PONTELAND, a parish in the western division
of CASTLE ward, county of NORTHUMBERLAND, comprising
the townships of Berwick-Hill, Brenkley, High
Callerton, Little Callerton, Coldcoats, Darras-Hall, Dranington,
Higham-Dykes, Horton-Grange, Kirkley (ex-
luding Benridge and Cartermoor), Mason, Milburn,
Milburn-Grange, Ponteland, and Prestwick, and containing
1524 inhabitants, of which number, 358 are in the
township of Ponteland, 7 miles (N.W. by N.) from Newcastle
upon Tyne. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry
of Northumberland, and diocese of Durham,
rated in the king's books at £13. 6. 8,, and in the patronage
of the Warden and Fellows of Merton College,
Oxford. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is partly in
the Norman style of architecture, with a 'square tower
surmounted by a low spire. It was formerly collegiate,
and had a chantry, and was repaired in 1810, when the
north wall was rebuilt. There is a place of worship for
Scotch Presbyterians. A free school was founded, in
17'19, by Richard Coates, Esq., who bequeathed property
hi Newcastle upon Tyne, producing, in 1828, about £70
a year for its support: the school-house was erected
at the expense of his widow, in 1727; about twentyfive
children are instructed in it. The rivers Blyth
and Pont run through the parish: coal is obtained herej
and there are some slight remains of a castle in the
village of Ponteland. This place was built by Elius
Hadrianus, and was garrisoned by the first cohort of
the Cornavii. In 1244, Henry III. and the king of
Scots concluded a peace here.