Reference code: GB-0033-BLA
Title: Robert Blair papers
Dates of creation: predominantly 19th century; copies of earlier material.
Extent: 0.3 metres
Held by: Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections
Origination: Robert Blair (1845-1923)
Language: English. A few items are in Latin.
This collection belonged to Robert Blair F.S.A, of Harton Lodge,South Shields, a Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne c.1903-1917.
It relates to the publications and business of the Society, and of Mr. Blair whose
particular interest was in the Roman remains of north-east England and in Co. Durham churches and churchyards, inscriptions, rubbings, photographs, drawings, hand bills, press cuttings etc., relating to the area.
Blair used ephemera for scrap
paper. Although most of these documents were written early in the twentieth century, they refer to much earlier periods.
Given in February 1964 by the Borough Librarian of South Shields, Co. Durham, via Miss A.C. Flagg.
The University Library's printed book collections include 9 volumes (numbered 1, 3-5, 7, 12- 14, 17) from a collection of pamphlets and cuttings on archaeological and historical topics, with some manuscript drawings and letters interspersed,
bound up for Robert Blair with the binding title
“Archaeologia” . All the volumes have his inscription, and many of the pamphlets are presentation copies to him. The manuscript material consists of drawings by him (in vols 3, 7 and 14) and letters from William
Beaumont (1 in vol. 5), J. Collingwood Bruce (1 in vol. 3), E. Hübner (2 in vol. 4), John R. Ord (1 in vol. 1), John E. Price (1 in vol. 4), C. Roach Smith (1 in each of vols 3-5), and A.P. Stanley (1 in vol. 3)
Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne (joint museum of the University of Newcastle and the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne): collection of archaeological material from the estate of Robert Blair, chiefly from South Shields
Roman fort.
Northumberland Record Office: ZAN M17/30: 3rd edition of J. Collingwood Bruce's
The Hand-book to the Roman Wall, with MS additions and corrections by Blair in preparation for the 4th edition which he produced.
Northumberland Record Office: ZAN M18/47-74: 27 quarto volumes of topographical sketches by Blair, 1877-1913, with an index volume; according to Blair's obituary (see below), p.202, these were given to the Library of the Newcastle Society of
Antiquaries by Blair's family after his death.
South Shields Library holds one book compiled by Blair of material relating to the excavation of the Roman Station at the Lawe, South Shields, c.1874-1875.
Blair, Dorothy O.S., “Robert Blair, M.A., F.S.A.”,
South Shields Archaeological and Historical Society Papers, vol. 1, no. 6 (1958),
4-6
Oxberry, John, “Robert Blair, M.A., F.S.A. An obituary notice”,
Archaeologia Aeliana, 3rd ser., vol. XX (1923), 187-204
Blair PapersBLA/1 March 1901
Obituary notices concerning the Rev. William and Mrs. Scott Moncrieff.
He was Rector of Easington. The couple died the same day.
Newspaper cuttings mounted on paper. 1f.
BLA/2 n.d. [ 19th cent.]
A press cutting about Tobias Heyrick, the Gainford Gastronomist, vicar of Gainford 1754-1782.
It mentions his habits, associates and the encroachment by the Tees on the Churchyard.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/3 c. 1890-1915
An unbound booklet marked Egglescliffe Church on the outside but containing press cuttings and other items on Egglescliffe Church and village, Ebchester roman remains, church and village, with stone rubbings, papers about the business of the
Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne, proofs of a publication concerning Egglescliffe and Longnewton.
Paper. 28ff.
BLA/4 n.d. 19th cent.
Notes supplied by Miss Edleston concerning Gainford parish, the bells, registers, churchwardens accounts, plate, a "vinegar" bible, a book of homilies, terrier, account books (tithes etc.), font cover, arms hatchments and other miscellanea.
Paper 4ff.
BLA/5 n.d.
Notes concerning Grindon parish being extracts from a visitation of 1758 mentioning non-residence, the curate, communicants and registers and another of 1780 naming local papists.
Small Paper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/6 1894
A press cutting entitled
“Odds & Ends” .
It mentions the wreck of the Nell of Rotterdam in the Tyne in 1730, a letter from a British officer serving in Flanders in
1745, a Lanchester funeral of 1751, Dean William Whittingham of Durham, Newcastle bricklayers in 1731, coal pits in the 18th century at Eldon, Coxhoe and
Byermoor.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/7 1886
Press cutting - the obituary for John Gregson of Murton and Burdon, Co. Durham.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/8 n.d.
Press cutting about George Lockey of Gainford executed for murder in 1789.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/9 n.d. 19th cent.
Printed copy of the request of James Malled, vicar of Gainford made in 1736 to Edward [ Chandler] Bishop of Durham as how to deal with the increase of popery in the parish.
Paper 1f.
BLA/10
Another printed copy of no. 9. with a different format.
BLA/11 n.d. [ c.1914]
Some inscriptions from Gainford Church and churchyard mounted on a copy of the agenda for a meeting of the Newcastle Society of Antiquaries 1914.
Paper 1f.
BLA/12 n.d.
Press cutting about the publication by Miss Edleston of part of her index to the oldest Gainford Parish Register, with some extracts from it.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/13 1888
Details of the Communion Plate of Gainford Church.
Paper 1f.
BLA/14 1899
Press cutting about sepulchral inscriptions at Gainford Church.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/15 1885-97
An unbound booklet entitled
“Escombe Church” containing press cuttings, plans, pictures and sketches of Escomb church, comparing it with another Saxon church at Bradford-on-Avon.
Also mentions St Cuthberts, Holy Island.
Paper. 25ff.
BLA/16 n.d. c. 1890
Printed notes about Esh Church, the plate and Esh Cross.
Paper 1f.
BLA/17
Number not used.
BLA/18 n.d.
Two press cuttings.
The first concerns the Catholics of Ash (Esh, Lanchester).
The second is a photograph of the Gateway, Old Esh Hall in 1914.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/19 n.d.
A rubbing of the inscription on a bell at Esh Church.
Paper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/20 24 October 1916
Paper inscribed "Esh, see Lanchester".
On the dorse is a scored out letter from Reid & Co., printers, to the Newcastle Society of Antiquaries.
Paper 1f.
BLA/21 3 December 1913
Paper noting an Esh reference in the
Cal. of Papal Registers .
On the dorse is a letter from Fisher, Renwick & Co., steam ship owners and brokers, Newcastle to Mr. Blair [ of the Newcastle Society of Antiquaries] mentioning excavating at the
Abbey.
Paper 1f.
BLA/22 6 June 1914
Press cutting about the Smythes of Esh and Acton Burnell, mounted on an agenda of the Newcastle Society of Antiquaries 1915.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/23 n.d.
Press cutting entitled
“Rambles of an Antiquary XXXVIII - Ecclesiastical” .
It concerns the tithes of Esh and the Church of St. Michael, Cornhill, London.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/24 1898
Pencil notes (on the insides of envelopes) concerning Eudo de Lumley in 1313 and the vicar of Gainford in 1313 twice.
Paper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/25 1881
A press cutting about Felling Railway Station.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/26 c.1886
A press cutting about a window in memory of T.H. Swinburne in Holy Trinity Church, South Shields.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/27 1900
A press cutting about the use of "The" Felling.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/28 n.d. c. 1890
Poem,
“The Song of the Smoke” - dedicated to all dwelling in Felling.
Paper 1f.
BLA/29 n.d. c. 1890
A press cutting and a note on an inscription in the village of Ferryhill.
Papers, mounted. 1f.
BLA/30 c. 1885-1912
An unbound booklet entitled
“Finchale Priory” .
It contains manuscript notes from source books, photographs, press cuttings, a plan and another booklet “St. Goderic of Finchale” by the Revd. Chas.
Kingsley.
Paper 20ff. (Booklet: 8ff.)
BLA/31 c.1889-1917
An unbound booklet entitled
“Greatham Church and Hospital” .
It contains manuscript extracts of charters etc, press cutting, sketches of plate and glass with another unbound booklet with the same title but printed containing some more
material (15 pages plus inserts).
The notes in the first part of this item are mounted or written on the back of an assortment of business letters concerning the Newcastle Society of Antiquaries.
Paper. 28ff.
BLA/32 1840
Handbill concerning a farm to be let at West Hartburn, Co. Durham.
Paper 1f.
BLA/33 1881 and 1880
Press cuttings on the early history of Hexham episcopate and Hexhamshire.
On the back is a careful scale drawing of part of the inside of the south transept, Hexham Abbey.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/34 1898
Pedigree of the Gallilee family of Co. Durham in the 18th and 19th centuries.
This is written on the back of a form on which a Presiding Officer at a Polling Station would declare those voters unable to read.
Paper 1f.
BLA/35 1837
Trade card of J.S. Tynemouth, House and Ship Joiner, etc., North Shields.
Cardboard. 1f.
BLA/36 1828
Handbill or detached page listing subscriptions and the account for improvements to Darlington National Schools.
Paper 1f.
BLA/37 1853
Handbill advertising the Loyal Standard Association for seamen and seagoing carpenters in South Shields.
Paper 1f.
BLA/38 n.d. c.1850
Handbill advertising Allan and Bell's Unrivalled Antibilious Stomatic Pills - benefits include "removing the consequences of too free living".
Paper 1f.
BLA/39 July 1839
Playbill advertising productions in Thornes Theatre, Tynemouth.
Paper 1f.
BLA/40 c.1894
An unbound booklet entitled
“The Village of Elwick and Elwick Hall Church”, being mostly a paper presented to the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle .
It contains a print of the Church, manuscript and printed notes on charters, extracts
from the parish records, the plate,rubbings of bell inscriptions, list of rectors, a plan of the Church etc.
Paper. 14ff.
BLA/41 c.1917
Copy of an extract from the burial register of St. Andrews Holborn, London, concerning Lady Apolina Hall of Elemore Hall, Durham.
It is written on the back of a proof copy of Agenda for a meeting of the Newcastle Society of Antiquaries
31 October 1917.
Paper 1f.
BLA/42 c.1890
A newspaper cutting and manuscript notes about Elton and its inhabitants, mounted on a sheet of paper.
Paper 1f.
BLA/43 1889
A printed page concerning Elton parish plate, Church books, an effigy and the Gowers.
Paper 1f.
BLA/44 n.d.
An etching of Sir George Elliot, Bart., M.P., mounted on a sheet of paper.
Paper 1f.
BLA/45 n.d. c.1890
Press cutting of extracts from the diary of Mr. Sanderson of Egglestone.
It mentions local events, weather etc. in the seventeenth century.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
Selections from Christopher Sanderson's diary are published in:
Six North Country Diaries, [ed J.C. Hodgson] (Surtees Society 118, 1910), p.35-42.
BLA/46 1890
Printed sheet about Eggleston in Teesdale, its Church, plate and bells.
Paper 1f.
BLA/47 n.d. c.1890
A press cutting about an episode on Allhallows Eve in Eggleston churchyard.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/48 c.1858-1915
An unbound booklet entitled
“Notes on St. Edmund's Church, Edmundbyers” .
It contains some printed material and some in manuscript written on the back of agendas for meetings of the Society and in one case on a letter to Blair from R.C.
Heslop the other secretary.
Paper. 9ff.
BLA/49 1891
A press cutting about local opposition at Easington to a scheme of the Bishop of Durham to apply the tithes to other parishes.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/50. and 51 n.d.
Detailed drawings of the capitals of pillars at Easington Church.
Paper. 1f. each.
BLA/52 n.d.
Detailed drawings of tracery in windows at Easington Church.
Paper 1f.
BLA/53 1894
Easington Parish church Restoration, progress report, appeal for money, list of subscribers.
Paper 2ff.
BLA/54 c.1882
Press cuttings concerning Easington Church, its registers, rectors etc.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/55 c.1888-94
Press cuttings concerning Easington Church, a fire there, discoveries during restoration etc.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/56 n.d. ?c.1894
Design, perhaps for the cover of a Parish Magazine being a pillar, a Church window, a stone bracket and on pew inscribed "Easington", a helmet.
Paper 1f.
BLA/57 n.d. c.1894
Rubbings of the inscriptions of the bells of Easington Church.
Folded paper.
BLA/58 1888
Printed paper about the bells of Easington Parish Church.
Paper 1f.
BLA/59. and 60 1895
Detailed drawings of the capitals of two pillars (? of Easington Church).
Paper 1f each.
BLA/61 Monday [ 16.1.1888]
Letter from William Gorst Harrison, Easington Rectory about the lost pewter flagon and the fire of [ 15.1.1888].
It is mounted on the back of an agenda of 1916.)
Paper, mounted. 2ff.
BLA/62 1887
Printed page concerning Easington Church plate with a drawing of a pewter flagon.
Paper 1f.
BLA/63 1882
Press cuttings concerning the Church at Easington and its monuments.
Paper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/64 c.1894-1916
Miscellaneous manuscript notes about Easington Church and village mounted on copies of Agenda 1912-1916, car insurance circular etc., and placed inside another copy of
no. 53.
Paper. 13ff.
BLA/65 1881
Press cutting concerning the will of Matthew Forster barrister-at-law of the Inner Temple.
Mounted on an agenda of 1915.
Newspaper, mounted, paper. 1f.
BLA/66 n.d. c.1900
Printed drawing of a flagon (not the Easington one).
The page is inscribed in manuscript ?Greatham.
Paper 1f.
BLA/67 n.d. c.1919
Note of an admittance in the Halmote Court in 1770 to land at Edmondbyers.
It is on the back of a bill from Titus Wilson & Son, printers of Kendal to the Society.
Paper 1f.
BLA/68 n.d. c.1919
Manuscript note about the death of Lady Apolina Hall in 1642,
cf. BLA/41.It is mounted on a circular from the King's Fund for the disabled, 1919.
Paper 1f.
BLA/69 n.d.
Thin paper of extracts from Gainford deeds 1572-1834.
The dorse (defaced) contains biographical etc. notes on Quintus Gregory b. 1774, Bishop Shute Barrington and William
Bentham, F.S.A.
Paper 1f.
BLA/70 n.d. c.1910
Extract of a Grindon deed of 1765, parties Dunk, Denison and Cornforth.
It is written on the back of a letter to Blair from F. Gerald Simpson about a meeting.
Paper 1f.
BLA/71 n.d. c.1914
Extract of an Escomb deed of 1793, parties T. Hendry Hopper and Co. Hopper Williamson.
It is on the back of a bill for vol. X of the Northumberland County History .
Paper 1f.
BLA/72 n.d. c.1920
Extracts from Easington deeds 1689-1792.
They are written on the back of a note of book purchases in 1920 and a letter (post 1915 ) from
Prideaux Butter merchants, Motcombe, Dorset.
Paper 2ff.
BLA/73 n.d. c.1920
Extracts from Greatham deeds 1630-1790.
They are written on the back of an application form for shares in the Meadow Dairy Company c. 1916, and a letter from Kenneth
Vickers of Armstrong College about the Society's finances, 1920.
Paper 3ff.
BLA/74 n.d.
Extracts from Elwick deeds 1632-1709 written on 2 papers glued together, one from an account book and torn.
Paper 1f.
BLA/75 n.d. c.1911
Extracts of Elton deeds 1613-1703.
They are written on the back of a typescript description of a coal sledge from North Gauber colliery where boys aged 6-10 would pull it and of a handbill for a meeting
of the Railway Officers' and Servants Association 1911.
Paper 2ff.
BLA/76 n.d. c.1911
Extract from an Egglescliffe deed of 1750 parties Elstob, Pennyman and Warton.
It is written on the back of a description of further finds in the old mining workings of Pummer Colliery, rails, flagstones,
tokens, picks, hats, sandals, dam boards.
Paper 1f.
BLA/77 n.d. c.1887
A rubbing of the Easington pewter flagon,
cf. 62.
Paper 1f.
BLA/78 1897
An unbound printed booklet entitled
Dalton-le-Dale, Easington and Seaham .
Paper. 12 pages.
BLA/79 n.d.
Press cuttings being a portrait of Lady Eden from
The Minute1896 and an explanation of the Eden arms 1882, mounted on an agenda of 1915.
Paper 1f.
BLA/80 n.d. c.1900
Drawings of one or two mediaeval grave covers from Grindon Church.
Paper 1f.
BLA/81 n.d. c.1900
Booklet about the Cerebos Salt Works at Greatham.
Paper. 8 pages.
BLA/82 1911
Sale catalogue for the Claxton Grange Estate, Greatham Parish, with plan.
Paper. 2ff. excluding plan.
BLA/83 1880
Press cutting about the death of Ralph Ward Jackson of Greatham Hall, late M.P. for Hartlepool.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/84 c.1882
Press cuttings about John Cade of Gainford and Gainford Village and Church.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/85 n.d. c.1890
Press cuttings, one about an outing of the Society to Gainford, Winston, Streatlam Castle, Staindrop Church, the Bowes Museum and Barnard Castle, the other about old road sidings to allow passing vehicles to clear each other.
Newspaper, undated. 1f.
BLA/86 n.d.
Extract from the
Cal. of Pat. Rolls1424 concerning Robt. de Mortham vicar of Gainford.
Paper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/87 n.d. c.1907
Extract of
Cal. Pap. Reg. 9. Pap. Letters VIII pg. 492 about the tithes of Gainford, 1434.
It is copied on to the back of a 1907 bill from Messrs. Humble &
Meikle, Solicitors, Newcastle.
Paper 1f.
BLA/88 n.d. c.1907
An extract from
Cal. Pap. Reg. 9. Pap. Letters VIII, pg. 508, referring to the vicar of Gainford.
It is copied onto another bill from the same firm.
Paper 1f.
BLA/89 n.d. c.1912
Extracts from Gainford items from the
Calendar of Charter rolls, 1308. It is copied on to the back of a letter of 1912 from the Polytechnic Touring Association.
Paper 1f.
BLA/90 n.d.
Extract from the
Calendar of Charter Rolls, 1335, relating to Fulwell.
Paper 1f.
BLA/91 n.d. c.1909
Extract from the
Cal. Pap. Reg. 9. Pap. Letters VIII pg. 31 relating to Fulthorp 1428.
It is copied on to the back of a bill from Reid, printers in Newcastle 1909.
Paper 1f.
BLA/92 n.d. c.1880
Picture of Mr. Theodore Fry of Darlington with a biographical note.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/93 n.d. post 1869
A printed page about Frosterley chapel and its plate.
Paper 1f.
BLA/94 1895
Press cutting about the ancient Friarside Oak.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/95 1897
Press cutting about Friarside Old Chapel, near Rowlands Gill.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/96 1873
Friarside Chapel, plan and elevations.
Thin card. 1f.
BLA/97 n.d.
Photograph [ of Friarside Chapel c. 1873 ].
Photo, mounted. 1f.
BLA/98 n.d. c.1911
Extract from the
Calendar of Charter Rolls, 1335, concerning Follingsby.
It has been copied on to the back of a letter from Philipson, printers of Newcastle, 1911.
Paper 1f.
BLA/99
The Arms of Lee of Fishburn.
Paper 1f.
BLA/100 n.d. c.1912
Reference to Finchale 1270 in the
Calendar of Charter Rolls .
On the other side is a letter to Blair from F.S. Simpson, 1912.
Paper 1f.
BLA/101 1908
Press cuttings about the footbridge over the Wear by Finchale Abbey.
Newspaper, mounted. 1f.
BLA/102 n.d. c.1881
A folded sheet of paper with press cuttings mounted without and other sheets with mounted cuttings, plus one loose one, placed within:
(a) The cost of living in olden times.
It concerns Finchale Abbey, Durham Priory, the Chapter's hospitality, extracts from the Durham account rolls etc. n.d.
(b) Another article by the same author (G.N. of Consett) with extracts of the Durham bursar's account rolls and Finchale Abbey rolls. n.d.
(c) An item of Jack Fairlam, a colourful tramp of North Durham and South Northumberland, n.d.
(d) An inscription from a house in Ferryhill and the epitaph of R. Boyle, the chemist. n.d.
(e) An article by Geo. Foggin about Finchale Abbey, n.d.
(f) An article by E. Thompson of Newcastle on former modes of conveyance, 1881.
(g) An article by R. W. Hetherington of Uxbridge about passage between Finchale and Durham Priory.
(h) An article by Romanus, York on the legendary history of Finchale.
(i) An article by C. W. Carlton of Durham entitled “A Couple of Historic Documents” concerning a fishery in the Wear and Harbourhouse also a letter of recommendation to the Bishop of Durham of George Lumley
by Robt. Meynell in 1552.
Mounted, newspaper. 8ff.
BLA/103
A cutting about a baronetcy being granted to John Sudbury of Eldon in 1685.
A slip of printed paper.
BLA/104 1840
A blank form for the declaration of the details and value of goods to be exported by Bell and Marshall 1840.
Probably for use as scrap paper.
Paper 1f.
BLA/105
A sheet of labels to be divided and put on medicine bottles, probably for use as scrap paper.
Paper 1f.
BLA/106 c.1840
A blank notice for informing that goods have been confiscated by virtue of a writ of Pone per Vadios.
Paper 1f.
BLA/107
Compliments slip from the Borough Librarian of South Shields who deposited these papers.
Paper 1f.
