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Belford in Northumberland County England History and GeographyBELFORD, a parish partly in ISLANDSHIRE, a detached portion of the county palatine of DURHAM, but chiefly in the northern division of the hundred of BAMBROUGH, county of NORTHUMBERLAND, comprising, in the former, the township of Ross, and in the latter, the townships of Belford, Detchant, Easington, Easington-Grange, Elwick, and Middleton, and containing 1783 inhabitants, of which number, 1208 are in the market town of Belford, 49 miles (N. by W.) from Newcastle upon Tyne, and 325½ (N. by W.) from London. This place, though possessing little architectural beauty, has a very pleasing appearance: it is situated on a gentle eminence within two miles of the sea, of which, and of Bambrough Castle, it commands a fine view on the north-east; on all other sides it is sheltered by hills, on one of which are seen the ruins of an ancient chapel. The town consists principally of two spacious streets, intersected by a few narrow lanes, badly paved and not lighted; the houses are irregularly built, but the inhabitants are amply supplied with water: the neighbourhood abounds with pleasingly diversified scenery and agreeable walks. Belford is mainly indebted for its rise to the spirited exertions of Mr. Dixon, a former proprietor of the manor, who built several houses on a larger and more convenient scale, cleared away unsightly objects, and established a woollen manufactory, a tannery, &c. His father had previously procured the privilege of holding a market and fairs: the market is on Tuesday, and is noted for corn, much of which is sold for exportation; and the fairs are on the Tuesday before Whitsuntide, and August 23d. The parish abounds with coal, limestone, and freestone. The town is within the jurisdiction of the county magistrates, and constables for the several townships are appointed at the court leet of the lord of the manor. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Northumberland, and diocese of Durham, endowed with £800 private benefaction, £600 royal bounty, and £1100 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of William Clarke, Esq. as lord of the manor. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a handsome structure, erected in 1700, at the north-western extremity of the town. There are places of worship for Anti-burghers, Wesleyan Methodists, and Presbyterians. A charity school is supported by subscription. About a mile to the south-west of the town is a quadrilateral intrenchment, having an entrance on the north-east, and defended by a wide ditch and a double rampart: it is by some supposed to have been a strong hold, or place of security from the incursions of the Scots, during the border wars; by others it is thought to be of Danish origin. The races formerly held at Beadnell, have been removed hither, where a course has just been completed for holding them. There are a few mineral springs in the parish. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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