Northumberland County Council has acquired historic records at auction, shedding light on Morpeth’s past and its tradesmen’s lives
Morpeth: Some fascinating historic records just got picked up by Northumberland County Council at an auction. These volumes tell the story of the town and its growth over the centuries.
There are ten volumes in total, with the first one dating back to 1608. It covers the time of James I, the first Stewart Monarch of England. These records detail the activities of the “Company of Merchants and Tailors of Morpeth” all the way into the early 20th century.
This company was one of seven craft guilds in Morpeth, helping to manage trades and support their members and families. The auction price was £1,800, mostly funded by a grant from the Friends of the Nation’s Libraries to Northumberland Archives.
Jeff Watson, a councillor and cabinet member for culture, heritage, and libraries, mentioned how these handwritten records offer a peek into the lives of everyday tradesmen. He pointed out that guild members acted like an unelected council, making key decisions about the town’s development.
These volumes are a treasure for family and community historians. They include details about apprenticeships, payments to widows, and even funeral costs, all of which shaped Morpeth’s growth. It’s great to know these old documents are safe for future generations.
As for when these volumes will be on display, that’s still up in the air. But if you’re curious, you can check out records from four other guilds for free at Woodhorn, Queen Elizabeth II Country Park in Ashington, no appointment needed.
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