National Gazetteer (1868) - Ponteland

"PONTELAND, (or Pont Island), a parish in the W. division of Castle ward, county Northumberland, 7 miles N.W. of Newcastle, its post town, and 6 E. of Stamfordham. The parish, which is extensive, is situated on the, W. bank of the river Pont, from which it takes its name, and is intersected by the river Blythe. It contains the townships of Berwick Hill, High and Little Callerton, Coldcoats, and eight others. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agriculture. The soil is of a loamy description, well adapted for wheat; and there are extensive portions of rich pasture. It was at this place that Alexander of Scotland made peace with the English in 1244; and the town and castle were subsequently burnt by the Scots previously to the battle of Otterburn. The Bertrams, Erringtons, and Silvertops, formerly possessed the parish, which was originally much more extensive than at present, including the township of Dinnington, which is now a separate parish. There are collieries and stone-quarries. The great tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £2,067 10s., with a glebe of 85 acres, and the vicarial tithes for £296 4s., with a glebe of 143 acres. The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Durham, value £520, in the patronage of Merton College, Oxford. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, was formerly collegiate. It is a cruciform structure, with a square tower, surmounted by a low spire containing one bell. The interior of the church contains arms and tombs of the Goftons of Eland, Horsleys of Milburn Grange, Ogles of Kirkby, Carrs of Dunston, and other families. A memorial window has been recently inserted at the expense of Miss Bates, of Milbourne Hall. There is an endowed free school for both sexes, founded by Richard Coates in 1719. The Wesleyans and Scottish Presbyterians have each a place of worship. The Castle ward union poorhouse is situated in this parish. The board of guardians meet in the boardroom every alternate Monday. Admiral Mitford is lord of the manor. Races take place annually.

"BENRIDGE, a hamlet in the township of Kirkley, and parish of Ponteland, Castle ward, in the county of Northumberland, 6 miles to the S. of Morpeth. The principal mansion is Benridge House."

"BERWICK HILL, a township in the parish of Ponteland, Castle ward, in the county of Northumberland, 6 miles to the S. of Morpeth."

"CARTER-MOOR, a hamlet in the township of Kirkley, parish of Ponteland, Castle ward, in the county of Northumberland, 6 miles to the S. of Morpeth."

"COLDCOATS, a township in the parish of Ponteland, in the W. division of Castle ward, in the county of Northumberland, 2 miles N. of Pont eland, and 8 S.W. of Morpeth."

"DARRAS HALL, a township in the parish of Ponteland, W. division of Castle ward, in the county of Northumberland, 2 miles S. of Ponteland, and 6½ N.W. of Newcastle."

"HIGH CALLERTON, a township in the parish of Ponteland, Castle ward, in the county of Northumberland, 7 miles to the N.W. of Newcastle.

"HIGH-CALLERTON, a township in the parish of Ponteland, W. division of Castle ward, county Northumberland, 2 miles S. of Ponteland."

"HIGHAM-DYKES, a township in the parish of Ponteland, W. division of Castle ward, county Northumberland, 3 miles N.W. of Ponteland, and 6 S.W. of Morpeth. Here are day and Sunday schools, erected at the expense of Miss Mary Cook Bell, who is owner of the township and resides at Higham House."

"KIRKLEY, a township in the parish of Ponteland, W. division of Castle ward, county Northumberland, 6 miles S.W. of Morpeth, and 10 N. of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It is situated on the river Blyth, and contains the hamlets of Benridge and Carter-Moor. The Presbyterians have a place of worship. The manor was formerly owned by Eures. The Rev. E. C. Ogle is lord of the manor, and resides at Kirkley Hall."

"LITTLE CALLERTON, a township in the parish of Ponteland, Castle ward, in the county of Northumberland, close to High Callerton.

"MASON, a township in the parishes of Dinnington and Ponteland, W. division of Castle Ward, county Northumberland, 6 miles N.W. of Newcastle. It is situated near the rivers Pont and Blythe."

"MILBURN AND MILBURN GRANGE, townships in the parish of Ponteland, W. division of Castle ward, county Northumberland, 4 miles W. of Ponteland, and 9 N.W. of Morpeth. The townships are situated on the river Pont, and were given by Simon-de-Diveliston to Hexham Priory. After the Dissolution, they came through the Horsleys to R. Bates, Esq., of Milburn Hall, in whose family they still remain. Coal and limestone are obtained."

"PRESTWICK, a township in the parishes of Dinnington and Ponteland, W. division of Castle ward, county Northumberland, 7 miles N.W. of Newcastle, and 2 from Dinnington. It includes Prestwick Carr, an extensive marsh, so completely inundated by the river Pont as to form one vast lake; but in the summer, when the waters retire, it affords excellent pasturage."

"PRIESTPEOPLE, a ward in the parish of Hexham, county Northumberland, 2 miles from Hexham."