Hetton-le-Hole Herald The Newsletter for Hetton Local History Group

Volume .1...... Issue ..2...... Date January 2010

Summary house stands on the site of an ancient This article, Part 1 of 2, looks at manor house built around 1550. This some of the large impressive manor probably built in the Elizabe- houses which lie close to Hetton- than style of the day was much smaller than the present house. The le-Hole. The two existing Halls manor in which Elemore stands was have been extensively modified originally owned by the Priory of Fin- over the years but remain as a tes- chale but following the Dissolution of tament to fine building works. the Monasteries, brought about by Robert Shout of Helmsley, who Henry the Eighth, it was sold in 1553 built Elemore Hall was for many to Bertram Anderson, mayor, sheriff years in the eighteenth century and MP for Newcastle-upon- Tyne Bridge Surveyor for North York- who was responsible for the building shire and responsible for the build- of the first manor house. The manor ing of a number of fine bridges, was known as Little Haswell and in- many of which are still standing cluded the declining villages of Little and Low Haswell which in reality were not much more than hamlets, set in a The Halls of Hetton– 1. Elemore rural environment.

Elemore Hall is one of three major houses which are or have been located close to Hetton-le-Hole. Of the other two, Eppleton Hall and Het- ton Hall only the former still exists since Hetton Hall was demolished in 1923.

Elemore Hall is the larger of the two remaining houses and is located ap- proximately two miles south west of The characteristic ‘E’ shape of the town of Hetton. The present Elemore Hall

1 1 The original house was either E or U slaughterhouse under it”. Ingress and Hall near Lanchester. George Baker heirs of the five sisters who owned one shaped with wings protruding from a egress was via a north door leading was also MP for Durham City at that third of the estate during the 1640s. By frontal building. Upon the death of down the staires under the sellars of time. They had a son, also called 1748 George was close to marriage Bertram Anderson in 1571, according Thomas Hall. It appears that the main George Baker, and he inherited the and a decision was made to improve to the inventory for the house, the hearth tax being paid at that time was estate and manor in 1723 and it was the house. A nearby brick kiln was pro- building consisted of a hall, two par- set over to Mr Thomas Hall who was he, who around 1750 decided to build ducing thousands of bricks each year lours, kitching, pastrie, buttery, mylke responsible for seven hearths. a new property on the site of the in order to construct a walled garden house, work house and barn. By 1578 older manor house. which was finally completed in 1749. it went by the name of Elimoure Hall. Clay from the bricks came from land By 1605 the inventory for the house George was a “bit of a lad” with a where a brick pond was formed on the showed that it had been enlarged to predilection for dressing, dancing and north side of the garden while coal over 20 rooms and was rich enough enjoying himself. A frequent and from nearby Kepier Pit was used to fire to support the local Pittington St. Law- noted gambler in his early life it the kilns. rence church. looked as if much of his fortune would be lost. He failed in his On May 27th, 1749 George Baker was At some point, early in the 17th cen- younger life in respect of his educa- married to Judith Routh, a beautiful tury, the Manor of Little Haswell was tion since following an education at and knowledgeable young lady from a sold by the grandson of Bertram Eton College he came down from well-appointed family living at Dinsdale Main entrance Elemore Hall Anderson, Sir Henry Anderson, for Cambridge in 1743 without a degree. near to Darlington in County Durham. £4600 to William Hall, another mer- Fortunately for him his guardians, It seems likely that the marriage pro- chant from Newcastle upon Tyne. His Some aspects of the original manor who had looked after him since the duced some stability for the financial son, Sir Alexander Hall, left the estate house have been incorporated in the death of his mother when he was just affairs of the extravagant George. to his five sisters( one third) and to his present building and renovations two years of age, protected the es- Around this time an architect/mason cousin the Rev. Nicholas Hall (two which took place during 1978-1979 tate that he had inherited, which in- Robert Shout (1702-74)of Helmsley thirds). The split will, meant that the revealed some of the old structures cluded not only the Elemore estate was engaged to draw up plans for a family were forced into a series of le- including stone facings and door but also Crook Hall at Lanchester, a new house and to get the structure gal agreements which probably was heads as well as lintels in the base- share in Biddick Colliery, as well as underway as soon as possible. Follow- not in the best interests regarding the ment. Large square beams originating alum quarries and mines on the cliffs ing the marriage George and Judith structure of the house. There were from the first house have also been at Boulby on the North Yorkshire moved to live in the Deanery at inevitably divisions of property owner- located within the present structure coast. Additionally he owned three ship and parts of the house had differ- and bear no relation to the most recent manors in Northumberland and West- ing ownership. house. morland as well as a grange estate at Wingate in County Durham. In 1669 it was known that Thomas Nicholas Hall who held two thirds of Hall held the middle and south parts, the estate passed on the estate by The original Elizabethan house was while his father’s inventory lists a hall marriage to Thomas Conyers, who stone-built and doubtless in need of and two parlours with chambers was MP for Durham City from 1702 renovation and the guardians of above. Also the house was described until 1722. Around about 1700 the George Baker ensured that by 1746 as having “the north part together with heiress of the estate married George he was in total ownership of the a chamber over the kitchen and the Baker, whose family came from Crook Elemore estate having bought out the South side entrance Elemore Hall

2 2 The original house was either E or U slaughterhouse under it”. Ingress and Hall near Lanchester. George Baker heirs of the five sisters who owned one shaped with wings protruding from a egress was via a north door leading was also MP for Durham City at that third of the estate during the 1640s. By frontal building. Upon the death of down the staires under the sellars of time. They had a son, also called 1748 George was close to marriage Bertram Anderson in 1571, according Thomas Hall. It appears that the main George Baker, and he inherited the and a decision was made to improve to the inventory for the house, the hearth tax being paid at that time was estate and manor in 1723 and it was the house. A nearby brick kiln was pro- building consisted of a hall, two par- set over to Mr Thomas Hall who was he, who around 1750 decided to build ducing thousands of bricks each year lours, kitching, pastrie, buttery, mylke responsible for seven hearths. a new property on the site of the in order to construct a walled garden house, work house and barn. By 1578 older manor house. which was finally completed in 1749. it went by the name of Elimoure Hall. Clay from the bricks came from land By 1605 the inventory for the house George was a “bit of a lad” with a where a brick pond was formed on the showed that it had been enlarged to predilection for dressing, dancing and north side of the garden while coal over 20 rooms and was rich enough enjoying himself. A frequent and from nearby Kepier Pit was used to fire to support the local Pittington St. Law- noted gambler in his early life it the kilns. rence church. looked as if much of his fortune would be lost. He failed in his On May 27th, 1749 George Baker was At some point, early in the 17th cen- younger life in respect of his educa- married to Judith Routh, a beautiful tury, the Manor of Little Haswell was tion since following an education at and knowledgeable young lady from a sold by the grandson of Bertram Eton College he came down from well-appointed family living at Dinsdale Main entrance Elemore Hall Anderson, Sir Henry Anderson, for Cambridge in 1743 without a degree. near to Darlington in County Durham. £4600 to William Hall, another mer- Fortunately for him his guardians, It seems likely that the marriage pro- chant from Newcastle upon Tyne. His Some aspects of the original manor who had looked after him since the duced some stability for the financial son, Sir Alexander Hall, left the estate house have been incorporated in the death of his mother when he was just affairs of the extravagant George. to his five sisters( one third) and to his present building and renovations two years of age, protected the es- Around this time an architect/mason cousin the Rev. Nicholas Hall (two which took place during 1978-1979 tate that he had inherited, which in- Robert Shout (1702-74)of Helmsley thirds). The split will, meant that the revealed some of the old structures cluded not only the Elemore estate was engaged to draw up plans for a family were forced into a series of le- including stone facings and door but also Crook Hall at Lanchester, a new house and to get the structure gal agreements which probably was heads as well as lintels in the base- share in Biddick Colliery, as well as underway as soon as possible. Follow- not in the best interests regarding the ment. Large square beams originating alum quarries and mines on the cliffs ing the marriage George and Judith structure of the house. There were from the first house have also been at Boulby on the North Yorkshire moved to live in the Deanery at inevitably divisions of property owner- located within the present structure coast. Additionally he owned three ship and parts of the house had differ- and bear no relation to the most recent manors in Northumberland and West- ing ownership. house. morland as well as a grange estate at Wingate in County Durham. In 1669 it was known that Thomas Nicholas Hall who held two thirds of Hall held the middle and south parts, the estate passed on the estate by The original Elizabethan house was while his father’s inventory lists a hall marriage to Thomas Conyers, who stone-built and doubtless in need of and two parlours with chambers was MP for Durham City from 1702 renovation and the guardians of above. Also the house was described until 1722. Around about 1700 the George Baker ensured that by 1746 as having “the north part together with heiress of the estate married George he was in total ownership of the a chamber over the kitchen and the Baker, whose family came from Crook Elemore estate having bought out the South side entrance Elemore Hall

3 3 Chester-le-Street for a period of three stone mortar came from the quarries comers. Wooden gutters completed making many of the moulds shaping years before moving back to Elemore along the road at Pittington. the roof work. the cornices and ribs in the rooms and with a young daughter, to a trans- other individual plasterwork features . formed Elemore Hall. The new house faced west with the A large volume of the costs related to central block having two balustrated the costs of timber. In the construction Restorations to the house which took The new house followed the “E” flights of steps. A date of 1750 was process many different woods were place during 1978/9 uncovered much shaped plan of the original house. formed close to the halved arms of used including oake boarding, firr of the infill work done before rooms Being a more imposing structure it balks, deal planks, oak balks, red- had three storeys with a seven bayed wood deal and mast timber for scaf- entrance front with a grand three folding. Timber was used for roofing, bayed central block and two flanking ceiling joists, sashes, stouthing, wall single bay wings. It was a brick man- frames, partitions, staircases, door- sion built in the Palladian style follow- cases, doors, shutters, windows and ing the fashion of the times. The floor joists. speed in which the building had been built meant that much of the original The family were in residence at structure was incorporated particu- Elemore by May 1752 even though larly behind the new brick facades. much of the internal work was still Old chimneys were pulled down, win- Elemore Hall Third /Middle floor plan incomplete. Much of the work was Elemore Hall Top/Attic floor plan dows walled up and a stone plinth down to the master joiner Bryan Fen- enclosed the old basement which both the Baker and Routh families. On wick engaged by Shout back in 1749 were plastered with a thick layer of formed the base for the new brick the south side the five bayed wall had and still not able to complete all of his rough plaster made of sand and building. Sandstone from the quarries a centrally placed doorway with a responsibilities four years later. Much slaked-lime mix to which animal hair at Penshaw formed the basis for Gibbs surround which supported the of this work involved making doors, was added to give it the desired tough- quoins, door and window cases and Palladian symmetry of the period. The shelves cupboards, tables and other ness. Although many of the bills indi- east front had eight bays facing the furniture before other fittings such as cate the materials used and their ori- original formal gardens. locks, hinges etc were attached. The gins, little is known where the sand, ceilings in certain parts of the house lime or plaster originated; probably the The building was all but complete by were having their plasterwork at- convenient local quarries adjacent to 1850, quite an achievement, and at a tached, under the direction of the house provided these necessary cost of just £451. 12s. 8d., according Guiseppe Cortese, a noted Italian raw materials. It is known however that to Shout’s accounts. The whole build- craftsman of the age. For some years 302 stones of animal hair were pro- ing was topped off with a Westmorland previously he had been famous for his vided by a local butcher and tanner slate roof laid over a massive roof stucco work and had completed a Thomas Clemment. structure by mid 1751, along with glaz- number of contracts in the north coun- ing for the large number of windows. try including Hardwick Park at Sedge- In 1979 during renovations a series of Elemore Hall, Ground floor plan The bill for plumbing came in during field, Newburgh Priory close to Wake- plaster wall panels were discovered in March 1752 and this included the roof- field, Studley Royal near Ripon and the drawing room on each side of the pediments. It is likely that the lime- ing lead, lead flashing and down- Burton Constable in Yorkshire. Fen- venetian window and above the door. wick’s workers were responsible for Many of the ceilings were left blank,

4 4 Chester-le-Street for a period of three stone mortar came from the quarries comers. Wooden gutters completed making many of the moulds shaping years before moving back to Elemore along the road at Pittington. the roof work. the cornices and ribs in the rooms and with a young daughter, to a trans- other individual plasterwork features . formed Elemore Hall. The new house faced west with the A large volume of the costs related to central block having two balustrated the costs of timber. In the construction Restorations to the house which took The new house followed the “E” flights of steps. A date of 1750 was process many different woods were place during 1978/9 uncovered much shaped plan of the original house. formed close to the halved arms of used including oake boarding, firr of the infill work done before rooms Being a more imposing structure it balks, deal planks, oak balks, red- had three storeys with a seven bayed wood deal and mast timber for scaf- entrance front with a grand three folding. Timber was used for roofing, bayed central block and two flanking ceiling joists, sashes, stouthing, wall single bay wings. It was a brick man- frames, partitions, staircases, door- sion built in the Palladian style follow- cases, doors, shutters, windows and ing the fashion of the times. The floor joists. speed in which the building had been built meant that much of the original The family were in residence at structure was incorporated particu- Elemore by May 1752 even though larly behind the new brick facades. much of the internal work was still Old chimneys were pulled down, win- Elemore Hall Third /Middle floor plan incomplete. Much of the work was Elemore Hall Top/Attic floor plan dows walled up and a stone plinth down to the master joiner Bryan Fen- enclosed the old basement which both the Baker and Routh families. On wick engaged by Shout back in 1749 were plastered with a thick layer of formed the base for the new brick the south side the five bayed wall had and still not able to complete all of his rough plaster made of sand and building. Sandstone from the quarries a centrally placed doorway with a responsibilities four years later. Much slaked-lime mix to which animal hair at Penshaw formed the basis for Gibbs surround which supported the of this work involved making doors, was added to give it the desired tough- quoins, door and window cases and Palladian symmetry of the period. The shelves cupboards, tables and other ness. Although many of the bills indi- east front had eight bays facing the furniture before other fittings such as cate the materials used and their ori- original formal gardens. locks, hinges etc were attached. The gins, little is known where the sand, ceilings in certain parts of the house lime or plaster originated; probably the The building was all but complete by were having their plasterwork at- convenient local quarries adjacent to 1850, quite an achievement, and at a tached, under the direction of the house provided these necessary cost of just £451. 12s. 8d., according Guiseppe Cortese, a noted Italian raw materials. It is known however that to Shout’s accounts. The whole build- craftsman of the age. For some years 302 stones of animal hair were pro- ing was topped off with a Westmorland previously he had been famous for his vided by a local butcher and tanner slate roof laid over a massive roof stucco work and had completed a Thomas Clemment. structure by mid 1751, along with glaz- number of contracts in the north coun- ing for the large number of windows. try including Hardwick Park at Sedge- In 1979 during renovations a series of Elemore Hall, Ground floor plan The bill for plumbing came in during field, Newburgh Priory close to Wake- plaster wall panels were discovered in March 1752 and this included the roof- field, Studley Royal near Ripon and the drawing room on each side of the pediments. It is likely that the lime- ing lead, lead flashing and down- Burton Constable in Yorkshire. Fen- venetian window and above the door. wick’s workers were responsible for Many of the ceilings were left blank,

5 5 however some were painted. Occa- This feature no longer exists as it was judged to be a comfortable house sionally ceilings were started then left demolished on safety grounds in the rather than one which was imposing for a lengthy period to be completed 1950s.There is evidence to suggest or noteworthy as many others some years afterwards. Paintings in- that the Coldwell Burn (at some time throughout the north were judged. cluded Cupid and Psyche in an oval called the Coalford Beck) was The family also visited London and frame complete with outer paintings of dammed to create a small lake or Bath on a number of occasions, to flowers, masks and musical instru- pond. This feature lasted until the carry out shopping duties and mix ments decorated the new dining 1920s at which point it was drained. with the landed gentry of the day. It room. Neptune, in a cloud formed the Beyond the house garden there were cost the family around about £20 to centrepiece for the Great Staircase. It shrubbery walks and there is evidence pay for the servants they took with seems likely that the great staircase that terrace walks and a carriage drive them at the time and bearing in mind ceiling and most of the grand dining may have been developed along the that this was about the same that a The clock tower and buildings on the left room were completed in 1752 west sloping escarpment. The gardens coal hewer received as an annual sal- are a more recent addition were upgraded with little regard to cost ary, they must have had a comfort- ensuring its seasonal beauty. William able stay in the capital and elsewhere. Judith managed this set of circum- Joyce, a nurseryman from Gateshead stances well and continued to keep a Judith and George had a daughter provided vegetables, flowers, fruit close eye over the next 20 years or Elizabeth, born shortly after the mar- trees, shrubs and bushes as well as more, even after the marriage of her riage and a son again called George. seeds. He also provided in addition son George in 1787. This George inherited the Elemore 160 limes, 1000 elms and 1000 horn- estate in 1774 following the death of beams. George on the other hand had no father George. After the death of her great interest or aptitude for family fi- The whole construction project cost in husband on the 15th May 1774 Ju- nances, spending large sums of the region of £3,000, a sum which may dith, who had always shown an inter- money to maintain a full stable of Baker crest Elemore Hall at the time have been equivalent to est in the running costs of the house- horses. Judith kept full and precise George Baker’s annual income. This hold, continued in this vein and took account books until her death in 1810 an increasing interest in the income whereas the decoration on the draw- figure is equivalent to £180,000 in to- at an age in excess of 80 years. Notes and expenditure of the estate as a ing room ceiling was not completed day’s currency. Nevertheless it was in these books show how frugal she whole. until the winter of 1756/7 really was, not wasting a single ha’penny of the money attributable to In 1781 the total income from rents, By 1752 the carpenters and joiners the estate. livestock sales, and estate profits were working on the outbuildings and came to £3422 and this yielded a a new stable as well as a brewhouse, Young George was recognised as a profit of £173 after all expenses had pig sties and a small house in the new very good horseman and he was a been covered. As income and expen- garden for the servants quarters. keen follower of the hounds. He lived diture continued to grow over the next the life of a country squire to the full. It George Baker did not implement all of three years by 1784 the income was is said that he once met the Durham the features on his original estate plan £3432 and the profit was £211. After historian Robert Surtees and asked, “ I although a brick built walled garden the death of George in 1774 the fam- wonder, Mr Surtees why you should was completed in December 1749. Rear of Building ily inherited the debts of George sen- spend so much money and time over a ior, a figure which was around £6000.

6 6 however some were painted. Occa- This feature no longer exists as it was judged to be a comfortable house sionally ceilings were started then left demolished on safety grounds in the rather than one which was imposing for a lengthy period to be completed 1950s.There is evidence to suggest or noteworthy as many others some years afterwards. Paintings in- that the Coldwell Burn (at some time throughout the north were judged. cluded Cupid and Psyche in an oval called the Coalford Beck) was The family also visited London and frame complete with outer paintings of dammed to create a small lake or Bath on a number of occasions, to flowers, masks and musical instru- pond. This feature lasted until the carry out shopping duties and mix ments decorated the new dining 1920s at which point it was drained. with the landed gentry of the day. It room. Neptune, in a cloud formed the Beyond the house garden there were cost the family around about £20 to centrepiece for the Great Staircase. It shrubbery walks and there is evidence pay for the servants they took with seems likely that the great staircase that terrace walks and a carriage drive them at the time and bearing in mind ceiling and most of the grand dining may have been developed along the that this was about the same that a The clock tower and buildings on the left room were completed in 1752 west sloping escarpment. The gardens coal hewer received as an annual sal- are a more recent addition were upgraded with little regard to cost ary, they must have had a comfort- ensuring its seasonal beauty. William able stay in the capital and elsewhere. Judith managed this set of circum- Joyce, a nurseryman from Gateshead stances well and continued to keep a Judith and George had a daughter provided vegetables, flowers, fruit close eye over the next 20 years or Elizabeth, born shortly after the mar- trees, shrubs and bushes as well as more, even after the marriage of her riage and a son again called George. seeds. He also provided in addition son George in 1787. This George inherited the Elemore 160 limes, 1000 elms and 1000 horn- estate in 1774 following the death of beams. George on the other hand had no father George. After the death of her great interest or aptitude for family fi- The whole construction project cost in husband on the 15th May 1774 Ju- nances, spending large sums of the region of £3,000, a sum which may dith, who had always shown an inter- money to maintain a full stable of Baker crest Elemore Hall at the time have been equivalent to est in the running costs of the house- horses. Judith kept full and precise George Baker’s annual income. This hold, continued in this vein and took account books until her death in 1810 an increasing interest in the income whereas the decoration on the draw- figure is equivalent to £180,000 in to- at an age in excess of 80 years. Notes and expenditure of the estate as a ing room ceiling was not completed day’s currency. Nevertheless it was in these books show how frugal she whole. until the winter of 1756/7 really was, not wasting a single ha’penny of the money attributable to In 1781 the total income from rents, By 1752 the carpenters and joiners the estate. livestock sales, and estate profits were working on the outbuildings and came to £3422 and this yielded a a new stable as well as a brewhouse, Young George was recognised as a profit of £173 after all expenses had pig sties and a small house in the new very good horseman and he was a been covered. As income and expen- garden for the servants quarters. keen follower of the hounds. He lived diture continued to grow over the next the life of a country squire to the full. It George Baker did not implement all of three years by 1784 the income was is said that he once met the Durham the features on his original estate plan £3432 and the profit was £211. After historian Robert Surtees and asked, “ I although a brick built walled garden the death of George in 1774 the fam- wonder, Mr Surtees why you should was completed in December 1749. Rear of Building ily inherited the debts of George sen- spend so much money and time over a ior, a figure which was around £6000.

7 7 history of Durham?” Surtees replied It is perhaps interesting to note that by saying” I wonder, Mr. Baker, why the aforementioned Judith Routh’s you spend so much money and time mother was a member of the Mill- in following a pack of hounds and a banke family of Halnaby, Yorkshire. It poor hare.” is often stated that the most important member of this family Anna Isabella During this time when George was Milbanke was in fact born at Elemore alive greater wealth came to the fam- in 1792, later to become the wife of ily with the opening of the Elemore the poet Lord Byron. However other colliery, a short distance along the sources say that she was born in Lon- Easington Lane road from the house don; nevertheless there was a con- itself. Established in 1825 on land nection through marriage to the Baker leased from the Baker family the col- family. liery was opened by the Hetton Coal Company. The two shafts for the mine In 1844 Isabella, heiress to the were named George and Isabella af- Elemore estate, married the son of ter members of the Baker family. Dur- her aunt and first cousin, Henry ing this period the dimensions of lux- Tower. When he inherited the estate ury living by the Baker family were he changed his name to Henry Baker evident in the comforts, leisure and Baker. He became High Sheriff of entertainment they enjoyed. They Durham in 1854. He and his ances- spent much of the their time at provin- tors lived at Elemore Hall until the cial race courses with George con- 1930s. tinuing to ride his own horses in many races In 1947 the hall and estate was sold to Durham County Council and the George Baker passed away in 1837 building still in reasonable order, was and his daughter Isabella became taken over by the local education au- heir. He was the last in the line of thority as a day and residential special Bakers of Elemore Hall and noted the school. It still serves this purpose to- fact with an inscription on his head- day. stone, namely,

” Here lies the last of the George Bak- ers of Elemore Hall, and although he may not be the last George Baker, he will be succeeded by no-one of more gentlemanly sport who will live longer in the hearts of the poor and unfortu- nate to whom he was constant bene- factor and the kindest friend.” A view from the front of house

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