Houghton Gate

The hamlet of Houghton Gate today is a collection of houses located approximately one mile west of Bournmoor. To the modern-day traveller, it is easily and quickly by-passed on the busy A183 but it is worth stating that Houghton Gate has been in existence for hundreds of years and has much history attached to it.

There may be three explanations regarding the name "Houghton Gate":

• • This was the "Houghton Gate" of the Lambton Estate; ie the entrance point on the estate closest to Houghton-le-Spring

or

• • There was a toll road to/from Houghton-le-Spring from this point, though this has not yet been found on any historic maps

or

• The term "Gate" is actually misleading. It is derived from the old Norse word "Gat" meaning "road" or "path." Therefore many places with the name "Gate" were not necessarily gates at all.

Further research into the origins of the name is needed and the Webmaster would be interested to hear opinions on this point. Regarding the second point above, it is interesting to consider that there are several places suffixed with the word "Gate" around the Houghton-le-Spring area, such as Rainton Gate, Stoneygate, Snippersgate, etc.

Information on this page should be considered in conjunction with the information, and especially the old maps, on the "Breckon Hill / Woods / Forge" page of this web site, as the 'old forge' and settlement of Breckon Hill lie just to the south of Houghton Gate, directly connected by road.

Above: Houghton Gate c.1905. Of the houses in the picture, the only house that remains today is the house at the far-right of the row. Note the buildings to the left which have long since been demolished.

The hamlet of Houghton Gate existed before the sinking of a pit started there in 1800. On many of the old maps (see below), an "old shaft (coal)" is marked to the west of the houses at Houghton Gate. Indeed, it was classed as "old" as far back as the 1857 map.

The earliest reference to Houghton Gate found to-date is the baptism of Ann Story to parents Elizabeth and John Story, a farmer, of Houghton Gate on 9th October 1765 at The Parish Church, Chester-le-Street.

Below is a sample of surnames of the inhabitants of Houghton Gate taken from the parish registers 1765-1837 of Chester-le-Street, Penshaw and Houghton-le-Spring Parish Churches. For further information on any of the names listed, please contact the webmaster via the email address on the Home Page of this website.

Surnames:

Atkinson

Barras

Bennett

Blacklock

Craggs

Curry

Dalton

Darling

Dixon

Forest

Gatehouse

Goodrich

Gray/Grey

Gregg

Hall

Harrison

Hodgson

Holmes

Hutchinson

Jones

Kennedy

Kilburn

Lynn

Mowbray

Naisbitt

Oliver

Ord

Ovington

Robinson

Shevils

Simpson

Stafford

Story/Storey

Sugden

Thirlaway

Thwaites

Vipond

Walker

Watson

Watchman

Whinny

Wigham

Young

The census returns for Houghton Gate 1841-1911 have been transcribed. Below is a list of surnames which appear on each census. For further information on any of the names listed, please contact the Webmaster via the email address on the Home Page of this website

1841:

Craggs

Fenwick

Fish

Middlemass

1851:

Blackburn

Craggs

Dobbing

Robson

1861:

Coxon

Dixon

Hodgson?

Lynn

Ovington

Robson

Smith

Waddle

1871:

Gordon

Hawking

Jones

Purvis

Wilson

1881:

Birtley

Hawking

Phalp

Purvis

Turner

1891:

Barron

Hawking

Jackson

Meek

Palmer

Turner

1901:

Blackburn

Chapman

Storey

Turner

Watson

1911:

Chapman

Cockburn

Martin

Parr

Renwick

Smart

Storey

Tate

Turner

Whelans

Maps of Houghton Gate

Above: map of 1768 by Andrew Armstrong

The above 1768 map by Andrew Armstrong is the oldest map located so far which shows Houghton Gate named as an individual settlement, though earlier maps do indicate structures here. It clearly shows the Chester-le-Street to Wapping road running east-west (the modern-day A183) as well as the road that branches south to Breckon Hill. The land around Lumley Castle is showing as fenced, with the Lumley Park Burn running through it. The fenced area to the north-east of the map is The Lambton Estate.

Above: map of 1820 by John Cary

Above: map of 1820 by Christopher Greenwood

Above: map of 1833 by William Ebden

Above: map of 1840 by William Colling Hobson

Above: map of 1843 by John Thomas William Bell

Above: map of 1850 by John Thomas William Bell

Above: map of 1850 by Christopher Greenwood

Above: coal field map of 1851 by William Oliver

Above: Houghton Gate, 1857

Above: Houghton Gate, 1896

Above: Houghton Gate, 1898

Above: Houghton Gate, 1919

Above: Houghton Gate, 1938

Above: Houghton Gate aerial photograph, 1945

Above: Houghton Gate, 1958

Above: Houghton Gate, 1972

Above: Aerial view (pre-roundabout-works) of Houghton Gate

On 28th June 2021, work started on the construction of a new roundabout at Houghton Gate as part of the housebuilding scheme in Lambton Park.

Work progressed extremely slowly and the new roundabout was finally fully opened to traffic a year later, in June 2022. However, extensive works and traffic lights remained on the A183 beyond this date.

Houghton Gate: Historical Events, Notes, etc.

Below is just a selection of the many newspaper articles in my collection which reference Houghton Gate. For a more extensive search of these, please contact the Webmaster via the email address on the Home Page of this website.

1763: The Newcastle Weekly Courant, Saturday, August 15, 1891; Issue 11300

"Looking Back – The North in the Eighteenth Century" – 1763.

The “Courant” on January 29 says – we hear from Chester in the Street that on Tuesday night last, between seven and eight o’clock, Mr Joseph Yellowley, near Morton House, was attacked in Newbridge Lane near Houghton Gate, by a fellow on foot who demanded his money. Mr Yellowley made all the resistance in his power by scuffling with him on the ground for ten minutes, till at last the fellow prov’d too powerful for him; who, after robbing him of four guineas and about twelve shillings in silver, left him almost strangled and otherwise so much bruised that if a person had not been going that road, he must inevitably have died in an hour, being then speechless. The fellow, after robbing him, was so much confounded that he took away Mr Yellowley’s hat instead of his own, which is a very remarkable one, being very short flap’d and almost wore white, with an old crape hatband round it. The fellow was a strong, well-built man of about five feet eight inches, with black hair, cut short on the crown of his head and a dark colour’d shabby coat. Mr Yellowley says that in the struggle he is sensible one or both the man’s eyes must be hurt and one of his fingers, which he bit, to get his hand disengaged from his handkerchief, he attempting to strangle him.

1800: A North Country Estate, T.W. Beastall, 1975, p.42

A new pit was being sunk at Houghton Gate. Sinkers were scarce, but work continued steadily in the summer of 1800.

1801: A North Country Estate, T.W. Beastall, 1975, p.43

The Houghton Gate sinking continued in 1801 and a new pit was started nearby in Mawbray's Field

1801: A North Country Estate, T.W. Beastall, 1975, p.43

By the July of 1801, the pit at Houghton Gate has "a machine placed upon her" and was ready for work "should the trade turn brisk"

1804: A North Country Estate, T.W. Beastall, 1975, p.44

The story in 1804..... by November..... output increased to some 100 tons a month at Lumley, drawn up through the Houghton Gate pit

1808: August 8th, 1808, Local Records; or Historical Record of Remarkable Events. John Sykes, 1824, p. 235

Newcastle and its neighbourhood were visited by one of the most awful thunderstorms ever remembered...... Mr John Sheradon, of Houghton Gate, had a cow killed in a field near that place.

1809: A North Country Estate, T.W. Beastall, 1975, p.45

The tentale rent for the half year ending December 31, 1809, was the highest ever recorded. As the wet, difficult fifth pit gave up, Houghton Gate continued to produce well and the hole near Floater's Mill proved to be productive.

1821: Durham County Advertiser 14 April 1821

Died. At Houghton Gate, in the parish of Chester-le-Street, on Saturday last, Alexander Walker, aged 78.

1824: The Newcastle Courant, Saturday, February 28, 1824; Issue 7690

On Saturday night last, about ten o’clock, Wm. Pearson, deputy overman, was attacked by two men as he was going home from Chester-le-Street to New Lambton, between the New-bridge and Houghton Gate. Two tinkers, who left a public house at Houghton Gate, are suspected. After searching his pockets, and finding nothing, they suffered him to depart. He fortunately had put his watch and 4s 6d in silver, into his stocking before he left Chester-le-Street.

1824: Durham County Advertiser 27 March 1824

Died. At Breckon Hill, on the 16th inst., Mary Barras, aged 78

1827: Durham County Advertiser 27 January 1827

On the 16th inst., Joshua Ord, of Houghton Gate, was committed from the Justice meeting at Houghton-le-Spring, to Durham gaol for three months in default of payment of a fine of £10 in which he was convicted for killing game near Lumley Forge on Sunday the 30th ult.

1827: Durham County Advertiser 19 May 1827

Died. At Houghton Gate, near Chester-le-Street, on the 10th inst. Richard Turnbull, formerly of Nurson Field, aged 67.

1828: History, Directory & Gazetteer of Durham and Northumberland

Houghton Gate, a small hamlet in Lambton township, 2 miles E. of Chester.

1830: Durham Chronicle 30 January 1830

Committals to our gaol since last week….. John Curry, Joseph Fenwick, Thomas Clark, George Oughton, Andrew Oughton, William Summerson and Henry Curry, all of Wapping, pitmen, for 2 months, having been adjudged to pay 5/ for assaulting Thomas Ovington, of Houghton Gate; Fenwick, John Curry, Summerson and Henry Curry have been further adjudged to pay the sum of 5/ for assaulting Richard Pickering, of Lambton, or to remain 2 calendar months in prison. (The last named 12 persons are men of very abandoned habits; and their conduct in the cases in which they were committed is described to us as having been most lawless and violent, and deserving of much severer punishment that the law allowed to be inflicted upon them).

1830: The Newcastle Courant, Saturday, August 7, 1830; Issue 8115

Caution – a person who calls himself James Potter, a sand moulder by trade, has left his lodgings at Houghton Gate, near Lumley Forge Ironworks, where he has been working about a month, taking with him one new linen shirt, one pair of stockings and nine shillings in silver, borrowed from his landlord, Armstrong Blacklock; and different sums to the amount of £1, which he borrowed from his fellow workmen, before he de-camped. He is about five feet six inches high, red hair curled in front, speaks the south country dialect, was seen in Newcastle a few days ago – Chester-le-Street, July 22, 1830.

1830: Durham Chronicle 28 August 1830

On Friday last, a milk cow, supposed to have been in a rabid state, died at Houghton Gate, near Chester-le-Street.

1832: Newcastle Chronicle 15 September 1832

Died. At Houghton Gate, on the 5th inst., aged 70, Mr William Atkinson.

1837: Durham County Advertiser 03 February 1837

Died. At Houghton Gate on Saturday last, Mr George Ovington, innkeeper, aged 71.

1845: Newcastle Journal 07 June 1845

Deaths. At Houghton Gate, on the 3rd inst., aged 52, Mr J. Craggs, miller, formerly of Chester-le-Street

1846: Durham Chronicle 20 November 1846

At Houghton-le-Spring, on the 10th inst., Walter Purvis, of Wapping, pitman, was charged with assaulting Benjamin Dodds, of Breckonhill, pitman, and further with assaulting the wife of Joseph Fenwick, of Houghton Gate; but the cases were compromised by consent of the Magistrates, the defendant paying costs.

1848: Durham County Advertiser 23 June 1848

Ann Ovington, of Houghton Gate, publican, charged by Mary Bowman with threatening to take her life. The case was dismissed, each party to pay their own costs.

1850: Durham County Advertiser 27 September 1850

Hetton-le-Hole Petty Sessions, Sept. 24…..

…..John Hodgson, of Houghton Gate, pitman, charged by Frances, wife of Thomas Dobing of the same place, with assault, was fined 17s 6d. and costs…..

1857: Durham Chronicle 04 September 1857

Houghton-le-Spring Police.

Tuesday, Sept. 1 (Before J. Simpson Esq., N. Horner Esq., R. Robinson Esq. and the Rev J. Nichols)…..

….. Disorderly conduct in a public house. Thomas Ovington, publican, of Houghton Gate, was charged with having knowingly permitted drunkenness and other disorderly conduct to take place in his house. Sergt McCutcheon said, between one and two o’clock on Saturday morning, he was on duty at Houghton Gate when he heard a great noise in defendant’s house. On entering, he found two men fighting and he interposed and restored order. He then left the house and in a short time he heard another row. He entered the house again and found two men stripped for fighting. There were twelve persons in the house altogether, most of whom were intoxicated. P.C. Woodward corroborated his statement and said when the men were fighting, the landlord sat quietly by and never offered to interfere. Witness asked him if he wanted his house clearing but he made no reply. In defence, Ovington said the men were “arguing and the like o’ that,” but there was no fighting. Mr Simpson – How is this house conducted? Supt Jobson: He was in here January last. Mr Simpson to defendant: You are fined 40s and costs for the defence, and let me tell you, it is very questionable whether the magistrates will renew your license.

1857: Durham Chronicle 25 September 1857

Deaths. At Houghton Gate, 14th inst., Mary Craggs, aged 34.

1863: The Newcastle Courant, Friday, August 7, 1863; Issue 9841

….. we regret to chronicle a rather serious accident which befell Colonel Roney, of Sunderland, on his way to the ground. It appears that the above gentleman came by train from Sunderland as far as Fence Houses station and then engaged a dog cart with one horse, belonging to a Mr Wheeler, to bring him to Stanley Burn. When near the Houghton Gate, the horse slipped upon a nail and fell down, throwing both the colonel and driver out. The Colonel sustained a simple fracture of the collar bone; his attendant luckily escaped unhurt. Colonel Roney, being removed to a pitman’s cottage close by, Mr Downey, surgeon, bandaged the fracture and the Colonel was afterwards conveyed to his own residence in a carriage. Mr Linton, surgeon, Chester-le-Street, was also in attendance upon the sufferer. The latest account shows that the unfortunate gentleman is going on favourably and that the fracture is not of that serious character it was first thought.

1866: Newcastle Daily Chronicle 21 March 1866

Shiney Row Loyal Prosperity Lodge.

On Saturday last, the members of the above Lodge celebrated their second anniversary by a dinner at Mr John Collingwood’s Oddfellow’s Arms. About 40 members sat down to an excellent repast. The chair was occupied by P.G. Ralph Day, Hetton-le-Hole, and the vice-chair by Thomas Howe, of Houghton Gate……

1866: Durham County Advertiser 23 March 1866

Edward Nixon, of Chester-le-Street, was charged by Thomas Mays, gamekeeper with trespassing in pursuit of game at Houghton Gate on the 8th inst. Fined £2 and costs.

1868: Durham Chronicle 12 June 1868

Deaths. At Houghton Gate, 9th inst, Mr John Gordon, aged 44.

1868: Durham Chronicle 18 September 1868

Marriages. At Chester-le-Street, at the Register Office, 14th inst., Mr Gilbert Clement, of Lumley, to Miss Sarah Jane Ovington, of Houghton Gate.

1868: Durham Chronicle 09 October 1868

Deaths. At Houghton Gate, 4th inst., Mr William Dixon, aged 65.

1869: The Newcastle Courant, Friday, July 23, 1869; Issue 10152

Lambton Park Review.

Grand review and sham fight in Lambton Park.

In which a large number of H.M. regular troops will take part, on Monday July 26, 1869. For railway arrangements, see special bills. The following gates will be open for the admission of foot passengers to the Park, viz:- Wear Bridge, Chester Gate, Sunderland Lodge Gate and Houghton Gate. Carriages and horses admitted at the Wear Bridge Chester Gate only. Admission:- foot passengers, 6d.; Horsemen, 1s.; Carriages, 5s. each. Ticket boxes will be placed at each of the above entrances, but for carriages and horses only at the Four Lane Ends and Wear Bridge Chester Gate. No omnibuses or long brakes admitted into the Park. No change given and no re-admission. The manoeuvres will be carried out on the Race Course and the spectators will be on the rising ground, from whence a good view of the operations will be afforded to every one present. Gates will be opened at two o’clock for admission of the public. Refreshments will be supplied according to printed tariff, by Mr S. Fawcett, King’s Arms Inn, Durham. The police have strict orders to prevent the erection of any booths or stalls in the neighbourhood of the Park gates and to apprehend anyone trespassing. The proceeds will be appropriated to the Durham County Rifle Association.

1871: The Newcastle Courant, Friday, October 20, 1871; Issue 10269

A vegetable show was held at the house of Mrs Lynn, Houghton Gate, on Saturday night last, when a very creditable display of produce was exhibited. In the leek competition, there were 15 competitors, the first prize being awarded to Henderson Price and the second to Joseph Nelson. Eleven stands of round potatoes were set up, the first prize being awarded to Robson Minto and the second to Edward Wilson. John Smith took first prize for carrots and Robson Minto second. These were all the articles shown. A pleasant evening was spent by the company present.

1878: Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 04 April 1878

John Fatherley, publican, Colliery Row, was fined £5 and costs for furious driving on the highway at Houghton Gate on the 26th March, 1878.

1883: Teesdale Mercury, 07 February 1883

Magnetic belt for sciatica.

Houghton Gate, Fence Houses, December 6th, 1882.

Dear Sir – I am happy to inform you that I have derived much benefit from wearing the Magnetic Belt I got from you six months ago. I was suffering from sciatic pains and could walk very little but after wearing the belt a short time I felt a great benefit and what is better still I have not been troubled with pain since. I strongly recommend a Magnetic Belt to anyone suffering from sciatica.

Yours truly, Joseph Turner. Mr D. Lamont.

1883: Durham County Advertiser 16 February 1883

Deaths. At Houghton Gate, 11th inst., Mr Thomas Tully, late of South Shields, aged 78 years.

1884: Northern Echo (Darlington, England), Wednesday, July 9, 1884; Issue 4491

Serious accident to Dr Heath of Newcastle.

Yesterday morning, a serious accident happened to Dr Heath of Newcastle. The doctor, who resides at Cocken Hall, was driving through to Newcastle accompanied by two ladies. After leaving Lumley, the horses took fright and, despite Mr Heath’s efforts, they dashed at a tremendous pace down the steep bank at Brecon Hill. The road at the bottom of the bank turns sharply towards the bridge which spans Lumley Burn and, in making the turn, the carriage ran against the boundary wall throwing the occupants violently to the ground. The accident was witnessed by Mr Ward of Lumley Forge, who, along with his workpeople and others, was speedily on the spot and rendered every assistance in their power. Mr Ward rode over to Chester-le-Street for Dr Morris, who was speedily in attendance. Dr Heath was removed to Cocken House, having several of his ribs broken and other internal injuries. The ladies were removed to one of the houses in the vicinity, one of them, a patient of Dr Heath’s, being too ill to be removed. The runaway horses, with the broken conveyance, were captured near Houghton Gate.

1892: Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette 04 July 1892

Cyclists’ Church Parade.

Yesterday, a church parade of cycling clubs was held at Lumley Castle and although the weather was dull and threatening, there was a good attendance. The clubs, to the number of 16, met at a point near the village of Burnmoor and, under the captaincy of Messrs J. Reaveley and Tom Appleby, headed by the Shiney Row Temperance Band, proceeded by way of Houghton Gate and Brecon Hill to Lumley Castle, where the machines were stacked in the outer courtyard. The cyclists, together with a very large number of visitors, gathered on the west front of the castle where a sermon was preached by the Rev H.W. Stewart, B.A., vicar of Lumley, from the words “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord”, Colossians, iii, 23. Special hymns were sung, the singing being led by the brass band. At the conclusion of the service, a collection for the benefit of the Sunderland and Durham Infirmaries was made. Before the company dispersed, Mr R. Scurfield, Brecon Hill, proposed and Mr Ternent, Houghton-le-Spring, seconded, a vote of thanks to the Earl of Scarborough for generously placing the grounds at the disposal of the parade committee and also for contributing generously to the funds….

1894: Durham County Advertiser 22 June 1894

Deaths. At Houghton Gate, 18th inst., Ann, wife of Mr W. Tait, aged 82 years.

1894: Durham County Advertiser 27 July 1894

Deaths. At Houghton Gate, 23rd inst., Mr John Robert Smith, aged 49 years.

1895: Durham County Advertiser 03 May 1895

Deaths. At Houghton Gate Lodge, 29th ult., Eleanor, wife of Mr Nicholas Hewitson, aged 61 years.

1895: Durham County Advertiser 09 August 1895

Northumberland and Durham Road.

The Newcastle Centre of the National Cyclists’ Union have awarded their “special prize” for the best kept road in these two counties to William Tait, road foreman, Houghton Gate, Fence Houses, Co. Durham, in respect of the public roads in that locality comprised in the Sunderland and Houghton-le-Spring District, under the surveyorship of Mr D. Balfour C.E.

1899: Durham County Advertiser 13 October 1899

Fatality at Lambton Castle.

An accident, which proved fatal, occurred on Monday to a man named Nichol Hewitson, residing with his father at Houghton Gate. Hewitson, who was employed as a mason on the Earl of Durham’s estates, along with other workmen, was boiling some oil in one of the rooms of the castle. The oil boiled over, causing an explosion with the result that Hewitson was severely burnt about the body and face, the others escaping with slight injuries. Assistance was immediately at hand and the injuries were attended to, Hewitson being removed to his home by an ambulance. He expired on Tuesday morning.