East Shafto

SHAFTO, EAST, a township, in the parish of Hartburn, union of Castle ward, N. E. division of Tindale ward, S. division of Northumberland, 11¾ miles (W.S.W.) from Morpeth; containing 38 inhabitants. This place is of considerable antiquity, being mentioned in records of the 13th century. In 1378 Matthew Bolton, vicar of Newcastle, and others, were feoffees for founding a chantry in the "chapel of Shafthowe," and endowing it with 100 acres of arable and pasture. The Shaftos, Aynsleys, and Vaughans appear to have been the most important landowners. The township comprises about 570 acres. The mansion-house here is sheltered by higher grounds on the north, and by a grove of wood on the west, and though at a considerable altitude, is agreeably situated. Behind it rises a lofty verdant hill termed Shafto Crag, adjacent to which is a spacious cave formed in the solid rock. Slight remains of the chapel are still to be seen.