Hexham St Andrew's Priory

Parish Notes Northumberland

Hexham St Andrew's Priory

[Population 1911: 8,672 incl. 132 persons enumerated in the Hexham Union Workhouse]

Church

This church, begun by Wilfrid in 674, and completed by Acca, his successor, remained uninjured till 875, when every part of the monastery but the stone work was destroyed by the Danes. It was built of stones used in an earlier work, and many of them bear Roman inscriptions. Originally in dimensions and splendour it was unsurpassed on this side of the Alps, and doubtless had no small influence on ecclesiastical architecture in various parts of England. The building as renovated in the 12th century consisted of nave and transepts, choir and aisles, and a massive central tower; but the nave was burned by the Scots in 1296, and has never been rebuilt. The style is Early English with Transition details. The crypt, discovered in 1726, is a fine example of Saxon architecture, of which there appear also to be some traces in the choir. Among the interesting old monuments which have been collected in the transept is a sculptured stone slab of Oswulf, king of Northumbria, of the date 788. [Encyclopædia Britannica 9th edition, vol.11 (1880), p.784.]

Townships

Topography

History

The Parish Chest

Non-Parochial Records

Newcastle Courant 10/7/1813 In a house in Gilligate, Hexham, there are now living five inhabitants whose joint ages make 442 years. One of 100, one of 92, two of 85, and one of 80. The oldest (a female) is a great reader, and reads without spectacles.

Newcastle Courant 7/7/1832 [marriage] The 2nd inst. at Hexham, Mr John White, painter, to Miss Mary Pigg, straw-hat maker.

Newcastle Courant 15/9/1832 [marriage] The 8th inst. at Hexham, Mr Thomas Pigg, to Miss Pigg, both of Greenridge.

Newcastle Courant 9/4/1836 [marriage] The 4th inst. at Hexham, Mr R. Smith, cooper, to Miss Pigg, both of Hexham.

Gateshead Observer 23/12/1837 A yellow turnip, of the hybrid (Dale's) species, was last week pulled in the garden of Mr. J.D. Bell, at Hexham, weighing 19lbs., and measuring in circumference 36 inches.

Newcastle Courant 30/8/1861 FREE PARDON.- The following communication from the Home Secretary, which refers to Mr George Wilson, formerly a spirit merchant in Hexham, has been received by Mr Charlton, in reply to a recent petition (signed by several magistrates, and other parties of influence) and will be read with much gratification by a wide circle of his friends:- "Whitehall, 15th August, 1861. Sir,- The Secretary of State for the Home Department having had under consideration your application on behalf of George Wilson, I have the satisfaction to acquaint you that, under all the circumstances, he has felt warranted in advising Her Majesty to grant this person a free pardon. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, H. WADDINGTON. Anthony Charlton, Esq., Morpeth, Northumberland." Mr Wilson was tried and convicted for forgery at the Newcastle Assizes in 1836; and although there were several extenuating circumstances, he received the sentence of transportation for life. He returns to his native town, after the lapse of a quarter of a century.

26 April 1800	An idiot name unknown
23 October 1800	George B. S. of