"Wolviston Parish, which was formerly a parochial chapelry, forming part of Billingham parish, is bounded on the north-east by Greatham, north by Elwick Hall, on the north-west by Grindon, and on the south-east by Billingham parish. It includes the townships of Newton bewley and Wolviston."Wolviston Township comprises an area of 2895 acres, and the annual value of the property assessed to the county is £3203.
"The village of Wolviston occupies a pleasant situation on the Stockton and Sunderland turnpike road, about five miles north by east from the former place. An annual festival is held here on the first Sunday after Lammas Day; and on the following day, races and shows or various kinds are held, as well as dances, &c., in the evening. For some years the races were discontinued, but are now re-established.
"Newton Bewley Township contains 1495 acres, and its annual value is £1521.
"The village of Newton Bewley is situated six miles north by east from Stockton. In a field a little to the south of the village, the foundations of a manor house were discovered in 1882. There are some interesting traces of there having once existed, at Low Grange Farm, an ancient edifice of some architectural pretensions. From the fragments of carved stone-work and portions of a pointed arch with drip stone, and several carved faces, it would appear to have been a chapel or some other such building. There are apparently no records of this place, but many foundations have been from time to time unearthed in the immediate neighbourhood."
[From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan, London, 1894]
"Wolviston Township - The population in 1801 was 411; in 1811, 390; in 1821, 341; in 1831, 582; in 1841, 588; in 1851, 750; in 1861, 653; in 1871, 625; in 181, 606; and in 1891 was 585."Newton Bewley Township - The number of inhabitants in 1801 was 88; in 1811, 84; in1821, 86; in 1831, 92; in 1841, 87; in 1851, 121; in 1861, 134; in 1871, 132; in 1881, 131; and in 1891, 126 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.
"The Church is a plain brick building, at the east end of the village, and consists of a nave, with chancel and bell turret. It will seat 250, and was erected in 1876, at a cost of £2500."The former church, which was near the centre of the village, and dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen, was pulled down, and the present one erected in its stead. It was evidently an old church, as the register dates from 1577, and there is an antique silver chalice, which has been in the possession of this parish for centuries."
[From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan, London, 1894]
The Parish Registers for the period 1759-1990 are deposited at Durham County Record Office, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL (EP/Wo).
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