WITTON-GILBERT, a parish in the western division
of CHESTER ward, county palatine of DURHAM,
3 miles (N,W.) from Durham, containing, with the
outside portion of the parish, 364 inhabitants. The
living is a perpetual curacy, with the rectory of Kimbleworth
annexed, in the archdeaconry and diocese of
Durham, and in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter
of Durham. The church, dedicated to St. Michael,
is a small building, without a tower. An hospital for
five lepers was founded near it, at an early period, by
Gilbert de la Ley, the only remaining fragment of which
is a pointed window in a farm-house now standing on its
site. Jane Finney, in 1728, gave certain land, now let
for £12 a year, for teaching eight poor children.