Middleton in Teasdale in 1837
Middleton in Teasdale is in Darlington ward : it lies on the north bank of the Tees, on the road from London to Haltwhistle. The whole parish comprehends an area of 38,410 acres, of which the township of Middleton includes 9,750 acres. The village is situated among hills, and extends in somewhat an oval form round a spacious green. Almost every house is used for the sale of liquors or of some kind of goods. The inhabitants (who, in 1831, were 1,824 for the township, or 3,714 for the whole parish) are chiefly engaged in the numerous lead mines near. The church is small, but ancient : the living, a rectory in the gift of the crown, is said to be worth £1,500 per annum : it does not appear to have been included in the return laid before parliament of the revenue of the church. Some of our authorities assign to this place a weekly market held on Thursday : it is probably a customary market. The township contained, in 1831, one endowed day-school, with 50 children ; two unendowed day-schools, with 45 children ; one day and Sunday-school, with 150 day or 180 Sunday scholars, supported by the Lead Company, who oblige their work-people to send their children either to this school or to some other. There is a considerable library attached to this last school, containing a variety of useful works, which are lent gratuitously to those of the scholars or of the workmen who desire to have them.
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