DILSTON, a township in the parish of CORBRIDGE, eastern division of TINDALE ward, county of NORTHUMBERLAND, 3 miles (E. by S.) from Hexham, containing 162 inhabitants. Its name, a corruption of Devil stone, is derived from its situation on a rivulet called Devil water, which, after flowing through a deep and gloomy dell, falls into the Tyne on the northern boundary of the parish. There is a tower remaining of the ancient baronial residence of the Devilstones, also a chapel formerly belonging to the mansion of the Ratcliffes, earls of Derwentwater, and which shared the fate of their other estates, on the attainder of the last earl, who was beheaded for high treason in 1716. Though the chapel is not used for divine service, it is kept in repair as a mark of respect for the unfortunate family, many of whom lie buried in a vault in it. Bede says that Oswald, armed with faith in Christ, killed Ceadwall, the British tyrant, at this place, which he calls Devilesbourne.