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National Gazetteer (1868) - Mitford

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The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

"MITFORD, a parish in the wards of Morpeth and Castle, county Northumberland, 21 miles W. of Morpeth, its post town, and 16 N. of Newcastle-on-Tyne. It is situated at the junction of the rivers Wansbeck and Font, each of which is crossed by a stone bridge. The parish, which is very extensive, comprises High Laws, Molesden, and nine other townships Mitford was formerly a market town, and at the Conquest was held by John Mitford, ancestor of William Mitford, Esq., author of "The History of Greece." It subsequently came to the earls of Pembroke and Athol, and was reduced to ashes by the barons in the war against King John. The soil is various, resting upon a substratum of sandstone, limestone, and coal. The land is divided between arable, meadow, and pasture. The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Durham, value £100, in the patronage of the bishop. The church is an ancient stone structure, and formerly belonged to Lanercost priory. The interior contains effigies of the Bertram family, &c. The register dates from 1667. There are parochial and National schools for both sexes-the latter built in 1830. The Sunday-school is held at the church. Admiral Robert Mitford is lord of the manor. Spittal Hill, in this parish, was the site of a hospital, founded by William Bertram in the reign of Henry I. There are remains of two castles-one nearly adjoining the church, part of which is still occupied, and the other of earlier date, formerly belonging to Sir Gilbert Middleton, on account of whose treason it was demolished by order of Edward II."

"BENRIDGE, a township in the parish of Mitford, Morpeth ward, in the county of Northumberland, 2 miles to the W. of Morpeth station on the Newcastle and Berwick railway."

"EDINGTON, a township in the parish of Mitford, W. division of Castle ward, county Northumberland, 4 miles S.W. of Morpeth. It formerly belonged to the monastery of Newminster."

"HEIGHLEY, (or Highlaws, High And Low), a township in the parish of Mitford, W. division of Morpeth ward, county Northumberland. 2 miles N.W. of Morpeth. It contains the villages of Highlaw-Gate and Espley. It anciently formed part of the possessions of Newminster Abbey.

"MOLESDEN, a township in the parish of Mitford, W. division of Castle ward, county Northumberland, 3 miles S.W. of Morpeth. The village is small and wholly agricultural."

"NEWTON-PARK, a township in the parish of Mitford, W. division of Morpeth ward, county Northumberland, 1½ mile N.W. of Mitford, and 3 miles W. by N. of Morpeth."

"NEWTON-UNDERWOOD, a township in the parish of Mitford, W. division of Morpeth ward, county Northumberland, 1½ mile W. of Mitford, and 3 miles W. of Morpeth. There are ruins of an ancient tower."

"NUNRIDGE, (or Nunriding), a township in the parish of Mitford, W. division of Morpeth ward, county Northumberland, 3 miles N.W. of Mitford church, and 4 N.W. of Morpeth. It is situated near the river Font. The soil is of a clayey nature.

"PIGDON, a township in the parish of Mitford, W. division of Morpeth ward, county Northumberland, 3 miles N.W. of Morpeth, and 2 N.W. of Mitford."

"SPITAL HILL, a township in the parish of Mitford, W. division of Morpeth ward, county Northumberland, 2 miles N.W. of Morpeth."

"SPITTLE-HILL, a township in the parish of Mitford, W. division of Morpeth ward, county Northumberland, 2 miles from Morpeth. It is situated on the river Font, and had formerly an hospital dedicated to St. Leonard."

"THROPPLE, (or Trophill), a township in the parish of Mitford, W. division of Morpeth ward, county Northumberland, 5 miles W. of Morpeth, and 3 W. of Mitford, near Whittle Hill Roman camp, the traces of which have almost been obliterated.

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]