Thropton Township, 1848

THROPTON, a township, in the parish and union of Rothbury, W. division of Coquetdale ward, N. division of Northumberland, 1½ mile (W. by N.) from Rothbury; containing 207 inhabitants. It comprises 835 acres, of which 670 are arable, 113 meadow and pasture, 10 woodland and plantations, and the remainder roads and waste. The surface is beautifully undulated; the soil in the valley is a rich loam, but on the hills rocky and less fertile. There are some quarries of excellent stone for building, two of which belong to the Duke of Northumberland. The village is situated near the confluence of the river Coquet and the Wreigh burn; the former is a remarkably fine trout stream, winding through a picturesque vale, and over the latter is a substantial bridge, erected by subscription in 1810, to replace a structure that had fallen down some years before. At the eastern and western extremities of the village were stone crosses, which have disappeared within the last age. In the village are the remains of three strongholds and a border tower, used as places of security for cattle and other property during time of warfare; and on a hill about half a mile distant, are some remains of a Roman camp. The tithes have been commuted for £175. 17. 6. Here is a place of worship for Presbyterians; and a Roman Catholic chapel, to which a house is attached, with about 8 acres of land, has been recently enlarged and repaired.