WHITBURN, a parish in the eastern division of
CHESTER ward, county palatine of DURHAM, 85 miles
(N.) from Sunderland, containing, with the township
of Cleadon, 856 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in
the archdeaconry and diocese of Durham, rated in the
king's books at £39. 19. 4., and in the patronage of
the Bishop of Durham. There is a place of worship
for Wesleyan Methodists. The parish is bounded on
the east by the North sea, and on the shore several
copper coins of Constantine, Licinius, Maxentius, and
Maximiari, have been found. Limestone is quarried to
a great extent, and conveyed up the river Tyne into
Yorkshire: coal also is obtained here, though it lies at
a great depth. There are several chalybeate springs
in the neighbourhood, the water of which is in great
request among the inhabitants.