PIERSE-BRIDGE, a township in that part of the
parish of GAINFORD which is in the south-western division
of DARLINGTON ward, county palatine of DURHAM,
5 miles (W. by N.) from Darlington, containing
236 inhabitants. This place occupies the site of a considerable
Roman station, the north and west sides of
the vallum, and part of the south side, being still conspicuous.
The Roman road, called Watling-street,
passes a few yards to the east of it, and many coins
and other antiquities, particularly a fine altar and several
urns, have been found. There is a stone bridge
over the river Tees at this place, said to have been
built by two priests, who erected near it a chapel,
of which there are stilf some remains. About two
hundred yards below the present bridge, foundations of
a more ancient one were visible a few years ago, but
every vestige has been since swept away by the floods.