Fenwick (Hylton) Papers

The papers include abstracts of title, wills, copyhold, bankruptcy, marriage settlements, bonds, valuations, trusts, land tax, insurance and a few plans. Although the abstracts of title trace the ownership of the land to earlier times, the documents start in the mid 18th century, the properties passing through several hands with no owner predominating amongst the material. Some deeds are very lengthy.

These documents relate to estates which had belonged to the Hylton family till 1641 and in which thereafter the Mowbrays, Goodchilds, Jacksons and Fenwicks had interests. The property comprised the lordship of Ford in the parish of Bishopwearmouth (which became known as South Hylton) and contiguous copyhold land on Bishopwearmouth North Moor in the manor of Houghton-le-Spring, held of the Bishop of Durham, including Ford Hall, Ford North and South farms, High Ford, Todd's, Storey's and Newhall farm and wayleave and property in Co. Durham at Bishopley, Redmarshall and Chester-le-Street (copyhold including the Brewery) and copyhold in Northumberland at Hexham.

Chronological.

Open for consultation.

Given by Lloyds Bank Ltd., Executor and Trustee Dept., London on 8 May 1958, to Durham University Department of Palaeography and Diplomatic, since 1990 part of Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections.

Available online at online catalogue

Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from the Sub-Librarian, Special Collections (e-mail PG.Library@durham.ac.uk) and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. The Library will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.