Robert Mitford "of Seghill." Of Corpus Christi College, Oxon. Matriculated 10 June 1664, aged 18. Admitted to Grays Inn 21 May 1664. Sold the Manor of Heaton 27 April 1692 to Nicholas Ridley of Newcastle. Will dated 17 March 1711/2, proved 1714.

The Fawcett Index lists him as "Robert Mutford of Sasmill/Sashill/Saswill"

Robert made considerable additions to Seghill tower in 1673. Fragments of walling dating from this period may be seen...

Earsdon, a parish comprising the townships of Backworth, Blyth and Newsham, Burradon, Earsdon, Hartley, Holywell, Seaton Delaval, and Sighill, is bounded on the north by Bedlingtonshire, on the west by Long Benton, Cramlington, and
Horton, on the south by Tynemouth, and on the east by the German Ocean. It is a rich and fertile district abounding with excellent stone and coal, of which great quantities are annually exported from Blyth and Hartley. The surface of
the parish consists of gentle undulations, and is well suited for various kinds of agricultural produce It is about seven and a half miles in length by six in breadth, and comprises an area of 11,646 acres. The population in 1801, was
3,651; in 1811, 4,388; in 1821, 4,644; in 1831, 6,460; in 1811, 9,429; and in 185l, it had increased to 10,982 souls.
[From History, Topography, and Directory of Northumberland, Whellan, 1855]

Robert’s will reads:
In the name of God Amen I Robert Midford of Sighill in the County of Northumberland Esq. being weak in body through Infirmityes attending old age but of sound and perfect memory and Understanding (Praised be God) doo hereby make and Ordaine my last Will and testament in manner and forme ffollowing (that is to say) ffirst and principally I comend my Soul unto Almighty God hopeing for Salvation by the meritts of Christ my Saviour And I appoint that my body Shall be buryed within the Chapple of Earsdon among my Ancestors after Such manner as to my Executors hereafter named shall seem fitt and decent And as to my personall Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me I give and dispose of the Same as ffollowith Inprimis I give and bequeath unto my loveing wife Christian Midford All and every my Charriott and ffive Coach Mares plate linnen and household Goods of what nature kind or quality soever And I give and bequeath unto my daughters Dorothy Midford Mary Midford and Barbara Midford to each and every of them the sume of One hundred pounds of lawfull money to be paid to them respectively within twelve months next after my death And as to all other my Goods chattles Stacks of corne or hay Stock of cattle Sheep Wool Implements of husbandry ready money bonds bills [?] for years and all other my Goods and Chattles moveable and unmoveable reall and personall after my just debts ffunerall and legacyes or bequests abovementioned [ff..?] paid and discharged I Give and bequeath the same unto my said wife Christian Midford and unto my youngest sonne Christopher Midford whom I make and ordaine full and joynt Executors of this my Will and unto their Executors Adms. and Assignes And I alsoe Give and bequeath unto George Midford of the Towne and County of Newcastle upon Tyne Barber Chyrurgion the sume of ffive pounds for a token In Wittness whereof I have to this and to another part of the same date [?] and Effect sett my hand and seal this Seaventeenth day of March in the Eleventh year of the reigne of our Soveraigne Lady Anne by the grace of God of Great Brittaine ffrance and Ireland Queen Defender of the ffaith Anno Dom. 1711
Robt. Midford
Signed Sealed Published and Declared to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us
[?] Greene[?]
Chas. Clarke
John Richardson

The Church of St. Nicholas, an ancient and beautiful edifice, situated in the parish to which it gives its name, was founded in the year 1091, by Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, Earl of Dorset, a follower of William the Conqueror. ... The original church was burnt down in 1216, and rebuilt in 1359, since which period it has been frequently repaired and beautified: it is now a magnificent
structure, situated on the crown of a bold eminence, which rises abruptly from the river nearly to the centre of the town. ... The steeple of this church is a very ingenious specimen of architecture. It is sixty-four yards high, and consists of 13 pinnacles, and two bold stone arches supporting a large and beautiful lantern, crowned with a tall spire.
[From History, Directory, and Gazetteer, of the Counties of Durham and Northumberland, Parson, William and White William. Newcastle 1827.]