Heritage Group
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People in the History of The Felling

Portrait Gallery painting from which following sketch was made



Charles Brandling 1769-1826 died at 57 years of age. He was from a long line of rich folk and owned the Felling Pit

Bust of John Hodgson in St Paul's Church, Jarrow

Rev John Hodgson 1779-1845  aged 66. An ordinary but bright Grammar School lad who married well (Richard Kell's daughter) and had keen interest in local history of The Felling, then Northumberland

Richard Dawes

Headmaster of The Royal Grammar School, Newcastle from 1738, he retired to this house at Heworth Shore in 1749 on an annuity from Newcastle Corporation of £80 for the rest of his life. Born in Leicestershire in 1708 he gained a B.A. from Cambridge and then an M.A. in 1733 and spent his career as a celebrated Greek scholar. He was a bit eccentric and enjoyed his retirement rowing on the river and making home brew

He died on 21st March 1766 and is buried in Heworth Church yard









Thomas Hepburn 1795-1864 aged 69, went down the pit as a bairn but sought justice for miners, against among others, the sons of Charles Brandling, above

Joseph Hopper 2nd May 1856-17th April 1909

John Oxberry 1857-1940

Joan M Hewitt


Billy Atkinson aka Paul Cavanagh, Movie star


Robert Sisterson, Shopkeeper, Felling High Street


And not forgetting
Sir Walter Scott who made The Felling internationally famous




email : dave.naps69@gmail.com