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Notebook of Richard Nelson (1825-1911)
First Sexton of Great Lumley Parish Church

Reproduced with the permission of the late Mrs Hannah Whetstone of Fencehouses, Co.Durham, granddaughter of Richard Nelson. At Mrs Whetstone's request, references to Mr Nelson's property dealings and other personal financial matters are omitted.

The notebook has two distinct sections. The first lists burials and marriages at Lumley Parish from Easter 1866 to Easter 1871, in many instances giving information not included in the church registers. This listing is reproduced in full below, followed by the corresponding register entry (shown italicised). The second section consists of miscellaneous notes, in approximate date order, mostly relating to people and events in Lumley. These have been rearranged into strict date order. It should be stressed that the accuracy of the information given in these notes cannot be guaranteed. Mr Nelson's spelling has been retained.

Section 1. Sexton's burial and marriage listing 1866-1871 with corresponding register entries.

Section 2. Miscellaneous notes.

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Section 1.
Sexton's burial and marriage listing 1866-1871
with corresponding register entries.

1866

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1867

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1868

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1869

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1870

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1871

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Section 2.
Miscellaneous notes.

Before 1870

Richard Nelson Removed to Lumley November 1856

The first Burial in Lumley Church yard was George Lowrey Aged 66 yrs. Buried by Richard Nelson, Sexton.

A true copy of a letter of the Rev J.Dodds From Margaret Wilkinson is Cook at Lumley who went into Yorkshire to be confined to the above named person, and Received by me Richard Nelson May 1865.

My Dearest Dearest John you do not know what i have Suffered both in body And mind. i am very weak of myself but i hope To come round in a little time and then i Shall be Able to meet you somewhere to make arrangements About little James. i think Stockton the Likeliest place where we Shall not be known. We cannot get it kept about here.

Rev Mrs Dodd Seperated from her husband On Binding Saturday March 1869. Returned November 19th 1869.

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1870-1879

Elizabeth Nelson Commenced for Miss Cleugh March 1st 1875.

P.C. Walton Removed from Lumley May 9th 1876, Succeeded by is brother H. Walton May 17 1876.

Richard Nelson Jnr. Lumley. Lumley. Arm Broke August 2nd 1876

Matthew Martin. Lumley. Coal Leader Died February 26 1877. he fell of the Cart in the Pond. An inquest was held at Thos Halls Feby 28.

Mr Hall Entered Lumley Castle October 8th 1877.

Edward Donald & James Winter & their families left Lumley for New Zealand On the 25th of May 1878.

Charles Fry. Postman for Fifteen Years at Lumley Died at Brecon Hill after an accident by falling from a Spring Cart the night Previous to is Death. he died on the 24th July 1878 Aged 46 yrs.

The Oak tree Planted in the quarry Hole at Lumley November 16th 1878

January 31st 1879 the Priest at Lumley Received Subscriptions from the Public for the Purpose Of Making Soup for the Poor. the Charge of one Penny Per pint to them who could Pay. myself Richard Nelson Paying for it on the above Date i got one Pint and it was no better then Dirty Water. having to give my Pig our Pint it been so Poor.

The first Curate at Lumley Church Entered on is Duties on July 1879. Rev Edwin Davies from Oxford New College. Ordained by Dr Lightfoot Bishop of Durham

George Frederick Ditrey Lambton Second Earl of Durham. Born 5th September 1828. Died 27th November 1879,

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1880-1889

The Above Rev Edwin Davis Removed unto Morpeth on June the 10th 1880

Re opening of Lumley Church by Archdeacon Prest, On the 30th Day of October 1880, the text on the Occasion been taken from the Book of Hosea Chapter 2nd verses 21st & 22nd.

A Large Storm Passed over England With Wind and Rain Doing great Damage unto life and Property. Octobr 14th 1881

The Rev Samuel Gasking, Curate Entered upon is Dutys at Lumley May 1882

The Marriage of John George Lambton, the third Earl of Durham, to Miss Ethel Milner in the Church of St Peter Eaton Square London on the twenty eight Day of October 1882. Le Jour Viendra, the Day Will Come family motto Born June 19th 1856

P.C. Walton. Removed to Cassop April 28 83
P.C. Cowen Removed to Lumley the Same Date

Assalt by the Vicar of Lumley. the Rev. John Dodd. On June the Sixth 1883 the above Clergyman was before The Magistrates at Houghton-le-Spring Petty Sessions For Assalting Ralph Chapman, the then Assistant Overseer and likewise throwing him Down When at the vicarage gathering the Rates, for the Offence he Was fined ten Shillings and costs

the Rev Samuel Gasking Curate of Lumley Church left is Services July 31st 1883

Obituary. Mark Lee Died on the fourteenth of March 1884 After ten Days illness Aged 40 years. A Dear Companion of mine much Aprected

William Pullan of Bishop Thornton Ripley Yorkshire Died on the 18th Day of March 1885 At is Eldest Daughters, Elizabeth Nelson, at Lumley, Aged 83 years

The great Snow Storm March 1886

Cocken Bridge opened by Miss Boyd on Easter Tuesday April 27th 1886

Died in the 6th Pit from heart Disease after Working is Shift on monday morning September 27 1886, Robert Bell Aged 55 years

Great flood in the Wear Doing great Damage Nov 6 1886

Explosion of Elemore Pit December 2nd 1886 - 25 Lives lost

John Nelson commenced work at the Co Operative Store, Butchers Cart on June 2nd 1887 Aged 15 years

At Foxy Pit on June 13 1887 William Welsh Committed Suicide by Jumping Down the Pit

Married at the Lumley Parish Church by the Rev John Dodd September 27 1887 Edward Pullan of Lumley to Miss Hannah Coxon of Bucks House Lumley

Burials in Lumley Churchyard the year 1887

January 4th 1, 12th 1, 16th 1, 21st 1, 23rd 1, 30 1.
February 19 1
March 9 1, 10 1, 17 1, 20 1, 31 1
April 3rd 1, 17 1
May 6th 1, 8th 1, 20th 1, 25 1
June 5th 1, 6th 1, 9th 1, 15 1, 16 1, 20th 1, 25th 1, 29th 1
July 6th 1, 15th 1, 17th 1, 26th 1, 31st 2.
August 2nd 1, 17th 1, 20th 1, 29 1
September 7 1, 13 2, 15 1
October 4 1, 9th 2, 15th 1, 16th 1
November 12 1. 16th 1, 23rd 1, 26th 1

Died in the Pit March 15 1889 Joseph Ramshaw

Robson Scorer Ceased Working June 22nd 1889 Aged 80 years & six months

Thomas Baines left Lumley for Australia September 16 1889

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1890-1899

Died at Lumley Thicks January 17 1890 Thomas Robson, Viewer of the Lumley and Harreton Collieries 27 years. Much Respected

Richard Nelson ceased Working in March 1890 been Effected with Rheumatism in the Should brought on by the fall of a Baulk in the 6th Pit

Rev John Dodd Vicar of Lumley Died October 9th 1890, 38 years vicar and Curate

Richard Chrystal Nominated Assistant Overseer October 24 1891. Votes at the Poll 202, John Crawford 93, Thomas Curry 28

Stackyard on fire at Lumley on Thos Taylors Farm November 1st 1891

Curate Hayes commenced is first Services in Lumley Church on Christmas Day 1891

George Lowerson Leg Broke May 26 1891

Lockout of Miners in the County of Durham Commenced March 14 1892. all the Pits in the County out twelve weeks. Commenced June 6th

William Dickman, Farmer, Hanged Himself in the Cow Bier September 16th 1893 Aged 70 years

New Bell Hung in Lumley Church Spire August 31st 1893. Five Hundred Weight. Price of Bell 41 Pounds. Hoisted up into the Belfry by Anty Wilkinson, Ricrd Nelson, the Sexton, John Douthwaite And others. Cast by Warner and son, London.

Garden Robbery on Saturday Night September the 23rd inst 1893. Some Person or Persons yet Unknown Did come over the Church yard Wall and Did Wilfully Steal a very large Prize Red Cabbage and one or more Cauliflowers and Did impudently Strip them of a Part of their Leaves Within the Church Porch. the above named night been About a quarter Past Eleven O Clock P.M. Richard Nelson Sufferer

W.Howe Entered the Wood Cutters Inn Jany 26 1894

John Willm Wilkinson Commenced Sextonship February 7th 1894

William Willis of Lumley Drowned himself in the River Wear in the Broad Wood July 18 1894. Aged 31 years.

P.C. Parker Removed to Lumley October 17 1894

The first Confirmation in Lumley Church by Bishop Sandford November 15th 1894. R.Steward Vicar.

Severe Storm over England of Frost & Snow. February 6th 1895.

February 16 1895 Skating, foot Racing &c on the ice at Durham Between the museum and Framwellgate Bridge.

Severe Frost on the Night June 13 1895 Doing a large Amount of Damage unto Potatoes & other vegetation.

the Rev Kirsopp Lake, Curate Commenced is Services in Lumley Church September 22 95.

Robert Dawson Killed in the Sixth Pit Octbr 28. 95.

Miss Moles commenced her Services in the girls School November 1st 1895.

On Sunday the 5th of April 1896 been Easter Day, the largest number of communicants Partook of the Bread And Wine Since the Building of the Church in 1860, 90 Communicants.

Burials in the New Burial Ground May 3rd 1896

No 1 J.Cummings
No 2 A Child Metcalf
No 3 Mrs Glendinning
No 4 T.Meek
No 5 A Child Dawson Daughter 6 Pit West
No 6 infant of J.Browns
No 7 Child of M.Glendinnings & child of W.Turnbulls - one grave
No 2 A Daughter of the above Metcalf upon the other
No 8 infant of G.Melvins
No 9 Child of Rutherfords 6 Pit
No 10 Mrs Middlemiss

Sir James Joicey & Co. Entered upon the lease of the Lambton Collieries in June 1896.

Richard & Elizabeth Nelson Was upon the top of Crayke Castle, Yorkshire July 29 1896.

Albert Watson Married August 8th 1896

February 20 1847 1897 Whoever gets this Book Keep it in Memory of Richard & Elizabeth Nelson. Their Golden Wedding Was Celebrated on February 20 1897. They Were married at Ripon Cathedral by the Rev. R.Poole, Rural Dean. the Happy Pair, Who are In good health have a family of ten - five Sons And five Daughters. Several of these are Parents So that Mr & Mrs Nelson are at the Head of a Family Numbering, in Addition to the above, Thirty-seven Grandchildren and one great grand child. Mr & Mrs Nelsons Children gathered Round them on Saturday to Wish them Joy, and many Friends from Harrogate and other Places by Sending Presents and good Wishes Showed their Good feeling towards the Aged Couple. A very Pleasant Day and Evening Was Spent at Lumley. Mr Nelson Was able to give is Numerous friends And Descendants a treat by Singing is favourite Old Song Woodman-Spare that tree. as Mr & Mrs Nelson are old inhabitants of Lumley They received many Cordial Wishes for their Future Welfare and Happiness.

William Howe Died April 28 1897. Buried in the New Ground 1st Rank No 18.

Rev. J. Parkwin Entered is Services June 20/97 Lumley Church.

Curate Pennyfather came to Lumley August 1897

New Reading Room opened by C.W. Martin December 4 1897

Richard Nelson gave up is SecrataryShip After 23 years Services on January 1st 1898. Joseph [Hartis] took the Office January 3rd 1898.

P.C. McKinley Removed to Lumley April 1st 1898

Isabella Johnson Died at Willington May 27 1898 in the 20th year of her Age.

The Curate of Lumley Ended is Services at Lumley Church on July 10th 1898. Rev Parkwin is last sermon that night. a large congregation. is text from Psalm 32 v8 I Will Guide thee With Mine Eye.

The Waskerley Water Came into Lumley July 28th 1898

W.Robinson, Farmer, fell from is Horse near Tinklers House. September 10th 1898.

The New Bridge at Lumley Ferry opened by the Earl of Scarbrough is Mother the Countess and is Sister the Marchioness of Zetland and others December 9th 1898

The Billiard Table at the Lumley Reading Room Was opened by the Rev H.W.Steward and R.Purvis, School Master, December 26 1898.

Rev Knight Curate came to Lumley May 29 1899

On the Night of the 13th of June 1899 a terrible Frost in the North Part of Durham. Doing great Damage unto the Potato crop and other tender Plants.

Stackyard fire at Lumley East farm October 16 1899, the tenant then been William Robinson. Hay Straw Corn Stacks and Everything Burned to the ground. Partly Covered by Insurance.

War Declared Between England & South Africa October 18th 1899

Died at Woodstone House farm December 18/1899 William Tindale, Butcher and Farmer, Aged 55 yrs.

December 19/1899 Hannah Hawking Aged 78 yrs.

Christ Church Lumley Re opened on Sunday December 24/1899 After over 4 month Enclosed. Restoration Been Done to a great Extent. By Hudson of Sunderland. Costing Five Hundred Pounds. the Sermon in the Morning Was Preached by D.D.Walpole Principle of St Bedes College, In the Evening By the Rec Anson Firth, Minor Canon of Durham Cathedral, The vicar at the time been very ill namely Rev H.W.Steward.

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1900-1911

On 11th of January 1900 an Explosion took Place in the last Low House in New Chester then Occupied By William M Ritten & Wife. Differing over four Pounds of Powder By some the Powder Exploded Doing Serious injury to the above Party, Likewise Damage unto the House to the amount of over 26 pounds.

William Tipling Sen got is Leg Broke At Littleburn Colliery April 4th 1900

On Friday night October 26/1900 A Terrific gale over the two Northern Counties Doing A Large amount of Damage to Property &c.

Ellen Simpson Entered my Service Feby 6/1901

John Nelson married March 16 1901

P.C. Johnson Removed to Lumley March 1902

Matthew Tindale Married Sissey Elizabeth Robinson April 22nd 1902. Confined of a son June 3rd 1902.

The South African War Ceased May 31st 1902 After two years Fighting and near nine months

King Edward 7th Crowned King of England Also Queen Elexandra in Westminster Abbey August 9th 1902.

On August the 9th 1902 the Coranation Medals was given to 5 hundred Scholars by A Committee. Richard Nelson Fixing the first medal upon Robert Burns. Distributors John Turner, W.Haaking, H.Bulmer, T.Ramshaw, R.Turner, J.Pimlett, J.Fail, & R.Burns.

Thomason Moore Entered my Service as Housekeeper September 2nd 1902

The first Telephone Message from Lumley October 8th 1902 by Dr Shortt. first Received was Thos Cowen, ex P.C.

Married John Hutchinson October 23rd 1902.

Elizabeth Anne Johnson Entered my Service August 5 1903.

P.C. Benzie Removed to Lumley August 20: 1903

The Channel Fleet came into Sunderland September 15 1903 With nine Sail of Ships. the first under Lord Charles Beresford With the Majestic. Second Rear Admiral Lambton, the Magnificant. The Crews each Ship 757 Souls.

Rose Humbles Entered My Service November 4 1903.

Robert [Swinney] Married November 19 1903.

Kate Leyburn Married Febuary 20 1904

the Rev M.M.Piddocke Commenced is Services At Lumley Church April 24 1904.

Married Cylla Nelson November 11 1905

A Birth Day Present A Snuff Box from Mr William Robinson, Farmer, to Richard Nelson December 8 1905 Aged 80 years

Married Jonathan Coxon to Martha [Swinlea] February 1st 1906

On Friday August 31 1906 the Hottest Day from the last 13 years. And on the following Sunday it was more excessive been 100 and 4 Degrees in the shade.

The Late Countess of Scarbough Aged 81 years Died at London April 2nd 1907

Anne Robinson married June 5th 1907

Police Carpenter Removed to Lumley July 1907

The first sod Was Cut at the 3rd Pit Lumley April 8th 1908 by Mrs Kirkup.

Smith the Police came to Lumley October 1st 1908

The First Tub of Stone or Rubbish Was Drawn From the Lumley New Winnings, formerly known as 3rd Pit, By Thomas Wilson on April 22nd 1908. R.Nelson Witness.

Married at Durham October 3rd 1908 Mr Fish to Miss Hook.

Married John Barney November 21st 1908

Married on December 26 1908 Miss Bell, Lumley Terrace

West Stanley Disaster 16 February 1909. Lost 168.

J.Lowrie, Station Master at Leamside for near 50 years, June 30 1909 Left.

John Ward Died on the 7th Day of November 1909

The New Vicar Rev Mr [Briars] Entered Service at Lumley Church Nov 28 1909.

The Electric Lamps Was Lighted in Lumley September 23 1909.

King Edward the Seventh Died May 6th 1910.

Lumley Church Pointed and Cleaned in the middle of April 1911.

King George And queen Mary was Coratined June 22nd 1911.

Notebook and register transcriptions by Brian Pears, 1977.
[Last updated: 3rd February 2007 - Brian Pears]