NEASHAM, or NYSAM, a township in the parish of HURWORTH, south-western division of STOCKTON ward, county palatine of DURHAM, 4 miles (S. B.) from Darlington, containing 313 inhabitants, who are chiefly employed in the linen manufacture. The village consists of one street, extending some distance along the northern bank of the Tees, over which, at this point, there are a ferry and a ford; the latter is noted as the spot selected for the performance of a long-accustomed ceremony, in which, when the river is fordable, the lord of Sockburn, or his agent, meeting the Bishop of Durham, on his first entering the county, and presenting him with a falchion, as an emblem of his temporal power, repeats as follows; "My Lord Bishop, I here present you with the falchion wherewith the champion Conyers slew the worm dragon, or fiery serpent, which destroyed man, woman, and child; in memory of which, the king then reigning gave him the manor of Sockburn, to hold by this tenure, that upon the first entrance of every bishop into the county, this falchion should be presented." The bishop, taking the falchion in his hand, immediately returns it, wishing the lord of Sockburn health and long enjoyment of the manor. A Benedictine nunnery, founded in honour of the Blessed Virgin, formerly existed here, which at the dissolution had a revenue of £26. 9. 9.