Medomsley, Durham

Description
Medomsley, a village, a township, and an ecclesiastical parish in Lauchester parish, Durham. The village stands three-quarters of a mile ENE of Watling Street, 1 1/4 E of the river Derwent at the boundary with Northumberland, 1 1/4 from Ebchester station on the N.E.R., and 2 1/2 miles NE of Shotley Bridge. It has a post and money order office (R.S.O.); telegraph office, Ebchester. The township comprises 3934 acres; population, 5306. By the Parish Councils Act the part of Medomsley township which was included in the Leadgate Local Board, district was cut off from Medomsley and added to the township of Iveston. Medomsley Hall was the birthplace of Dr Hunter the physician and antiquary. The Scots crossed the Derwent adjacent to Medomsley in 164-by a "tree-bridge." The ecclesiastical parish is less extensive than the township. Population, 4950. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Durham ; net value, £419 with residence. Patron, the Bishop of Durham. The church is an ancient building in the Early English style; has an E window of three lancet lights; contains below the altar-steps four curious sculptured heads of a king and a bishop. There are Wesleyan, Primitive and Free Methodist chapels. The inhabitants are employed in the collieries.