"Northumberland Dock,Tyneside 1857"

The foundation stone of the Northumberland Dock, near Howden, on the Tyne, was laid by Joseph Cowan, Chairman of the River Commissioners, on the 12 Sep 1854. The magnitude of this project may be measured by the fact that the dock was capable of containing 600 ships at various tonnage, it covered an extent of nearly 73 acres, and cost nearly £200,000. The stonework forming the base of the dock is Cornish granite and some of the blocks weighed 10 tons. The dock was designed by Mr Brooks, engineer to the Commissioners. John Hindmarsh, Raft Merchant(1738-1800) and his predecessors would have been familiar with this location even though the dock itself was built long after they had expired.

"St Johns Church, Newcastle"

There is a Monument to the family of John Hindmarsh and his wife Margaret (marriage circa 1760) at St John's Church, Newcastle where many of the family were baptised and where Ralph Hindmarsh and Sarah Scott may have married in Jul 1799. Belford has always been an important watering hole. First as a place on the Roman Road and then later for travellers on the London-Edinburgh road . Wm Hindmarsh was the village Postmaster for many years prior to his death in 1887 and the location therefore has some significance for this branch of the family. "The Market Place, Belford 2002"

Grand Central Station, Newcastle 1850

The development of the railways in England proceeded apace after 1835 and the extensive building to the left is an indication of the importance of Newcastle as a trading centre and terminus. The construction of the Station building would have provided much needed work for the local people and was probably instrumental in bringing families into the area from the surrounding countryside and away from working on the land. To view the family tree for the Belford and Newcastle Branch click here.