Bradley Hall Farm

Image: © Andrew Curtis Taken: 12 Mar 2016

The 1881 census refers to 'Bradley Home Farm'. Prior to this time the farm was known as 'Sour Mires'. The history and development of the farm, certainly in the mid to late 19th century, was linked to the ownership and occupancy of Bradley Hall Image The age of Sour Mires is unknown, but it appears to be at least 18th century in origin although there are no buildings of this age still on the site. Tyne and Wear HER(1662): Bradley, Bradley Hall Farm (Sour Mires): http://twsitelines.info/SMR/1662 The old name is shown on the 1st Edition OS map published in 1862 but changed to Bradley Farm by 1899. Sour Mires in the parish of Ryton is known to be the birthplace of Nicholas Wood (1795-1865), the son of Nicholas and Ann (née Laws) Wood. Nicholas Senior was the mining engineer at Crawcrook colliery. Nicholas Junior became an English colliery and steam locomotive engineer. He helped engineer and design many steps forward in both engineering and mining safety, and helped bring about the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, holding the position of President from its inauguration to his death. Nicholas Wood was a close associate and friend of George Stephenson who he worked with at Killingworth. One of his most important and influential works was 'A Practical Treatise on Rail-roads and Interior Communications', published in 1825. Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Wood Hetton Local History Society: http://www.hettonlocalhistory.org.uk/documents/NicholasWood.pdf Graces Guide: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Nicholas_Wood

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