Bellingham in 1811

A HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE VIEW OF THE COUNTY OF NORTHUMBERLAND

This village is pleasantly situated on the slope of a hill, which rises from the eastern margin of the North Tyne, and is well built: it consists of 65 dwelling-houses and 337 inhabitants. Here are four public houses and five shops. A meeting house for the Burghers was erected about three years ago. The Roman Catholics have had a chapel here for some time. A book club was established here in 1809 and now consists of about 50 subscribers. In a place like this, situated at a distance from any populous town, and where many of the inhabitants have a good deal of leisure during our long winter evenings, an institution like this must not only contribute to their amusement but also tend to preserve their morals and to extend their knowledge. A Sunday-school was lately opened here but, like that at Simonburn, it is very indifferently attended. (vol.2.278)

The want of good roads and bridges is indeed a very formidable obstacle to improvement in this parish [Tindale Ward]. In winter, the communication between different parts is frequently cut off altogether, particularly when the Tyne is flooded by rains. There is not a single bridge on the Tyne above Chollerford, although the want of one is felt as a great inconvenience, both by the inhabitants of Wark and Bellingham. A great deal has certainly been done in repairing the roads within these few years past but much remains yet to be done. In the lower part of the parish, the roads are in a most wretched condition. (vol.2.286)