Rothbury Parish, 1855

ROTHBURY PARISH

ROTHBURY parish is bounded on the north by Whittingham, on the west by Elsdon, on the south by Hartburn, Nether-Witton, and Long Horsley, and on the east by Edlingham. It is about nine miles in length by the same in breadth, and comprises twenty-eight townships, whose united area is 34,798 acres. The population in 1801, was 2,236; in 1811, 2,428; in 1821, 2,609; in 1831, 2,869; in 1841, 2,555; and in 1851, 2,545 souls. The soil of this parish exhibits great variety. In some parts we find rich pastures and fine corn-fields, in others, sterile hills, naked rocks, and black heaths. The famous forest of Rothbury has long since disappeared, and widely scattered farm-houses and cottages occupy its site. The whole of the parish is well watered by the river Coquet, and several smaller streams. Whinstone, limestone, ironstone, and coal are found here.

BICKERTON is a township, situated four miles west by south of Rothbury, the property of Henry Smails, Esq. It contains 505 acres, and its rateable value is £382. The number of inhabitants in 1801, was 31; in 1811, 15; in 1821, 18; in 1831, 26; in 1841, 18; and in 1851, 26 souls. This township occupies a pleasant plain, having a semicircular ridge of moorland on the south-east, and Coquet-haughs, with other pastures, on the north and west.

DIRECTORY. Messrs. George Bolam and Sons, farmers.

CAISTRON is a township and hamlet, the property of Henry Smails, Esq., and the heirs of the late Lieutenant-General Ord. The township comprises an area of 400 aeres, and its rateable value is £504. The number of inhabitants in 1801, was 53; in 1811, 50; in 1821, 43; in 1831, 43; in 1841, 54; and in 1851, 51 souls. THE HAMLET of Caistron is situated four miles west of Rothbury. Here is a school which possesses an endowment of £6 per annum, left, in 1779, by William Hall, for the encouragement of the teacher.

DIRECTORY. Robert Milburne, schoolmaster; George Storey, farmer; and Joseph Witherson, farm-steward

CARTINGTON is a township and hamlet. containing 1,912 acres, the property of Mr Tower, and Fenwick, Esq. The rateable value of the township is £1,014 l3s. 4d., and its population in 1801, was 96; in 1811, 83; in 1821, 79; in 1831, 93; in 1841, 66; and in 1851, 102 souls. Limestone of excellent quality is found here. This manor was formerly the property of a family that bore the local name, and from whom it passed to the Radcliffes. It was subsequently held by the Widdringtons, and the Talbots, coming ultimately into the possession of the present proprietors. THE HAMLET of Cartington is about two and a half miles north-west by north bf Rothbury. Here are the ruins of an ancient castle, but when, or by whom it was erected, is alike unknown.

DIRECTORY. George Crawford, farmer, Cartington; George Crawford, farmer, Whittle; John Robson, stonemason and freeholder; George Stephenson, farmer and overseer, Bank Head; and James Wilson, farmer, Sandylands.

DEBDON is a township one mile and three quarters north of Rothbury. It contained in 1801, 16 ; in 1811, 16; in 1821, 18; in 1831, 14; in 1841, 13; and in 1851, 16 inhabitants. The rateable value is £75, and the Duke of Northumberland is proprietor. This township includes the northern portion of Rothbury Forest, and contains an excellent chalybeate spring, the waters of which are considered to be very efficacious in scorbutic diseases.

DIRECTORY. Matthew Scott, farmer.

FALLOWLEES, a township, the property of Sir Walter Trevelyan, Bart., is situated on the north side of the Roughless-burn, five and a half miles S.S.W. of Rothbury. Its area is 1,547 acres, and its rateable value £260. The population in 1801, was 13; in 1811, 9; in 1821, 3; in 1831, 8; in 1841, 7; and in 1851, 4 souls.

FLOTTERTON, a township situated five and a half miles west by north of Rothbury, is the property of Mrs. Weallens and Lord Ravensworth. Its population in 1801, was 75; in 1811, 115; in 1821, 92; in 1831, 95; in 1841, 64; and in 1851, 77 souls. It contains 768 acres, and its rateable value is £753. This township was formerly the property of the celebrated family of Umfraville, and the soil is a good strong loam. FLOTTERTON HOUSE, the seat and property of Mrs. Weallens, is situated on the northern bank of the Coquet.

DIRECTORY. William Armston, gardener; Thomas Pallister, farmer, Plainfield ; John Scott, steward ; and Mrs. Wealleans, land proprietor, Flotterton House.

HEPPLE is a township and hamlet in Rothbury parish, the property of Sir Waiter B. Riddell, Esq. The township contains 3,874 acres, and its rateable value is £718. The number of its inhabitants in 1801, was 58; in 1811, 102; in 1821, 111; in 1831, 101; in 1841, 61; and in 1851, 28 souls. The West Farm House is delightfully situated on an eminence north of the river Coquet, overlooking a handsome valley. THR HAMLET of Hepple is four and a half miles west of Rothbury.

DIRECTORY. John Gray, farmer, Middle Hepple; James Harvey, farmer and overseer, West Hepple ; John Spour, woodman ; and John Wilson, lime merchant.