Nafferton

NAFFERTON, a township, in the parish of Ovingham, union of Hexham, E. division of Tindale ward, S. division of Northumberland, 9 miles (E.) from Hexham; containing 35 inhabitants. The township comprises 773 acres: coal is obtained within its limits. The hamlet is situated in a pleasant vale, about two miles north-west from the village of Ovingham. The impropriate tithes have been commuted for £8. At the north-west end of Whittle-bridge, on the Newcastle and Corbridge road, are vestiges of a castle built in the reign of Henry III. There are many legends respecting it: a celebrated freebooter named Long Lonkin is said to have entered the castle in the absence of the owner, and to have murdered his wife, and buried her in a deep hole in the stream beneath.