The History of Newcastle the Ancient and the Present State of the Town

Author Henry Bourne, originally published 1736

An online book available free from Google Books

Editors Review

"The History of Newcastle upon Tyne," is a thin folio volume, which was published by subscription three years after Bourne's death for the benefit of his young children, Henry and Eleanor.  This work, he complains, was compiled in the midst of "malice, ill-nature," and "disappointments;" unpleasantries which, perhaps, all local historians are doomed to experience.  He, however, executed this arduous undertaking with unwearied and successful industry; and his book formed an excellent ground-work for the more enlarged superstructure of his successor, Brand.  It being a posthumous work, "both apologises and accounts for the various contradictions with which it abounds." After a very lingering illness, he died February 16, 1733, when in the very prime of life.  Henry Bourne was Curate of All Saint's Parish Church in Newcastle upon Tyne.  The book has no index.