. By the
violence of the hurricane much other damage was done.
December 4. At a numerous meeting of the Literary and
Philosophical Society of Newcastle, Dr. Clanny, of Sunderland,
presented, for the purpose of being preserved in their repository,
the original safety lamp, as it is described in the Transactions of
the Society of Arts, for 1813, and which first called the attention of
philosophers, and of the proprietors of coal mines, to the subject.
December 10. At the anniversary of the Royal Academy, the
silver medal, with the Discourses of Barry, Opie, and Fuseli, were
presented to Mr. Andrew Morton, a native of Newcastle, for the
best copy in the school of painting, from a " Madona and Child"
by Raphael.
December 20. A spacious and neat chapel built by the congre-
gation under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Israel Craig, was
opened for public worship at Lowick, in Northumberland. This is
A.T). 1822.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 143
one of the most ancient, if not the first presbyterian congregation,
that was established in the north of England. It was originally-
formed by the Rev. Luke Ogle, minister of Berwick, who, having
resigned his charge there in 1661, in consequence of the act of uni-
formity, retired to his paternal estate at Bowsdon. His excellent
character brought many to hear his ministrations privately ; after-
wards a chapel was built near to where Barmoor castle now
stands. The congregation increasing, a large one was built at
Lowick, about the year 1741, which, falling to decay, this chapel
was erected for the accommodation of that society.
1821 (Dec. 23J. Died, at Gateshead, aged 64 years, Mrs.
Frances Elizabeth King, relict of the Rev. Richard King, M.A.,
rector of Worthen, Salop, and of Steeple Mordon, in Cambridge-
shire, and third daughter of the late Sir Francis Bernard, bart.
This lady was the authoress of several useful and popular works ;
in particular " The Beneficial Effects of the Christian Temper on
Domestic Happiness" "Female Scripture Characters" "The Rector's
Memorandum Book" and a "Tour in France, in 1802." Mrs.
King had been during her residence in Gateshead, most actively
employed in visiting and relieving the sick and necessitous poor,
having established two societies for that purpose ; she also founded
and supported at her own expense, a Sunday School, at St. Edmund's
chape], for educating poor children in Christian principles. Upon
the death of her husband in 1810, Mrs. King retired to Gateshead,
near the residence of her two married daughters (Mrs. Collinson,
rectory, Gateshead, and Mrs. Baker, rectory, Whitburn).
Same day, and only two or three hours after Mrs. King, died at
Usworth-house. aged 70 years, Mrs. Peareth. This is the more
remarkable, as this lady was the coadjutor of Mrs. King, in acts of
charity and benevolence.
This year an act of parliament was obtained " for making
and maintaining a Railway or Tramroad from the river Tees at
Stockton to Witton-park colliery, with several branches therefrom,
all in the county of Durham."
1822 (Jan. \). The town of Berwick was first lighted with
gas, under the direction and superintendence of Mr. Joseph Glynn,
of Newcastle.
January 3. A most destructive fire took place at Seaton Delaval,
which, in a few hours, consumed the mansion-house, which for
grandeur and magnificence was equal to any in the North of Eng-
land. The two wings, one of which comprised a large and spacious
kitchen, with various other apartments ; the other a beautiful stable,
in a style' of princely magnificence, were happily saved by the great
and active exertions used in making a separation between them and
the house. The fire originated by a fire having been lighted in a
room that had not been occupied for some time, and in the chimney
a number of jackdaws had built their nests ; these took fire,
and communicated to a beam that supported the roof. The flames
burnt with such fury as to bid defiance to all human efforts. The
glass in the windows, by the intense heat, was reduced to a liquid
state, and the lead on the roof poured down like water. This
114 iii-ToincAi. i.'Koisrnu or [A.J* 1822.
tasteful mansion was built about the be^innijiir of the 1 Nth century,
: John Vanburuh. See M<iy Gtli, 17-V2, i-ul. i , /
'
(Jan. 21) About five o'clock in the evening, an explo-
sion of gas took place in the shop of Mr. Simpson, grocer. Quay-
side, Newcastle, occasioned by a candle having been imprudently
held near the connecting pipe, which had been injured as was
supposed by rats. The shock was very great, and burst the
counter, under which the pipe was placed, into splinters, forced
twenty squares of glass from the windows and considerably shook
the adjoining premises. Mr. Simpson, his boy, and labourer,
were all thrown down by the shock.
January [22. As James Miller, the Warkworth carrier, was
coming into Newcastle, seated upon the fore part of his cart, he
was shot dead by a musket ball, which entered his head at the
right temple, and traversing the brain, was extracted from within
the skin behind the left ear. Three young men were that morning
(umitimj themselves by shooting at a target placed against the
outside of the west wall of the bull-park, on the Town moor, and
it appeared that a shot had been fired which had gone over the wall,
ranged the park from west to east, and, crossing the turnpike, had
struck the unfortunate man, who, in a few minutes after, was found
dead on the road, he having fallen from his seat. After a patient
investigation of all the circumstances, the jury returned a verdict
of manslaughter against Mr. Thomas Burnet, who had been sworn
to as one of the party. At the assizes the jury confirmed the verdict
of the inquest, and Mr. Justice Bailey condemned in very severe
terms the too frequent practice of firing near public highways,
thereby endangering the lives of his majesty's subjects. As this
practice was illegal, he enjoined the magistrates and police to be
very vigilant in bringing such offenders to justice. From the re-
spectability of the gentlemen who were called to speak to Mr. B's
character, he was discharged on entering into recognizances, him-
self in 100, and four sureties of 50 each for his appearance at
the next assizes, then to receive the judgment of the court. He
was brought up at the next assizes, and fined 10.
February 2. A most tempestuous wind, accompanied with
heavy rain, began to blow from the south-west, and continued with
little intermission till the morning of the following day, when it
abated. The rain caused a considerable flood in the river Tyne,
Wear, and Tees. At Newcastle, the fury of the wind drove the
water forward with extraordinary violence, particularly against the
bridge over which the spray was carried to a great distance. The
low lands to the westward were all flooded. Near ShieUTs, James
Watson, a wherryman, was washed out of a boat and drowned,
leaving a wife and family. A sailor, belonging to the Hope, of
North Shields, fell out of a sculler boat, in trying to clear it from
a hawser, on which it had been driven, and was" lost. Another boat
was upset, but the persons aboard of it were all fortunately saved.
At Sundcrland much damage was done by the falling of chimneys,
also to the roofs of houses. Many ships and keels in the river
were driven from their moorings and much injured by the effects
A..D. 1822.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 145
of the gale, but no lives were lost. At Chester-le-Strect, the Wear
was so swelled by the rains, that it extended above the arch of the
new bridge, which is more than a quarter of a mile from the channel
of the river ; the whole intermediate space was a complete sheet
of water, by which much injury was sustained. At Durham, a
stack of chimneys on the house of Miss Wharton, of the North
Bailey, was blown down, and fell through the roof into a room of
the upper storey, in which were two servant maids, who had a most
providential escape from destruction. On hearing a loud rumbling
noise, they rushed into a corner of the room, and a moment after-
wards, the chimneys fell through the ceiling on the floor, at a few
inches from the side of a bed where one of them had been sitting.
In Claypath, a nail manufacturer was at work, and another man was
sitting beside him, both at about a yard's distance from the gable
end, which was blown down, but luckily it fell outwards. Much
other damage was done to roofs of houses, &c. It was supposed that
the river Wear rose twelve feet above its ordinary height ; its banks
were overflowed, and the low lands completely inundated. Two
horses and a cow were seen floating down that river. Great
damage was done upon the river Tees, particularly at Yarm.
1822 (Feb. 15). Died, at Blaydon, Mr. J. Morrison, aged 104
years.
February 28. Died, at North Shields, Mrs. Esther Marshall,
aged 100 years.
March 3. A new chapel for the Primitive Methodist or
Ranters was opened for divine service at Darlington, when up-
wards of 1,000 persons attended, and a collection was made towards
the expense of the building, the foundation of which was laid
October 16th, 1821, when a sermon was preached on the occa-
sion.
March 5. Died, at South Shields, Mrs. M. Stanton, aged 101
years.
March 7. A dreadful fire broke out in the earthenware manu-
factory of Mr. Wood, at Heworth Shore, near Gateshead, and in spite
of the utmost exertions, the whole fabric, excepting Mr. Wood's
dwelling-house, was reduced to ashes. Several cottages surround-
ing the pottery were also burnt down, and great loss of furniture
was sustained by the poor inmates.
March 18. Henry Anderson, a pitman, of Old Painsher, was
executed at Durham, pursuant to his sentence, for a rape on Sarah
Armstrong. At the fatal tree he addressed the spectators. The
unhappy culprit was a married man, but separated from his wife.
March 20. Mark Lawson and William Currie, were executed
in front of the Gaol Quay, at Morpeth, pursuant to their sentences,
for robbing Henry Thompson, upon the highway between Morpeth
and Newcastle, on the 7th of the preceding November. They
addressed the spectators, admitting the justice of their sentences.
Their bodies, after hanging the usual time, were cut down and
delivered to their friends, who conveyed them to Alnwick, their
native place, for interment. Portraits of these characters were
VOL. II. U
146 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [ A - D - 1822.
sketched whilst upon their trials by Mr. Parker, of Newcastle, and
etched by that artist,
1822 (March 22). The Northumberland, Durham, and New-
castle Infirmary for Diseases of the Eye, was first opened in
Brunswick-place, Northumberland-street, Newcastle, but afterwards
removed to Bond- street (now Prudhoe-streetJ. The utility of this
institution is evinced by the number of applications forrelief, upwards
of 7,02 i having been admitted from its first establishment to March,
1831. Consulting Physician, Dr. Headlam ; Surgeons, Mr. T. M.
Greenhow and Mr. John Fife; Matron, Mrs. Margaret Scott.
March 28. Died, at Ritton, Northumberland, Mr. Samuel
George, aged 100 years. It is remarkable that, after eight years
total blindness, he recovered, and enjoyed his sight for six years
previous to his death.
This month, while Mr. Carr was ploughing in a field in front
of Stagshaw House, near Corbridge, he encountered a large flat
square stone, which, on being removed, was found to cover the
mouth of a cavern about four feet deep, three feet long, and two
feet and a half wide, cut in the native rock. This rude tomb
enclosed a small antique urn, composed of clay and sand, uncovered
and coarsely ornamented ; it contained a few ordinary-sized teeth,
in perfect preservation ; the mouldering remains of a skull ; a
small heart-shaped amulet of grey slatey stone, perforated for sus-
pension ; and a tongue-shaped piece of flint, probably an arrow-
head. There was no inscription on the stones; no coins were found,
nor any means of ascertaining the date. A neighbouring farm-house
retains the name of " The Chantry;" whether in any way connected
with these remains did not appear.
April 6. George Wilson, the celebrated pedestrian of New-
castle, then in his 5Gth year, commenced the performance which
he had previously announced, viz to walk 90 miles in 24 succes-
sive hours, on the town-moor at that place. The spot selected was
half-a-mile on the east side of the race ground. He started at
twelve o'clock at noon, and concluded his laborious task ten minutes
before twelve o'clock on the following day, notwithstanding the
night was stormy, and showers of sleet, rain, and hail, rendered the
ground very slippery. At the conclusion of the feat, the pedestrian
carried the box himself among the assembled crowd to receive the
gifts of his friends. He was brought into Newcastle in a chaise
and four, at the expense of one of his patrons, with colours flying,
nnd the bells greeted his achievement with several merry peals.
See April IGth, 1813, page 72.
Mai/ 7. The first stone of the New Jerusalem Temple, in Percy-
street, Newcastle, was laid in due order. The Rev. James Bradley,
the minister, after giving a general statement of their doctrines,
performed the usual ceremony; then, standing upon the stone, offered
up a prayer that the undertaking might be crowned with success.
The names of the subscribers, and a record of the object of the
building, hermetically sealed in a glass phial, were deposited in the
foundation stone. February IGth, 1823, it was opened for divine
AO>. 1822.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 147
worship, when the Rev. S. Noble, of London, delivered three
impressive discourses, illustrative of the doctrines of that church.
1822 (May 16). Mr. Kent exhibited his marine velocipede upon
the river Tyne. Being ascension day, and the weather very fine,
he fired his musket, and performed a variety of evolutions with,
much ease and dexterity, to the great delight of a large concourse
of spectators. June 3d, Mr. Kent exhibited his apparatus at
Sunderland, to at least 20,000 spectators.
May 24. The Northumberland Flax-mill, at the Ouseburn,
near Newcastle, belonging to Messrs. Clarke, Plummer and Co.,
was discovered to be on fire, supposed to have arisen from a
flake of soot flying out of the engine chimney into an open window
in a garret, where flax and tow were deposited, which took fire,
and were instantly consumed. The manufactured goods in the
rooms below were saved, but the flames were not got under until
the reeling- room and the machinery therein, with the floors of the
garret and store-room were entirely burnt.
Same day, an act for building a new gaol and house of correction,
in Newcastle, and another act for facilitating the collection of
certain tolls payable to the mayor and burgesses of the same place,
received the royal assent.
31ay25. A bull was baited at Cullercoat Sands, near Tynemouth.
May 28. A bull Avas baited at Sunderland, when a poor man,
named Simon Thornton was thrown down by the crowd, and had
his leg broken, of which he afterwards died. Several bull baitings
had recently taken place at Sunderland. When will this cruel
torture cease ? Is there no punishment for wanton cruelty ? If
so, where are the magistrates ? Such exhibitions are the disgrace
of the vulgar, and are indications of a barbarous spirit which can
only be eradicated by knowledge which rouses the finer feelings,
and instills a sense of duty to every animated being.
May 29. A fire broke out in the Sunderland brewery, belonging
to Messrs. Fenwick & Co., which threatened destruction to the
building and the neighbouring houses. However, by timely
assistance it was got under, but with considerable damage to the
interior of the building, and the property therein.
May 31. In consequence of information to the excise officers
of Newcastle, an illicit distillery was discovered in the waste of an
old coal mine, in a field near Fenham Hall, adjoining the Town-
moor. The mine appeared to be one of the most ancient in that
part of the country, and was surrounded by furze and underwood.
At the bottom of the shaft, which was gained by a gradual descent
of several yards, was a small aperture like the mouth of an oven,
which could only be entered by crawling ; this led to a large apart-
ment in the mine, wherein were found two stills, with about 200
gallons of wash, and a complete distillery apparatus, valued in all
at about 50. It appeared to have been abruptly abandoned for
fear of detection. A long chimney, built with brick, conveyed the
smoke into the old workings, whence the neighbouring pits had a
draught. The coal of the mine supplied the fuel necessary for the
work ; water was also found upon the spot. As soon as the discovery
148 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1822.
was known, hundreds of persons visited the place, many of whom
were induced to explore "The Smugglers Hole" as it was now
called, and some who ventured into it had to stay much longer
than they calculated on. About four o'clock on the morning of
the Gth of June, three young men, to gratify their curiosity, ven-
tured in about a mile, it was supposed, from the entrance. They
had provided themselves with candles, -which they considered
sufficient for their purpose ; they had, however, proceeded too far,
and not having marked their way, were unable to retrace their
steps, and their candles being nearly consumed, they were reduced
to the necessity of making a fire with a hammer handle (which
they had with them for the purpose of knocking off petrifications)
and some pieces of coal which they found in the place. As the
day advanced their friends became alarmed for their safety, and
about twelve o'clock, some pitmen coming to the place, kindly
offered their assistance, and, after some time, found the young
men, who had been listening with much anxiety to hear the
approach of any deliverer. They had not followed these friendly
men far, when he who carried the candle stumbled, and they were
again in total darkness ; and such was the difficulty of their situa-
tion, that even with these experienced guides, they were obliged
to continue in this dreary cavern several hours longer, when other
two pitmen proceeded in, and extricated the whole about half- past
four o'clock in the afternoon, the young men having been under
ground without any food upwards of twelve hours. The roof and
floor of the cavity were covered with very curious petrifications,
called stalactites, formed by the drippings of water. Several
other persons were liberated by pitmen, so that it became necessary
to build up the aperture ; but such was the curiosity of the public,
that the mason work was soon demolished.
1822 (June 6). Died, at the Grove, near Durham, in his 64th
year, Stephen George Kemble, esq., the celebrated comedian, and
formerly manager of the theatres-royal of Newcastle, Glasgow,
and Edinburgh. Mr. Kemble, who was a very corpulent man, had
retired for some years from the exercise of the laborious profession
of an actor. In many characters he was confessedly unrivalled ;
and it is no small commendation, that he was considered by the
late Mr. Sheridan to be the best declaimer he had ever heard on
or off the stage. He was also possessed of considerable literary
talents, having wrote various addresses, songs, &c., &c., which
appeared from time to time in different journals. Mr. Kemhle
published " Odes, Lyrical Ballads, and Poems" 8vo., 1809, with a
portrait. June llth, his remains were interred in the chapel of
the Nine Altars, at the east end of Durham cathedral, on the north
side of the shrine of St. Cuthbert.
July 9. Died, in All Saints' poor-house, Newcastle, Benjamin
Starkey, in his 65th year. This eccentric, well known by the
name of Captain Starkey, being a free burgess, was for some time
an inmate of the Freemen's Hospital, in the Manor Chare, but
previous to his death had been removed to the poor-house. Mr.
Starkey, who was uncommonly polite, had a peculiar smooth
A.D. 1822.] REMARKABLE EVENTS, 149
method of obtaining the loan of a halfpenny, and for which he was
always ready to give his promissory note, which his creditors held
as curiosities. His memoirs, written by himself, with a portrait
and fac-simile of his hand-writing, were published in Newcastle, in
1818. A portrait, &c., of Mr. Starkey, may be had of John Sykes.
1822 (July). The workmen employed in digging for the founda-
tion of a new gaol at Morpeth, found, at the depth of thirteen feet
from the surface, an oak tree, measuring thirty-eight feet, and nine
feet in circumference, and perfectly sound. The skeleton of a deer's
head, with fine branching horns, was also found at the same place.
July 11. An adjournment of the general quarter sessions of
the peace for the county of Northumberland, was held at Morpeth,
for the purpose of laying the foundation stone of the new gaol,
house of correction, and sessions-house at Morpeth. About twelve
o'clock, his grace the duke of Northumberland, lord-lieutenant
and cutsos rotulorum of the county, arrived at Mrs. Sunderland's,
the Queen's Head inn, when, soon afterwards, the procession
proceeded in due form to the site of the intended building. On
arriving at the spot, the various coins of his Majesty George IV.
were placed in a glass vase, as also three beautiful coronation medals
of gold, silver, and bronze, and a brass plate with a suitable
inscription, were deposited in a cavity cut in the stone to receive
them. A large and massy stone of one ton weight was then raised,
and being lowered to its proper place, was adjusted and laid by his
grace in the usual form. The silver trowel was presented to his
grace by the chairman, Thomas Clennell, esq., at the same time
addressing his lordship in very appropriate terms. The duke then
returned thanks to the numerous assemblage present, and to the
magistrates in particular, for the compliment paid him in inviting
him to lay the stone that he always was particularly attentive to
every wish to serve the county that it gave him great pleasure to
attend, as far as possible, to their wishes at all times that he felt
the greatest pleasure in learning from the chairman of the county,
that the calendar for the ensuing assizes was only deformed by one
capital offence, a great proof of the good morals of the county
and he was happy to say, he observed an increasing prosperity in
the county at large. He concluded by trusting, that when the
building was finished, it would be the only house in the county
unoccupied. There was a large assemblage of ladies, filling a tem-
porary gallery purposely erected for their accomodation, and well
situated for a general view of the ceremony. Mr. John Dobson,
of Newcastle, was the architect. December 15th, 1 828, the prisoners
in the old gaol were removed to the new erection.
July 25. Died, in London, Mr. John Emery, the celebrated
actor, aged 45 years. Mr. Emery was a native of Sunderland,
and was educated at Ecclesfield, in Yorkshire, where he doubtless
acquired that knowledge of the dialect which obtained him so much
celebrity. He may be said to have been born an actor, both his
parents having followed that profession with some degree of pro-
vincial fame. In parts designedly written for him, he had no
150 HISTORICAL KEGISTEU OF [A.D. 1822.
competitor; and Tyke (School of Reform) and Giles (Miller's Maid),
in iarts of which his acting was truly terrific and appalling, will
long be remembered. Besides his histrionic powers, he was an
excellent musician, a poet, and a painter : his drawings of coast
scenery particularly, being much admired, and when offered for
sale fetching high prices.
1822 (July 25). Robert Russell, of Newcastle, undertook to
walk 101 miles in twenty-four successive hours, and completed this
ardous task four minutes within the time. The spot chosen for
this feat was the ground whereon George Wilson had exhibited.
This was Russel's first pedestrian essay. He afterwards walked
at Edinburgh, and various other places. Numerous were the
pedestrians at this time (some walking backwards, of which to give
a detail would be quite uninteresting.
July. A labourer who was employed winning stones in Stob-
cross-field, in the estate of Thrislington, in the parish of Bishop-
Middleham, Durham, turned up with his pick-axe some broad
lime-stone flags, scarcely 18 inches below the surface, and dis-
covered lying beneath them a perfect human skeleton. On the right
side, near the hip bone, lay the iron head apparently of a lance or
javelin. This first discovery was on the highest ground of the field.
Another skeleton was found about 20 yards to the north-west, with
a small lance head, also of iron. Eight or nine other sepulchres
containing human bones, were afterwards opened at various dis-
tances but all apparently gathered round the crown of the field,
where perhaps lay the chieftain of the race : in none of these were
found any implement either of war or peace. The mode of sepulture
was uniform and simple. The soil and marie, or soft lime-stone,
had been cleared away to the depth of about two feet, and the
skeleton lay on the level marie. On each side a row of large
round stones was arranged, and on these were supported broad
Hags of lime-stone, which covered the deposit. The distance and
regularity of the graves seem to forbid the supposition of their
tenants having fallen in battle, but that it was the family burial-
place of some early Saxon owner of the soil, before the conversion
of his tribe to Christianity. In one deposit there were the remains
either of a female or a very young person ; in another, the bones
of a horse, and also some smaller animal, perhaps a dog, were found
mingled with human remains. The graves were not dug east and
west, but in various directions. The larger lance head measured
nearly eight inches in length, and a liltle above one inch in diame-
ter ; the smaller, seven inches by nearly one inch in diameter.
The teeth of the two skeletons near winch the lance heads were
found were quite perfect. Some small portions of wood were ad-
hering to the larger lance head.
July. The owners of Iletton colliery having occasion to make
a reservoir for water at the summit of Warden Law, a hill of con-
siderable altitude in the county of Durham, at the depth of ten
feet, the workmen discovered an oak tree, which measured seventy
feet long, three feet in diameter at one end, and two feet at the
A.D. 1822.] REJIAttKABLE ETEXTS. 151
other. The branches extended thirty feet further, which made the
whole length one hundred feet. The workmen bored down tea
feet further, and found nothing but wood, but it was not dug out.
A large quantity of nuts and nut-bushes was found, the former
were very perfect. About the same time, as some quarrymeu
were laying bare a quarry belonging to the same owners, they
discovered a human skeleton about three feet below the surface,
with an old-fashioned button and two breeches knee-buckles, which
had probably been worn by the deceased.
1822 (Aug. 6). At a meeting of the Literary and Philosophical
Society of Newcastle, it was agreed to purchase the celebrated
Wycliffe museum, late in the possession of George Allan, esq., of
the Grange, which was to have been sold by public auction, but
which had been purchased entire by private contract (for the pur-
pose of offering to the society), by G. T. Fox, esq., of Westoe, and
some other spirited individuals. The thanks of the society were
also voted to Air. Fox, for the liberal manner in which he had
accommodated the society in the conditions of the purchase. The
collection contains nearly a complete list of British birds, more
especially all the rarer kinds, with a very valuable selection of
foreign birds, together with a curious collection of insects, shells,
reptiles, minerals, and a great variety of miscellaneous curiosities.
The preceding year Dr. Clanny, of Sunderland, presented to this
society a very fine collection of insects made at the Cape of Good
Hope by C. Colcleugh, esq., which is so much the more interesting
to the entomologist, as it is understood to be complete. These
form a valuable addition to the beautiful collection from Demerara
which had been presented to the society some time before by Major
George Anderson, of Newcastle, and which were afterwards
scientifically arranged by G. T. Fox, esq.
At/gust 8. A spermaceti whale (a native of the South Seas)
came on shore on the Northumberland coast, near Cresswell. Its
length from the tail to the nose end was 63 feet. The oil (9 tons
and 158 gallons) of this fish having become a matter of dispute
between two great landholders, it was taken possession of on
behalf of the crown, by a special direction from the admiralty,
September 16th, 1822. August llth, being Sunday, and a very
fine day, a great number of people went out to sea in steam-boats,
small boats, &c., expecting to see his majesty King George IV., in
his royal yacht, pass Tynemouth for Edinburgh : of this they were
disappointed, but many availed themselves of seeing this " king of
the sea" as it lay upon the beach. The village of Cresswell was
crowded on this occasion.
August 9. Robert Peat, of Ravensworth, near Richmond, aged
50 years, was executed in front of the county courts at Durham,
pursuant to his sentence, for poisoning, by putting a quantity of
laudanum into the broth of a relation named Robert Peat, at
Darlington, from whom he had stolen his will,
August 13. On the morning, after very tempestuous weather,
the wind blowing with great violence from the W.S.W., and a
J52 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1822.
good deal of sea getting up, the commodore felt it his duty to ad-
vise his majesty King George IV. (then on his voyage to Scotland;
to anchor for shelter in Berwick roads, which was accordingly done
at 9 A.M., the Royal Sovereign Yacht being in company. During
the stay of the royal squadron in the roads, a loyal address from
the inhahitants of Berwick was sent off, which was read to his
majesty at the palace of Holyrood, and which was most graciously
received.
1822 (A i/fj. 30) His royal highness the duke of Sussex visited
the city of Durham, where a Masonic Provincial Grand Lodge was
held to receive him. A splended procession took place during
which his royal highness was loudly cheered. He afterwards dined
with the masons in their hall. On the following day his royal high-
ness proceeded to Sunderland, by the river Wear, in company with
Mr. Lambton, in that gentleman's barge. The ships in the harbour
were decorated with flags, and the people loudly cheered him. On
entering the carriage that awaited his arrival, the populace took
the horses out, and drew him to the house of A. Fenwick, esq.,
where he partook of a cold collation. Previous to leaving Sunder-
land, his royal highness addressed the crowd, and thanked them
for the kind reception with which they had honoured him.
September 2nd, his royal highness honoured Newcastle with his
presence, in order to lay the foundation-stone of the new building
for the Literary and Philosophical Society in Westgate-street. At
noon, his royal highness, in Mr. Lambton's carriage, drawn by six
horses, accompanied by Lady Louisa Lambton, Mr. Lambton, and
Mr. Stephenson, reached Gateshead toll-bar, his suite following in
other carriages, when the populace took out the horses, and drew
the royal visitor down Gateshead, amidst the cheering of the mul-
titude assembled on the occasion ; his royal highness returned
their salutes with great affability. On the arrival of the cavalcade
at Tyne Bridge, he was met by Alfred Hall, esq., sheriff of New-
castle, accompanied by a number of gentlemen, who welcomed the
royal visitor on his entrance into that ancient and loyal town, to
which he made a suitable reply. A salute of 21 guns was at this
time fired from the castle, whilst the bridge for some minutes ex-
hibited one solid mass of carriages and people. Sir M. W. Ridley
bart., and Cuthbert Ellison, esq , the members for the town (who
had accompanied the sheriff to pay their respects to his royal high-
ness), got up in front of the carriage to usher in the duke ; and
Sir Matthew addressed the populace, insisting that the people of
Newcastle should now have the honour of drawing his royal high-
ness, as he had passed the limits of the county of Durham. This
was immediately done, and they proceeded to the Mansion-house,
vrhen an address, previously voted to the noble duke by the com-
mon council, was read by the recorder, after which his royal high-
ness was presented with the freedom of the town. The company
then sat down to a cold collation. An especial Grand Lodge of
Ancient Free Masons of England was held at the Concert room in
the l>5gg Market. Between one and two o'clock, the different
A.J). 1822.] UEMAUKABLE EVENTS. 153
lodges, in their official badges, accompanied by the insignia of their
fraternity, proceeded in grand procession to the Mansion-house,
and marched thence to the site of the building, which it reached a
little before three o'clock. His royal highness took possession of a
throne prepared for him ; Sir M. W. Ridley, bart., sat on his right
hand, and J. G. Lambton, esq. on his left. The masonic ceremony
of laying the stone then took place, amid the loud cheering of a
great assemblage of people, who had been admitted by tickets, and
for whose accommodation a secure scaffolding had been erected.
A plate, with a suitable inscription, and an elegantly- cut glass vase
(which was presented for that purpose by Mr. Joseph Price,), con-
taining the coins of the reign of George IV., were deposited in a
cavity in the stone. The large Assembly-room having been liberally
granted by the committee of proprietors for the accommodation
of his royal highness, nearly three hundred gentlemen assembled
in it to dinner, about five o'clock, Sir M. W. Ridley, bart., in the
chair. About nine o'clock, the duke took his leave, and proceeded
with Sir M. W. Ridley, bart., to Blagdon. September 4th, his
royal highness passed through Alnwick, on his way to Earl Grey's
seat at Howick. A great concourse of people assembled to receive
the royal visitor, and his carriage was drawn through the town by
the populace, amid enthusiastic cheers, the waving of handkerchiefs,
and the firing of cannon. His royal highness was very affable, and
extremely pleased with the kind, hospitable, and enthusiastic recep-
tion with which he had been greeted during his visit to the north.
September 9th, his royal highness passed through Newcastle on
his way to Raby castle, whither he arrived the same day, on a visit
to the earl of Darlington.
1822 (Sept. 10). Died, at her house, in Union-street, New-
castle, after a short illness, Mrs. Sarah Hodgson, in her 63rd year,
printer and proprietor of the Newcastle Chronicle, by which event
society suffered the loss of an upright and useful member ; the
place of her residence, an enlightened and indefatigable manager
of several of its charitable institutions, particularly of the Lying-in-
Hospital ; her family, an affectionate and judicious parent ; and an
extensive circle, a most warm-hearted and active friend. September
15th, 1822, a funeral sermon, on occasion of the lamented death
of Mrs. Hodgson, was preached in Hanover-square chapel, by the
Rev. William Turner.
September 23. The first annnal exhibition of the Northumberland
institution for the promotion of the Fine Arts, took place in the
rooms which had been prepared for the purpose, by Mr. T. M.
Richardson, in Brunswick-place, Newcastle, and many capital
pictures from artists of first-rate talent were exposed to public vieAv.
This exhibition continued annually until the Northern Academy of
Arts was built in Blackett-street. See June l\th, 1828.
September 27. Died, at Low Farnhatu, Northumberland, Mrs.
Catherine Green, aged 102 years.
October 9. Died, at Cullercoats, near Tyneraouth, William
Mills, aged 101 years.
VOL. II. X
554 HISTORICAL REGIJTEU OF [A.D. 1822,
1 822(0ct. 24). In addition to the inconvenience arising from
the strike of the keelmen on the Tyne, a number of seamen proceed-
ed from Shields up the river in boats, and took the crews from some
of the vessels which were loading at the spouts. The mayor of
Newcastle, Robert Bell, esq., proceeded down the river in his
banre. with a party of the volunteers and police, and took thirty-
of the rioters into custody, and carried them down to the Low
Lights, at Shields, when thirty were put aboard the king's cutter.
A inob assembled on the sands, and demanded the liberation of the
prisoners, which was refused, and the riot act was read by a North-
umberland magistrate, soon after which the ci'owd dispersed. On
the following day the prisoners were conveyed from the cutter in
carts, under a strong military guard to the Castle of Newcastle,
to which place a number of refractory seamen, &c., followed the
prisoners. Previous to their arrival, all the avenues leading to
the castle wore guarded by parties of the Northumberland and
Newcastle volunteer cavalry, and dismounted troop, to prevent
the admission of the anticipated crowd, and a powerful phalanx
was placed in front of the castle gates. On the arrival of the
party in the Castle-earth, the conduct of the mob was so
outrageous, that the riot act was read by the right worshipful
the mayor, and two of the ringleaders were taken into custody,
one of whom was recognized as having been very active at Shields,
while the prisoners were conveyed from the cutter to the carts.
A military guard remained all night at the castle.
October 29. Died, suddenly at his house, Villiers-street, Bishop-
wearmouth, aged 72 years, T. Collingwood, esq., M.D., member of
the Medical Society, London ; Board of Agriculture, and several
other learned institutions, many of which owe their origin to him.
Dr. Collingwood was born at Bates' Cross, near Berwick, on the 7th
of July, 1751, and was lineally descended from Sir David Colling-
wood, of Brandon, a branch of the ancient and renowned Colling-
woods, of Northumberland. As an agriculturist and mathematician
he ranked high ; his communications with the board on rural
affairs were much esteemed ; indeed, in a literary point of view,
his productions were varied and numerous. Medicine, poetry,
agriculture, and even the drama, at times employed his pen.
November 2. Half-yearly statute fairings for farmers' servants
were established in Sunderland, to be held on the first and second
Saturdays in November, and the first and second Saturdays in
May, in every year. The first was held on the above day.
November 5. A cattle market was established in Sunderland, to
be held fortnightly on the Tuesday.
November 18. The Hetton coal company effected the first ship-
ment of coals at their newly erected staith on the banks of the
river Wear at Sunderland. The waggon -way, which extends over
a space of eight miles from the colliery to the river, and in its
course crosses Warden Law (one of the highest hills in this part of
the country;, was crowded with spectators to witness the first
operations of the powerful and ingenious machinery employed for
A.I). 1822.] REMAUKABLB EVENTS. 155
conveying the coal-waggons. Five of Mr. George Stephenson'a
patent travelling engines, two sixty horse power fixed reciprocating
engines, and five self-acting inclined planes (all under the direction
of Mr. Robert Stephenson, the company's resident engineer) simul-
taneously performing their various and complicated offices, with a
precision and exactness of the most simple machinery, exhibited a
spectacle at once interesting to science, and encouraging to com-
merce. After the business of the day, the owners of the colliery
with about fifty of their frieuds, dined at Miss Jowsey's, the Bridge
inn, Bishopwearmouth.
1822 (Nov.). This month, about a mile south of Whitburn, in
the county of Durham, the sand having been removed by the tide
the stumps of seven trees were seen at about one hundred yards in
the sea, measuring from high water mark. The largest was
described as about six feet in diameter, and was clearly in the
situation in which it had grown. There was a considerable accu-
mulation of vegetable matter round them, containing leaves, nuts,
and broken pieces of branches ; next below this was light blue
clay, in which the trees appeared to have grown.
December 10. The beginning of this month, the keelmen of the
Tyne resumed their labours, after a suspension of about ten weeks,
under alleged grievances which the coal owners had determined to
resist. At periods during the stick they were very refractory, but
by the vigilance of the naval and military employed, together with
the prompt assistance of the magistracy, their turbulence was sup-
pressed. The Swan cutter was moored on the south side of the
river, opposite to Newcastle Quay, and fired her morning and even-
ing gun. This was supposed to be the only instance of a ship of
war having been so far up the Tyne since the rebellion in 1745-6,
when troops were landed at Newcastle from king's ships. In con-
sequence of the restoration of order, the mayor conveyed the thanks
of the civil authorities, on the above day, to the officers, seamen,
and marines of his majesty's ships the Egeria. Nirnrod, and Swan,
previous to their departure from the port, the acknowledgments of
the civil authorities, and of the gentlemen interested in the coal
trade were likewise conveyed to Lieut.-Col. Holmes, 3rd dragoon
guards ; Lieut.-Col. Brandling, of the Northumberland and New-
castle volunteer cavalry, and the Hon. Captain Liddell of the
Eavensworth cavalry, for their services in support of the civil power,
and the exemplary conduct of the troops under their command.
December 25. The new Presbyterian church, in Clavering-place,
Newcastle (the Rev. James Pringle, pastor), was opened for divine
service. The Rev. J. Mitchell, D. D., of Andersteu, Glasgow, and
the Rev. J. McGilchrist, of Dunse, officiated on the occasion, Mr.
Pringle being absent on a mission to Gibraltar.
This year, a stone bridge, eighty feet in length, and twenty-
eight feet in breadth, was built over Dipton-burn, in Northumber-
land. This brook, after rains, was frequently very hazardous to pass.
A neat stone edifice for a school-house, was this year, erected iu
the village of Newburn, by the duke of Northumberland.
]-,(; HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A.D. 1822.
1822. This year, Bond-street, now Prudhoe-street, in New-
castle, was formed.
Carliol lower, in Bridge-street, Newcastle, being part of the
town-wall, was this year altered and repaired: Robert Belt, and
John Pitt Scott, stewards. This is the meeting-house of tho com-
pany of free weavers. See January "2nd, 1746, vol. i. page 186.
1823 (Jan. 3> Mr. Charlton, surgeon, of Wylam, having at a
late hour been called upon in haste to give his attendance at Oving-
1mm, borrowed a spirited horse of a friend, that he might proceed
with the least possible delay. He had not gone above half a mile,
when he perceived his horse stumble, and he immediately threw
himself from the saddle. It was fortunate he did so, for the next
instant his horse had fallen down a precipice of nearly seventy feet,
and, incredible, as it may seem, the animal sustained no injury, but
immediately dashed into the Tyne, and swam to the opposite side.
Search was made after him, arid hearing his master's voice, he was
heard to neigh even across the water in token of recognition, and
was ultimately restored without either speck or blemish.
January 4. The paper-mill of Mr. B. Ord, at Moorsley Banks,
near Durham, took fire, owing to that part of the machinery which
is called " The Devil" and is used in tearing rags, preparatory to
their being converted into paper, having, from the great heat caused
by its rapid motion, become ignited. An old man named Miller,
who was left in the care of the mill for the night, gave the alarm,
and Mr. Ord and his workmen, who resided on the premises, having
been roused from their beds, proceeded to arrest the progress
of the flames, and after considerable exertion, succeeded in getting
the fire under, but not until considerable damage had been done.
The old man afterwards died of the injury he received by the
machinery in endeavouring to extinguish the fire before he gave
the alarm.
January 10. A fire broke out in the dwelling house of John
Walker, esq., at Westgate-bill, near Newcastle, by which th back
parts of the premises were entirely consumed. It originated in a
lodging room, from the rushlight setting fire to the bed curtains.
January 11. Died, in Newcastle, in the 70th year of his age,
Robert Doubleday, esq., a most active and enlightened member of
society. For twenty-six years he filled the office of vice-president
and chairman of the monthly meetings of the Literary and Philo-
sophical Society of that town, and for nearly half a century dis-
charged the duties of secretary to the Dispensary. He was,
besides, secretary to the Fever Hospital, and the Lying-in charity,
chairman of the committee of the Royal Jubilee School, and a
director of the Savings' Bank. His humane and liberal disposition
rendered him zealous in the discharge of the duties of these offices,
and anxious, by every means in his power, to promote the interests
of these several institutions. There is a fine portrait of Mr.
Doubleday published by Mr. Charnley.
January 17. Died, in London, in his 72nd year, George
Edwards, esq., M. D., author of several works on political economy.
A.D. 1823.] REMARKABLE EVENTS, 157
'Mr. Edwards was a native of Barnardcastle, in the county of
Durham.
1823 (Jan. 20) The workmen commenced pulling down the
Maison de Dieu, built in 1412, over which was the Merchants'
Court, at the east end of the Guildhall, Newcastle, for the purpose
of building a new hall for the company of Free Merchants, and
underneath a fish-market. Besides being a great ornament to the
east end of the Guildhall, it has removed a nuisance (the fish stalls)
from the Sandhill, and has also widened the entrance to the Quay,
which before was inconveniently narrow for the constant traffic in
that part. In digging for a foundation for the new building, part
of the foundation of the town's-wall, which had extended along the
Quay, was removed by blasting, in doing which, at the depth of
about twelve feet from the surface, a mason's chisel was taken out
of the centre of the old wall, and which must have remained there
from its first building, which Hardinge attributes to William Rufus,
who began his reign in the year 1087, and ended it in the year
1100. This chisel is in the possession of John Sykes.
January 27. Died, at his house, in Bedford-row, London, in
the 86th year of his age, the celebrated Charles Hutton, LL. D.,
F.ll.S., and for upwards of forty years professor of mathematics in
the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. Dr. Hutton was born
in Percy-street, Newcastle. Like many others, he was entirely a
self-taught mathematician. In the years 1755 and 1756, Charles
Hutton (whose father was employed in the colleries) worked as a
hewer in Old Long Benton colliery, but a lameness in his arm,
from an accident when young, rendering him unfit for so laborious
an employment ; he opened a school in the village of Jesmond, but
afterwards removing to Newcastle, he taught with great reputation
till 1773, when on the 29th of May that year he was appointed by
the board of Ordnance to the professorship of mathematics in the
Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, in the room of Mr. Cowley,
superannuated. He was elected from a number of candidates, after
a strict examination of several days. The following year Mr.
Hutton was elected a fellow of the Royal Society, In 1770, he
published in Newcastle, his " Treatise on Mensuration, 4to., dedi-
cated to his grace the duke of Northumberland. The celebrated
Mr. Thomas Bewick, then an apprentice to Mr. Beilby, commenced
his career as a wood-engraver, by engraving the mathematical
diagrams for this work. His publications were very numerous, and
have nearly all become standard works in the mathematical semi-
naries. The beautiful marble bust of him, executed by Gahagan,
and which had been presented to himself, September 21st, 1822,
by a committee of the subscribers, he bequeathed to the Literary
and Philosophical Society of Newcastle. After the expenses of the
bust were paid, a considerable surplus remained on hand, with this
the committee agreed to engrave a die for striking off medals (one
of which to be given in a case to each subscriber), to contain on
the obverse the head of Dr. Hutton in profile, with an appropriate
legend on the reverse, emblems of two philosophical discoveries by
158 HISTORICAL REGISTER OF [A. I). 1823.
him ; the one on tho density of the earth, and the other on the
exact force or strength of gunpowder, with an appropriate motto.
Mrs. Hutton died at Jesraond, near Newcastle, May 2Gth, 1785.
1823 (Jan. and Feb.) Northumberland and Durham were
visited by a dreadful snow storm, which, drifting into immense heaps,
prevented the ordinary intercourse of business, as travelling in any
shape was impracticable. The various stage coaches were of course
detained at Newcastle. For a whole week, the north and west
mails neither reached nor were despatched from that town. On
Gateshead Fell the snow was so drifted, as in one place to be level
with the top of a two-story house, and here the guard of the Lon-
don mail must have perished, but for the timely assistance of some
pitmen, who brought forward the letter bags on their backs. So
great was the fall of snow north of Newcastle, that the mail coach
got so completely fixed in it, near Swarland, that it was obliged to
be abandoned, after which, it was so rapidly covered with snow,
and so buried, as to leave no trace of the place where it was, until
after many days' thaw, when the top became visible. The west
turnpike, near Newcastle, was also completely drifted up, and when
cut through, exhibited a very singular appearance, as the snow dyke
stood in many places twelve and fourteen feet high. Newcastle,
on some of the market days during this snoiv blockade, exhibited
no greater bustle than on the ordinary days. On one day during
the storm, the mails were despatched to the north on thirteen
saddle horses, the novelty of which excited considerable interest.
Travellers were detained at many country places till all the provi-
sions at the inns were exhausted. Sir Carnaby Haggerston, bart.,
hospitably entertained a large party of strangers in this predica-
ment, at his seat at Haggerston, in Northumberland. Great damage
was done to the shipping, mnny being wrecked near Bamborough.
At Durham the snow began to fall, January llth, accompanied by
a dense fog. On the 28th, some signs of a change appeared, and
on the 29th, the ice on the river Wear began to give way, but on
Saturday, the 31st, another heavy fall of snow commenced, and
continued almost incessantly for three days. The roads in every
direction were entirely blown up, and from Sunday, February 2nd,
till the following Sunday, neither the mail nor any of the other
coaches reached Durham, either from the north or the south. The
London mail reached Darlington regularly, and JRushyford with
some difficulty, from thence the bags were forwarded on horseback.
February 2nd, the Highflyer and Telegraph stuck fast in the drift
on the height of Butcher-Race; and on Friday, the 7th, the mail
and another coach were stopped at the same place. Ten horses were
applied to the mail in vain, and within half an hour after, both
coaches were completely covered by a snow wreath, and remained
so for two days. On Sunday, February the 9th, the mail from the
south arrived in Durham, drawn by six horses ; and the same day,
the north mail, which had been detained in Durham for a week,
reached Newcastle with great difficulty. The storm, which con-
tinued for about six weeks, was far more severe than that of 1814.
A. P. 1823.] 11KMARKABLE EVENTS. 159
1823 (Feb. 2) Died, in St. Nicholas' poor-house, in Newcastle,
Mr. James Iklerton, aged 100 years.
February 12. At three o'clock on the morning, a fire broke out
in the lead manufactory of Locke, Blackett, & Co., in Gallowgate,
Newcastle, which at first had a very alarming appearance ; but by
the assistance of the engines of the Newcastle Fire-office, and those
from the barracks, it was got under before six o'clock. The fire
was confined to the red-lead house, where it commenced, the roof
of which was burnt off, and two other roofs slightly injured.
February 19. A most melancholy accident occurred in the
Theatre-royal, Newcastle. The piece of ' Tom and Jerry " which
had been the source of great attraction, had proceeded towards the
second scene of the first act, when it was discovered that some gas
had escaped from a pipe in the lower tier of boxes, which soon
became more obvious by smoke and flame penetrating through the
crevices into the gallery. The flame was almost instantly extin-
guished; but the cries of "Fire, fire save your lives !" produced
so great an alarm, that all attempts to inspire confidence, or dissipate
apprehensions of danger, were unavailing. Mr. I)e Camp, the
manager, did everything in his power to prevent the dreadful con-
sequences which ensued, and it must be admitted that the calamity
would have been more deplorable but for his exertions. The people
rushed to the stairs, and before the check-taker could open the
second barrier downwards, the space was completely blocked up.
The shrieks of women, and the agonizing cries of the suffering and
helpless, were truly heart-rending. Some were trampled to death,
and others died from suffocation. The following is a list of those
who actually perished : Mrs. Robson, wife of Mr. Riddell Robson,
builder, Westgate-street ; Mary Johnson, aged 16 years, milliner,
of the Manor-chare ; Isabella Parkinson, aged II years, adopted
child of Mrs. Green, Pilgrim-street ; Thomas Handyside, aged 20
years,son of Mr. Cuthbert Handyside, bookbinder; and John Jonathan
"Wilkinson, son of Mr. Wilkinson, veterinary surgeon, Pilgrim-
street, all of Newcastle. Dorothy Heaton, aged 17 years, daughter
of Mr. George Heaton, tailor ; and Mr. John Edwards, both of
Gateshead. The check-taker had opened the upper barrier, and
in his endeavours to open the second, as above stated, was thrown
down the stairs. It was thought fortunate that he did not succeed,
or the mischief would have been more dreadful, by a large body
of people been dashed down the steep stairs below the barrier.
Besides the seven persons killed, numbers were seriously bruised
and injured. Mrs. Robson was killed in the arms of her husband,
who was himself much hurt.
1823 (Feb. 2()). Died, at North Shields, Mr. Henry Taylor,
lie was born at Whit by, and was one of the early friends of the
celebrated Captain Cook, that enterprising and ill-fated mariner.
Possessed of a very active and intelligent mind, he projected and
assisted in placing many of the floating lights on the British coast,
particularly those on Hasbro' Gat, the Godwin and Sunk Sands.
He was the author of " Instructions for Mariners respecting the
150 HISTORICAL KE(iISTEn OF [A.D. 1823.
Management of Ships at Single Anchor, c.," a very useful work,
and which has gone through several editions. Mr. Taylor also
gave to the public his own life, under the title of " Memoirs of the
principal Events in the Life of Henry Taylor, of North Shields" 8vo.
1811. This " Sailors Friend" like most great geniuses, was often
neglected, and it was not till late in life that he received any
permanent reward from the Trinity-house, London. The corporation
of Newcastle presented him with an hundred pounds, and the
Trinity-house of the same place with fifty pounds. He died
universally respected, and being a member of the Society of Friends,
he was interred at their burial-ground at North Shields. Numbers
of Friends and shipowners attended his remains to the grave.
February 21. An explosion of inflammable air took place in
Ouston colliery, near Chester- le-Street, by which four men were
killed, and two severely burnt.
March 3. A most violent gale of wind was experieneed in
Newcastle and its neighbourhood, which damaged many roofs of
houses, and blew down chimneys ; trees were also torn up by the
roots. Three of the vanes on the small pinnacles of St. Nicholas'
church steeple were blown down, and part of the fine, but decayed,
tracery in the large Gothic window, in the north transept of that
church, was blown out. The four pinnacles of the new church at
Heworth were blown off, and two of them passed through the roof.
At North Shields, the family of Dr. Oxley were thrown into great
alarm by a stack of chimneys falling through the skylight, and
breaking in the floors. Happily no injury was sustained.
March 20. A most splendid fancy dress ball and supper was
given by the gentlemen bachelors of Newcastle (47) to the ladies
and gentlemen in that town and neighbourhood, which took place
at the Assembly-rooms, when 467 ladies and gentlemen, attired in
all the splendour, brilliancy, and variety that taste could devise
or money purchase, crowded the suite of apartments. The assem-
blage presented a view of all the dresses of Europe, ancient and
modern, and of many of those of the other quarters of the globe.
So splendid an entertainment was never before seen in New-
castle.
1823 (April 2). Workmen began to pull down the north part of
the gaol of Newgate, one of the gates of the town's wall, Newcastle;
and on the 10th, the stone statue of King James I., which stood
over the north entrance, was removed from its stand, and conveyed
to the castle ; it was much broken in its removal. Newgate, which
appears to have been built upon the site of an older one, called
Berwick-gate, had been the common gaol of Newcastle since the
year 1400, when that town was made a county of itself, and took
custody of its own prisoners. See May 23rd, 1400, vol, i., page 55.
The additional wings or flanks on each side of the south front of
this structure were added, the one in the year 1702, William Ram-
say, esq., mayor, William Boutflower, esq., sheriff; the other in the
year 1706, Sir Ralph Carr, mayor, William Ellison, esq., sheriff.
On the pulling down of Newgate, the felons belonging to
A.D. 1823.]
REMAKKABLE EVENTS.
161
Newcastle were confined in the cells of the Cjounty Courts, and the
debtors in the Castle, until the completion of the new prisons in
Carliol-street.
The above wood-cut shews the south front of Newgate, with the
guard-house adjoining its west wing, and the footway which was
opened through the town's wall, on the east side, in the year 1765,
for the convenience of the public. The gaoler's house stood oppo-
site to the east end. June 1823, the east wing was commenced
being pulled down, which was followed by the removal of the west
wing. The old building being then isolated, it presented the
appearance as shown in the following wood-cut.
VOL. II.
162
HISTORICAL REGISTER OF
[A.D 1823.
In this state it remained until September 18th, when it was com-
menced being pulled down. During the demolition, several large
cannon balls were found deep sunk in the wall. These had been
fired during the siege by the Scots. Parts of the walls were so
firm that they had to be blasted with gunpowder, whilst other parts
exhibited a heap of ruins. The portcullis, which remained here
until the final demolition of the gate, was the last existing one in
Newcastle. It was of oak, the spikes shod with iron. Altogether
it was of a tremendous weight. Jt was suspended in a groove, with
the spikes reaching below the top of the arch of the gateway ; the
centre spikes had been sawn away, to correspond with the arch.
It is now at Blagdon. That this gateway had been dangerous, and
inconveniently narrow for the traffic of the town, is shewn by the
following serious accidents : November 10th, 1776, in the even-
ing, two chaises met in the passage under Newgate, and, being
very dark, ran foul of each other, when the pole of that coming
into town, struck the near horse's breast in the other, and wounded
him so much that he died soon after from the effusion of blood,
though not before he had run four miles, when he dropped down
dead under the driver, who had not discovered the bleeding.
April 8th, 1797, as a loaded cart was passing through Newgate, it
was met by a waggon, which together so completely choaked up
the road, that an amiable young man of the name of Russell, son
of Mr. John Russell, Morpeth carrier, going through at the same
time, was unfortunately jammed against the wall with such vio-
lence, that he expired soon after. These shew the necessity of its
removal, though a jeu d'esprit or two were written at the time
urging the necessity (in an antiquarian point of view) of its being
A..I). 1823.] KEiLVRKABLE EVENTS. 1G3
suffered to remain. For the appearance of the original north front
of this structure, after the ivings and additional north building
were removed, see vol. ., page 16.
1823 (May 20). The foundation stone of a United Secession
church was laid in Carliol-street, Newcastle, by the Rev. Mr. Gillan,
who addressed the audience previous to the stone being deposited,
and concluded the ceremony with an impressive prayer.
December 25th, 1823, it was opened for divine worship with three
excellent discourses, by the Rev. J. Harper, of Leith, and the
Rev. R. Hunter, of Carlisle, when collections to the amount of
22. 6s. Wd, were made in aid of the funds.
May. The society of Arts presented the large silver 'medal to
Mr. Henry Marshall, of Newcastle, for his improved melting pots
for brass-founders and steel-makers.
June 4. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of a new
gaol and house of correction in Carliol-street, Newcastle, took place
at two o'clock in the afternoon. Robert Bell, esq., mayor, preced-
ed by the regalia of the corporation, and accompanied by the
recorder, aldermen, and sheriff, and the commissioners representing
the four parishes, viz. : Mr. William Coates and Mr. Francis
Ewart, for St. Nicholas' : Mr Thomas Milner and Mr. William
Browosword Proctor, for All Saints'; Mr. George Anderson, for
St. John's ; and Mr. Thomas Mackfordand Mr. Thomas Graham,
for St. Andrews', went in procession from the Guildhall to the site
of the building ; a glass vase containing all the coins struck during
the reign of his Majesty George IV., Avas deposited in a cavity of
the stone, by William Boyd, esq., the treasurer to the commis-
sioners, after which, a brass plate, bearing an appropriate inscrip-
tion, was inserted. The mayor then proceeded to lay the stone
with a silver trowel, which he afterwards presented to Mr. John.
Dobson, the architect. He then addressed the concourse of spec-
tators with great energy, in language befitting the occasion ; this
was received with nine hearty cheers, and the completion of the
ceremony was announced by the discharge of the artillery from the
castle, and the ringing of the bells of the several churches. The
mayor afterwards entertained the magistrates and the commis-
sioners at the Mansion-house.
The beginning of this year, Carliol-street was commenced
building. Previous to this it was a field called " The Carliol
Croft."
June 4. The foundation stone of a new quay or pier was laid,
connecting the eastern end of the Low-street of North Shields
with the ancient bridge over the Pow Burn, at the Low Lights.
The ceremony of laying the stone was numerously attended, and
afterwards a large company dined at Mr. Peascod's the White
Swan inn. The carriage road along this quay was named the
Union-way.
June 1 6. Whilst some workmen were digging in the ruins of
the ancient dormitories of Tyneuiouth Priory, overlooking Prior's
Haven, for the purpose of making a receptacle for gunpowder, a
164 HISTORICAL JIEGISTER OP [A.U. 1823
flat stone was turned up, which had been placed with the letters
downwards, as if it had been wrought into the structure a second
lime A part of the stone was broken off at each end, and the letters
lost ; these remaining were almost illegible. Another stone, which
looked like the upper end of a hoodstone (or fire-place hudstone),
had some ru<!e r.arvings, or ornamental scrolls round the semicircu-
lar end, and what may have been the front. Pieces of small round
columns, and parts of stones belonging to groin work, were also
turned up amongst the cement of these ancient walls. The half-
moon battery, erected during the great rebellion, is within a few
yards of this place.
1823 (June IS). A most melancholy accident happened at
AValker colliery, near Newcastle. An air-course having to be
opened, some workmen were set to open an old shaft, which had
been filled up for 25 yeai'S. The length of time it had been filled
up, induced a belief that the earth, &c., filling it, had become firmly
united to the sides, and, in consequence, the under-viewer and
five other men unfortunately proceeded to remove the earth from
the bottom of the shaft, at the same time that others were working
at the top of it. They had not worked long, when the whole
mass slid down, and buried them under it. Men were immediately
set to work to dig them out, when they were found in a shockingly
mangled state all quite dead.
June 21. About two o'clock on the morning, the brass foundry
of Messrs. Jobson and Brunting, in Forth-street, Newcastle, and
the adjoining nail-factory of Flintoff & Co., were discovered to be
on fire, which, by great exertions were extinguished with less
injury than was expected.
June. This month, a very curious
urn of pottery ware was discovered
by some workmen employed by
Mr. John Grey, of Millfield Hill,
in Northumberland, in removing
a mass of large stones that had
obstructed the ploughing of a field.
The urn was set upon a flat stone
about four feet below the surface,
and surrounded by soft alluvial soil,
a large Hat sandstone was carefully
placed over it ; and above all, an
accumulation of whinstones, some
of them of a size inconvenient to
remove, to the extent of from 80
to 100 cart loads. The urn con-
tained a quantity of soft dust or
powder, of a brown colour, and many small pieces of bones that
had not been completely consumed by fire. Those of the head
were the most, entire, especially parts of the skull and jaw bones,
in which, although the teeth were gone, the sockets that had
contained them, remained as regular as the cells in a honey
A.D. 1823.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 165
comb. From the size of the tumulus, and the pains with which
the ashes had been deposited in it, there is little reason to doubt
that they were the remains of some person of distinction in his day
and generation. Annexed is an exact wood-cut, by the late Mr.
Thomas Bewick, of this urn from a drawing by Mrs. Grey.
1823 (July 9). A large, commodious, and elegant building,
erected by the Society of Friends, at the head of Nile-street, Sunder-
land, was opened for public worship, by a large concourse of
strangers attending from various parts of the country.
July 11. Died, in Old Elvet, in the city of Durham, aged 92
years, Mr. James Brown, commonly called the Durham Poet. Mr.
B., who was a native of Scotland, lived many years in the Side,
Newcastle, at which time he was a rigid Buchanite, and used often
to relate that he, with several others of the same persuasion, fasted
forty days and forty nights, according to the dictates of Mrs.
Elizabeth Buchan, the leader of that sect. In answer to a question
how he sustained the cravings of the appetite during that long
period, he replied, in the presence of the writer, that " they took no
sustenance whatever, only they set on to the fire a great pot, in
which they boiled water, then stirred into it oatmeal, and supped
that" ! ! ! Mr. B. followed the business of a tailor ; and when in
Newcastle, used to attend the fairs in that neighourhood with
clothes made up for that purpose. Here his first wife died ; after
which he married an old lady, not devoid of eccentricities, but pos-
sessed of some property in Durham, on which account he removed
to that city to reside. Whilst in Newcastle about forty years
ago, he supposed himself the Poet Laureat of that town, and used
frequently to recite his effusions, which possessed " nor rhyme nor
reason." Not long before his death he called upon the writer, and
told him that he had sunk some money upon a liberal life-interest,
at the same time remarking that the party was taken in, as he
would never die, During Mr. Lambton's contest, in the year 1820,
a number of copies of a pamphlet entitled " A Sublime Epistle,
Poetic and Politic," and other electioneering squibs, pretending to
be written " by James Brown, P.L.," with a portrait, were sent to
him anonymously ; these, after printing an explanatory address
upon the back of the title page, he turned to his own emolument
by selling them. Mr. B. was the author of various pamphlets, such
as Poetry, Scriptural Hieroglyphics, &c. The last which he laid
before the public was a collection of doggrel poetry printed in Ney-
castle, by Preston and Heaton in 1820, to which was prefixed a
portrait of himself, sounding a trumpet to alarm sinners ; it is a
whole length cut in wood by Mr. Bewick, with curious verses at
top and bottom. This eccentric character was very susceptible of
flattery ; and various were the letters, &c., eulogising his abilities,
which he received, purporting to come from the Emperor of
Morocco, emperor of Russia, king of England, &c., &c., all which he
believed to be genuine. These he used to carry about his person,
and frequently exhibit to his friends, to the no small amusement
of those who were the authors. The last time the writer saw this
1G6 HISTORICAL REGISTER OP [A.D. 1823.
original character in Newcastle, he was shewn a letter, to which was
appended a lump of bad coloured sealing wax, having upon it an un-
meaning impression, this he was fully persuaded was from the Grand
Turk ! Mr. Brown was latterly a follower of Johanna Southcott.
Immediately after writing the above memoir (for the first edition),
a notice of Mrs. Brown's death appeared in the Newcastle Chronicle
of July 3rd, 1824, as follows : June 27th, died, in Gilligate,
Durham, aged 80, Sarah, widow of the late James Brown, commonly
called the Durham Poet, a most singular women. She was in her
religion, like her eccentric husband, a follower of Johanna South-
cott, and pretended to have had numerous visions concerning a
future state, all of which she firmly believed.
1823 (July 2Q). Grace Griffin was executed at Berwick, pur-
suant to her sentence, for the murder of her husband, John Griffin.
An immense crowd of spectators assembled, as there had not been
an execution there since May 10th, 1758, when Margaret Drydon
was executed at Berwick for the murder of her bastard child, which
she confessed, admitted the justice of her sentence, and died very
penitent.
July 29. The cordwainers of Newcastle, celebrated the festival
of St. Crispin, by holding a coronation of their patron saint, and
afterwards walking in procession through several streets of that
town. The coronation took place in the court of the Peace and
Unity Hospital, at the Westgate, at eleven o'ciock, and soon after
twelve, the procession moved forward through the principal streets
of that town and Gateshead, and finally halted at the sign of the
Chancellor's Head, in Newgate-street, where the members of the
trade partook of a dinner provided for the occasion. A great
number of people assembled to witness the procession, as there
had not been a similar exhibition since the year 1789. As it has
not been revived since 1823, it is hoped that this silly childish parade
is now laid dormant for ever.
August 12. Died, in Gateshead poor-house, Mary Robson, aged
103 years. Two years before, she underwent an amputation of her
arm, at the Infirmary, Newcastle, having been unfortunately run
over by a coal-waggon.
This month, a human skull and some bones, much in decay,
were dug up by the side of Fulwell-hill, near Sunderland. Many
actions were fought here with the Danish invaders in the 9th
century, and in the civil wars the king's forces lay at Newcastle, and
Cromwell's at Sunderland, when sharp rencounters took place in
this neighbourhood. A gigantic skeleton was dug up here in
March, 1758. See vol. i. page 221.
September 1. Died, at Whitton, near Rothbury, Isabella Burn,
aged 103 years.
September 12. The inhabitants of Newcastle and Gateshead
were gratified with a novel and interesting spectacle, in a proces-
sion through the principal streets, of the workmen employed in
several of the glass-houses in that and the neighbouring towns,
ach bearing in his hand a specimen of the art, remarkable either
A.J>. 1823.] REMARKABLE EVENTS. 167
for its curious construction or its beauty and elegance. The morn-
ing was ushered in with the ringing of bells, and notice of the
intended procession having been previously circulated, numbers of
people crowded the streets to witness the pleasing spectacle. The
yard at the Skinner's-burn, belonging to Messrs. Clayton, was the
place appointed for the assembling of those who had to form the
procession. Here having been marshalled in due order, a little
after twelve o'clock it moved forward along the Close, amid the
cheers of the assembled multitude, the firing of cannon, and the
ringing of bells. It was preceded by the band of theTyne Hussars,
and was composed of the workmen of the Northumberland, the
South Shields, the Wear (Sunderland), the Durham and British
(Gateshead), the Stourbridge (Gateshead), and the North Shields
glass companies, arranged according to the seniority of their
respective houses, each of which was distinguished by appropriate
flags. The sky was clear, and the rays of the sun falling upon
the glittering column, gave it a richness and grandeur in appear-
ance that defy description. The hat of almost every person in it
was decorated with a glass feather, whilst a glass star sparkled on
their breasts, and a chain or collar of variegated glass hung round
the neck ; some of them also wore sashes round their waist. Each
man carried in his hand a staff, on a cross piece on the top of
which was displayed one or more curious or beautiful specimens
of their art. As these were thus carried above the heads of the
crowd, a full view of them was afforded to every one, and the pro-
cession was relieved from the inconvenience which might otherwise
have been experienced from the populace crowding round it to
obtain a sight of the different vessels. These consisted not only
of a profusion of decanters, glasses, goblets, jugs, bowls, dishes, &c.,
which may be called the stable articles of the trade, and which
exhibited an endless variety of elegant shape and exquisite work-
manship, but also of several others, remarkable either for their
grandeur and excellence of work, or for the curious nature of their
construction ; amongst the latter were two elegant bird cages, con-
taining birds, which sang at periods during the procession ; a salute
was fired several times from a fort mounted with glass cannon, to
the astonishment of the spectators ; and a glass bugle, which
sounded the halts and played several marches, was also much
admired for its sweetness and correctness of tone. Several elegant
specimens of stained glass were exhibited, and many of the men
wore glass hats and carried glass swords. When the procession
arrived at the Mansion-house it halted, when a salute was fired
from the glass cannon ; the procession then moved forward, passing
along the bridge to Gateshead, and up the streets of that town as
far as Mr. Price's house ; it then returned and paraded through
the principal streets of Newcastle, and finally halted at Mr. Thomas
Heron's, the Cock inn, at the head of the Side, where the men
belonging to four of the houses were to dine. Here the brittle
fort fired a salute, as it had done several times before. The men
of the two remaining houses then proceeded to their respective
168 HISTORICAL REGISTER OP [A.D. 1823.
places of entertainment, one to Mrs. Wallace's, Nag's Head, foot
of the Butchers' Bank ; the other to Mr. Methuen's, Gateshead.
Exhibitions of this kind are highly commendable, not being a mere
unmeaning show calculated for caricature, but exhibiting to public
view some of the finest efforts of human industry and genius.
1823 (Sept. 26> Died, at Hedston Link House, near Wark-
worth, Mrs. Jane Young, aged 105 years.
October 23. Died, at West Thirston, near Felton, Northumber-
land, Mr. Charles Gibson. Without any previous indisposition, he
dropped down at his own door, and instantly expired. In early
life he learnt the trade of a linen-weaver, in which he was very
proficient ; but taking a dislike to the business, he gave it up, and,
without any instruction whatever, commenced making musical in-
struments, such as small pipes, large bagpipes, violins, clarionets,
&c. He also made telescopes, which he completed with admirable
dexterity ; and the late Dr. Hcrschel, the astronomer, did him the
honour to inspect and purchase some of his making.
October 31. Died, in Gateshead poor-house, JaneDownie, aged
100 years.
November 2. A fire was discovered, about four o'clock on the
morning, in the tallow-melting and candle-making house and loft
of Mr. Caleb Wilson, in Walton-lane, Sunderland. The devouring
element raged with great fury for about two hours, when, by the
prompt exertions of Mr. Thomas Cook, the engine-keeper, and the
ready assistance of the inhabitants in general, the fire was got
under, but not until that part of Mr. Wilson's extensive range of
warehouses was entirely burnt down, and about half of the stock,
&c., therein destroyed.
November 3. A dreadful explosion of inflammable air took place
in the Plain Pit of Rainton colliery, iu the parish of Houghton-le-
Spring, Durham, belonging to the marquis of Londonderry, when
fifty-three men and boys perished, and several others were dread-
fully hurt, two of whom afterwards died ; twelve horses were also
killed. A little before eight o'clock, one of the overmen, and soon
after, one of the workmen, descended the pit, and succeeded in
bringing several of the sufferers to bank; and in the course of the
morning the bodies of all who had perished were brought up, with
the exception of four, who were in the more distant parts of the
mine. The bodies presented a most shocking spectacle, being much
burnt, and many of them very much mutilated.
December 1. Died, in Alnwick, Miss Hindmarsh. aged 25 years.
She was the author of the " Cave of Hoonga, a Togean Tradition,
and other Poems" published at Alnwick, her native town, in 1818.
This young lady possessed considerable literary talents, having,
at the early age of fifteen, written several of the miscellaneous
pieces which compose the above volume.
December 8. Part of the splendid collection of bo'oks belonging
to John Trotter Brockett, esq., of Newcastle, were commenced
selling by auction, in London, by Mr. Sotheby. The books, in
general, were in fine condition, and brought great prices. The
A.B. 1823.] KfelTARKABLE EVENTS. 169
following are the most particular local works, with their prices:
Allan's Collection relating to Sherburn Hospital, 4. 4s. ; Allan's
Collection of Tracts, 52. 10s. ; Darlington Pamphlet, or, County
of 
