Greatham, Durham

Description
Greatham, a village, a township, and a parish in Durham. The village stands adjacent to the N.E.R. near the coast, 6 1/2 miles NNE of Stockton-on-Tees, and has a station on the railway, and a post, money order and telegraph office (R.S.O.) The township comprises 2174 acres of land and 408 of tidal water and foreshore; population, 870. The parish includes the township of Claxton, and comprises 3055 acres, exclusive of foreshore, &c.; population, 918. Brine springs were formerly worked here, and large works have recently been erected. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Durham; net value, £187 with residence. Patron, the Master of Greatham Hospital. The church was rebuilt near the end of last century, and was enlarged in 1855. There is a Wesleyan chapel. Greatham Hospital was founded in 1272 by Robert de Stichell, bishop of Durham, for five poor priests, two clerks, and 40 poor brethren; was refounded in 1610 by James I. for 13 poor unmarried men; was rebuilt in 1803-9 after designs by Wyatt; retains in the chapel three old gravestones, relics of the original building; and is being enlarged as leases fall in so as to admit forty aged lay brethren and ten aged clerical brethren, and has an endowed income of about j£4010. Parkhurst's almshouses for six poor, widows was founded in 1765.