I’m not sure whether this large building with it’s elegant arrangements of both bowed and venetian windows, situated on the approach to Yarm Bridge, was a Hotel, or the house of a local Doctor, but it bears the brass plaque showing ‘Night Bell’ on the pilasters to the front entrance.
Photograph and details courtesy of Chris Bailey.
This was the home and practice of Dr Griffiths. His son-in-law also had his practice there. The garden looked out over the River Tees and my family and I spent many a lovely afternoon with Dr and Mrs. Griffiths having tea in their beautiful garden.
The house was originally built by Benjamin Flounders. He died in 1846, bequeathing it to his housekeeper, Mary McClough. She married my 5th great uncle, Crossley Dale and was sold after his death in 1888. They had no children.
Bridge House belonged to Dr Griffiths (Thomas Leslie) until it was sold and divided into flats.
I don’t know when he and his family moved in, but Dr Griffiths was my grandfather- I remember as a small child staying in the house.
Your Grandfather was a lovely man and an amazing doctor
The house belonged to Doctor Griffiths in the 40’s and some of the 50’s. My Mother was a cleaner there. She used to take me with her and I played in the garden with the housekeeper’s son. I also played with Dr Griffith’s daughter Marian, who was a few years older than me. I remember Doctor Frazer I used to think him very handsome. I also remember Dr Griffiths son, I think it was Christopher, a young man at the time. He was not nice to me. Dr Griffiths used to have his surgery in the main house when I was there, I never remember it being at that bit on the side. That part was a bit of a shambles at that time and we walked through a door there to get into the kitchen of the house.
Is it not the house which belonged to Benjamin Flounders, who is named on the plaque on the town hall as one of the pioneers of the Stockton to Darlington railway?
The house in question is Bridge House. It was owned by Doctor Griffiths and part of house to the left was his surgery it was sold on to Graham Lyle and re sold to the present owner
This house belonged to John Clapham who was a rope merchant then it was sold and Dr Frazer who was married to Dr Griffiths eldest daughter, it was then sold for £3200 to Merritt and co for £4200 and is still in their hands.
This is Bridge House not Dr Frazers, that was called Manor House in the middle of the High Street which belongs to Merrit and Co Solicitors