HAMSTERLEY, a chapelry in that part of the parish
of ST-ANDREW-AUCKLAND which is in the northwestern
division of DARLINGTON ward, county palatine
of DURHAM, 6 miles (W.) from Bishop-Auckland,
containing 552 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual
curacy, in the -archdeaconry and diocese of Durham,
endowed with £200 private benefaction, £200 royal
bounty, and £1000 parliamentary, grant. W. Chator,
Esq. was patron in 1825. The church is dedicated
to St. James. The Baptists have a place of worship,
erected in 1774, with a burial-ground, a house and garden
for the minister> and a school-room. There is also
a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. At Bidburn
are extensive iron-works; coal is obtained in the
neighbourhood. A school-house has been built by public
subscription, and there is a jnechanics institution
in the parish.