WEARMOUTH (MONK), a parish in the eastern
division of CHESTER ward, county palatine of DURHAM,
comprising the townships of Fulwell, Hylton,
Monk-Wearmouth,Monk-Wearmouth-Shore, andSouthwick,
and containing 7644 inhabitants, of which number,
1278 are in the township of Monk-Wearmouth,
a mile (N.) from Sunderland. The name of this place
designates its situation on the northern bank of the
Wear, near its mouth, while its prefix is one of distinction,
derived from a monastery founded about 674,
by Biscopius, a Saxon nobleman attached to the court
Of Oswy, King of Northumberland, and dedicated to
St. Peter. In the reign of Ethelred, this establishment
was completely destroyed by the Danes: accounts differ
with respect to the period of its re-erection, but, in
1083, the majority of the monks were removed to Durham,
and this institution became a cell subordinate
to the monastery of St. Cuthbert, in that city: at the
dissolution, the revenue was valued only at £26. 9. 9.
The town consists chiefly of two long streets, stretching
east and west, situated on the declivity of an
eminence, at the base of which is the river Wear;
and of some irregular buildings on the shore, once
comprising merely a few fishermen's huts, but now containing
the major part of the population; it is on the
left bank of the river, opposite to Sunderland, with
which it is joined by the suspension bridge. The inhabitants
are engaged in the various branches of trade
connected with the shipping interests of Sunderland,
with which this place and Bishop-Wearmouth are closely
united. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Durham, endowed with £1000
private benefaction, £400 royal bounty, and £1200
parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of Sir H.
Williamson, Bart. The church, which is dedicated to
St. Peter, is of considerable antiquity, believed to have
been built about 634; in the tower, which is supported
on four circular arches, are some Saxon windows: during
some repairs a stone coffin was found. There are
places of worship for Baptists, Presbyterians, and Wesleyan
Methodists. A free school for boys is supported
by an annual subscription of £25 from Lady Williamson,
and by voluntary contributions; the number of
children is about one hundred. For an account of other
charities, see SUNDERLAND. A skeleton of gigantic
stature, and some relics of stags' horns have been found
in this parish. Some remains of the monastery are
still visible near the church. Venerable Bede passed the
early part of his monastic life in it, whence he removed
to Jarrow; some consider Wearmouth, and others
Iscombe, to have been his native place; he was born
in 672, and died in 735.