Bessie Surtees House, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
The main facade of 41-44 Sandhill with a horse-drawn cart and a hand cart in the street. At the time the photograph was taken these were the premises of James D Hedley, shopkeeper, J & E S Edminson, wine & spirit merchants and G Edminson, corn dealers. The building was originally 2 separate houses. Milbank House (number 44 Sandhill) was originally a 16th century timber framed building. The actual Surtees House (41 Sandhill) is mainly 17th century. The two were joined together in the 1930s by Lord Gort. The house is famous as the house from which Bessie Surtees, a merchant's daughter, eloped in 1772 with John Scott. He became Lord Eldon, Chancellor of England. It is in the care of English Heritage and part of the building is open to the public (2011).
