Jeremiah Abbs (mariner). Wearmouth. Cresswell Bell (woodmonger), Wearmouth. 1794. Isabella, d. Mary Gregson, (innkeeper.) John, s. Sharp (surgeon), and Elizabeth Stothard. John Johnston,* of the 8th Regiment of Foot. (A number of deaths are recorded here from the 8th, 37th, 44th John Huntingdon, † of the Northumberland Militia. Mary, wife of Andrew Hindes, of the Durham Militia. 1796. George, s. late Thomas (agent), and Mary Kidson. July 5. 1797. Nov. 4. 1799. Mch. 2. Edward Watson (apothecary), Sunderland, aged 70. May 26. Hannah Harrison, late Catterick, widow of the late Michael Harrison (apothecary.) Aug. 23. Sept. 20. William Masterman, custom house, Sunderland, aged 38. 1800. Jan. 3. Jan. 4. Thomasine Abbs, formerly Usher, widow of the late Lieut. William Abbs, Wearmouth, aged 61. The Rev. Cooper Abbs, Wearmouth, aged 62. John Robison, s. Rev. Thomas Robison (dissenting minister), and 1801. Aug. 23. Richard Abbs (farmer), Fulwell, aged 61. * At Whitburn, the 8th Regiment of Foot, the Durham Militia, and the Durham Fencibles commanded by General Osbourne. At Hendon, the Northumberland Militia, Roxboroughshire Fencibles and the Berwickshire Fencibles, commanded by General Dalrymple. The Sunderland Barracks were erected 1794. Dec. IO. 1801.-(Contd.) Edward Palmer (shipowner), Wearmouth, aged 45. 1802. Feb. 21. Ralph Davison (harbour master), aged 64. 1803. Apl. 16. George Palmer (shipowner), aged 49. 1804. Feb. 9. Margaret, wife of John Leighton (potter), formerly Galley, Southwick, Mch. 6. aged 33. Matthew Chaloner (drum major, Northumberland Militia), aged 43. June 24. Apr. 11. Apl. 19. 1805. Lambert Westol (mariner), aged 56. John Dinning (schoolmaster), aged 57. 1806. Richard Preston Brunton, s. Thomas Brunton (shipowner), Southwick, by his wife Margery, formerly Preston, aged 8 weeks. Sept. 23. Cooper Abbs, Esq., aged 68. 1808. Nov. 30. John Mcgee (traveller), Scotchman, aged 80. Mch. 21. Mch. 24. 1810. Sir Hedworth Williamson,* Bart., Whitburn, aged 61. Elizabeth, wife of Philip Laing (shipbuilder), formerly Rudd, Wearmouth, aged 25. May 4. John Watson (surgeon), Bishopwearmouth, aged 41. Oct. 21. Reverend John Heskett (curate of this parish), aged 57. 1811. Sept. 19. Mary Robinson, wife of Thomas Robinson (dissenting minister), aged 41. Oct. 9. George Heskett, s. Rev. J. Heskett (late curate of this parish), May 27. George Forster Brunton, s. Thomas Brunton (statesman), Southwick, Sept. 20. aged 5 months. William Austin, s. Peter Austin (potter), by his wife Jane, late Oet. 4 Jane Heskett, relict of the late Rev. John Heskett (minister of this parish), aged 50. *S. Hedworth, of Whitburn, Co. Durham, 5th Baronet, Lincoln College matric., 13th March, 1769, aged 18; B. A.; M.A. 1778; 6th Baronet; father of William Hamilton (2nd son), and Sir Hedworth. He married Oct. 23rd, 1794, Maria d. Sir James Hamilton, of Monaghan, Ireland. He was High Sheriff by patent, 1789-1810. NOTES ON DALDEN TOWER AND THE VILLAGE OF DALTON-LE-DALE. BY R. ANDERSON AIRD. Read on June 14th, and October 7th, 1902. The Tower of Dalden and the Village of Dalton-le-Dale are situated in what is now called Dawdon Dene, near Seaham Harbour, about six and a half miles south of Sunderland. The Tower, which is about three quarters of a mile from the sea-shore, occupies a beautiful position between the banks of the dale through which runs a small stream; the north west bank rises in gentle green covered slopes, and that on the south, rising abruptly from the stream, is finely wooded with elm and ash trees, which have for some centuries been a noted feature in the landscape. The vale opens towards the east and south west with a pleasant level stretch extending in each direction. The name Dalden is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from two similar words, viz. :-"Dal," a cleft or dale, and “Dun,” or "Denn," a wooded valley. The buildings have been strong and fairly extensive, having rubble walls 5 feet thick, and composed mostly of stream washed stones, the outer and inner faces appear to have been raised first, the inside being filled up with rubble and liquid mortar; it is in some parts easier to break the stone than the mortar. The remains now only consist of a small portion of the north, the east and the west walls of the Tower, all 5 feet in thickness with strengthening buttresses inside, foundations of the buildings to the north, part of the orchard wall and Manor House, with the position of the old gateway. Formerly it consisted of a Tower or Keep for the security of the dwellers, and outer walls (probably an enclosure for cattle), as a defence against the marauding bands common in those times, ELM TREE BANK similar to the ruins at Ludworth, where, until recently, might be seen in the chamber under the Keep, the large open fireplace and hearthstone. Other smaller buildings at some time surrounded the Tower, as considerable foundations have been removed from time to time from the hill on the south, and also on the east side of the stream; a well is still in existence towards the south supplied by a running spring of very fine water, sufficient to supply the needs of a large number of inhabitants. The Tower stands on a slightly raised mound, as will be seen from the plan below. AREA COVERED BY BUILDINGS 220 x 120 F RUINS OF DALDEN TOWER ROADWAY DAWDON BECK (REPRODUCED FROM MR. AIRD'S PLAN, DATED 1902.) Round about is a broad, deep ditch which is still called on the Ordnance Map the "Moat." The position has been carefully chosen; situated in the lowest and narrowest part of the vale it is hidden from the surrounding country, and also commands the pass through the Dene. It has been a building of the Norman period, and as far back as 1180, was the seat of a Baronial Family, i.e., a Baron of the Bishopric, not a Parliamentary Baron or Peer. In the east wall is a niche with a pointed canopy, which appears to have decorated the interior of some apartment, probably a domestic Chapel, frequently met with in such buildings. Sir Jorden de Dalden is mentioned as obtaining a license to establish such a Chapel, in 1325. There is also in the building which formed part of the old Manor House, an upper room, commonly called the Chapel, in this room below a niche in the south wall is a stoup in a good state of preservation. A former inhabitant of one of the rooms under this Chapel had the hearthstone taken up for repairs and replaced; those engaged in the work maintained, that under this stone was a stairway leading to a subterranean passage. In the outer wall of the Tower extending towards the north, there is clearly seen what has been an arch-covered cell with a small loophole window, the upper portion of which is shown on the plan. The Manor House, which was afterwards called Dawdon Hall, was a building of the time of James I.; portions are still to be seen in the south west end of the present farm buildings adjoining the old gateway which led to the Manor. The gateway was built up about forty years ago. The earliest mention of the estate is that of King Athelstan, including Dalton in his grant to the shrine of St. Cuthbert; the lands were formerly included in South Wearmouth, and formed part of the grant when South Wearmouth was restored to the See of Durham, about the year 930. Like all other lands in the North, there is no mention of it in the Doomsday Book, as it is probable that the Northern Counties might be at that time in the hands of the Scots, or had suffered so much from the Conqueror's revenge that none dare venture upon a survey. "So complete," writes William of Malmesbury, "was the Conqueror's devastation that this district about 60 miles in length, which had been full of |