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Greatham

"Greatham Parish comprises the townships of Claxton and Greatham. It is bounded on the north-east and north by the chapelry of Seaton Carew and the parish of Stranton, on the west and south-west by the parish of Elwick Hall and the chapelry of Wolviston, on the south by Billingham, and on the east by the sea-march in the estuary of the Tees.

"Claxton Township has an area of 880 acres, and the annual value is £879.

"Greatham Township

comprises an area of 2174 acres, including 689 Greatham Hospital extra-parochial, and its annual value is £7975.

"The village of Greatham is pleasantly situated on the ridge of a hill, about six and three-quarters of a mile north-east by north from Stockton, and two and a half north-wet from the estuary of the the Tees. The annual feast is held on St. John the Baptist's day, the feast of the dedication of the church, at which races and rural sports are continued for some days."

[From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan , London, 1894]

Cemeteries

The monumental inscriptions in the churchyard of St. John the Baptist and in the cemeteries have been transcribed, indexed and published by the Cleveland Family History Society.

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Census

"Claxton Township The number of inhabitants in 1801 was 42; in 1811, 46; in 1821, 38; in 1831, 32; in 1841, 52; in 1851, 49; in 1861, 55; in 1871, 51; in 1881, 51; and in 1891, 48 souls.

"Greatham Township The population in 1801 was 442; in 1811, 407; in 1821, 446; in 1831, 519; in 1841, 635; in 1851, 651; in 1861, 724; in 1871, 717; in 1881, 737; and in 1891, 870 souls."

From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan , London, 1894]

The 1851 Census Index (booklet 11) published by the Cleveland Family History Society may be of value to researchers interested in this parish.

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Church History

"The Church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, was erected over the foundations of an early Saxon building, by Bishop Stichell of Durham, in 1270. It was rebuilt in 1792, a clerestory added by the Rev. H. B. Tristram in 1869, and a new vestry and organ, at a cost of £650, by the present vicar in 1881. It consists of nave, aisles, chancel, and a square western tower of modest dimensions. The exterior of the church is neat and attractive; the recent additions, especially the clerestory, which is lighted by elegant quatrefoils, have been well carried out, and add much to the general appearance of the structure."

[From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan , London, 1894]

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Church Records

The Parish Registers for the period 1559-1982 are deposited at Durham County Record Office, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL (EP/Gre).

Marriage indexes for 1564-1837 (31 kbytes) from the George Bell Collection of Durham and Northumberland Indexes.

The Marriages (1564-1837) are included in the Joiner Marriage Index.

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