A Curious Story
An interesting discovery of human remains was made on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday during the course of excavations in connection with the improvement of the West Boldon Hall estate. The hall, which is over 600 years old and stands within enclosed grounds, is occupied by the owner, Mr J Armstrong. Workmen have been engaged in preparing the Foundations for a row of houses, which it is intended to erect to the westward of the hall. Whilst digging, one of the men was startled, not to say frightened, by unearthing a human skull in a perfect state of preservation. The removal of a few shovelfuls of earth revealed two human skeletons. By Monday the men had discovered three more human skeletons which began to crumble away when exposed to the air. The bones were carefully collected. Two of the skulls are perfect specimens, with the whole of the teeth. Up to the present no definite clue has been obtained as to the identity of the remains, although the discovery has revived a whole host of traditions associated with the hall, which in its time has served the purposes of a monastery, a public school, a tannery and a gentleman’s residence. Although no record exists of the hall grounds ever being used as a burial place, yet the revelation comes a a curious corroboration of a story concerning the place, which was told recently by a lady who took up her residence in the village. This lady, who belongs to the midlands, visited the hall some time ago and explained that the property formerly belonged to her ancestors, who before leaving it had buried three boxes within its precincts, the first of which contained their plate, the second a large quantity of money, and the third their deeds to a valuable estate. She possessed vague information as to where these were concealed, and requested to be allowed to make a search. Permission was granted, but no discovery resulted. The lady, however, stated that when her people occupied the place part of the garden was used as a burying ground by the early local Quakers. The spot has been visited by several prominent antiquaries, some of whom declared that the remains are a least 200 years old.
Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette – Friday 24th February 1899
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