MERRINGTON, a parish in the south-eastern division of DARLINGTON ward, county palatine of DURHAM, comprising the townships of Chilton, Ferry-Hill, Hett, and Merrington, and containing 1279 inhabitants, of which number, 290 are in the township of Merrington, 3 miles (E. by N.) from Bishop Auckland. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Durham, rated in the king's books at £14. 4. 9., and in the patronage of "the Dean and Chapter of Durham. The church, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, is principally in the Norman style, the south door being of an enriched character, and the interior contains a wooden screen; the basement of the tower is Norman, and the upper part of later date; it stands on elevated ground, and serves as a land-mark. On the usurpation of the see of Durham by Comyn, about 1143, this church was seized by his nephew, who partly encompassed it with a ditch and vallum., and occupied it with armed men. There is a coal mine in the parish.