EASINGTON, a parish in the southern division of
EASINGTON ward, county palatine of DURHAM, comprising
the townships of Easington, Haswell, Hawthorn,
and Shotton, and containing 1112 inhabitants, of which
number, 593 are in the township of Easington, 9 miles
(E.) from Durham. The living is a rectory, not in charge,
annexed, in 1255, to the archdeaconry, and in the diocese
of Durham. The church, dedicated to St. Mary,
is a lofty building, serving, from its situation on an
eminence, as a land-mark for mariners. There is a place
of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. In 1814, Archdeacon
Prosser erected a school-room, which, by means
of his own and other contributions, now affords education,
on Dr. Bell's system, to about fifty boys and
thirty girls. Dr. Gabriel Clarke, by will dated in
1662, bequeathed the sum of £60 to purchase a rentcharge
of £ 10 per annum for the school-master. The
village, which is of considerable extent and on an
elevated situation, was the ancient head of the ward,
deanery, and parish, to which it gives name. A halmote
court is held twice a year, for the recoveryof debts
under 40s.