158 Memoir of the Rev. R. H. Williamson. 



Before engaging in the duties of his destined profession, he 

 spent considerable time in foreign travel, visiting France, 

 Switzerland, Italy, and Germany. He was ordained deacon in 

 1836, and priest in 1838 at Auckland Castle, by Bishop Maltby. 

 His first curacy was Gateshead, under the genial rector, the 

 Eev. John CoUinson, M.A. In 1839 he was nominated by 

 Archdeacon Thorp, first incumbent of the new parish of Holy 

 Trinity, Darlington, where he was actively and usefully em- 

 ployed until 1847, when the then Lord Eavensworth presented 

 him to the living of Lamesley. Here it was that Mr Williamson 

 stayed longer than in any other of his ministerial appointments, 

 and gave conspicuous proofs of earnestness and zeal in his 

 Master's service. Not content with taking two full duties in the 

 parish church every Sunday morning and afternoon, he soon 

 started a third service at an outlying hamlet, where he gathered 

 a congregation, to whom he preached in a simple and homely 

 way the Gospel message. This labour of love led in no long 

 time to the erection of St. Thomas' Church, Eighton Banks, to 

 which a separate district was assigned, and another clergyman 

 appointed. 



He then turned his attention towards supplying the spiritual 

 needs of those of his people who lived in the opposite extremity 

 of his parish. He would sally forth, with lantern in hand, be 

 the night ever so dark and stormy, to hold a service four miles 

 off, in a disused Methodist Chapel. He lived to see a church 

 built at Marley Hill, through the exertions of his friend the 

 Eev. H. B. Carr, M.A., to which a district was assigned, 

 including that part of Lamesley bordering upon Whickham. 



Nor should we omit to notice how, during a severe visitation 

 of Cholera in 1849, he calmly and fearlessly devoted himself to 

 duty, ministering relief and comfort to the sick and dying, 

 allaying the panic, and committing the numerous victims to their 

 last resting-place in Lamesley churchyard. 



We must also allude to the great care bestowed on imparting 

 religious instruction to the children of the school, supported by 

 the Liddell family, and presided over by Mr Elliot, an excellent 

 teacher, between whom and Mr Williamson the most friendly 

 relations always existed. The latter was always pleased to come 

 across any of the scholars and hear of their success in after-life. 



On Mr Williamson's leaving Lamesley in 1865, the late Earl 

 of Eavensworth presented him, on behalf of himself and the 



