An Account of Lesbury Parish, by Geo. Tate, F.G.S. 249 



by the aforesaid parties, but they have noe lease or grante for the same. 

 The present rente of the Fishings as aforesaid ) 4Qg 

 per annum . . . . -> 



Given under our hands 18 Dec., 1649. 



EOB. STAFFOED. 



EOB. BOSTTON. 



WILL. PEGLOEDE. 



BENJN. JONES" 

 As a place of trade the glory of Alnmouth has departed ; but 

 it is becoming a favourite watering place in the summer and 

 autumn, not only for the people of Alnwick but also for strangers 

 from a distance. A considerable stretch of flat sands affords con- 

 venient and safe places for sea-bathing. Improvements have 

 been made in the town ; some good houses have been built and 

 others enlarged and beautified ; pure water has been brought 

 from a distance into the dwelling houses, and improved sanitary 

 arrangements have been introduced, a bath-house has been built, 

 and gas works have been established. There are still wanted 

 bathing machines, and several more lodging houses of a respect- 

 able class ; and if these were supplied Alnmouth might become 

 one of the most desirable and fashionable watering places in the 

 North of England. 



Mark states that Alnmouth, in 1734, contained fifty-one 

 families, and raised twenty -two voters in the election of a mem- 

 ber of Parliament. The population then would be about 250. 

 Since that time it has increased, but not greatly ; in 1811, it was 

 353; in 1821, 406; in 1831, 415; in 1841, 480 ; in 1861, 452; 

 in 1871, 469 ; but the number of freeholders has diminished, for 

 in 1826 only fourteen voted at the election for the county. 

 During one hundred and thirty-seven years the population has 

 increased 87 per cent, or less than two persons annually ; but 

 during the last seventy years the increase was 33 per cent, or 

 five persons in three years. Such is the very slow progress of 

 our village population. 



[Mr Tate gives an extract from the Eate Book for 1870, when 

 the gross estimated rental of the Township was £1821 15s 4d, 

 rateable value. He states that the free school, held in the chapel, 

 had from 30 to 40 scholars ; and that there was also a school 

 attached to the Methodist Chapel. The education is now under 

 the control of a School Board.] 



On August 15, 1779, considerable alarm was occasioned at 



