[John Kirby]

Hello – I have recently moved into a house called Dukewilley, which is about a mile along the Allendale Road from Hexham. Whilst the house has a date (1876) over the front door, I believe the name, and perhaps parts of the current house, are older. From my research, I think the name relates to a coaching inn on the site called the “Duke of Cumberland”, that might date from the 18th century. I can see a building labelled Duke Willy in the same position as my house on the 1864 OS map held in Hexham library. I would like to find out more and would be grateful for any pointers society members might be able to share with me. Many thanks, John.

[Frances Stride]

Hi John

I’m a conservation volunteer at Hexham Abbey and am researching the 3rd Northumberland V A Convalescent Home, Cotfield, Hexham which was used as a hospital / convalescent home for wounded soldiers during WWI – two sisters who were nurses at this hospital – Avis and Gladys Barrasford – have Dukewilley as their permanent address on their commissioning cards

I’ll see if any of the volunteers at the abbey have further information on your home

[Jennifer Britton]

The name Dukewilley appears in both the 1861 and 1851 censuses.

But in the 1841 census it is called ‘Duke William’.

There is no indication in any of those census returns of it being a public house at that time.

The earliest reference I can see, so far, in parish records is a baptism in 1805, where the place was also called ‘Duke William’.

There are some references to the house in historic newspapers, the earliest and most significant I have found so far was in The Bath Journal of 26 June 1809 which said:
‘On Saturday evening, the Duke William public house near Hexham, was burnt down, having been set on fire by some sparks from the chimney. The furniture was all saved’.

I will let you know if I find any more information which might help.

[Jennifer Britton]

The Northumberland Name Books were compiled by Royal Engineers in 1860, forming the basis of the very first Ordnance Survey 6 inch maps.
This is what they had to say about Duke Willy as it was then called: ‘A small brick stone cottage on the side of the road and west of Summer Rods Ridge it was formerly a Public House and had as its sign ‘The Duke of Cumberland’ (of A.D. 1746) he was familiarly called Duke Willy, hence the name’
https://namebooks.org.uk/browse/main/?OSref=378&Page=42.0

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