Davison's Obelisk near Swarland in Northumberland was built in 1807. It is a monument to Lord Nelson, built by his friend Alexander Davison of Swarland Hall, following Nelson's death in the Battle of Trafalgar on the 21st of October 1805. The monument is inscribed:

"England expects every man to do his duty"

"Victory 21 October 1805"

"Not to Commemorate the Public Virtues and Heroic Achievements of Nelson, which is the duty of England; But to the Memory of Private Friendship, this erection is dedicated by Alexander Davison, Swarland Hall" 

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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 London 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 12 and 14 feet high. Newcastle, on some of the market days during this snow blockade, exhibited no greater bustle than on the ordinary days. On one day during the storm, the mails were despatched to the north on 13 saddle horses, the novelty of which excited considerable interest. Travellers were detained at many country places till all the provisions at the inns were exhausted. Sir Carnaby Haggerston, bart. hospitably entertained a large party of strangers in this predicament, at his seat at Haggerston, in Northumberland. Great damage was done to the shipping, many being wrecked near Bamborough. The storm, which continued for about six weeks, was far more severe than that of 1814.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867