Haltwhistle Parish, 1855

HALTWHISTLE PARISH

HALTWHISTLE parish comprises the townships of Bellister, Blenkinsopp, Coanwood (East), Featherstone, Haltwhistle, Hartley Burn, Henshaw, Melkridge, Plainmeller, Ridley, Thirlwall, Thorngrafton, and Wall Town. It is bounded on the north by the wastes of North Tindale, on the west by Cumberland, on the south by the parishes of Kirkhaugh and Lamesley, and on the east by those of Wark, Simonburn, Warden, and Whitfield. It is about twelve miles in length, by the same in breadth, and contains an area of 55,229 acres. The population in 1801, was 2,930; in 1811, 3,335 ; in 1821, 3,583; in 1831, 4,119; in 1841, 4,655; and in 1851, 5,379 souls. The Newcastle and Carlisle Railway passes through the parish, and has stations at Haltwhistle, Bardon Mill, and Greenhead. Coal is abundant in this district, and is extensively worked at Hartley Burn, Midgeholme, Barcombe, Morewood, and Birkshaw ; there are also several stone quarries. The South Tyne intersects this extensive parish from Featherstone Castle to the mouth of the river Allen, and is crossed by a good bridge at Haltwhistle, and by another at Featherstone, about three miles above the town. The banks of the South Tyne, for an extent of ten miles, present some of the most beautiful and picturesque scenery in this part of England. Several pleasing views may also be obtained in the vale of the Tippal, which extends from the Glenwhelt to the Tyne, and the scenes on the Allen, though rather circumscribed, are peculiarly romantic, exhibiting beautiful curvatures formed by the serpentine course of the stream, which is bounded by rocks, and overhung with woods. A great portion of this district consists of extensive moors, which form a striking contrast with its rich haughs and cultivated lands.

THE TOWN OF HALTWHISTLE

HALTWHISTLE is a township and market-town in the parish of the same name, the property of John Clayton, Esq., Dixon Dixon, Esq., and Colonel Coulson. Robert Bower, Esq., and Miss Charlotte Heron are the possessors of the manorial rights and privileges. The township contains 2,759 acres, and its rateable value is £4,117. Population in 1801, 453; in 1811, 751; in 1821, 707; in 1831, 1,018; in 1841, 984; and in 1851, in consequence of the formation of a railway, and the enclosure of common land, it had attained to 1,420 souls.

THE TOWN of Haltwhistle is pleasantly situated on an eminence, on the north side of the South Tyne, fifteen miles west of Hexham, and 315 N.N.W. of London. It is but indifferently built, but there are here two turreted buildings, and at the east end of the town is an eminence called Castle Banks, which is of an oval form, and has a fine spring in the centre. At the east and west ends there are four distinct terraces raised one above the other ; the summit of the bill is defended by a breastwork of earth, and on the south by an inaccessible precipice rising abruptly from the river, and forming a kind of amphitheatre. The ancient Roman fort, Whitchester, is situated near the river, and is defended on three sides by steep and rugged glens. Haltwhistle is one of the polling places for the southern division of the county. Various trades are carried on here, but the only manufacture is a coarse kind of baize. A market was granted to this town by King John, in the year 1270. The market day is Tuesday, and fairs, chiefly for horned cattle, horses and sheep, linen, woollen, and Scotch cloth, are held on the 14th May, the 17th September, and the 22nd November. Hirings for servants take place on the 12th May and the 11th November.

This town was plundered by some Scottish outlaws in the year 1598, for which they were severely punished by the Lord Warden of the Middle Marches. The following is the Lord Warden's account of the affair. "The first thing they, (the outlaws) did, was the taking of Haltwesell, and carrying away of prisoners, and all their goods. I sent to seek justice for so great a wrong. The opposite officer sent me word it was not in his power, for that they were all fugitives, and not answerable to the King's laws. I acquainted the King of Scots with this answer. He signified to me that it was true, and that if I could take my own revenge without hurting his honest subjects, he would be glad of it. I took no long time to resolve what to do, but sent some two hundred horse to the place where the principal outlaws lived, and took and brought away all the goods they bad. The outlaws themselves were in strong- holds, and could no way be got hold of. But one of the chief of them being of more courage than the rest, got to horse, and came pricking after them, crying out and asking ' what be was that durst avow that mighty work,' one of the company came to him with a spear, and ran him through the body, leaving his spear broken in him, of which wound he died. The goods were divided to the poor men from whom they were taken before. This act so irritated the outlaws that they vowed cruel vengeance, and that before next winter was ended, they would leave the whole country waste. His name was Sim of Cat- hill (an Armstrong) that was killed, and it was a Ridley of Haltwesell that killed him. They presently took a resolution to be revenged of that town. Thither they came and set many houses of the town on fire, and took away all the goods, and as they were running up and down the streets with lights in their hands to set more houses on fire, there was one other of the Ridleys that was in a strong-house, that made a shot out at them, and it was his good bap to kill an Armstrong, one of the sons of the chiefest outlaw. The death of this young man wrought so deep an impression amongst them, as many vows were made, that before the end of next winter they would lay the border waste. This was done about the end of May, 1589."

THE CHURCH, dedicated to the Holy Cross, occupies a delightful situation on the south side of the town, where the churchyard forms a fine terrace, commanding a beautiful and varied prospect of the surrounding country. It is a very ancient edifice, and consists of nave, aisles, and chancel: the latter is neatly furnished with oaken pews. Several members of the ancient family of Blenkinsopp have been interred here. Within the chancel is a tomb, on which is sculptured a crosier of excellent workmanship, and highly ornamented, and also the staff and scrip of a pilgrim. Of the person whose remains lie beneath this tomb, nothing whatever is known, his name and fame are alike buried in oblivion. There is also a tomb belonging to one of the Ridley family. The living, a vicarage in the archdeaconry of Northumberland and deanery of Hexham, is rated at £12 3s. 1½d., gross income £727, net income £593. Patron, the Bishop of Durham; incumbent, the Rev. W. Ives, M.A. The Presbyterians, Primitive Methodists, and Wesleyans, have also chapels here.

HALTWHISTLE SCHOOL was founded by the will of Lady Capel, in 1719, and has an endowment of £37 10s. per annum, for which the children of the poor are taught at a limited charge.

Here is a MECHANICS' INSTITUTION which was established in 1848, ana now contains a library of 1,200 volumes, in the various departments of literature.

THE COUNTY COURT is held once a month. Judge, James Losh ; clerk, Henry Ingledew; assistant clerk, Robert Bell ; bailiff, William Wilson.

THE HALTWHISTLE POOR LAW UNION comprehends seventeen parishes and townships, including an area of 83,661 statute acres, and a population, in 1851, of 7,286 souls. The parishes and townships are Bellister, Blenkinsopp, Coanwood, Featherstone, Haltwhistle, Hartleyburn, Henshaw) Kirkhaugh, Knaresdale, Lambley, Melkridge, Plainmellor, Ridley, Thirlwall, Thorngrafton, Wall-Town, and Whitfield. THE UNION WORKHOUSE is a plain stone edifice, erected in 1840, and is capable of accommodating about sixty persons. The number of inmates at present (1854) is twenty-six. Edward Dowley, master; Ann Dowley, matron; Robert Elliott, surgeon; Robert Pickering, clerk ; and George Pickering, relieving officer.

CHARITIES. Besides the school, this parish possesses the following charities. A rent charge of £2 per annum, bequeathed in 1710, by Nicholas Ridley, and a rent charge of £3 a year left by Mr. John Robson, in 1790. These charities are the property of the poor, and are distributed in accordance with the declared intentions of the donors.

HALTWHISTLE DIRECTORY

POST OFFICE, HALTWHISTLE.-John Lowes, postmaster. Letters arrive from London and Carlisle, at 11-14 a.m., and from Newcastle and Gateshead, at 12-10 noon. The mail is despatched at 2-55 p.m.

CARRIER, William Armstrong to Carlisle on Mondays, to Hexham and Newcastle on Wednesdays.

BELLISTER, a township comprising 988 acres, is situated one mile south west by south of Haltwhistle, and its rateable value is £902. The number of inhabitants in 1801, was 88; in 1811, 90; in 1821, 118; in 1831, 120; in 1841, 116; and in 1851, 131 souls. Cuthbert Ellison, Esq. is the principal landowner and lord of the manor. BELLISTER CASTLE, is a rude structure of irregular form, occupying an artificial mount, and was formerly- defended by a moat. The whole structure is now a mass of ruins without ornament or beauty, possessing none of that grandeur or sublimity so often associated with the remains of fallen greatness. The castle was the seat of a younger branch of the Blenkinsopp family, by whom it was possessed in the reigns of Edward VI. and Elizabeth.

PARK is a village in this township, two miles north-east of Haltwhistle, and. contains a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, which was erected in 1830, at a cost of about £100.

CARRIER to Newcastle.- Mattthew Ridley, on Wednesdays.

BLENKINSOPP, a township two and a half miles west of Haltwhistle, comprises an area of 4,919 acres, and its rateable value is £3,758 6s. 7d. Population in 1801, 196; in 1811, 252; in 1821, 317; in 1831, 344; in 1841, 845 ; and in 1851, 796 souls. Colonel Coulson of Blenkinsopp Hall is principal proprietor and lord of the manor. Here are extensive coal and lime works, carried on by the Blenkinsopp Coal and Lime Company. BLENKINSOPP CASTLE is a strong square tower built upon vaults, on an eminence south of the Tippal, and has been defended by a deep dry ditch on the north and west, on the south by a rivulet, and on the east by a steep bank. This fortress was the seat of the ancient family of Blenkinsopp. who were notorious for the part they took in the border feuds. We find it possessed by Ralph de Blenkinsopp in the reign of Edward I., by Thomas de Blenkinsopp in the reign of Edward III., and in the reign of Elizabeth, it was held by William Blenkinsopp, under the honour of Langley, paying annually for all services six shillings and eightpence, one half at Martinmas, and the other at Whitsuntide. It was subsequently transferred by marriage to the Coulsons, with whom it has since continued. A school was established here in 1839, by the Blenkinsopp Coal and Lime Company, for the education of the children of their workmen.

ANGERTON is a hamlet in this township, three miles west by north of Haltwhistle.

GREENHEAD, a village in this township, is situated about three and a half miles west by north of Haltwhistle, and possesses a neat Chapel of Ease, erected in 1827, from designs by Mr. Dobson of Newcastle, upon ground given by Colonel Coulson. The total cost of erection was upwards of £800. It is fifty-four feet by twenty-five, with a small tower, and is lighted by lancet-shaped windows, those on the east being decorated with the arms of the see of Durham, the Earl of Carlisle, and Colonel Coulson, besides other devices.

GLENWHELT forms the eastern suburb to this village, with which it is connected by a. bridge across the Tippal rivulet. The Roman station Carvoran is in the vicinity, and will be found fully described at page 33.

RED-PATH, and WYDON are both hamlets in this township, situated respectively two miles west by south, and one mile west south-west of Haltwhistle.

COANWOOD, a township comprising 2,042 acres, the property of several resident farmers, is three miles south of Haltwhistle, and its rateable value is £952 10s. The number of inhabitants in 1801, was 151 ; in 1811, 175; in 1821, 165; in 1831, 156; in 1841, 139; and in 1851, 152 souls. GORBET HILL is a hamlet in this township, situated three and a half miles south of Haltwhistle. Here is a Meeting House of the Society of Friends, erected in 1760. RAMSHAW, HIGH and LOW are also two hamlets in Coanwood township three and a half miles south of Haltwhistle. WOLF HILL is another hamlet three miles south by east of Haltwhistle.

FEATHERSTONE township is situated three miles south-west of Haltwhistle, and comprises an area of 2,844 acres, the rateable value of which is £1,967 10s. The population in 1801, was 197; in 1811, 219; in 1821, 239; in in 1831, 274; in 1841, 265; and in 1851, 314 souls. The Earl of Carlisle is lord oi the manor; and the principal landowners are the trustees of the Hon. J. Hope Wallace, who have also extensive saw mills here. FEATHERSTONE CASTLE is most picturesquely situated near the South Tyne, opposite the confluence of the Hartleyburn. It was formerly the seat of the ancient family of Featherstonehaugh, who were its possessors as early as the reign of Edward I., when it was the property of Thomas de Featherstonehaugh, and in the reign of Edward II., Alexander and Thomas de Featherstonehaugh, are recorded as its proprietors. Sir Albany Featherstonehaugh had opulent manors and possessions, and was High Sheriff of the county in the reign of Elizabeth. His eldest son Henry, who, at the beginning of the reign of James I., was appointed receiver-general of all the King's revenues in Cumberland and Westmoreland, had issue a son, Timothy, who, during the civil wars in the reign of Charles I., espoused the royal cause, and raised a troop of horse at his own expense. For his gallant conduct he was knighted under the King's banner, but was taken prisoner at the battle of Worcester, in 1651, after which he was beheaded at Bolton, in Lancashire, and the manor of Featherstonehaugh was sold by the parliament to the Earl of Carlisle; but the castle and estate came afterwards into the possession of Matthew Featherstonehaugh, Esq., of Newcastle, from whom it has descended to the present proprietors.

HORSE CLOSE is a hamlet in this township, four miles south-west of Haltwhistle. KELLAH is another hamlet in this township, four miles south-west by west of Haltwhistle. ROWFOOT is also a hamlet in Featherstone township, three miles south-west of the same place.

HARTLEYBURN, a township four miles south-west of Haltwhistle, comprises 2,671; acres, the property of Messrs. Whitfield, and its rateable value is £789 12s. 6d. The number of inhabitants in 1801, was 74; in 1811, 77; in 1821, 92; in 1831, 161; in 1841, 288; and in 1851, 460 souls. Cuthbert Ellison, Esq., is lord of the manor. Here is an extensive tile manufactory, carried on by John Edgar & Co. Hartleyburn colliery, in this township, and Midgeholme Colliery, near the confines of Northumberland and Cumberland, are worked by Mrs. Maria Thompson, and afford employment to about 400 persons.

WALL TOWN township comprises 2,956 acres, the property of G. H. Coulson, Esq., who is also lord of the manor. It is situated two and a half miles north-west of Haltwhistle, and its rateable value is £1,263. The population in 1801, was 89; in 1811, 120; in 1821, 109; in 1831, 96; in 1841, 85; and in 1851, 81 souls. This township is intersected by the Roman Wall, and contains the remains of the stations of Vindolana, and Aesica, which will be found described at pages 32 and 33.