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. K., 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, either on or off the stage. He was also possessed of considerable literary talents, having wrote various addresses, songs, etc. etc. which appeared from time to time in different journals. Mr. Kemble published, "Odes, Lyrical Ballads, and Poems," 1809, with a portrait. June 11th, Mr. Kemble's remains were interred in the Chapel of the Nine Altars, at the east end of Dur- ham Cathedral, on the north side of the shrine of St. Cuthbert.

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

Feb. 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 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 fire was almost instantly extinguished; 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. De Camp, the manager, did every thing in his power to prevent the dreadful consequences 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 the women, 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, milliner, of the Manor chare ; Isabella Parkinson, aged 11, adopted child of Mrs. Green, Pilgrim street; Thomas Handyside, aged 20, 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, 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 being 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.

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