Bellingham

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National Gazetteer (1868) - Bellingham

"BELLINGHAM, a parish and market town in the north-western division of Tindale ward, in the county of Northumberland, 36 miles to the N.W. of Newcastle by railway, and 56 from Carlisle. The Border Counties section of the North British railway passes a little to the north of the town, and a new line from Hexham is on the point of completion. The parish lies on both sides of the North Tyne river, which is here crossed by a fine stone bridge of four arches. It comprises the townships of Bellingham, Charlton East, Charlton West, Leemailing, the Nook, and Tarretburn. It formed, until 1811, part of the parish of Simonburn, which was then divided under an Act of Parliament into six separate parishes and a chapelry. Coal, limestone, and iron-ore abound in this district; for the smelting of the latter there are extensive blast furnaces, but they have not been worked since 1847. The engine for supplying the blast was of 60 horse power, and was worked by water from a neighbouring reservoir. There are also extensive tile works and coke ovens. Along the east side of the town runs the Hareshaw Burn, in a rocky glen, the sides of which rise to the height of 300 feet. The rivulet runs over a fall of 33 feet at Hareshawlinn, forming a charming waterfall about 1 mile east of the town. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Durham, of the value of £204, in the patronage of the Governors of Greenwich Hospital. The church, a small ancient edifice of the middle of the 13th century, is dedicated to St. Cuthbert. It stands on high ground by the river, and was twice destroyed by fire during the border wars. When rebuilt the third time, the nave was formed entirely of stone, without any woodwork; and the roof, which is finely groined, is an object of great interest, being the only one of the kind in the United Kingdom. On the north side is a Saxon doorway, and in the chancel are some gravestones sculptured with swords and other implements of war. There are chapels belonging to the Roman Catholics and United Presbyterians. One of the schools in the town (Reid's charity school) has a small private endowment, which is in trust of the rector and churchwardens. A new town-hall was built in 1862 for communal purposes. The North Tyne and Redesdale Agricultural Society hold their annual meetings here in October. Bellingham is the seat of a Poor-law Union, and the head of a County Court district. At Hall Field, near the town, formerly stood the castle of the Bellinghams, who held the manor at an" early period. On the attainder of the Earl of Derwentwater, in 1715, the manor, which at that time belonged to him, was granted to the governors of Greenwich Hospital, who subsequently sold it to the Duke of Northumberland. In the vicinity of the town are numerous remains of ancient circular earthworks and fortifications. Nearly opposite the town is Hesleyside, the seat of the Charltons since the reign of Edward VI. The mansion is finely situated near the wooded hills, and commands a wide and beautiful prospect. It is a meet for the Tindale hounds. Saturday is the market day, which is now nearly obsolete. Fairs are held on the third Saturdays in July, August, and October, and statute fairs on the first Wednesday before Good Friday, and the Saturdays before the 12th May and 11th November. On the first Saturday after the 15th September is held the grand fair, called St. Cuthbert's; which is opened with great ceremony, popularly designated "riding the fair." The parish of Bellingham comprises an area of 20,211 acres, a large part of which is moorland, abounding in game, and known by the name of Hareshaw Common; but in 1856, a bill was procured for its enclosure, when new roads to the extent of about 17 miles were formed, in various directions, to the great accommodation of the inhabitants and the improvement of the district."

"CHARLTON EAST QUARTER, (and Charlton West Quarter) two townships in the parish of Bellingham, in the N.W. division of Tynedale ward, in the county of Northumberland, 3 miles W. of Bellingham. Here are some excellent collieries. The Duke of Northumberland is lord of the manor. In East Quarter is a Roman Catholic chapel, with schools for boys and girls.

"LEEMAILING, a township in the parish of Bellingham, N.W. division of Tynedale ward, county Northumberland, 1 mile N.W. of Bellingham. The township is situated on the North Tyne river. Hesleyside, the seat of the Charltons, is a white freestone mansion, with a domestic chapel attached. It is surrounded by extensive and well-wooded grounds, in which the river Tyne spreads into a lake, abounding with trout. Stone is quarried for exportation to a large extent. The chief part of the township is in heath. Lee Hall is situated near the river."

"REEDSMOUTH, a hamlet in the parish of Bellingham, Tynedale ward, county Northumberland, 2 miles from Bellingham, and 29 N.W. of Newcastle. It is a junction station on the Border Counties line, where the Wansbeck branch turns off. It is situated at the confluence of the river Reed with the North Tyne. The principal seat is Reedsmouth Hall. At the upper end of Reedsdale was fought, in 1575, the last border skirmish, known as the "battle of Reedsquair.""

"TARRETBURN QUARTER, a township in the parish of Bellingham, N.W. division of Tynedale ward, county Northumberland, 4 miles N.W. of Bellingham. It is of irregular form, and is situated on the E. side of the Turret Burn, and is surrounded by high hills. There are several collieries in the vicinity. The Duke of Northumberland is lord of the manor."

"THE NOOK, a township in the parish of Bellingham, N.W. division of Tynedale ward, county Northumberland, half a mile E. of Bellingham. The township, which consists of a few farmhouses, is situated on the W. bank of the river Reed, and near the North Tyne, which bounds it on the S. The Duke of Northumberland is lord of the manor.