887 baptisms on the Crook Primitive Methodist Circuit, 1850-1865, serving residents of Billy Row, Bishop Auckland, Bitchburn, Bowden Close & Colliery, Brancepeth, Byers Green, Crook, Dans Castle, Grahamsley, Hedley Hope, Helmington Row, Hunwick, Mouth Pleasant, Newfield, North Bedburn, Quarryburn, Roddymoor, Rumby Hill, Sunnyside, Sunnybrow, Tow Law, Waterhouses, Wheat Bottom, White Lee, Willington, Witton le Wear, Witton Park, and Wolsingham. Some samples:

• 25 Dec 1856 Margaret Boddy, of Crook, child of Ralph Boddy (grocer) & Ann
• 7 Sep 1852 Thomas Dargue Holliday, of Roddymoor, child of George Holliday (miner) & Jane

Combined with the Tow Law Methodist baptisms that just went online, we can follow 2 generations of Methodist families - witness the following baptisms at the Tow Law Methodist chapel, presumably belonging to the uniquely-named Thomas Dargue Holliday who was baptized (above) on the Crook Primitive Methodist Circuit in 1852:

• 24 May 1878 Mary Jane Holliday, of Tow Law, born 16 Apr 1878, child of Thomas Dargue Holliday & Annie
• 8 Jul 1880 George Frederick Smith Holliday, of Tow Law, born 13 Jun 1880, child of Thomas Dag [Thomas Dargue] Holliday & Annie

7,179 burials at Sunderland Cemetery (Stockton Rd, Grangetown) for 1865-1874. Most burial records link the deceased to a parent, spouse, or occupation. Examples:

• 3 Jan 1865 Ellen Gilfoyle, of 6 Hat Case, age: 22, wife of John Gilfoyle (labourer)
• 10 Jan 1865 Nathan Close, of 8 Hat Case, age: 22 months, son of Nathan Close (blacksmith)
• 19 Jul 1866 Emil August Muller, age: 32, Captain of the Prussian barque ‘Amanda’, died of Cholera.
  [Note: This is the first mention in this register of this dreaded disease which was then transmitted to the town of Sunderland.]

The cholera outbreak of 1866 is considered the last major cholera outbreak in Britain. This register shows 39 deaths from the dreaded disease between July and the end of October.

395 baptisms at Tow Law Wesleyan Methodist chapel from Sept 1875 to the end of 1885. This chapel served Methodists in Tow Law, Frosterley, Hedleyhope, Hedley Hill, Saltersgate, Stanley, Crook, Sunnyside, and Thornley. Most baptisms give the child’s birthdate. For example:

• 22 Dec 1881 John Richard Batten, of Helm Park Terrace, Tow Law, born 19 Nov 1881, child of William Batten & Treaza [Theresa]
• 11 Sep 1882 Margaret Simpson, of Digens House Farm, Crook, born 15 Aug 1882, child of Thomas Simpson & Margaret