Monkfield

Ordnance Survey map reference NZ 1155 3433, 100 feet above the River Wear on Knitsley Fell, between Bracken Hill and Low Shipley.

Originally owned by the Abbey Church of Durham - which is presumably how it came by its name. The ownership then passed as part of the foundation (1832) of Durham University and then to G.P. Roddam Esq, J.P. ^a

The farm was held by the Hall family from at least 1610 to the 20th century.

18th Sept 1610: Bond of debt of £9 to Matthew Common of Westgate in Weardale by William & Henry Hall of Monkfield

26th Apr 1612: Bond of debt for £3-6s-8d to Matthew Brown of Stanhope by William Hall of Monkfield

1766 Feb 28: Receipt for and valuation of wood at Monkfield 28 February 1766. 10s, £111 16s

Another resolution was also at this time (c1717) passed to the following
effect: Bro. Jos. Hall, and Bro. Hen. Hall, were appointed by the
church, to take care of the church's stock, as trustees for the
church. These gentlemen were brothers, living at Monkfield,
near Hamsterley ; probably, the sons of Mr. "William Hall, to
whom, along with others, an index of the works of Bunyan, was
"presented by Charles Roe and William Marshall, because of his
good will in the printing of this folio, 1692." This William is
supposed to be the brother of Mrs. Abigail Angus, mentioned in
the succeeding page. Their father's name is at present unknown.
The above Joseph Hall, was father of Mr. Jonathan Hall, of
Monkfield, married to Miss Sarah Stobbs, both members of the
church at Hamsterley, and whose family has long occupied the
same place, and opened their house for the preaching of the gospel
to others. Several other descendants of Mr. Jos. Hall, have either
been supporters of the cause, or members of Baptist churches.

                          William Hall
                             William Hall
                                Henry Hall
    c1690 - ?         Joseph Hall
        1720-1778    Jonathan Hall = Sarah
            1752 - 1835    John Hall
            1756 - 1841    Sarah Hall
            1760 - 1851    Jonathan Hall
            1766 - 1855    Joseph Hall = Ann
                1820-1913     John Hall

References

a The History of the Parishes of Hamsterley, and Lynesack and Softley in the County Palatine of Durham by Brigadier-General H. Conyers Surtees 1926 p38

b Durham Bishopric Estate Records

c Durham University Library Special Collections Catalogue - L/AD/1766/10/4/1-2