Topics > Northumberland > Civil Parishes in Northumberland > Wooler Civil Parish > Wooler Parish, 1855
Wooler Parish, 1855
Extract from: History, Topography, and Directory of Northumberland...Whellan, William, & Co, 1855.
WOOLER TOWN AND PARISH
WOOLER is a small parish, comprising an area of 4,852 acres. The Earl of Tankerville is the proprietor of Wooler, and lord of the manor, and the Messrs. Clarke, of Newcastle, are the owners of Fenton. The population of the parish in 1801, was 1,679; in 1811, 1,704; in 1821, 1,830; in 1831, 1,926; in 1841, 1,874; and in 1851, 1,911 souls.
THE TOWN of Wooler occupies a healthy position, on the eastern declivity of the Cheviots, forty-six miles N.N.W. of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and consists of several streets, diverging from a central area used as a market place. Wooler was one of the baronies into which this country was divided at the period of the Norman Conquest. It was granted by Henry I. to Robert Muschampe, and subsequently possessed many valuable members, which were held in capite of the barony by knights' service. The family of Muschampe becoming extinct, in the reign of Edward I., Wooler was transferred by marriage to the Earl of Strathern, Odinal de Ford, and Waiter de Huntercombe. It subsequently became the property of the Hewells, the Scrapes, the D'Arcys, and the Percies, from the latter of whom it passed to the family of the present possessor. Two stone coffins were recently discovered at Humbleton Buildings, near Wooler. They were found six feet below the summit of a round hill, and were formed of slabs of hard sandstone belonging to the district. In each coffin there was the skeleton of a human being, bent up, the knees resting upon the stomach, and the arms placed nearly round the neck. On exposure to the atmosphere these remains of mortality crumbled into dust. In January 1853, another stone coffin, containing a portion of a skull and a few fragments of bones, was discovered on the summit of a Knoll, called the "'Pipers Knoll," on the farm of Bromfield, little more than a mile east from Dunse.
THE PARISH CHURCH, dedicated to St. Mary, is a neat and commodious edifice, erected in 1765, near the site of the old church which was destroyed by fire. It was enlarged and beautified in 1835, by which means 500 additional sittings were obtained, and in consequence of a grant from the Incorporated Society for building and repairing churches and chapels, 233 of that number are free and unappropriated for ever, in addition to 200 sittings formerly provided, the whole of which are free. Rev. John Samuel Green, M.A. vicar.
THE CATHOLIC DIOCESAN MISSION HOUSE, St. Ninian's, is situated at the west end of the town, but it is intended to commence immediately the erection of a new church, on the vacant ground adjoining the present chapel. Rev. James Chadwick, Edward Consitt, and Robert Suffield, priests. There is a school attached to this chapel, John McSweeney, teacher.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHUBCH (ENGLISH) was erected in 1818, at acost of :£1,200, and is capable of accommodating 680 persons,. Rev James A. Huie minister. The day school attached to this place of worship, is attended by about ninety-five scholars. William Duncan teacher. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHAPEL is a commodious edifice, containing 800 sittings, Rev. James Muirhead, minister. There is a second United Presbyterian Chapel, capable of accommodating 400 persons. Rev. James Robinson, and the Rev. Peter Whyte, ministers. The Baptists have also a Meeting House here.
THE NATIONAL SCHOOL was built in 1836, at a cost of £400. There is a house for the teacher, and the school is sufficiently commodious for 150 children. Joseph Young, teacher. Wooller possesses two libraries, "The Mechanics," at Mr. William Brand's, established in 1828, contains upwards of 1,200 volumes on various subjects, and is supported by fifty-five subscribers, who pay five shillings per annum, William Brand, librarian ; and "The Subscription Library," held at Mr. William Wightman's, Post Office.
THE GAS WORKS were erected in 1846, at a cost £1,400, by a company of 200 shareholders, at £5 per share, and £400 additional capital. The shops were lighted on the 26th of November of the same year, and the town in February, 1847. Mr. Morton, secretary.
THE GLENDALE POOR LAW UNION comprehends forty-five parishes and townships, embracing an area of 142,305 acres, and a population in 1851, 14,348 souls. The townships and parishes are Akeld, Brandon, Branton, Branxton, Bewick New, Bewick Old, Carham, Chatton, Chillingharn, Coldsmouth and Thornpson's Walls, Coupland, Crookhouse, Doddington, Earle, Ewart, Fawdon Clinch and Hartside, Ford, Grey's Forest, Heathpool, Hebburn, Howtell, Humbleton, Ilderton, Ingram, Linhop and Greenshawhill, Kilharn, Kirk Newton, Lanton, Lilburn East, Lilburn West, Lowick, Middleton Hall, Middleton North, Middleton South, Milfield, Nesbit, Newton West, Newtown, Paston, Reaveley, Roddam, Rosedon, Selby's Forest, Wooler, Wooperton, and Yeavering.
THE UNION WORKHOUSE occupies a healthy situation at the west end or the town. It is a fine commodious building, erected in 1839, and will accommodate about seventy persons : there are at present fifty inmates. There is a school attached for the education of the pauper children. Governor and schoolmaster, Mr. George Paxton ; matron, Margery Allan ; surgeon, James Alexander ; clerk, William Wightman ; relieving officer and registrar, Thomas Carr.
THE COUNTY COURT is held at the Anchor Inn every alternate month. Judge, James Losh, Esq., clerk; Henry Ingledew, Esq., assistant clerk; Wliliam Wightman, bailiff; Robert Gardiner. THE NEW PRISON is a neat stone building, erected in 1850, at a cost of £1,000, and is used for the detention of prisoners, previous to their committal to Motpeth. A court is held here once a month for general purposes. Robert Gardiner, constable.
MARKETS AND FAIRS. There is a corn market every Thursday. Cattle and horse markets on the third Thursday in January, the third Thursday in February, and the third Thursday in March. There is a High and Wool Market held on the 27th of June, and a wool market on the first Thursday in July. This market is subject to alteration, in consequence of the neighbouring markets falling upon the same day. There is also a high market on the second Thursday in March. Whitsun Bank fair is held on the third Monday in July, and there are annual fairs on the 4th of May, for the hiring of servants, and the sale of horses and cattle ; and on the 17th October for the hiring of servants, and the sale of sheep, horses, and cattle.
CHARITIES. In the parliamentary returns of 1786, is is stated that Mrs. Chisholme bequeathed £100, for teaching six poor children of this parish, then vested in the Rev. Mr. Cleeve, and producing £5 per annum. This sum appears to have been lost by the insolvency of the person above named, but we are informed, by the Charity Commissioners, that the poor have not hitherto suffered loss from this circumstance, as the yearly sum of £5 was given annually to supply this loss, by the late Bishop of Durham, and the same payment has been continued by the present bishop.
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Magistrates Blagden John C. Esq. Ford Castle Gregson Henry Knight, Esq. Low Lynn Hughes George Hughes, Esq. Middleton Hall |
Grey George .A. Esq. Milfield Hill Hodgson Richard, Esq. Knight Rev. Thomas, Ford Robinson Rev. Christopher, Kirk Newton Thompson John, Esq. clerk, Wooler |
WOOLER DIRECTORY
POST 0FFICE, WOOLER, Mr. William Wightman, postmaster. Letters arrive from the North and South at 12-15 noon, and are despatched at 5-30 p.m. Money Order Office open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Miscellany Allan Thomas, carpenter Anderson Thomas, manager, Gas Works Archbold James, draper Armstrong William, rope maker Bartram Thomas, gardener Bell James D. brewer and maltster Bolton Margaret, straw-hat maker Bolton Miss Martha Brown Andrew, vict. Plough Inn Brown Robert, vict. Royal Arms, auctioneer, printer and fanner Burn Mr. Jeffrey Carr Thomas, relieving officer, and registrar of births and deaths for the Wooler district, and marriages for the Glendale Union Chadwick Rev. James (Catholic) Chartress Thomas, baker Consitt Rev. Edward (Catholic) Cosser Mr. John Cowan Mr. Thomas Diamond Edmund, painter and ,Paper-hanger Dickinson George, excise officer Dixon John, general smith and beer retailer Fail William, bailiff to the Earl of Tankerville Foster Christopher, wine and spirit merchant, and agent to the Globe Fire and Life Insurance Office Gallon William, collector of taxes, and parish clerk Gardiner Robert, constable and bailiff Green Rev. John Samuel, M.A. vicar Halliday James, weaver Hastie Peter slater Hogarth William, stonemason Homer Patrick, superintendent constable Huie Rev. James A. (Presbyterian) lnnis Ann, straw bonnet maker Johnson Miss Eliza Logan Mrs. Agnes Lindsay Ann, straw-hat maker Manderson Mr. William McAlinder Hugh, broker Mitchell Mr. Alexander |
Moffett Mr. Arthur Moffett John, cooper, and dealer in glass and china Muirhead Rev. James (Presbyterian) Paxton George, governor of the union workhouse and school master Pond Frederick, excise officer Rea Miss Elizabeth, Mount Pleasant Rea James, biscuit baker, and assistant overseer Richardson Thomas, stonemason Robertson Rev. James (Presbyterian) Robson William and Thomas, plasterers Rogers Charles, nursery and seedsman Rogerson Richard, last maker Rule John, slater Scott James, baker Scott Robert, cattle dealer Shield Elizabeth, straw hat maker Shield Mr. George Short Margaret, corn miller Short William, towncrier Sinclair William Dalziel, Black Bull Inn, Commercial and Posting House Simm George, cartwright Simm Margaret, straw hat maker Suffield Rev. Robert (Catholic) Tait Thomas, wool carder Thompson Andrew, hairdresser Thompson John, solicitor and clerk to the magistrates Thompson Joseph, bat manufacturer Thompson Thomas, cooper, and glass and china dealer Tunnah George,tailor and innkeeper, Three Half Moons Turner Mrs. Elizabeth Wightman William, clerk to the guardians, County Court, and Insurance agent Whyte Rev. Peter (Presbyterian) Young Andrew, vict. Red Lion Inn Young Hannah, dressmaker |
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Academies CATHOLIC, John B. McSweeney Cock William Duncan William Laidlaw William, & surveyor NATIONAL, Joseph Young Turner the Misses, Day and Boarding UNION, George Paxton
Auctioneer and Appraiser Brown Robert
Blacksmiths Briggs John, & whitesmith Dixon John Glaister Stephen Knox James
Booksellers & Stationers Brand William Carr John and Charles Little Crighton, and News Agent
Boot and Shoemakers Chisholm John Davidson William Elliott John Lee Andrew Marshall William Mills William Nichol Georga Pringle James Rankin Robert Watson Alex, & Clogger
Butchers Hook John Rutherford John Wightman William
Cabinet Makers Hall Henry and Georga Law John, Hogh, & George
Grocers Marked * are also drapers Archbold John, & tea dealer and ironmonger Brand William Foster Christopher, and tea dealer Gowens John R. * Henderson George, and tea dealer Hilton James * Robson James * Rutherford Wm. & druggist Tait Thomas |
Farmers Brown John Carr William Jobson William, Turvelaws Morton Selby, Brick Sheds Rea Charles, Way-to-Wooler; ho. Doddington Rutherford John & James, The Cottage
Hotels, Inns, ancl Tavernt Anchor, Ann Gallon Angel, Stephen Pearcy Black Bull, Commercial & Posting House, William Dalziel Sinclair Masons' Arms, Sarah Rutherford Plough, Andrew Brown Red Lion, Andrew Young Royal Arms, Robert Brown Seven Stars, William Gallon Sun, John Farrington Tankerville Arms, John & James Rutherford Three Haif Moons, George Tunnuh Wheat Sheaf, Margaret: Elmsley White Horse, Thomas Robson
Nursery & Seedsman Rogers Charles
Plumbers and Glaziers Patterson Robert, and iron-monger Watson John N. & painter Watson Thomas
Surgeons Alexander James Brown Joseph
Tailors Atkinson Luke Fairnington John Grieve John Grieve Thomas Innes William Pringle Thomas Scott Ralph Tunnah George Watson William
Veterinary Surgeons Glaister Thomas Telfor James
Watch & Clock Makers Brodie John Turnbull Richard
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Carriers to the following places:
Alnwick - John Brown and John Turnbull, on Fridays
Belford - Thomas Rutler, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
Berwick - James Henderson, Wednesday and Saturday
Coldstream - John Turnbull, on Monday
Newcastle - George Fairnington, on Tuesday
COACHES
An Omnibus leaves the Black Bull daily, at 5-30 p.m. (conveying Her Majesty's Mail) for Alnwick, returning each day at 12-15 noon. H. Atkinson, and W. D. Sinclair, proprietors.
An Omnibus leaves the Sun Inn every Saturday morning at eight o'clock, for Berwick, returning the same day. Selby Fairnington, proprietor.
FENTON, a township in Wooler parish, is situated nearly four miles north by west of Wooler. Its acreage, population, &c., are included in the parish returns, and the Messrs. Clarke, of Newcastle, are the landowners. The principal residents are William Cockburn, corn miller ; Henry Weatherburn, blacksmith ; and the farmers are James Laidler, Fenton Demesne ; Matthew Laidler, Fenton Hill; and Thomas Laidler, Fenton Town Farm.
