Castle
Eden Parish, which comprises no dependent townships, is bounded on the north by
Easington parish, on the west by the chapelry of Wingate (formed of portions of
the parishes of Castle Eden and Kelloe), and on the south and east by Monk
Hesleden. It comprises an area of 1935 acres, and its annual value is £8473.
The number of inhabitants in 1801 was 362; in 1811, 257; in 1821, 281; in 1831,
260; in 1841, 558; in 1851, 491; in 1861, 535; in 1871, 693; in 1881, 880; and
in 1891, 1257 souls.
The
Hartlepool branch of the North-Eastern Railway extends into this parish, and
has a station near the village. Eden is twice mentioned, under the name of
Joden or Yoden, before the Conquest; and after that period it became the
lordship of Robert de Brus, who granted the chapel to the monks of St.
Cuthbert, with all tithes and parochial dues, upon condition that, within four
years, the prior of St. Cuthbert should build a chapel within the village, and
procure its consecration. This is supposed to be the origin of the parish
church of Eden; and that a castle or manorial residence supplied the addition
to the name. About the year 1150, William de Sancta Barbara, Bishop of Durham,
demised half of the tithes of Castle Eden to Guisborough priory, and the
manorial rights were bestowed upon that institution by the son of Adam de
Seton. By virtue of these grants, the prior and convent of Guisborough
possessed this parish till the Dissolution, after which Henry VIII., in 1512,
presented to the church here as to a vicarage; but the church and manor were
subsequently granted out by the Crown, and afterwards purchased from Mr.
Bromley, of Warwickshire, by Rowland Burdon, Esq., and are now the property of
Rowland Burdon, Esq., who is also lord of the manor.
The
village of Castle Eden is situated two and a half miles from the sea, a little
off the main road from Stockton to Sunderland, about fifteen miles north of the
former, and twelve miles south of the latter place. It consists of about
seventeen cottages, with flower gardens in front. Here is a school for girls
and infants, with an average of 78 scholars.
The
Parish Church, dedicated to St. James, is situated north of the village, and
was erected, in 1764, by Rowland Burdon, Esq. It is a neat and commodious
structure, capable of accommodating about 350 persons; and has been enlarged,
and otherwise improved, at various periods. The spire contains a clock, and
forms a pleasing object in the surrounding scenery. The font, an oval basin of
marble, with a Bible by Baskerville, two folio Prayer Books, a silver chalice
and paten, were all the gifts of the patrons. In the churchyard is a sculptured
effigy of an ecclesiastic, but now much worn, which is supposed to represent
one of the Setons. The living, formerly a curacy, but now a rectory, is in the
patronage of Rowland Burdon, Esq. The Rector is Rev. Frederick G. J. Robinson,
M.A.
The
Castle, the seat and property of Major Rowland Burdon, J.P., is a noble
mansion, pleasantly situated in a spacious park to the north-east of the
church. Its exterior is plain, but the dimensions and arrangement of the
interior are chaste and elegant, while the surrounding plantations and
pleasure-grounds are extensive, and include a magnificent conservatory.
The
Dene. Great improvements have been
effected here of late years, and Castle Eden Dene has been rendered one of the
most romantic spots in the north of England. A recent writer, speaking of the
dene, says,
"
A winding and safe road, throughout the whole extent of the defile, serves
admirably the purpose of displaying its endless beauties to the many hundred
visitors who, during the summer, are admitted by the liberal proprietor to the
enjoyments of this magnificent region, containing some of the finest scenery in
the County of Durham. Seen from the upper part of the dene, not far from where
a stream of water springs from the crevice of a rock, and, forming a natural
cascade, falls into the Gunner's Pool, the road can be traced to a considerable
distance through the valley below. Snake-like, and in broad coils, it rushes
down the deep/sides towards the bottom of the dell, which is too much steeped
in gloom to reveal its own secrets. Here and there the road is seen for a
moment to right itself upon a level in the shape of a platform, or to wind
round a steep bank covered with brushwood; but it soon again takes a downward
course, and proceeds to its destination, caves gloomy and unfathomable ; masses
of rock, detached and rolled down precipices among which a stream of water
frets and murmurs—and trees of every species that place themselves in the soil
of Great Britain."
A
tubular bridge has been placed across Gunner's Pool, rustic bridges erected,
the grounds laid out, and many improvements effected by the owner, Mr. Burdon.
Castle
Eden Colliery in this township is the property of the Castle Eden Coal Company,
Limited, and was sunk in 1840. The following seams have been proved here in
descending order: Five Quarter, 4 feet; Main Coal, 4 feet 3 inches; Low Main, 3
feet 6 inches; Hutton, 3 feet 2 inches; and the Harvey, at a depth of 194
fathoms, 1 foot 8 inches. At present the Five Quarter, Main Coal, and Low Main
Seams are being worked, the latter most extensively; and the average output is
above 1000 tons per day, the greater portion of which is shipped at the
Hartlepools as best household coal, the small coals being converted into coke.
This colliery affords employment to men and boys, all of whom reside in the
village of Castle Eden Colliery.
Foundry
is the name of a village in this parish, about three-quarters of a mile
southwest of Castle Eden, and derives its name from the Engine Works (Messrs.
Richardson's) which were first started here, but afterwards removed to
Hartlepool.
The
National School (boys) is chiefly supported by Rowland Burdon, Esq., and has
accommodation for 100, with an average attendance of 70.
Castle
Eden Police Station and Court House adjoins the school, in which the Petty
Sessions for the South Division of Easington ward are held fortnightly on
Saturdays. The police force consists of one superintendent, four sergeants, and
twenty constables. In this village is a cattle auction mart, at which sales are
held once a fortnight, on Mondays, from December until June. Castle Eden railway
station is on the Hartlepool and Ferryhill branch of the North-Eastern Railway.
Factory
is a group of houses about half-a-mile west of Castle Eden, and is so called
from an extensive cotton mill which was formerly in operation here. Close by is
the extensive brewery of Messrs. Nimmo & Sons. About half-a-mile distant is
Wellfield Station, a junction on the Sunderland and Hartlepool branch of the
North-Eastern Railway.
Rowland
Burdon, a man of conspicuous ability, was born at Castle Eden in 1757. He was
remarkable alike for his inventive powers, public spirit, and practical
benevolence. He designed and built the high-level bridge which crosses the Wear
at Sunderland, and amongst other works of public utility, caused the high road
from Thirsk to Newcastle to be constructed. He represented the county of Durham
in Parliament from 1790 to 1806. Whilst possessing great force and firmness of
character, he was no less remarkable for his self-denying disposition and works
of unpretending benevolence. On his retirement from Parliamentary life, he
devoted his energies to the service and welfare of his poorer neighbours, and
ended a life of usefulness, September 17, 1838.