Location 12: Town Moor

 

TO BE SOLD. The substantial, well-built freehold house situate on the Moor, Sunderland, lately in the occupation of Mr. C. Sharp, containing a dining room, Drawing room, Bedchambers & etc. Stabling, Out Offices and every way calculated for the residence of a gentleman’s family. Further particulars may be had of Mr. Robert Davison, Sunderland, or Mr. C. Sharp, 29, Villiers Street, Strand, London. TUESDAY 24th JANUARY 1809.

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Sunderland Town Moor was a large wild moor which reputedly had three ponds and several streams which could be crossed by simple footbridges. As they ran down to the sea, the larger streams had formed cuttings and ravines in the clay subsoil. Amongst these streams and cuttings, a well had formed sometime in the past which was being used for drinking and bathing. It had acquired the name ‘The Spaw’ (spa well). The building of Holy Trinity, the parish church and burial grounds adjacent to the moor in 1719, saw a drive to oversee and maintain the moor properly to which end ‘grassmen’ were appointed. Hedges, bridges and fences were checked - many were removed and ‘The Spaw’ was enhanced with stone steps and a brick arch facing the sea and a new name, the Town Moor. In the early part of the 18th century, horse racing was held frequently on the Town Moor. Large numbers of people gathered to witness the sport. The last meeting was held September 19th and 20th in 1732 when good sums of money were awarded to winning owners. This open ground also provided for other events including bowling, fairs, religious and political meetings, informal social gatherings as well as the everyday activities like drying nets and clothes. In the 17th and 18th centuries, local people also used the town moor for bull, badger and bear baiting. The government banned the activity in 1835. East-Enders lived life to the full, packed into overcrowded slums. They took their pleasure enjoying the fairs, races, boxing, bear-baiting and cock-fighting on the town moor. Shrove Tuesday football was played on the town moor. Two teams would fight for possession of a stuffed ball. In 1667 one such game resulted in the death of Richard Watson. It was a dangerous place for a stranger