Alston Herald, and East Cumberland Advertiser. — 1879-07-26 (Alston, Cumbria, England)

LEE, HATDON BRIDGE.  1864.—1 n Suttees Society's Publications (vol. tar., 1864), is the following i—liugh Pakenham occurs in one 1441 as an officer of Archbishop Kempe at Ripon, and was concerned in gathering the tolls when some disturbance was expected from the lads of Knaresborough Forest. He prevented any serious riot by garrisoning the town with 200 men from liexhamshire, rough and wild fellows, who went robling up the stid towne and dowue, saying would gad these knaves and lads of the forest would coine hider, that we might have a faire day upon them. In a manuscript and preserved by that able an. tiquary, Mr Surtees, of Mains worth, it appears that in the year 1460, that Northumberland contained at that time thirty-seven castles, and eighty-seven towers.  1861, May 16 —This morning A most terrific thunderstorm burst over the south-west district of Northumberland, accompanied by torrents ot rain. The consequence was that the waters in Stockskidd Burn, a small tributary of the river Tyne, became flooded, al,d did immense damage in the neighbourhood of the stream. A bridge and two hurses were washed away, along with a great quantity of farm produce; an such a flood had not been known for a great number of years.. .  1864, Aug. 2.—First number of the " Elexham Courant" issued. First newspaper published in England by order of Queen Elizabeth and was titled the English Mercury, one of which is remaining in the Britbill Museum, dated July 28, 1588. A newspaper was printed by Robert Barker at Newcastle in 1639.  1861, Nov. 23 —An ancient stone chit or grave WAS found on the farm of Mr Snowball, NVarks. Baugh, North Tyne, a fews days ago. It was about three feet in length, and one foot seven inches in breath, formed of rough stone slabs, the cover stone being much more massive than the rest. A few feet south of the cist an urn of sun baked clay, lying in an inverted position upon a flag-stone, was also found. The urn wan of a more squat figure than usual, being 17 inches in breath and 13 inchcs. in height. Its upper portion was ornamented with zig zig incisions. Below this ornamented portion the width of the urn was considerably contracted. It contained some dry, small, and crumbling bones. 1865, Jan. 3.—Thomas Stainthorpe, M.D. of Llexham, was presented with a testimonial, consisting of silver plate, gold watch, and appendages, and a purse of gold. The Rev. W. Sisson made the presentation. The articles all bore suitable inscriptions, that on the service of plate having inscribed " Presented to Dr. Stainthorpe, M.D., M. tt.C.S. Eng., &c., together with a gold watch and appendages, and a purse of gold, by his numerous friends in Hexhatn, Hexhamshire, &c., to mark their appreciation of his ready and courteous attention in fulfilling the duties of his profession' and as an expression of their appreciation of his worth. January 3, 1865"  1865, Feb. I.—A melancholy accident occurred at Wester Hall Lead Mine, North Tyne, to a sinker named Ralph Brown, who was almost blown to pieces, while blasting some stone at the bottom of the shaft. Deceased was 30 years of age, and belonged Leadgate. 1865, March 27.—The foundation stone of the new Corn Market and Town Hall at Hexham was laid amidst great rejoicings, and in the stone was deposited a copy of the "Hexham Courant," and one of the daily newspapers, and a parchment which contained the following inscription:— "This foundation stone was laid on the 27th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1865, by W. B. Beaumont, Esq., M.P., the building being erected by the Hexham Corn Market and Public Buildings Company (limited.) Directors— Charlet; G. Grey, Esq., chairman; Charles Head, Esq., Hackwood, vice-chairman ; Mr W. Robb, Mr W. W. Gibson, Mr W. A. Tetnperley, Mr W. Wear, Mr J. Lee (Wigton), Mr T. Stainthorpe, M.D., Mr W. Alexander, Mr J. Ridley, Mr Ralph Robson, Mr Edward Pruddah. Secretary —Mr John Oswald Head. Builders—Thom., Hillman, mason ; Edward Herdman, Architect—John Johnstone, Newcastle. Cleik of the works—George Machell, Newcastle." 1865, May.—A branch of the Cumberland Union Bank was established in Hexham. 1865, May 10 —The Hexham and Allendale Railway Bill was read a third time and passed in the House of Commons. 1865, July 10„—Died at Whitfield Rail, in his 63rd year, the Rev John Alexander Blackett Ord, youngest son of the late Christopher Blackett, Esq, of Wylatn. In him his dependents have last a considerate master, and a kind and sympathising friend. 1865, Oct. 21.—The first ordinary general meeting of ahareholiters of the Hexham aud Allendale Railway Company, was held in the large room of the Kings tiead Inn, Allendale. W. B. Beaumont, Esq., M.P. chairman, presided. 1866, Aug. 22.—A shoemaker, named Robert Ruildnek, committed suicide by throwing himself into the river Tyne at Haltwhistle. Deceased was sixty years of age.