Etherley

"Etherley Parish was formed chiefly from the ancient chapelry of St. Helen's Auckland, and its limits were arranged by the incumbents of the adjoining parishes in 1834. It is about five miles from east to west, and two from north to south, and its population is about 2000, and area 5600 acres. It is bounded on the north by Hamsterley, Witton-le-Wear, and Escomb, on the west by Hamsterley, on the south by St. helen's Auckland, and on the east by St. Andrew's Auckland. The chapelry comprises portions of the townships of West Auckland, Bishop Auckland, Evenwood and Barony, and Pollard's Lands. Etherley, or Edirley, was anciently possessed by the Pollards, one of whom, John Pollard, held it in capite, at 10s. 0d. rent, in the fifth year of the episcopacy of Bishop Skirlaw. The district was formerly very thinly peopled; and in the early part of the last century was infested by a gang of freebooters, who levied a sort of black-mail on the neighbouring farmers. The coal mines of Etherley were long considered of great value; and for some time before the introduction or railways their produce was in great request. The coal in this parish is worked principally from pits in the adjoining districts, W. C. Stobart & Co.'s collieries being at Escomb and Witton Park.

"Etherley is a much scattered village, in which may be included Tofthill and High Etherley, occupied by miners. It is situated on the boundaries of the townships of Bishop Auckland, West Auckland, and Evenwood and Barony, three miles west-south-west from Bishop Auckland. Tofthill is a continuation of Etherley, and runs for about a mile along the road to Witton-le-Wear and Hamsterley, and is in the township of Evenwood and Barony. Owing to its elevated situation, Tofthill is supplied with water by a cart from the Weardale and Shildon Water Co.'s reservoir at Etherley. About the year 1835, a person of the name of Joe Piker was a woman, who had successfully personated the character of a man, even to being twice married. She died at the age of 72."

[From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan , London, 1894]