Six north country diaries - The MAN & Other Families

193
175:5. Feb. 10 and 17. The nifrht between the IGth and 17th was
a very great flood by the melting of a great snow which fell the
1-lth and loth and a strong westerly wind with rain, which broke
down two arches of Shincliflf bridge and prostrated the pillar between
the two arches nearest to Durham entire into the river without breaking.
This l)ridge wa^s built by Walter Skirlaw, Ijishop of Durham,
who died in 1406. There was a great flood in the river Teese at the
same time, which swelled so higli that the water came into the turnpike
house at the end of Croft bridge and forced William Hurletson»
the gatekeeper, to remain on the bridge all the night, and broke
downi a part of the wall of the house, and also broke down some old
cottage houses in Croft and Xeshani, which I saw, and I was told by
the boatman at Stapleton the water was higher by a yard and an
half in level water than ever was known before.
1753. Feb. 18. Died in Fleet Street, London, Mr. John Hobson,
apothecaiy. He w^as my schoolfellow and son of Aldeitnan Edward
Hobson of Richmond, at whose house I was boarded for a six years,
whilst I Avas at .school there under the Rev. Mr. "William Thompson.
1753. March 5. The Rev. Mr. Lewis,^^^ a minor canon and curate
of St. Maiy le Bow, died of a consumption. He Ciime from Hereford.
1753. March 22. The body of William Maud^ was found in a
stell or ditch, about half a. mile to the north of Boldon, with his great
coat and whip near him and a small quantity of money in his
pockett. No bruises appeared alj