National Gazetteer (1868) - Simonburn

"SIMONBURN, a parish in the N.W. division of Tynedale ward, county Northumberland, 9 miles N.W. of Hexham, its post town, and 26 W. of Newcastle. This parish was formerly the largest in the county, extending 33 miles in length, by 14 in breadth, but in 1814 it was divided by Act of Parliament into six parochial rectories, the livings of all which are in the gift of the Governors of Greenwich Hospital, and the funds for which were obtained by the sale of tithes. The parish as at present defined comprises about 13,372 acres, of which a fourth part is arable, and the remainder pasture and sheep walks, with 460 acres of woodland and plantation. It is situated on a branch of the river Tyne, near the Picts' Wall, and is chiefly agricultural. The parish contains, besides the village of its name, the chapelry of Hamshaugh, and the townships of Haughton and Simonburn. The substratum abounds with coal, and iron-ore was formerly obtained. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Durham, value £426, in the patronage of the Governors of Greenwich Hospital. The church, dedicated to St. Simon, is an ancient structure, and was restored in 1821. It contains several monuments to the Allgoods. There is also a district church at Hamshaugh, the living of which is a perpetual curacy,* value £120. The parochial charities produce about £180 per annum, of which £45 goes towards the support of the school founded by Giles Heron. Nunwick Hall and Park End are the principal residences. The Duke of Northumberland is lord of the manor. In 1735 a stone inscribed with the names of Ulpius and Sabinus, Roman lieutenants in Britain, was found whilst repairing the old rectory-house."

"BLACK CARTS, an extra-parochial liberty united with the liberty of Ryehill, in the parish of Warden, Tynedale ward, in the county of Northumberland, 8 miles to the N.W. of Hexham. It is near the North Tyne river."

"CHOLLERFORD, a hamlet in the parish of Simonburn and the ward of Tynedale, in the county of Northumberland, 1½ mile S. of Chollerton, and 5 N. of Hexham, by the Border Counties section of the North British railway, on which it is a station."

"HALL-BARNS, a hamlet in the township and parish of Simonburn, ward of Tynedale, county Northumberland, 7 miles N.W. of Hexham. It is situated, on a branch of the river Tyne, near the Picts' Wall."

"HAUGHTON, a township in the parish of Simonburn, N.W. division of Tynedale ward, county Northumberland, 6 miles N.W of Hexham. It is situated near the banks of the river Tyne, and has a paper mill, built in 1788. The principal residences are Haughton Castle and Haughton Park. The former is an ancient and massive stone structure, surmounted by five square turrets, and was formerly surrounded by walls. There is a small National school."

"HUMSHAUGH, a chapelry in the parish of Simonburn, N.W. division of Tynedale ward, county Northumberland, 5 miles N.W. of Hexham, its post town. It is bounded on the E. by the river Tyne, and on the S. by the old Roman wall. It formerly belonged to the Swinburnes of Houghton. Limestone is quarried, chiefly for agricultural purposes. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £198. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Durham, value £120, in the patronage of the governors of Greenwich Hospital. The church is of modern construction, built of stone, and has one bell. There are two schools for either sex. Chester House is the principal residence."

"RYEHILL, an extra-parochial place, adjoining the parish of Warden, county Northumberland, 2 miles N.W. of Hexham."