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Harton

"This parish was formed in 1864, from St. Hilda's, South Shields, and comprises the north-east portion of the township, including the village of Harton, and the hamlet of Caudwell. Since the formation of this parish, the parish of All Saints has been formed, which takes in a portion of this parish.

"Harton Township comprises an area of 1559 acres, and its ratable value is £20,163.

"In this township is the extensive Harton Colliery, which is one of the deepest in the district, and gives employment to a large number of men. It is 1300 feet deep, and it was here, in 1854, that the famous pendulum experiments of the Astronomer Royal, Sir George Buddell Airey, were carried out.

"Harton is a pleasant village, on the main road between South Shields and Sunderland, about one and a half miles from the former place, and five from the latter, and about one mile west from the sea. It contains several handsome dwellings."

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

Census

"The population in 1801, was 160; in 1811, 205; in 1821, 235; in 1831, 217; in 1841, 265; in 1851, 770; in 1861, 877; in 1871, 2164; in 1881, 3576; and in 1891, 4631, souls."

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

The 1851 Census Index (booklet 52) 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. Peter, is a handsome stone structure in the Early English style, consisting of nave, chancel, organ chamber, and south porch, and forms, with its elegant tower and spire, a pleasing feature in the landscape. The church was consecrated in August 15, 1867, and the cost amounted to £3000, which includes the burial ground of two and a half acres. There are sittings for 240. In the spire are two bells."

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

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Church Records

Copies of the Parish Registers for the period 1890-1907 for the parish church of Harton Colliery are deposited at the Society of Genealogists.
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