Page:History and characteristics of Bishop Auckland.djvu/52

 mSTOBT OF BISHOP AUCKLAND. 3l being the residence of the Bishop, who was^ even in those days, a kind of a local monarchy keeping up a very large establishment, with a numerous retinue of retainers and domestics of every grade; or in consequence of there being so many gentlemen's seats in the immediate neighbourhood, all of which at that time were inhabited The present Porter's Lodge, as already stated, was formerly the town residence of the Crosiers, of Newbiggin. On the site where now stands the Barrington School, formerly stood an old mansion, called " Pollard's Hall," supposed to have been the residence of the family of that name, and famous in our local annals, of whom we will speak when writing of St. Andrew's Church. In the immediate neighbourhood, too, we had Binchester, at that time, inhabited by the Wrens ; some of which family had resided in the town, as their names frequently occur in the birth and burial registers of St. Andrew's as residing in Auckland. Newton Cap, too, was then inhabited by the Baconia ; Henknowle, by the BeHasis ; Witton Castle, by the Hoppers ; Windlestone, by the Edens ; Grange Hill and Howlish, by the Hoppers, the Doubledays, &c. ; Old Park, by the Claxtons and the Whartons, the last named being frequently visited by the Poet Gray, who dated many of his letters from there, and whose taste is said to have been consulted in the various improvements made in that fine old mansion. We had, also, in Auckland, in those days, a good many military men, who had retired from active service to spend their last days amidst its quiet scenes ; and, also, a fair sprinkling of old maids and widows, the last records of whom may be found on many of the tombstones clustered about the north side of the old church of St Andrew, and whose names fill a single line in the pages of its parish registers. All these old families lived in some state, keeping much company, and travelling about ; the only available means then being the old post chaise, or their own private carriagea Auckland being the nearest post town, a few good inns were also requisite, having at their disposal well appointed conveyances, with corresponding relays of horses, the latter being oft required at a moment's notice. Post boys, as may be surmised, in those days figured largely in the town, and who, appareled in their white breeches and short- tailed jackets, went dashing through its quaint old streets in thorough postillion styla A member of of that profession was immortalised by a local Poet as the hero of a song, the chorus of which was — Jack Pftddison's mere gans fonnoet. When the Bishop held his annual visitation, the Market-place was generally crowded with carriages and conveyances, every available stable in the town being filled with horses, and the streets crowded with the clergy, from the corpulent and wealthy Dean to his more humble curate. A first-class medical man* or two were, also, requisite to attend to the ailments of the surrounding gentry, two or three lawyers, as well, finding employment in our midst The tradesmen, though few as compared with their number now-a-days, were of the better class ; and, in fact, the aristocratic atmosphere which pervaded the town, gave it a degree of importance and respectability which the innovations of modem trade and commerce have entirely swept away. As a proof of the salubrity and healthiness of the town of Auckland, we give the following instances of longevity : — In 1736, a woman here (name not known), who was 108 years of age, got a set of teeth (not from a dentist). On August 27th, 1786, there died, at this place, Mrs. Nansome, in the 10 5th year of her age. On April 13th, 1815, Sarah Winter, of Bishop Auckland, widow of Charles Winter, aged 100. On May 14th, 1816, Mrs. Jane Webster, aged 104. On February 8th, 1818, in the Workhouse, Hannah Eobinson, aged 105. On August 10th, 1822, Dorothy Thorp, widow, aged 102. On March 1st, 1825, Grace Cummia, aged 100. On December 3l8t, 1826, Parkinson Wouldhave, aged 102. On May 2nd, 1828, John Clay, aged 100. And, to add to this number, on the 10th May, 1840, Ann Kichley, the paternal grandmother of the author of this history, aged 101. Between the years 1813 and 1828 inclusive, there are recorded, in the Parish Registers of St Andrew, 1090 deaths, making an average of alittle more than 68 in Digitized by Google
 * One of whom WM Dr. Thonuui Sherwood, » short sketch of whom wiU be foand under the head, "Biography.*'