Work into proper doc. *** Cresswell estate in Northumberland over 1000 acres THE HISTORY OF CRESSWELL - ELLINGTON - LINTON - TYNEMOUTH and WOODHORN by Leonard C. Leach, (published by Hythe Offset,???) 1986 Acknowledgements: Captain A. J. Baker-Cresswell, D.S.O., R.M., Major T.H. Baker-Cresswell, and Curtis Brown *** Fishing was the mainstay of the village of Cresswell. Cresswell Hall was built in the 1820's and it provided work for the people of the village. Cresswell's fishing industry went into a gradual decline as men forsook the sea for jobs in the coal pit, and with the breakup of the Cresswell estate in 1924 there were less jobs for the local people. At Cresswell there is a 1 1/2 mile reef of rocks exposed at low tide which has many pools in which to explore the marine life. Sometimes a low tide reveals the blackened tree stumps and roots of a submerged forest caused by a change in the level of the sea a few thousand years ago. There are also modern intrusions of concrete blocks, placed there in the 1939-1945 war to prevent seaborne invasion. Petrified remains of another forest which existed millions of years ago and were once in the conservatory of Cresswell Hall can now be seen in the Hancock Museum, Newcastle. A coal fault runs nearly parallel to Cresswell Road. Cresswell is named from a spring of fresh water at the east end of the village, where it was said water cresses grew. The village was mainly populated by fisherfolk. During the feudal period, it was in the manor of Ellington and in the Balliol barony. John de Balliol was regent of Scotland and founder of Balliol College, Oxford. It was also in the parish of Woodhorn. The Cresswell family therefore and other proprietors in it, not holding their lands "in Capite" and the escheator consequently not making any inquisitions after their death, until the Barony fell into the hands of the crown by the attainder of the earl of Westmorland, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The history of the Cresswell family has been made more difficult by the lack of written evidence for the early period. They do, however, appear in various private and public records as being the principal owners of land in the village. An early manuscript states that Sir Robert de Cresswell had possession of the estate in 1191, in the reign of Richard I. Deeds respecting land in Ellington were witnessed in the reign of King John and his son Henry III by Utting or Uethred de Cresswell, Robert Bertram, Gerard of Widdrington and others. Roger, the son of Utting de Cresswell, occurs in a pleading in 1244, as a manucaptor of Robert Cresswell who was reputed to be the father of Simon and grandfather of Roger de Cresswell. An old document states that Henry Wodryngton (Widdrington) confirms by deed in 1513 to George Cresswell his rights in lands occupied by grant from his father Rafe Wodryngton (Widdrington). An entry for 1535 states that Margery Fenwick of Stanton entailed lands in Cresswell to her son Thomas. In 1552, by deed poll indented grant, sale and living comprising two messuages and land to Robert Whitstone, haberdasher, of London. In 1568 Oswald Cresswell, John Atkinson, and Cuthbert Musgrove by the Queen's feodary held land in Cresswell. The 19th volume of records in the office of the auditor of land revenue contains a document made in the reign of Elizabeth I in respect of lands in Cresswell and the Public Records Office have estate deeds going back to 1597. In 1628 Robert Humphry and Nicholas Atkinson were summoned as jurors in the assizes at Newcastle. In the same year the High Sheriff of the county was exonerated at the exchequer from the payment of l2 out of the mill of Cresswell and for the same sum charged upon the estate of John Cresswell and for l10 on that of Ephraim Widdrington in Cresswell. In 1663 Sir Francis Radcliff, Mr. Ephraim Cresswell, Mr. William Cresswell, John Cresswell Esq., William Singleton, William Brown, and widow Humphry were owners of the village. Sir Francis Radcliff owned the north side of Cresswell, but later sold it to the Cooks of Amble New Hall, a descendent of whom of the Blakemoor line sold part of it to A.J. Baker-Cresswell who with his father Francis owned the whole of the township excepting Blakemoor. However, as previously stated earlier entries give the names of other owners. Another source states that in 1693, Henry Singleton, yeoman of Cresswell, conveyed to George Singleton, a cottage occupied by Cuthbert Snawdon together with 8 acres of arable land and other fields named Kellyards, Kellyards Head, Haver, Flower Dykes, Morland Hill, Morland, and a further two acres of meadow riggs named Thruly Field and also pasture named Westfield, Ryehill, Long Detherish, Billish, Billish Headlands and the Side. The Tower, which is described in a later chapter is dated to the 13th or 14th century, but the former date ties in better with the pedigree of the earliest Cresswells, because presumably they would have lived in the fortified tower. No date is recorded for the building of a mansion and chapel which was attached to the tower, but both mansion and chapel were demolished by William Cresswell in 1749 in order to build another one on the same site. Presumably he was then living at Woodhorn Demesne in the Red House which he had purchased from the York Building Co. in 1750. They in turn had purchased it from Lord Widdrington. The house is described as having extensive sea views and there were 303 acres of land. An entry in Hodgson's History of Northumberland says, "and afterwards at Cresswell". However, he cannot have resided for very long in the new mansion because in 1772 it was advertised to be let, in the "Newcastle Courant". It was finally tenanted by several families of labouring people and was eventually demolished in 1845. William Cresswell left his estate in Woodhorn Demesne to be divided amongst his daughters. John Addison, the husband of Elizabeth one of the daughters, bought the shares of her sisters in it and left it to her for life with the remainder to her nephew Francis Cresswell and his eldest son A. J. Cresswell. There is a Red House which was built in 1927 in Woodhorn village but it has no connection with the house of that name which was in Woodhorn Demesne. No trace of the old one can be seen today. The last entry in the pedigree for a Cresswell living there is of Juliana, one of the daughters of William Cresswell. She died there in 1829 aged 92 (b.1737). Referring once more to the Cresswell pedigree, it will be seen that the family descended in the male line until the death of John Cresswell in 1781. He had twin daughters but no sons. Catherine Grace was the co-heir with her sister Frances Dorothea. Frances Dorothea married Francis Easterby, an Elder Brother of Trinity House and nephew of John Addison of Woodhorn Demesne. He purchased his sister in law's moiety of Cresswell and assumed the name and arms of Cresswell in 1807. His eldest son who was born in 1788 was named Addison John Cresswell. The name and arms of Baker were added in 1840, after his marriage to Elizabeth Mary Reed. John Baker was her cousin and on his death she inherited a considerable fortune. It was this money which enabled the new Cresswell Hall to be built in 1821, also the purchase of much of the surrounding land, together with estates further afield. Old Moor was purchased for l11,500. He also bought an estate at Bewick as well as land at New Bewick, east Lilburn and Harehope. The eldest son of this marriage was named Oswin Addison Baker-Cresswell who married Ann Seymour Conway daughter of Sir William Gordon Cumming. Oswin Addison died in 1856. Memorials to him and to his sister Emma Elizabeth, who died in 1820, and to his brother William Gilfred, who was a captain in the XIth Hussars and died in 1854 aged 29 (b.1825) before the battle of Alma in the Crimea, are in the church at Cresswell. The eldest son of Oswin Addison was born in 1844 and was named Oswin Cumming. The second son, Gilfred George was born in 1848. Oswin Addison died in 1856, within the lifetime of his father, so his son Oswin Cumming did not inherit the estate until the death of his grandfather in 1879 aged 91 (b.1788). Oswin Cumming married Emma Georgina Denman. He died in 1886. In 1892 his widow married the 2nd Earl of Ravensworth who died in 1903. She then married Mr. James Wadsworth in 1904 and died in 1939 aged 97 (b.1842) at Hove, Sussex. The eldest son of the first marriage was Addison Francis Baker- Cresswell, born in 1874. He married Idonea, second daughter of Major Widdrington of Newton Hall. Addison Francis died in 1921 and the estate was sold in 1924. The eldest son of this marriage was John, a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. Unfortunately he was drowned at Portsmouth when only 21 years of age. The surviving son, Captain Addison Joe Baker-Cresswell, D.S.O., R.M., was born in London in 1901. His early years were spent at Cresswell and his career in the Royal Navy started after leaving Gresham School in Norfolk. As a Lieutenant he specialized in navigation, serving in many classes of chip from submarine to battleship. He graduated as a Commander in the Naval Staff College and then went on a course to the r.A.F. Staff College, but because of the imminence of the war he left there in August 1939 before the completion of his course, to become a naval representative of the Middle East Planning Staff. He acted as liaison officer between General Wavell and Admiral Cunningham. In October 1940 he accepted the command of the supply ship H.M.S. Breconshire and acted as Commodore of an important convoy bound for Malta with a cargo of much needed oil, petrol, and ammunition. After completing this operation which was escorted by the Mediterranean Fleet he joined the battleship Ramilies and took part in Admiral Sommeville's action with the Italian Fleet. He subsequently transferred to the aircraft carrier Argus, safely reaching the Clyde in December 1940. His next appointment was to command the 3rd Escort Group which consisted of three destroyers, six corvettes and three trawlers. Commander Baker-Cresswell raised his pennant as Senior Officer on the Bulldog and he lost no time in improving the efficiency of the Group. Perhaps the most outstanding achievement in the naval career of Captain Baker-Cresswell was his capture of the German submarine U.110. Whilst escorting a convoy in the North Atlantic a number of U-boats carried out an attack resulting in the sinking of some merchant ships. The U.110 had sunk two of the ships but not without the Asdic operator on the corvette Aubrietia making contact and enabling two depth charge patterns to be fired. The destroyers Broadway and Bulldog had also established contact and were preparing to attack when the U.110 broke surface. Captain Baker- Cresswell on the Bulldog was on the point of giving the order to ram when men were seen coming out of the U-Boat's conning tower. As they gathered around their 4.2 inch gun he thought that they were going to open fire so he gave the order for his own men to retaliate. He then saw that the Germans were jumping into the sea and at the same time he observed that the Broadway was on a ramming course. Signalling and shouting on the loud hailer he told the captain to keep clear. Actually it had been the captain's intention to drop more depth charges to prevent the U-Boat from diving again. Unfortunately, by getting too close, his ship sustained a gash in the side caused by colliding with the U-Boats hydroplane. Meanwhile the Aubrietia was recalled to pick up the german survivors. The next order on the Bulldog was for an armed boat's crew to board the U-Boat. There were three objectives, the first to see whether any of the crew were on board in case an attempt was made to scuttle her. The second was to seize any important documents and equipment. and the third to attach a towing line to take her into port. All three objectives were achieved. No Germans were on board and the haul of documents was extensive. One was a chart showing channels leading to the German U-Boat bases. Many items of technical interest were taken, together with sextants, binoculars, etc. An engineer officer went aboard to find out whether the machinery could be started, but with no success. Meanwhile, with the visibility deteriorating, a signal was sent to the Broadway for her to send her motor-boat which was larger and more seaworthy than the whaler which the boarding party had used. Nothing more could be done on the U-Boat so the Bulldog's 3 1/2 inch hawser was attached to the U-Boats towing-eye; no mean achievement in bad light and rolling seas. With the mission accomplished the motor-boat was hauled aboard the Bulldog and then began the difficult task of towing the prize to Iceland. Just after the tow got underway, a look-out reported a periscope on the starboard bow. Not wishing to be a sitting target, the Captain had no option but to slip the tow and search for the U-Boat which had also been recorded on the Bulldog's Asdic. Both the Broadway and the Aubrietia had reported Asdic contact, the latter having dropped a depth charge. The U.201 was known to have been operating in the area. After a while an attempt was made to pick up the tow. This entailed a difficult manoeuvre to get the stern of the destroyer in line with the bows of the U-Boat. The two slightly collided but only a small dent was made in the Bulldog and the towing wert ahead. Slowly they steamed towards Iceland but at a speed of only 7 1/2 knots it would take two days before arrival. The tow had been going satisfactorily but during the night the sea and wind started to rise and by daybreak it was so strong that it became impossible to hold the U-Boat on course. Moreover she was sinking by the stern. After a few hours, the U.110 suddenly reared up her bows and then slowly sank. The loss was a great disappointment for all concerned, but the two packing cases full of documents, charts, etc., pleased the representatives from the Admiralty who were waiting at Scapa flow where the Bulldog had been ordered to proceed to after reporting the loss of the U-Boat. But first a call was made to Iceland in order to collect the German crew. The Commander of the U-110, Captain Lemp, did not survive. His Iron Cross which was found on the U-Boat was given to his sister by Captain Baker-Cresswell in 1958. In recognition of his service with the 3rd Escort Group, Commander Baker-Cresswell was promoted to Captain. He was also given the D.S.O. for his part in the capture of the U.110. Awards were also given to other personnel. The above account is a shortened version of what must have been one of the highlights of Captain Baker-Cresswell's career and it is taken from Captain S.W. Roskill's book "The Secret Capture". After further service with the 3rd Escort Group in the North Atlantic, Captain baker-Cresswell was transferred to the Joint Intelligence Staff at the end of 1941. He was Captain of H.M.S. Philante in 1943 and was in the East Indies Escort Force from 1944 to 1945 and he was present at the surrender of Singapore in 1945. He served with Naval Intelligence in 1948. Retiring from the Royal Navy in 1951, he was a J.P. in 1956 and High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1962. He married Rona Eilleen, 2nd daughter of Hubert Earle Vaile of Glade Hall, Aukland New Zealand in 1926. There is one son, Major Charles Addison Fitzherbert Baker-Cresswell, O.B.E., who served in the Territorial Army and was twice Conservative candidate for Berwick. In 1948 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Northumberland (see pedigree for issue of father and son). Some members of the Baker-Cresswell family have lived at Preston Tower since its purchase in 1861 by Addison John Baker-Cresswell for his son Robert who died childless in 1871. There are three stained glass windows in memory of him in Ellingham Church. One was given by his father and the others by friends and neighbours. The organ was also installed to his memory. Preston Tower passed to Addison John's two spinster daughters for life and then to his second grandson, Gilfred George, whose son Henry Gilfred succeeded him on his death in 1956. The son of Henry Gilfred, Major Gilfred Edward Baker-Cresswell, served in the Royal Engineers in World War II and was killed in action at El Alamein in 1942. His memorial is in Ellingham Church. He left a son and a daughter (see pedigree). His widow, Anne Sylvia, married his brother Major Thomas Henry Baker-Cresswell who served in World War II in the Royal Marines. He was on the cruiser H.M.S. Effingham and on the Prince of Wales when it took part in the sinking of the Bismark, and in 1943 he was in the landing at Salerno. He later joined H.M.S. Anson. He was a J.P. in 1959 and a Deputy Lieutenant of the county in 1971. They are the present occupants of Preston Tower and have two daughters (see pedigree). The creation of the estate in 1821 with its Hall, four lodges, sawmill, kennels, stables, conservatory, and other outbuildings, employed a considerable number of people, including craftsmen, many of whom were retained for the running of the estate. There would have been servants at the Hall, including cooks, dairy, and laundry workers, gardeners, stable staff, gamekeepers, woodmen, blacksmiths, and stonemasons. Some lived on the estate, others in the two villages. The masons for example lived in Ellington, near the ducket (described eleswhere). The Home Farm provided jobs for the farm workers. Other farms were tenanted but still required farmhands. It must not be assumed that all the estates and farmworkers came from the locality. Hand hirings were held at Morpeth and Alnwick for domestic servants and farm hands and the last hiring I saw recorded was held at Alnwick in 1940. Only 30 people above military age were present owing to the demands of the war. Notes taken from the Morpeth Herald and interviews with local people indicate a period of stability. The Cresswell family played a large part in the welfare of the villages. The following is a typical example; Christmas 1898. Local children were given a present and each family in the village was given a Christmas pudding, 1 lb. of tea, and 2 lbs. of sugar. There were other gifts for the sick and elderly. Addison Francis Baker-Cresswell died in 1921 and in 1924 the whole estate was sold (see sale list). Cresswell Hall together with 11 acres of land was sold to the Northumberland County Council. There was a proposal to use the Hall as a mental institution and in 1930 as a High School. These plans fell through. It was said that structural faults were appearing; part of it had already been demolished when it was sold to the Ashington Coal Company. In 1932 it was occupied by Mr. Thomas Boutland, traffic manager for the coal company. He was still there in 1934. That same year a notice appeared in the Morpeth Herald for the sale of floorings and other timber. The Hall was finally completely demolished some time after 1938. Only the stable block and some arcading remain. The site is now used as a tree nursery by the owners, the N.C.B. So another name is added to the evergrowing list of historic houses that have been demolished over the last 60 years or more. In 1935 Cresswell and the adjoining villages were put onto mains water supply. Hitherto Cresswell obtained its water supply from a spring overflowing under the wall in the field just off the Green. Two large stone slabs show the site. In 1936 there was a proposal for the Air Ministry to have a bombing range along Druridge Bay and to take over a camp at Cresswell. However, this plan fell through with the advent of the war. Troops were stationed at Cresswell and the huge concrete blocks which were erected to defend the shore can still be seen. In 1938 it was proposed that a parish council be formed, but owing to the intervention of the war this did not materialize until 1948. Previously there had been informal meeting of local people. It was not until between 1954 and 1956 that street lighting came to the village. 1963 saw the establishment of the Pele Tower Caravan Site (now the Feathers. One was already in existence along the coast road towards Lynemouth. In 1966, under the Common Registration Act, Cresswell Links was designated a Village Green; this being a triangle of land from the church to the base of the wall on both sides of the road. Over the years very few houses had been built, but in the early 1970's a small estate near the church was built, taking its name from the church. It consists of about 14 houses. No industry exists in the village, although there is a record of a fire destroying an Eastern Motor Services garage and three vehicles. Also there was at one time a chicken farm based in the stable block of the old Hall. And a haulage contractor, G. Proudlock. There are two shops there today, the one on the end selling icecreams, minerals, etc. was once owned by an italian who also sold groceries. The other shop had a sub-post office, established in the 1930's, but this has been transferred to a nearby house. Many of the social activities of the villagers were centred around Cresswell Hall. Its garden was the venue for the annual show of the Horticultural society which was founded between 1850 and 1852. One of the features was a display of plants and flowers raised in the Hall conservatory, younger members of the Baker-Cresswell family competing with the local people in exhibiting flowers which they had raised. Prizes took the form of joints of meat and grocieres. A cricket team was formed in 1867 and was still flourishing in 1883. There is no record of when the team disbanded but it is certainly many years ago. In 1890, a branch of the Primrose League Habitation was founded and a banner was given to Mrs. Baker-Cresswell, the President. There were 153 members. Capt. Forester contributed literature to form a reading room in Cresswell School in 1897 and there was a membership of 29. There were 20 pupils in a violin class that was formed at the church in 1906. In January 1922, there was a notice in the Morpeth Herald announcing a whist drive and dance by the Cresswell Unionists in the Recreation Hall. This was no doubt the school which had long ceased to have pupils as they had been transferred to the school in Ellington. There was a branch of the Ladies Lifeboat Guild in 1927. In 1932 there were aeroplane flights from the Cresswell Flying Field, by Capt. Hall of the North Eastern Aviation Co., at 12sd (62 1/2p) a time. A branch of the Women's Institute was formed in 1949. The Northumberland Boat Club has its boat compound along Druridge Bay. The Military List and Posse Comitatus List. These lists were drawn up in order to have the manpower available for riots and for invasions. The country was at war with France at that time. The number of wagons and horses were also included on some lists. CRESSWELL MILITIA LIST 1762, includes G. Cook "Gentleman", Husbandmen, Officers, freeholders, Threshers, Taylor, and a Schoolmaster, no Cresswells listed. The 1762 POSSE COM. LIST FOR CRESSWELL, does not include a Cresswell. CRESSWELL HALL an imposing mansion from designs by Shaw, built by Mr. Green, of Newcastle. The foundation stone of this magnificent structure was laid by its proprietor, Addison John Cresswell Baker, esq., during the year of his sheriffalty, June 14, 1821, and its roof covered-in 1825. Since which time the offices and colonade have been completed, and the stables and conservatory are now, September, 1829, in progress. For the three fine engravings which accompany this account, we are indebted to Mr. The west front is 81 1/2 feet, and in the centre of it has the portico. The south front, which has a range of 9 windows, measures 107 1/2 feet in length, and has the uniformity of its line very strikingly interrupted by the bow of the music room at its centre. The east front, which overlooks the sea, in 93 1/2 feet in length. The kitchen and offices annexed to the main hall join to the north side and extend 160 feet north from it, and have secondary apartments above them. The site of the stables is about 160 feet from the north-west angle of the house, and forms a quadrangle. The main entrance to it is in the west front, and consists of the portico already described, and of a hall and staircase, the latter of which is a very ingenious and elaborate specimen of architecture, and forms an important feature of the house.The music room, which is about 29 1/2 feet by 26 feet, is in the centre, and has a flat bow to the south. The drawing room and library are each 34 feet by 22. The dining-room, which is 36 feet by 22, is entered from the end of the staircase, and both it and Mr. Cresswell's private room, which is 22 feet square, from the east, and complete the principal apartments, all of which are 16 feet height. Warm air is conveyed from an under-ground furnace, through all the passages, the thermometer in which during the winter is seldom below 60 degrees. One thing peculiarly deserving of remark on the subject of this house, is the manner in which it has been constructed. The walls are 3 feet 4 inches thick, and built of solid squared masses of exceedingly fine stone, brought by shipping from quarries on each side of the Wansbeck, at Ashington and Cleaswell Hill. The Gardens The landscaped gardens had lawns, rock gardens, flower borders and a great variety of trees and shrubs. It boasted a miniature railway and a trip could be taken to view the whale bones which were mounted on a plinth. A few pieces of bone can still be seen. The conservatory housed many exotic plants and also contained a fossil tree (sigillaria), the girth of which was 7'4" (2.235m), and it was 5'8" (1.74m) high. It came from the seabanks opposite Bogg Hall where many other examples have been found, and it is now in the Hancock Museum, Newcastel. Cresswell Tower Various dates have been given for the construction of the Tower. An early manuscript states that Sir Robert de Cresswell possessed an estate in Cresswell in 1191, so the tower could be dated to the 12th century, certainly no later than the 13th century. The external measurements of the Tower are 41'3" by 28'9". The narrowest side faces the sea and has a turret at the north-east corner. There is a window at the top and bottom of this side, also a small oval aperture to the right of the bottom window, possible for letting in extra light. There are two windows and a similar aperture on the south side, and the west side has a slit window. There is also a fine example of a garde-robe protruding from the top of this side. On the north side there can be seen the outline of two doorways which led into the mansion that was once attached to the Tower. The line of the roof can also be seen. The interior consists of a barrel vaulted basement from which a spiral staircase leads to the two upper storeys, the first of which is divided into two apartments, each having a fireplace. The outlines of the two doorways which gave access to the mansion can also be seen. The floor is missing from the top storey. The turret has a window which has in its lintel the inscription "W.L. Cresswell and William Cresswell `brave hero'", possible inscribed by one of the masons when erecting the mansion. All access to the Tower has been sealed to keep out vandals. SALE OF THE CRESSWELL ESTATE IN 1924 Grange Moor 106 acres of arable and grassland, rental l268.14.4d. Also dwelling house and farm buildings. Sold for l4,000 to Messrs. J.H. & F.A. Burn, coal owners. Ulgham Grange Farm Residence, farm homestead, six cottages, 358 acres. Rent: l476.15.0d. Sold to tenants T. & C. Brewis for l9,000. Ferney Beds Dwelling house, farm buildings, three cottages and gardens. 133 acres. Rent: l203.6.8d. Sold to tenants Messrs. Boutflower for l4,000. Middlestead Farm Dwelling house, farm buildings, cottage at Lowstead. 152 acres. Rent: L155.10.0d. Sold to Mr. F. Watson of South Shields for L3,700. Potland Farm Dwelling house, farm buildings, two-roomed cottage. 147 acres. Rent: L155. Sold to Mr. N. Craigs, Solicitor of Ashington for L3,500. West Moor Farm Dwelling house, farm buildings, three cottages. 360 acres. Rent: L306.10.0d. Sold to Mr. F. Nicholson of Sunderland for L12,000. Hagghouse Farm Dwelling house, four cottages. 360 acres. Rent: L333.10.0d. Sold to tenant Mrs. E. & J.F. Wood for L8,500. High Thorne Dwelling house, farm buildings, three cottages. 356 acres. Rent: L288. Withdrawn at L8,200. Ellington Farm House, farm buildings, three cottages, 290 acres. Rent: L278.1.2d. Withdrawn at L9,500. Blakemoor Farm House, farm buildings, four cottages. 352 acres. Rent: L372. Withdrawn at L11.500. Dene House Farm House, farm buildings. 132 acres. Withdrawn at L6,500. Ellington East Moor Farm House, farm buildings, three cottages. 338 acres. Rent: L439. Withdrawn at L9,100. Cresswell Home Farm Residences, farm buildings, six cottages. 539 acres. Rent: L523. Sold to Capt. W.S. Sanderson for L10,000. Village of Cresswell Two Residences, 18 cottages, Pele Tower, building land, etc. 104 acres. Income: L318.17.0d. Sold to Capt. W. S. Sanderson for L8,000. Smallholdings, houses and building land: Ellington Mill House, farm buildings. 51 acres. Rent: L123.10.0d. Sold to Mr. Todd of Newbiggin for L3,500. Garden House House, farm buildings. 26 acres. Withdrawn at L1,300. Blacksmiths Shop Buildings. Rent: L17.4.0d. Withdrawn at L1,300. But this ad previous lot sold to Mr. R. Mavin for L1,300. Five Cottages and gardens. Rent: L46.16.0d. Withdrawn at L720. But later sold to Mr. T. Bell for L800. Stone-built house-shop and business premises. Rent: L129.10.0d. Withdrawn at L1,900. Smallholding, cottage. I acre of grassland. Rent: L19. Sold to tenant, Mrs. E. Hallowell for L500. Two Cottages, gardens. Rent: L16.5.0d. Sold to tenant Mr. J. Bell for L100. Building Site 0.376 acres. Sold to Capt. W.S. Sanderson for L100. Building Site. 0.710 acres. Sold to Mr. J. Bell for L100. Plough Inn 2 acres of plantation and quarry. Rent: L170. Sold previous to sale to Capt. W.S. Sanderson for L5,000. Ellington Bank Cottage. Withdrawn at L450. Building Site at a plantation with three enclosures. Sold to A. Storey for L220. Smallholding, two cottages, farm buildings, 3 acres of grassland. Sold to Mr. R. Walker for L600. Cottage, gardens. Sold to G. Crozier for L430. Building Site. 0.347 acres. Sold to Mr. R. Walker for L80. Building Site. 3.012 acres. Sold to A. Storey for L350. Accommodation Land. 21 acres. Sold to Mr. W. Grey for L800. Two fields. 7 acres. Sold to Mr. W. Grey for L185. Building Site, corner of Cresswell Road. 2 acres. Sold to Mr. J. Dunn for L180. Building Site 1 acre. Sold to Capt. W. S. Sanderson for L135. Accommodation Field, fronting new Ellington and Lynemouth Road. Approximately 4.5 acres. Sold to mr. R. Walder for L400. Accommodation Field with frontage as above. 10 acres. Withdrawn at L650. As above. 3 acres. Sold previous to sale. As above. 2 acres. Withdrawn As above. 1 acre. Withdrawn. Warkworth Lane Cottage. 19 acres. Sold to Mr. W. Grey for L700. Keepers Cottage. 44 acres. Sold to Mrs. Jes. Scott for L2,000. Sawmill Cottage. 22 acres. Withdrawn at L1,400. Sea Lodge Cottage, 5 acres. Sold to Capt. Sanderson for L500. Coastguard Station. 5 acres. Sold to Capt. Sanderson for L500. Boghall Cottage. 51 acres. Sold to Capt. Craigs of Ashington for L2,000. Lyne Cottage. Sold to Mr. W.A. Grey Junior for L240. Accommodation Land Over 3 acres adjoining Widdrington Station. Sold previous to sale for L350. Plantation Land 6.75 acres frontage Widdrington and Ellington Road to Mr. R. Walker for L200. Plantation Land. 7 acres frontage Widdrington and Ellington Road. Sold to Mr. Walker for L200. Ulgham Grange villa and 51 acres. Sold to Mr. M. Herdman for L1.650. Ulgham Grange Colliery Cottages and 5 acres. Sold to Mr. J. Batty for L400. Cresswell Hall with 111 acres. Sold to Northumberland County Council. Sale of entire estate realized L92,415. VILLAGE OF CRESSWELL Cresswell is 4 miles north of Ashington, northeast of Newcastle on Tyne, near Morpeth. As late as 1924 there was a Baker-Cresswell estate. Places of interest THE CHURCH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLE AND MARTYR was built in 1836 through the benevolence of the Baker-Cresswell family. On the southside of the cancel there are two windows endowed by Addison John Baker-Cresswell in memory of his eldest son Oswin Addison who died at Harehope (one of the family estates) in 1856 aged 36, and to his sister Emma Elizabeth who died in 1820. The memorial also includes the death of the third son William Gilfred who was a captain in the XIth Hussars. He died aged 29 before the battle of Alma in the Crimea. The windows have a shield with the family crest and the above inscriptions are repeated on a marble tablet between the windows. The Churchyard has a memorial to Addison Francis Baker-Cresswell and to John Baker-Cresswell who was drowned age 20 whilst serving in the Royal Navy. Two of the vicars are buried there: The Rev. Horsfall who died in 1930 and the Rev. Taylor who was drowned at Cresswell in 1894, and many local families including the Browns, Armstrongs, Proctors, Bells, Scots, Mavins, Renners, Robsons, and Taylors. West Lodge was one of four lodges on the Estate. Warkworth Lane was once used by carriages from the estate as a short cut to Widdrington Station. Just past the boundary of Ellington and Cresswell on the left there is a lane leading to Kennel or Keepers Cottage, once the abode of the gamekeeper of estate worker. It had been derelict for some years but was renovated in the 1970's. On the opposite side of the road is North View, a small cottage and Lilac Cottage near West Lodge which were built from the stone taken from the much higher wall of the estate.Further along the road on the left is Sawmill cottage. This would have been a busy place when the Hall existed and would have provided the timber for all purposes on the estate. A fine view of Druridge Bay can be seen from here. On the right is the much altered North Lodge. The stable block and the colonnade were once connected to Cresswell Hall, which was demolished in the late 1930's. On the same side a high wall enclosed East Lodge which overlooks the green and the entrance to the Feathers Caravan Park. On the left is the church of St. Bartholomew, built by A.J. Baker- Cresswell in 1836. The nearby stone cottages are of interest as one of them has a stone on the front bearing a squirrel which is the emblem of the Cresswell family. Next is a large stone building named Fenham House which was once a school, built in 1838. Note the stone globe on the top. Adjoining it is the Old School House, once the residence of the Schoolmistress. Estate houses can be seen on the right, behind the high wall which has a gateway, now blocked up, that led to the mansion which was attached to the Tower. The adjacent field has a lower wall and at one point there are two upright stone slabs. It was here that water was piped through the wall from a spring in the field and this supplied the needs of the villagers in days gone by. Along the seafront, there are two shops, one of which sells ice cream, minerals, etc., and the other sells seaside novelties. There is also a sub post office. The St. John Ambulance Station was once the fileboat house which was built in 1876 and was no longer needed when the service was axed in 1944. The stone cottages further along were once called Fisher Row but have been renamed South Side. They were once the homes of fisherfolk, including the famous Brown family. One of the cottages was the Boat Inn but, like the Crows Nest, it became a private dwelling before the end of the last century. The building on the end of the row is on a grander style than the others. It was once called South House but has been renamed Manor House. A stone high up on the front wall bears the date 1648. The small cottage along on the right was once the South Lodge of the Estate. The next place of interest is Bog Hall Quarry, and it was from here that stone was taken to build the interior walls of Cresswell Fall. This stone was of inferior quality, so it was not used for the exterior walls. On the headland one can see the coastguard lookout point, but it is no longer in use. Down in the hollow between the headland and the road are some low stone-built cottages, one of which was the boyhood home of Lord Runciman. At the corner of the lane leading to these cottages is the brick built house once used by the coastguard. The stone head on the front lawn came from one of the many statues and busts which adorned the Hall in its heyday. The "Crows Nest" at the end of Cresswell road used to be an inn called the "Cresswell Arms", and in the garden at the rear there are jaw bones of the whale which was caught off the shore in 1822. From here, the unspoiled beauty of the sea, sand, and dunes of Druridge Bay stretches out as far as the eye can see. In 1822, a large whale was wounded by being thrown against the rocks between Cresswell and Lynemouth. Local fishermen, reinforced by labourers working on the erection of Cresswell Hall, tried to kill it and bring it ashore. This was eventually accomplished by the use of a harpoon made by the estate blacksmith. The whale measured 61 ft. (18.91m) in length and 37 ft. (11.285m) in circumference. It produced 9 tons of flesh and 158 gallons of oil. It was claimed by Mr. Baker-Cresswell and Mr. R. Atkinson who both had property in the area. But the Admiralty stepped in and claimed it for the Crown. Edward Cook b. 1711 of Blakemoor had several lawsuits with the Cresswell family regarding right of seaweed on Broad Carr, but he failed to substantiate his claim. Edwards brother George who, with his sister Isabella, also resided at Blakemoor inherited Blakemoor on Edwards death. The last heir of the Cook family sold the lands at Cresswell to Mr. Baker-Cresswell. The Cooks were still there in 1858 but in 1897 G. Moore is listed as being there and the sale of the Cresswell Estate in 1924 shows Messrs. Moore to be tenants, so it had been bought by the Cresswells after 1858. ---At the 1924 sale, Blakemoor was withdrawn but must have been subsequently sold to the Ashington Coal Company, then passed on to the N.C.B., and later leased to Alcan. A nature trail from Alcan ends at Blakemoor where an outbuilding houses a small museum and rural life centre. The Brown Family No history of Cresswell would be complete without mention of this family of fisherfolk who never failed to help in the rescue of those in peril on the sea. The family can be traced back to at least the 17th century and the Militia List of 1762 has seven men of that name. In the winter of 1862 a foreign brig, The Julius of Alberg, ran onto a ledge of rocks partly submerged by the incoming tide. The fisherfolk, seeing the danger, wondered what could be done to rescue the stricken crew. One of the onlookers, a tall man, called out to his four sons and they all went along the beach to where the largest coble lay. The squire's cartman, who was passing, pulled up to see whether he could be of any assistance. He readily unharnessed his horse and with ropes attached to the boat, the horse pulled it to the water's edge. Unfortunately, when nearing the waves, the horse took fright and lashed out at the boat, splintering some of her timbers. The tall man, known as Big Tom Brown, immediately took off his jacket and stuffed it into the hole and told his youngest son to sit on it. Later the lad was relieved by a volunteer named Tom McLeish whose sister, concerned about the safety of the crew of the coble, screamed "Oh, dear me, they'll aal be drooned, so whe'll eat the side of bacon?". The coble pulled to a position alongside the wrecked vessel to jump when the swell took his boat almost level with the deck of the stricken vessel. Two of the seamen jumped at the wrong time and suffered broken legs. The coble only just pulled away in time as another big wave smashed the brig to pieces, the masts falling outwards and just missing the coble. Gaining the shore with all the seamen saved there was congratulations from the onlookers. There was also a jocular remark to old Elsie, Tom McLeish's sister, who kept house for him and who had been returned to her "to eat the flech of bacon noo". On a calm morning in March 1874 a coble put to sea, its crew consisting of James Brown and his sons, Thomas 38, John 23, and George 14. A sudden gale capsized the boat, and a rescue attempt by James' brother and other men was to no avail and all were drowned. Thomas left a widow and three children, two of whom were twins. The men were buried in Woodhorn churchyard. The authorities were blamed for the tragedy because it was felt that a barometer on the sea front would have foretold the coming storm. In January 1876 the steamer Gustaf sailing from Gothenburg to the Tyne with a cargo and 14 passengers, including three women, was in distress off the coast. The local people turned out to launch the new lifeboat named Old Potter which had been given by Mr. Baker-Cresswell the previous year together with a new boathouse. Men, women, and horses dragged the lifeboat a mile across the sand to a suitable launching place. Meanwhile the Gustaf struck the rocks and one of its boats was smashed, and the other overturned on a rock with four men clinging to the keel. Four times the women formed a living chain with Margaret Brown, who was completely out of her depth, at the end of the chain. Sometimes the women were swept off their feet. Neverless, the stranded sailors were eventually brought ashore. After several attempts to reach the wrick, Coxswain Brown decided to give his exhausted man a rest and send for a rocket apparatus. He called for volunteers from the women to take the message to the coastguard at Newbiggin. Margaret Brown and two other girls, Mary Brown and Isabella Armstrong, stepped forward, although still exhausted from their previous efforts. Margaret was put in charge. The girls took off their shoes and stockings and commenced the long journey along the coast. Two miles along, the track led over a planked bridge across the River Lyne. Parts of the bridge at each end had been swept away by the flood waters. Margaret's first attempt to reach the bridge failed, the force of the current carrying her some distance past the near end. Struggling ashore she again waded into the river, this time some distance higher up the river. Again the current swept her seawards, but she managed to clutch at a plank and drag herself onto it. Crossing the remains of the bridge on her hands and knees, she dropped into the water and struggled to safety. The other girls followed her. Hugging the shelter of the cliff, the exhausted girls made their way along the coast. In gale force winds and nearly being swept into the sea, with bleeding feet and torn clothes, they at last reached the outskirts of Newgiggin. Mary and Isabella were too exhausted to continue so went into a nearby house. Margaret continued, collapsing at the coastguard station. Rocket equipment was despatched by horse, but ironically it was not needed as the lifeboat had managed to reach the wreck and save the women and seven men. This account was written by Mr. H.S. Hunter, a former honorary secretary of the Cresswell branch of the R.N.L.I., and was found in the archives of the institution. The courage of these fishergirls so impressed the coastguard that they gave Mary and Isabella inscribed brooches and presented Margaret with a silver teapot inscribed with a tribute from Capt. Hickly, R.M., the Commanders, and Lieutenants of the division in the Hull Coastguard District. They were also presented with special awards by the Institution. Margaret Brown married and took the name of Armstrong, and at over 70 years of age she was still one of the leading helpers attached to the lifeboat, never missing a quarterly practice or service launching in her life. She died at the age of 79 years of age, and is buried in Cresswell Churchyard with other members of the Brown family, including her own son who was drowned. Later in the same year of 1876 Kitty Brown added her name to the sage of the family. A coble was in difficulties trying to make the shore. In mountainous seas,Killy launched a small boat and rowed single handed to the three men in the coble. She was exhausted but they all managed to get safely ashore. In March 1888, a severe storm along the coast stressed the need for a rocket apparatus, as in certain tides and winds it was impossible to launch the lifeboat, as had been the case in 1876 with the wreck of the Gustaf and the epic struggle of the girls in their efforts to reach Newbiggin for such apparatus. In December 1888, a bad storm caught the fishing boats at sea. The women launched the lifeboat but there were only six men and one boy to form a crew. The usual crew was eleven men but they were all in the fishing boats. Owing to very heavy seas the lifeboat had to return to shore, but eventually the fishing fleet managed to get in at Hauxley. Adam Brown who died in November 1911 had been in poor health for the lst two years of his life. He had been a member of the lifeboat crew for 33 years and coxswain for 15 years, during which time he and other fishermen had saved 105 lives. At the age of 19 he heard his mother say that a Newgiggin coble was in distress, so he ran the four miles from Cresswell and joined the lifeboat crew. On another occasion when the schooner Forest was driven ashore he and four others took out a boat and saved seven lives. In 1881, when Adam Brown was 25 years old, the Norwegian brig Ida was stranded on Carr Rocks. It was impossible for the lifeboat to get to the wreck so Adam helped by his two brothers and with a rope tied around his waist managed to get out to the vessel. He hauled himself on board and the first man he took on his back had a broken leg. Having safety reached the shore with this man he returned to save three more men, but the last one who was very heavy was only saved with some difficulty as a huge wave dashed them against the rocks. Adam's hands were badly gashed, but nevertheless he went out again, this time to rescue the captain and another seaman but unfortunately they had been swept overboard. On another occasion, Adam and two companions rescued a Miss fox nd her friend. In 1931, at the age of 78, James (King) Brown died. He was the last of a family of 14. His nephew became coxswain and the crew were all Brown's except for two. Sam Brown, aged 18, fell from a boat and was drowned in 1932. He was unable to swim and a report in the local paper on the inquest quotes a question by the Coroner as to why so many of the fisherfolk could not swim. By the 1930's the Cresswell families had ceased to get their livelihood from the sea. Some had taken jobs in coal mines and other occupations. The lifeboat was still manned from local families but the calls were not so frequent, and in 1944 the service was ended. Just before the completion of this history, the sea claimed one more victim of this family. On June 3rd, 1984, 62 year old John Brown was out in a coble with a friend when it was overturned by rough seas and only his partner survived. So ends the saga of the Brown family. THE HISTORY OF CRESSWELL - ELLINGTON - LINTON - LYNEMOUTH and WOODHORN by Hythe Offset, 1986 Glossary Manucaptor: Feodary: Feod, var of feud; specif., feudal estate: fee. 1. a vassal 2. an accomplice. Plinth: 1. the square block at the base of a column, pedestal, etc. 2. the base on which a statue is places 3. a course of brick or stone along the base of a wall 4. a flat block at the base of door trim, an architrave. Demesne: household 1. Law possession (of real estate) in one's own right. 2. formerly, the land or estate belonging to a lord and not rented or let but kept in his hands 3. the land around a mansion; lands of an estate 4. a region or domain. Assize: Court session a. orig., a legislative assembly or any of its decrees 2. court sessions held periodically in each county of England to try civil and criminal cases 3. the time or place of such sessions 4. an inquest, the writ instituting it, or the verdict 5. a law regulating standards of price, measure, weight, ingreients, etc. for goods to be sold, these standards as formerly prescribed. Coble: 1. A small fishing boat with a lug sail, deep stem, large rudder, and flattish stern, used off the eatern coast of England or 2. in Scotland, a short, flat-bottomed rowboat. Moiety: the middle 1. a half; either of two equal, or more or less equal,parts 2, an indefinite share or part, 3. any of two or more primary subdivisions in some tribes. Fife: region, formerly a county, of E Scotland. Bibliography: Northumberland County History, by John Hodgson Northumberland by Tomlinson Trade Directories - Kellys, Whites, and Bulmers The Morpeth Herald 1854-1945 The Descent of the Manor of Ellington by G.G. Baker-Cresswell, and H.H.E. Craster Ashington Collieries Magazine Documents in the Public Records Office, Military Lists, Census Returns, etc. Ellington School Log Book Local Councils Minute Books Notes on Ellington Colliery Before the Mast and After Lord Runciman's autobiography The Secret Capture by S.W. Roskill