Reproduced here with kind permission of the Sunderland
Echo, this article by C. A. Smith appeared in the Sd Echo on
March 11 1965.
SEATON WITH SLINGLEY
The Ghostly Figures That Haunt The Lonely Lanes Of Seaton
Our last two articles on Seaton and Shinglawe evoked a spate of letters,
containing, inter alia, information, commendation and criticism, which
proved both refreshing and rewarding. Such letters show a lively
interest in a particular locality which is, in fact, the aim and object
of our whole series. Here are points from several letters which seemed
well worthy of publication even though some of the points have been
dealt with already in these columns. The first is from a correspondent,
self-styled “A Slingely Thompson.” I quote it in full. Further to the
article by C.A. Smith on February 4, one could not leave the confines of
Seaton and Seaham without a second look, at the anciently-known
“Slinglawe” or “Slingley-Du-Hill” (where animals were snared). The
constant reference to Seaton-with-Slingley carries the supposition that
the rolling acres of Slingley cover a hamlet in its own right.
Dubbed by historians as a hill or lawe to the south-west of Seaton in
1364, “George Swinburne, of Seaham, leased to John Byllyngham, of
Crookhall, all his land, in the towne, and feldes of, Slinglawe upon the
Hill, for 21 years under 40s rent; the tenant to maintain the houses now
builded and to fell great tymbers for the upholding of the said houses”
(Surtees)
The Dales
In 1610 Sir Ephraim Widdrington (Knight) and Arthur Hebborne (Gent)
granted their whole messuage in shinglawe to Cuthbert Collingwood and in
1616 Robert Collingwood granted tenements to Thomas Gregson, of Murton
in the Whins, John Todd and Robert Robertson, of Dalton.
In 1615 Robert Collingwood granted another tenement in Seaton (late
parcel of the possessions of John Swinburne attainted) to Edward Dale,
of Dalton, who in 1643 settled the same estate to his younger son, Ralph
Dale, of Slingley, both ancestors of the Dales of Tunstall.
At the time of the writing of this early extract, an estate at Slingley
was still in the possession of the family of Carr, as representative of
Ralph Dale, of Ryhope, eldest Grandson of Ralph Dale, of Slingley. At
the beginning of the 20th century, Slingley Hall Farm West, hitherto
farmed by Mr Collingwood, was rented to a Mr Henry Cooper, who farmed
there until his death in recent years.
Seaton Schoolroom
Around 1925 the total acreage of Slingley Hill West, and Slingley Hill
Farms were purchased by the Hetton Collieries. The old farmhouse, built
of limestone from the area, was replaced by two modern houses, to be
occupied by farm labourers, or hinds, as they were widely termed. The
tenant at that time was Mr Shaw Eggleston. He followed Robert Thompson,
son of Ralph, who had farmed Slingley after the death of his parents.
The family of Robert owned and lived in the one-time gamekeeper’s house
at Seaton Bank Top overlooking the land they once farmed. The old
schoolroom at Seaton did Yeoman service not only as a school but was
also the venue for the farming community’s monthly barndance. Country
folk walked from their distant farms in the area for that special Friday
evening. The dance was by invitation only; the real chores were left to
the willing and capable hands of the farmers and their wives. This was
the evening when the barriers between “ boss” and farmer servant went
down. Farmers arranged tables for whist, acting as M.C.s while their
wives catered and waited on supper tables, clearing away and washing up
dishes with a rare zest. The guests were their hired workmen, their
families, servant lads and lassies; a pianist and fiddler providing the
music for dancing.
Ghostly Figures
There were wonderful evenings where everyone met on level terms, with
the old farming families well represented - the Bolands, Bulmers,
Balmers, Hodgsons, Carrs, Coopers, Thompsons, Dows, Hedleys, Finches and
Shaws from the Pacific. The long walk home for those living beyond
Seaton Bank Top, had its complications. There was the chilling thought
that the ghostly figures which the haunted “ Ladies’ Close” might decide
to materialize. There were those who swore to having seen this dread
apparition, for the legend is that the country lane or “lodden” leading
to Hatherley House Farm and bounding Slingley fields, a servant girl was
once murdered and buried near a gateway. Since then her restless figure,
shrouded in white, is reputed to walk “Ladies’ Close” at intervals.
Another “haunting” is the ghostly black dog that roams the path from
Slingly through a field known as the “straight neck”, to the railway
leading to Murton junction and is only seen when a Thompson is about to
die. (Absit omen! C.A.S)
Bad Drainage
Many are the stories that are told of the doings of the folk who lived
on the hill - the organized shoots, shared by man and dog; the heart
ache of bad drainage that left a shimmering lake covering crops in the
bog field, ruinous to the farmer but a joy to the wild duck; the hopes
and disappointments the very ruthlessness that could be Slingley and all
that Slingley meant to those wresting a living from the land.
The eternal question that may never be answered yet is continually posed
- “is there a lost village of Slingley?” and “will it ever be found?”
Many thanks for this interesting and helpful information. A second
letter to the Echo is from Mrs Barbara Middlemiss, of Green Bank,
Seaton, who writes in a different vein.
I have had so many requests to do something about the article in the
Echo that I must say a few words on the history of Seaton.
I see there is no mention of Will Bulmer and his four sons. His father
and grandfather before him farmed on Stotfield Farm and was the joiner
and undertaker at Seaton. My father, David Carr, farmed on Haverley
House Farm. Harry Boland, whose father farmed Sharpley Hall Farm,
married my sister from Haverley House and has lived on Field House Farm
for 38 years.
History Of Seaton
No mention of Ernie Thompson’s wife, Cora Hedley, who was born on Seaton
Moor East. Her mother was Olive Morgan from High Sharpley Farm. These
are just a few omissions which are two numerous to mention here, but the
rest you will find in my “History of Seaton” of which I hope to have
copies published for the Seaton W.I. This history is long overdue. Owing
to ill health I had to discontinue it. However, after this, I feel it is
up to me to get on with it - and the sooner the better.
Thank you Mrs Middlemiss for your letter and we trust that your many
“disgruntled friends” have been somewhat appeased by our late articles,
which were, infact, already in the press. I trust that you will also
send us a copy of your “History of Seaton”. One of our photographs is of
Seaton Hall, the old manor house of the Middletons and now occupied by
Mr G. Renwick, of the N.C.B., and his family.
The mansion, though much pulled about through the ages, is attractively
situated and it is sad to think that the modern housing estate may one
day desecrate its environs and antiquity. The Middleton family, a
younger branch of the Newton Hall Middletons, resided in the 17th
century house, which was described as “standing picturesquely on the
summit of a hill, its projecting gables and mullioned windows facing a
screen of lofty fir trees”. Let us hope this vista will be preserved for
it is so easy to destroy what can never be replaced.
On The Register
As we have seen, contemporary with the descent of the Seaton Moiety,
coupled with that of Seaham from Thomas Hadham, deceased in 1501, to his
grandson and co-heir, John Blackiston, and in succession to the
Blackiston descendants until 1635, a younger branch of the Middletons
possessed lands in Seaton described as a “ Moiety of the Manor”. In 1585
Thomas Middleton held the estate. Anthony, his son and heir, was
resident there in 1615, and in 1690 Thomas Middleton, of Seaton, married
Anne Middleton, of the Silksworth family, and is attested by the
Bishopwearmouth registers.
In proof of the tenure of the estate, in 1585 we find a licence dated
26th July : 27 : Elizabeth, 1585, given to George Middleton, gentleman
of Silksworth, and trustee to the estate to grant to Thomas Middleton of
the Manor of Seaton, near Seaham, 20 messuages, eight gardens, ten
tofts, ten orchards, 1000 acres of arable and 1000 acres of meadowlands,
50 acres of pasture, 100 of wood, 1000 of moor, etc., with 12s rent in
Seaton Slinglawe and Seaham, owned by Robert Eske, and other lands
belonging to John and Elizabeth Claxton.
Seaham registers, too, indicate that Francis Middleton, of Seaton,
gentleman, was buried February 24, 1657; Joan Middleton, January 6,
1679, and Anne Middleton, widow, November 30, 1686. Thomas Middleton,
son of Francis and Anne, was baptized March 21, 1690 (as an adult?).
Another well known family, the Wilsons, of Cassop and Seaton, held lands
there from May 25, 1579 (Elizabeth I) and their estate was described as
consisting of several parcels of land from the ownership of Hebborne,
Eden, and Blenkinsopp, already referred to.
1828 Residents
Their old seat house was at the west end of the village. In the time of
Surtees, Mrs Bewicke, widow of the Rev. Wilson Bewicke, fellow of
University College, Oxford, who was a member of the Wilson family, still
owned this estate. Incidentally, it was a William Wilson, of Middle
Herrington, who made the first purchase of the land mentioned above from
Robert Eden.
My own final records reveal that in 1828 Seaton and Slingley residents
included John Brough, stone cutter, Slingley; William Brough, Seaton;
John Chilton, shoemaker, Seaton; William Douthwaite, butcher, Seaton;
Mrs Mary Hickson, Seaton; Ralph Hodgson, yeoman, Seaton; Johnson
Pattinson, tailor, Seaton; Jonathan Taylorson at the “Horse Cockfighters
Inn”?
The farmers at Seaton were Thomas Brough, Ralph Elliott, Mary Smith,
James Thouborn, James Shotton and Elizabeth Hutehison. John Robson was
at Sharpley Hall, Robert Thompson at Slingley Hill and, no doubt there
were others as well.
At The Dun Cow
In 1895 we find Edward Charnely, biscuit manufacturer, of Sunderland,
living at Seaton Hall and Miss Mary Anne Crabbe, mistress at the village
school, where 40 children attended. Joseph Jackson and George Paxton
were blacksmiths, which Joseph Jackson, assistant overseer as well.
William Kirby was stationmaster; J. W. Tarbitt kept the Dun Cow; Ralph
Thompson was bailiff at Slingley Hill; and Mr Bryan Hodgson, gentleman,
Seaton.
The farmers were Thompson Boland, Seaton; Benjamin Milburn Brough,
Seaton; Henry Wall, Seaton; Edward Barton, High Sharpley; David Crosby,
Slingley Hill; Jonathan Dixon, Sharpley Hall; John Elliott, Seaton Moor;
and William Archbold Weighman, Haverley House.
In 1925 Miss E. Crabbe was schoolmistress; Robert Wilkinson,
Stationmaster; and Charles Dixon, Police constable. The population of
the conjoint parish was 383 and included Arnott Snowdon, of Newlands;
Wardle Asquith-Swallow, J.P., of Seaton Hall. James Tiplady at the Dun
Cow; Joseph Dixon, possibly at the Seaton Lane Inn. Finally, the farmers
named are George Boland, Sharpley Hall; Thomas Boland, Sharpley Hall;
Benjamin M. Brough and Henry Walt at Seaton Town and Seaton West Farms;
Herbert Bulmer, Seaton Moor; David Carr, Haverley House; William Robson,
High Sharpley; Frederick Seymour, Seaton; Frederick Westwick, South
Sharpley; John Yeoman, Seaton Moor; Henry Dodds, Cooper, Slingley Hill
West; and Robert Thompson, Slingley Hill East.