Report – John Bell – 13 Aug 1787

Document Type: Report
Date: 13 Aug 1787
Correspondent: John Bell
  • Transcription
  • Notes
  • Comments (0)
  • Change font
    If columns/tables do not appear straight, change font
Hexham Boundary Perambulated 1787  The 13, 14, 15, 16 Days of August



Monday 13th August 1787



Be it remembered that the Boundary of the Regality or Manor of Hexham was pursuant to advertisement four times inserted in the two public Weekly News Papers published in Newcastle upon Tyne called the Courant and Chronicle begun to be Perambulated in the Presence of Sir Thomas Blackett Baronet Lord of the said Regality or Manor Ralph Heron Bailiff of the said Regality or Manor John Bell Deputy Bailiff of the said Regality or Manor Robert Allgood Serjeant of the said Regality or Manor William Harbottle Serjeant of the Manor of Anicke Grange Thomas Wentworth of Bretton Hall in the County of York Esquire John Erasmus Blackett of the Town of Newcastle upon Tyne Esquire and Alderman of the same Town Anthony Surtees of Newbiggen Esquire John Richardson of Ordley Gentleman Michael Porch Clerk to the said Ralph Heron Isaac Hunter of Dukesfield Gentleman George Harbottle of Anick Grange Son of the said William Harbottle John Bell of Newcastle aforesaid Land Surveyor Richard Noble of Bretton  in the said County of York Agent to the said Sir Thomas Blackett Joshua Straker of Newcastle aforesaid Clerk to the said Alderman Blackett and William Westgarth of Dukesfield aforesaid Gentleman and proceeded on as follows to wit,  



 From the River Tyne at the North East Corner of Sam's Island Southwards and Westwards over the said Island by the Fences which divide the said Regality or Manor from the Manor of Corbridge to the Hexham Turnpike Road then crossing the same up Dilston Park Wall and continuing that Wall to the Devil's Water then up the Midstream of that Water to Swallowship Haugh thence up the North Side of the said Haugh to Devil's Water again then up the said Water by Midstream to a little Haugh on the South East Side of Devil's Water adjoining the Land of Wooley and which has been severed from the Lands of Ordley by the Water and so up the South East Side of the said little Haugh to Devil's Water again then up the said Water by Midstream to another .little Haugh adjoining the said Lands of Wooley and which have been also severed from the said Lands at Ordley by the Water and so up the South Side of the said little Haugh to Devil's Water again thence up the said Water by Midstream to the Lands of Low Staples belonging to Henry White adjoining to Dukesfield Smelt Mill Dam then crossing the said Water at that Dam and from thence Southwestwards taking in a piece of Brushwood belonging to the said Lands at Low Staples to the Devil's Water again thence up the said Water by Midstream opposite to the Lands of Peacock House then (leaving the said Water)  Southwestward by a Stone Wall belonging to the Lands of Emly where the said Water formerly run and so by that Wall to Devil's Water again thence up the said Water Midstream to Harwoodsheel Burn from thence up Harwoodsheel Burn by Midstream to a Cleugh called Cross Beldon then up the Bottom of the Cleugh on the East Side of a Well called the White Well till the Syke or Runner of Beldon falls into the Quick Burn (alias Dar) then up the said Quick Burn by Midstream to Norham Burnfoot from thence up Norham Burn by Midstream to Norham Burnhead and from thence Westwards to a great Stone near Norham Burnhead formerly called the Great Bounder Stone but ever since the year 1732 ( when Sir Walter Blackett rode the Boundary he being then Sheriff of Northumberland and he and his agents having dined at the said Stone he sitting thereon) has been called Sheriff's Stone from thence up the Quick Edge Westward along the North Side of Wishmehead to an ancient Currock from thence Southward to Wishme Edge from thence Westward to Knootberry Rigg to an ancient Currock then along Knootberry Rigg on a direct Line Westward to another ancient Currock from thence to an ancient Currock called Shorngate Currock from thence Southwestward to the Standing Stone which divides the said Regality or Manor from Weardale in the County of Durham and from thence Westward as the Water falls to an ancient Currock at Allens Cleugh-head at which place the first days Perambulation ended.    The Runners from the River Tyne to Beldon Cleugh were Thomas Errington of Hexham Butcher Thomas Hedley of the same place Butcher Richard Dowley of the same place Linen - Draper Peter Dixon of Woodside Lead Ore Smelter and Thomas Armstrong of the Holmes Lead Ore Carrier and the Runners  from Beldon Cleugh to Allens Cleughhead were the said Thomas Errington the said Thomas Armstrong Henry Raine of North Gate in Rookhope Lead Ore Carrier John Bell of Dirtpotsheel Low Houses Lead Ore Miner Thomas Bell of the same place Lead Ore Miner John Lowdon of Dike Nook in West Allendale Lead Ore Miner John Nixon of Carrshield in West Allendale aforesaid Lead Ore Miner and Christopher Armstrong of Coalcleugh in West Allendale aforesaid Lead Ore Miner  - Sir Thomas Blackett Bart. His Agents and Company dined at Sheriffs Stone near Norham Burnhead 



Thomas Blackett

Ralph Heron

Jno. Bell

Robt. Allgood

Willm. Harbottle

Thomas Wentworth

John E Blackett

Anthy. Surtees

John Richardson

Michael Porch

Isaac Hunter

George Harbottle

John Bell

Richard Noble

Jos. Straker

Wm. Westgarth



On Tuesday 14th. Day of August 1787 the Second Day's Perambulation was made in the Presence of them the said  Sir Thomas Blackett Bart. Ralph Heron John Bell Robert Allgood William Harbottle Thomas Wentworth John Erasmus Blackett Anthony Surtees John Richardson Michael Porch Isaac Hunter George Harbottle John Bell Land Surveyor Richard Noble Joshua Straker and William Westgarth and also of Westgarth Forster of Allenheads Joseph Dickinson of Love Lady Shield  Thomas Westgarth of Allenheads aforesaid Caleb Kidd of Killhope Thomas Emmerson of Newhouse in Weardale Lancelot Allgood of Westgate in Weardale Joseph Potts of Lowburne in Weardale and Thomas Crowhall of Whiteley shield Green, agents to the said Sir Thomas Blackett,  The Reverend Joseph Carr of Allenheads Curate of Allendale and Thomas Forster of Allenheads Inn-keeper and many other Persons and was preceded in as follows



From the ancient Currock at Allen's Cleugh-head Westward to an ancient Currock on a Place called the High Stang from thence Westward to the Blackcleugh Head from thence to an ancient Currock called Scald Currock from thence Westward to the ancient Currock on the Top of Killhope Law from thence to the Head of Whetstone Cleugh from thence Westward to the Top of the Hill which divides the Counties of Northumberland Cumberland and Durham and from thence Northward by the Long Ditch to the the Top of a Hill called the Dodd from thence by the said Ditch to Wellhope Head in West Allen from thence Northward continuing the said Ditch to the High Rayes and from thence still continuing the said Ditch to the Blacklaw Cross from thence Northwestward still continuing the said Ditch to an ancient Currock on the Hard Rigg when the said Ditch ends from thence Eastwards down the Hard Rigg through High Banks Moss to Heights Cleugh Head or Heights Currock from thence North East to the Spring or Well called  Powstile or Poostile Well near a Place called Powstile or Poostile from the said Well down the Runner to Hawkuplee Hedge and along the said Hedge Eastwards to the Bridge over the West Allen Water at the Black Pool called Black Pool Bridge from thence down West Allen Water by Midstream to Ninebanks Hedges and still down the said Water to the West End of the Island under Hindley Wrey Bank from thence still down West Allen Water by Midstream to the Junction of East and West Allen Waters thence Southwards up East Allen Water to the South West Corner to the Lands of Staward bank Foot thence Eastwards by the South End of the said Lands thence Northward by the East Side of the said Lands to a Place where two standing stones stood at the White Crag but which were undermined when winning stones at the White Crag aforesaid for Cupola Bridge and have since fallen down and been taken away from thence by the South Side of Staward Hedges of the ancient Inclosures (there having been several Encroachments made on the Waste there some of them about 56 years ago and others of a later date) thence through the Dewy Sikes to the Sheep Hill and from thence North Eastwards down the Sheep Rigg to the Head of Pirly Pots Moss from thence still Northeastwards along the North Side of Pirly Pots Moss to the Standing Stone at Stublock- head from thence to Humbleton Hill and so along the South Side of Humbleton to the Head of a Syke which falls into Stublock Burn from thence North-East to the yellow Rigghead from thence to the Blackhall or Blackhaw Hill and so on to the Pike called Blackhall or Blackhaw Pike from thence down the Pike to the Blackhall or Blackhaw Hill Syke and down the said Syke to an Old Dyke which divides the Boundary between Nubbock and Elrington and so along the said Old Dyke to Nubbock Hedges belonging to the ancient In-fields from thence Northwards by the ancient Bounder-fences or Walls between Nubbock and Elrington thence still Northwards by the ancient Bounder Wall which separated Elrington and Woodhall from the Tract of Land called Hexham West Common to the Turnpike Road where the second Day's Perambulation ended. -  the Runners from the Currock at Allen's Cleugh-head to the said Turnpike Road were the said Peter Dixon William Dinning Thomas Armstrong Henry Raine John Bell Thomas Bell John Lowdon John Wilson and Christopher Armstrong 



Thomas Blackett

Ralph Heron

Jno. Bell

Robt. Allgood

Willm.  Harbottle

Thomas Wentworth

John E Blackett

Anthony Surtees

John Richardson

Michael Porch

Isaac Hunter

George Harbottle

John Bell

Richard Noble

Josa. Straker

Wm. Westgarth

Westgarth Forster

Jos. Dickinson

Thos. Westgarth



Thos. Emmerson

Lancelot Allgood

Joseph Potts

Thos.Crawhall

Joseph Carr



Westgarth Forster Jnr

Thos. Emmerson Jnr

George Forster



On Wednesday 15th. Day of August 1787 the Third day's Perambulation was made in the Presence of them the said Ralph Heron John Bell Robert Allgood William Harbottle Thomas Wentworth Anthony Surtees Michael Porch Isaac Hunter George Harbottle John Bell  Land Surveyor Richard Noble Joshua Straker William Westgarth, Westgarth Forster Joseph Dickinson Thomas Westgarth Thomas Emerson Lancelot Allgood Joseph Potts Thomas Crawhall and Joseph Carr and also of Joseph Forster of Hexham Gentleman Simon Mewburn of Acomb Gentleman Thomas Emerson Jnr. of Newhouse in Weardle and Westgarth Forster Jnr. of Allenheads and many other Persons and was proceeded on as follows -   



Crossing the said Turnpike Road to the Wall which divides the said Lands of Woodhall from another Tract of Land Parcel of the said West Common Northwards to the Lands of Bush thence Eastwards by the Lands of Bush and afterwards Northwards by an Old Cast to a Tract of Land called Littleside to the South East Corner thereof thence Northwards along the East Side of the said Tract of Land called Littleside to the Lands of Keepershield thence Northeastwards and afterwards Southwards by the said Lands of Keepershield to the said Lands of Wharnley thence Eastwards by the South Side of the Lands  of Wharnley to the South East Corner thereof thence Northwards by the East Side of the said Lands of Wharnley to the South West Side of the Lands of Battocks then South Eastwards by the said Lands of Battocks to the South East Corner thereof thence Northwards by the said Lands of Battocks to the River South Tyne thence down the said River by Midstream to the Water Meetings  or Junction of South and North Tyne thence Northwards and North Eastwards up the said North Tyne by Midstream to Chollerford

Bridge thence North Eastwards by Midstream to the Foot of the Rivulet called Erring where the Third day Perambulation ended  -  the Runners from the said Turnpike Road to the Foot of the Rivulet called Erring were the said Peter Dixon William Dinning Thomas Armstrong Henry Raine John Bell Thomas Bell John Lowdon John Wilson Christopher Armstrong and Thomas Errington



Ralph Heron 

Jno. Bell

Robt. Allgood

Willm. Harbottle

Thomas Wentworth

Anthy. Surtees

Michael Porch

Isaac Hunter

George Harbottle

John Bell

Richard Noble

Josa. Straker

Wm. Westgarth

Westgarth Forster

Jos. Dickinson

Thos. Westgarth

Thos. Emerson

Lancelot Allgood

Joseph Potts

Thos. Crawhall

Joseph Carr

Joseph Forster

Simon Newburn

Thos. Emerson Jnr.

Westgarth Forster Jnr.

Jonathon Sparke

George Forster



On Thursday 16th Day of August 1787 the Fourth Day's Perambulation was made in the Presence of the said Sir Thomas Blackett Ralph Heron John Bell Robert Allgood William Harbottle Thomas Wentworth Michael Porch Isaac Hunter George Harbottle John Bell Land Surveyor  Richard Noble Joshua Straker William Westgarth Westgarth Forster Joseph Dickinson Thomas Westgarth Thomas Emerson Lancelot Allgood Joseph Potts Thomas Crawhall Joseph Carr Simon Mewburn Thomas Emerson Jnr. and also of the Rev. George Busby Cuthbert Teasdale Gentleman Jasper Gibson Gentleman William Bell Merchant Matthew Robson Chandler William Reed Innholder Peter Maughan Innholder all of Hexham John Richardson of Ordley Henry Tulip of Walwick Esq. and William Pearson of Hexham son of William Pearson Surgeon and many others and was proceeded on as follows – 



From the Foot of the Rivulet called Erring Eastwards up the said Erring by Midstream to the Lands of Chollerton then leaving the said Erring and going in a circular Direction around a Piece of Rushy ground on the North of the said Erring which is frequently overflowed by the said Erring then up the said Erring again to another Piece of Ground which is frequently overflowed by the said Erring which lies on the North Side thereof and then going around the last mentioned piece of Ground to the said Erring again then up the said Erring to Hallington Burnfoot thence Northwards up the said Burn by Midstream between Well House Ground and Hallington Estate thence still continuing the said Burn between the Ground of Whitesidelaw and Hallington Estate to the Lands of Hombleton (past of Bavington Estate) thence Eastwards by the South Side of the Lands of Hombleton and the Lands of the Mount Farm (other part of Bavington Estate) to the North East Corner of Hallington Estate thence Southwards by the Bounder fences between Hallington Estate and Kirkheaton and Hallington Estate and the Lands of Ryal to the Lands of Bingfield East Quarter thence along the Bounder fence between the Lands of Ryal and Bingfield East Quarter to the End of the Fence at the South West Corner of Ryal Lands thence Eastwards along the Bounder fence between the said Lands of Ryal and the Lands of Grindstonelaw to the Lands of Great Whittington thence Southwards by the Bounder fences between Grindstonelaw and the said Lands of Great Whittington thence Westwards between the Lands of Grindstonelaw and Great Whittington to the South West Corner of the Lands of Great Whittington  thence Southwards between the Lands of Great Whittington and the Lands of Todridge continuing Southwards between the Lands of Todridge and Great Whittington to Shell- Brows thence Westwards by the Lands of Todridge and Great Whittington to the North West Corner thereof thence Southwards by the Bounder fences of the Lands of Todridge and Great Whittington to the Lands of Beuckley thence still continuing Southwards and after Westwards by the Bounder fences of Beuckley and Great Whittington as far as the said Lands in this Part adjoin each other thence Southwards by the Fences between the Lands of Beuckley and Great Whittington to the Lands of Little Whittington thence Westwards by the Fences of the Lands of Beuckley and Little Whittington to Watlingstreet thence Southwards along the East Side of Watlingstreet to Portgate Leazes thence along the Northern Side of Portgate Leazes South Eastwards between Portgate  Leazes and the Lands of Little Whittington to the Lands of Halton thence Southwards by the Bounder Hedges between Halton and Portgate Leazes to the Carlisle Road then crossing the said Road and going Southwestwards by the Bounder Hedges between Fences and Halton to the South East Corner of Fences thence Westwards by the South Side of the Hedges of Fences to the Lands of Portgate and still continuing Westwards by the South Side of the Hedges of Portgate to Watling Street thence Southwards taking the said Watlingstreet to the South East Corner of the Lands of Stagshaw Close House thence Westwards by the Hedges between the Lands of Stagshaw Close House and Corbridge to Holling hall (part of Sandoe) and Corbridge and of Sandoe and Corbridge to the Lands of Anick  Red house  thence Southwards by the Hedges between the Lands of Anick Red house and Corbridge to certain Lands part of Prior Thorns called Bishop Riggs thence Eastwards after Southwards and then Westwards by the said Lands called Bishop Riggs to the Lands of Anick Red house again and thence Southward by the Hedges between the Lands of Anick Red house and Corbridge to Prior Thorns and still continuing Southwards by the Hedges between the Lands of Prior Thorns and Corbridge to the River Tyne thence Westwards up the said River Tyne by Midstream to opposite to Sam's Island then crossing the said River to the North East  Corner of the said Island where this Boundary began.



The Runners from the Foot of the Rivulet called Erring to the North East Corner of Sam's Island where this Boundary began were the said Peter Dixon William Dinning Thomas Armstrong Henry Raine John Bell Thomas Bell John Lowdon John Wilson Christopher Armstrong and Thomas Errington



Thomas Blackett

Ralph Heron

Jno. Bell

Robt. Allgood

Willm. Harbottle 

Thomas Wentworth

Michael Porch



George Harbottle

John Bell

Richard Noble

Joshua Straker

Wm.Westgarth

Westgarth Forster

Jos. Dickinson

Thos. Westgarth

Thos. Emerson

Lancelot Allgood



Joseph Potts

Thos. Crawhall

Joseph Carr

Simon Mewburn

Thos.Emerson Jnr.

Westgarth Forster Jnr.

George Forster

Jonathon Sparke



Matt Robson



Petr.  Maughan



[The following paragraph is entered on a separate sheet, and is undated, but also in the hand of John Bell, Hexham manor steward in the 1780s/90s. The Cupola bridge was built in the 1770s. In his letter to Sir Thomas Blackett of 20 July 1787 JEBlackett indicated that John Bell was to carry out a preliminary visit to the boundary in the following week, so this account probably dates from then. The account of this section of the August 1787 boundary riding is very similar to this text.]



From the junction of East and West Allen Waters Southwards up East Allen Water to the South West Corner of the Lands of Staward Bankfoot thence Eastward by the South End of the said Lands thence Northwardley the East side of the said Lands to a place where two standing stones stop at the White Crag but which was undermined when winning Stones at the White Crag aforesaid for Cupola Bridge and have since fallen down and been taken away - from thence by the South Side of Staward Hedges / of the ancient Inclosures (there having been several Encroachments on < > the Waste there some of them about 56 years ago and others of a later Date) thence through the Decoy Sykes / to the Sheep Hill and from thence North Eastwards down the Sheep Rigg to the Head of Pirly Pots Moss from thence still North Eastwards along the North Side of Pirly Pots Moss to the standing Stone at Stublock head from thence to Humbleton Hill and so along the South side of Humbleton to the Head of a Syke which falls into Stublock Burn from thence North East to the yellow Righead and thence to the Blackhall or  Blackhaw, Hill and so on to the Pike called Blackhall, or Blackhaw Pike from thence down the Pike to the Blackhall, or Blackhaw, Well Syke and down the said Syke to an Old Dyke which divides the Boundary between Nubbock and Elrington and so along the said Old Dyke to Nubbock Hedges belonging to the ancient Infields
Account written in John Bell’s hand, at the time deputy bailiff of Hexham manor.

Leave a comment

We welcome further information or corrections on topics and incidents mentioned in individual letters. It might take a while before your comments are checked for adding to public view within the website. We cannot undertake further research in response to questions.

Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked *

*

General Discussion
Suggested correction or addition

*

  Return to search results or refine/create new search
The Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project aimed to celebrate and discover the heritage of the Dukesfield Arches & lead carriers' routes between Blaydon and the lead mines of Allendale and Weardale. A two year community project, it was led by the Friends of the North Pennines in partnership with Hexhamshire and Slaley Parish Councils and the active support of Allendale Estates. It was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the generous support of other sponsors. Friends of the North Pennines: Charity No:1137467