Washington, Durham

Description
Washington, a village, a township, and a parish, in Durham. The village stands near the river Wear, 1 mile NNW of Washington railway station, and 6 miles SE by S of Gateshead, and has a post and money order office called Washington Village, under Washington station (R.S.O.); telegraph office, New Washington. The station is on the N.E.R., at the intersection of the Stanhope and Tyne railway. The township comprises 1973 acres; population. 3322; of the ecclesiastical parish, 3914. The manor was held in the 12th century by the family of Wessington, and passed in the time of Richard III. to the Washingtons, a descendant of whom was the famous George Washington, first president of the United States. There are ironworks, brick-works, a large colliery, and extensive chemical works. The parish contains also Usworth and Barmston townships. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Durham; net value, £200 with residence. Patron, the Bishop of Manchester. The church, rebuilt in 1832, consists of chancel, nave, transepts, and S porch. The rectory of Usworth is a separate benefice. There are Wesleyan and Roman Catholic chapels.