Killingworth, Northumberland

Description
Killingworth, a village and an ecclesiastical parish in Northumberland, with a station on the N.E.R., 4 1/4 miles NE by N of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. There is a post office under Newcastle-upon-Tyne; money order and telegraph office, Forest Hall. The ecclesiastical parish waa formed in 1865 from the parish of Long Benton, comprises the villages of Killingworth, Burradon, Dudley, Benton Square, Annitsford, Palmersville, and part of West Moor. Population, 5585. George Stephenson, the celebrated railway engineer, came as a brakesman in 1804 to Killingworth old pit, now no longer worked; was appointed engine-wright to the colliery in 1812; constructed here his first locomotive in 1813, and invented here his safety lamp, known as the " Geordy," in 1815. The cottage in which he lived, and the chief part of which was built by him, still stands on the road from West-moor pit to Killingworth, and has, over the door, the sundial which he constructed in 1816. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Newcastle; gross value, £302 with residence. Patron, the Vicar of Long Benton. The church was built in 1869, in the French Gothic style, at a cost of £2300. There are Primitive and New Connexion Methodist and Wesleyan chapels. There are also chapels of ease at Burradon and Dudley.