ThorngraftonTHORNGRAFTON is a township forming part of the ecclesiastical parish of Beltingham-with-Henshaw, on the north bank of the river Tyne, I mile north from Bardon Mill station on the Newcastle and Carlisle section of the North Eastern railway and 5 miles east from Haltwhistle. In this township is a colliery and sand and ironstone quarries. In the neighbourhood are the remains of several Roman stations, including, Housesteads, in this parish, the well-known station Borcovicus, regarded as the most perfect on the wall; it is situated on a basaltic precipice facing the north, and on the southern slope may be traced, both above and below the surface; the massive remains of a large Romano-British town, which grew up under the protection of the fortress: a quarter of a mile south, but within the limits of the town, is a conical hill, or knoll, known as " Chapel hill," on the crest of which are traces of a building, perhaps a temple; on the west side there runs a clear stream, and by its side, in 1821, was discovered a cave containing altars to Mithras, the Persian sun-god, and other emblems of that worship: on the site, in Nov. 1883, were found two altars to Mars Thincsus, and the two Alaesiaeae, Beda and Fiminilena, and to the divinity of the Augusi, dedicated by German and Frisian mercenaries : there was also met with a semicircular carved stone, with figures of Mars attended by Victuries bearing palms and wreaths. A bronze purse was found here containing sixty coins of Hadrian (A.D. 117-138), and many other Roman remains have been discovered. The Duke of Northumberland K.G. P.C. and Sir Hugh D. Blackett Bart. Are lords of the manor? The principal landowners are Sir Hugh D. Blackett Bart. the Hon. Francis Bowes- Lyon and Mrs. Clayton, of The Chesters, Hexham. The soil chiefly is sand and lime. The area is 4,346 acres of land and 176 of water; rateable value, £3,928; the population in 1901 was 296. Cook William, Birkshaw Robson Mrs. Herbley strand 'Rowell Mrs. West End town Sharpley Edward Burgess COMMERCIAL. Brown Philip, farmer Clark Elizabeth (Mrs.), farmer Dodds Luke, miller (water), Crow Hall mill Harding Geo. farmer, West End town Harding Jn.Williamm.farmer, Chesterholm Herdman Henry, farmer, West Beggar bog Muirdaw Robert, farmer, Morwood Nicholson Dickinson, farmer, Birkshaw Oliver Jas. Dunn, farmer, Birkshaw Pattinson Joseph, farmer, Hotbank Pearson Mary (Miss), shopkeeper Sharpe James William, colliery owner, .Barcombes Tweddle Thomas. farmer, Crindledykes Usher John & George, farmers, High meadow Usher Jane (Mrs.) farmer, Whitshield Veitch Robert, farmer, East Hotbank Waters Thomas, farmer,West Hotbank Woodman Ralph, farmer, Crow hall Teats William, farmer, Bradley Letters through Carlisle via Bardon Mill, the nearest money order & telegraph office, arrive at 8.30 a.m. |