An Escomb Childhood.

Part of a letter from Gwen, the daughter of Mary Jane Dufton, about her childhood in Escomb in the 1910s and 1920s.
Gwen writes with reference to the map....

A.. 11 and 4 Bridge Row the first homes in Escomb of John and Elizabeth Dufton.

B..John and Elizabeth Dufton's next home at Cross Row Cottages, Escomb.

C..Parkin's Yard the home of John William and Mary Ann Dufton at 9 Low Escomb.
Birthplace of John and Mary's family.

D..Village allotments given by the mine owner so that during the war the villagers would be able to grow their own food.

E..The pit heap at the back of Parkin's close was always burning during her childhood, but villagers were burnt and injured whilst trying to collect waste coal.

F..The old Saxon church is the oldest church in England, there is supposedly a secret tunnel from the church to the Roman fort at 'Brusselton Folly'.

G..A rather dangerous game was played here by the village children. This involved them climbing over the side of the train bridge, and standing on a very narrow edge high above the train lines. The game was to get 'lost in the steam' as the trains puffed past below them. Much to the anger and worry of the engine crew.

H..The Blue Bell inn was run by uncle Frank Dufton's in-laws.

There were two chapels in Escomb, and the children would attend each on alternate Sundays, the idea was to gain enough stars to attend the treats at each chapel.

The Village of Escomb.

This poem was written in 1903 by a villager, and gives a great in-sight into life in Escomb at a time when the Dufton family were residents of the village.

Two miles to the west of Bishop Auckland,
Close by the river Wear, Iittle Escomb doth stand , this ancient little place was once noted for its plum fair,
Where the lads and lasses did go to enjoy themselves there.

Small as this village is, I am proud to say,
We have two South African heroes living in it today,
Then we have some more, far over the sea,
Serving with their regiment, wherever it may be.
Also we have some old Soldiers, Volunteers, and Militiamen living here,
Who are ever ready to do duty for their country when danger is near:

Then there is the old Church which has stood twelve centuries or more,
Its walls are good, though built in old yore. Its roof it decayed and was much broken in,
And quite open laid for the birds to dwell in; For years it was in ruin, and mouldering away,
While our friends in their graves all round it did lay.

But visitors came from far and from near,
To see the old Church so ancient and dear,
And subscriptions were given to have it restored,
And paid to the late Vicar - the Rev. T Lord.

On the 4th October 1880, ‘twas re-opened again
By the Bishop of Durham, a man of great fame.
On the east of the church, you may see a small cot-
A nice little garden and hot-house they’ve got
.
Close by this little cot, before you come to the stack-yard,
A Policeman you’ll find, the village to guard.
As you come along a house you can see,
Which at one time was a public and a jerry
.
Further down there is a farmyard row, in it doth dwell
A family of sons, whose names I’l1 not tell.
As you go down, you’ll come to the Waterside row,
Where the people in summer time pass to and fro.

At the end of this road, you’ll come to a bridge instead,
Where the workmen go, to earn their bread.
Close by are the gardens, once noted for fruit,
Now damaged by the smoke, and coal working out
.
As you come back a family you’ll find, and you can trace
their name further back than any in this place.
Further up the Angel Inn doth stand, on the right sidewhere an ex-policeman and his family reside.

This house belongs to a noted brewery-Cameron and Co
And you’ll get a good glass of beer if you happen to go;
Close by is the Post Office, as neat as any you’ll find;
On the opposite side is a house and shop combined

Now you go round to Bowmans yard, which has a good record,
In it you’ll find the Saxon of the burial board.
Then there’s the old Bay Horse, now a shop so fine,
Where many a poor iron worker spent his leisure time.

As you leave the old Bay Horse, a small chapel doth stand,
Where the Primitive Methodist join hand in hand.
Close by is the Royal Oak, for many years it has stood,
And it belongs to a well-known man of this neighbourhood.

This house went on wheels at one time, and did some trade
But since Witton Park works stopped, what a difference it has made.
If you look to the south, you see the highway -
The only way in, and out the same way.

Now the Councillors of this Parish, thought they would,
Instead of letting the men stand about, get them a seat if they could;
Now these seats were got, and placed in front of the turnpike,
Where the men can spend their leisure moments and enjoy their pipe.

As you go a little further up, then you’ll see
An old row of houses commonly called the key;
On the other side you come to a shop where a man and wife doth dwell,
With a neat little window, decorated with meat to sell.
Close by here the Wesleyan Chapel doth stand,
Where the Wesleyan Methodist join hand in hand.
On the opposite side to the Wesleyan Terrace youll find,
Then you come to Parkins Yard, close in behind.

Now you pass the Hawthorne Lodge, on the same side;
Further up the Masterman coke-burner and his family reside.
Then you come to a shop, which is kept by a hard working man,
Who always does his best to oblige his customers if he can.

As you go up the bank, you come to the Wear View,
On the other side there’s Primrose House in front of you.
In front of the Wear view a blacksmiths shop once stood,
A very useful shop though erected with wood.

Now the owners of this place, their names I’11 not tell,
Tho’ some of you might know who in Escomb doth dwell.
On the opposite side you’ll see Block-yard Row and in it doth dwell,
An Overman, two Deputies, a Master Shifter and Brakesman as well.

A brick oven once stood in front of this row
For the neighbours to bake in their turns you know;
Further up then the Overseers house youll see,
Where the people go to pay the burial fee.

Across the road there’s a Reading Room stands back,
Where members go to enjoy themselves and get a bit crack;
Now this place was rather small, so they got it enlarged on some spare ground. And bought a billiard table, then they got the room seated round.

As you go across the bridge a well-known family you’ll find.
With a nice big building and garden behind.
Close by there’s a house and a wash house in the yard,
Where a policemen! You’ll find the colliery to guard.

Further up then you come to the Bridge Row,
Where an old friend of mine keeps a shop you know. As you go on, before you leave this row,
An Overman, and Engineer you’l find for Stobart & Co.

As you go further up the Vicarage stands on the hillside Where the Vicar of Escomb and his family reside.
If you look to the left the new Church you’ll see,
A neat little place, and a fine cemetery.

As you go further up the Moresby House doth stand
With a beautiful front, and garden so grand;
Farther up on the other side, a lemonade shade once stood,
It was kept by a well-known family of the neighbourhood.

Then you cross the road, the Blue Bell Inn you’ll find here,
Which is well-noted for its fine spirits, and West Auckland beer;
Further up one the other side the School-masters house youll find,
Then you have the day Schools close in behind.

What spoils this village, I am sorry to say,
Is that fiery heap, smoking and burning away.

Since in this village I first did roam, Many changes I’ve seen, and many old resident has gone to their long home.

If Escomb and its suburbs you wish for to see,
Stand on the hillside and view it with me;
And now I’ll conclude with my little rhyme
And may write again at some future time.

John W Pattison
Escomb

The poem was copied from the Escomb Village Website.