246 An Account of Lesbury Parish, by Geo. Tate, F.G.S. 



part of the Incommon, as formerly. If William Browne or his 

 heirs burn ware or kelp within the grounds of the said free- 

 holders, he shall give them reasonable satisfaction ; he shall also 

 have liberty to drive his goods to Holme Kiln* to water, and to 

 carry away water from any wells within the grounds of Aln- 

 mouth. If he buy any freeholds, he shall put no more stints on 

 the Incommon than the majority of the freeholders think propor- 

 tional to the value and quantity of the purchase. If Michael 

 Coulter find evidence of a certain parcel of ground, called Adams' 

 Land, which shall or may happen to lie within either parties In- 

 common of this division, he shall have satisfaction for the same. 



Till the end at least of the last century, the freeholders main- 

 tained their right to the common. Formerly they received pay- 

 ments for laying sea-ware on the common, and for any encroach- 

 ments thereon ; and at a meeting held by them on April 25th, 

 1797, they resolved that a party who had placed a saw mill on 

 the common, should immediately pay 5s for the privilege, other- 

 wise they would break and pull it down. 



Each burgage has. two stents on the common ; there are now 

 occupied stents for 36 cows and 8 horses. The shepherd receives 

 8 shillings and a penny for each stent. Each stent is worth £4. 



The Duke claims all acknowledgments for deposit of slates, 

 wood, sawpits, bark pits, &c. Stones from the beach pay Id per 

 load; bark pits, Id each; herring boats, Id each. Each free- 

 holder is invited to dinner, with a bottle of wine, about Michael- 

 mas. 



In the eighteenth and early part of the nineteenth century 

 Alnmouth had a considerable- trade, especially in the export of 

 corn, evidencing the progress of agriculture in the district. 

 Mark, in his Survey, in 1730, says " It has a very good harbour 

 for ships, and is the only flourishing place for trade and shipping 

 except Blythes-Nook between Newcastle and Berwick." Wallis, 

 in 1769, says — "The principal export is corn kept in large 

 granaries, the largest perhaps in the county ; they import Nor- 

 way timber and goods from London, Holland, and other places. 

 A new ship of near 300 tons, was built and launched at this port 

 on Wednesday, 13th March, 1765, supposed to have been the 

 first ever built at it." Alnmouth continued an important place 



* Commonly called the How Kiln ; it was a large pond on the Common, 

 hut has heen drained away. 



