Cornhill 1700-1900
Estimates of population may be made from the parish registers after 1700. Steady growth continued, to about 340 in 1710-30 and 400 in 1750-70. Growth then accelerated notably, to 500 in 1780 and 650 in 1790. The first Census of 1801 gives a total of 668, representing a 100% increase during the 18th century. Before 1750 growth seems to have been by natural increase, but after that there was substantial inward migration. The medieval open fields were enclosed: Tillmouth and Heaton by their single owners, Cornhill by agreement between the Collingwood and Blake families in 1751. This paved the way for the introduction more efficient farming, of both crops and livestock. In a pre-mechanised era this meant increased demand for labour. The medieval villages of Tillmouth and Heaton were replaced by new outlying farms, with farm steadings for labourers, and several such farms were built in and around Cornhill. Labour was hired annually. The labourers or hinds were provided with accommodation, and obliged to provide a female worker, or bondager, to work on the land. The latter might be a wife or daughter, but could be unrelated and lodged with the family. This system persisted into the 20th century, as mechanisation did not replace manual labour and horse power until after 1918.

Although never a formal market centre, Cornhill developed as a livestock market in the late-19th century. In 1879, the annual fair was held on 6 December, while a lamb and wool fair had been “recently established” during the first week of July.

Transport also improved after 1750. Hitherto, the Tweed had been crossed by several fords, the main one west of Cornhill House. There was a ferry in 1751 just west of the later bridge. The road from Morpeth was improved by 1763, with turnpikes at which tolls were collected. A new road was built north of Cornhill village to the bridge at Coldstream designed by John Smeaton and built 1762-7. A fine 15-16th century stone bridge survives at Twizel.

The 18th century pattern of a single village with several smaller settlement clusters persists, although large numbers of 18th/19th century dwellings have disappeared with the dramatic fall in population since 1851. Many of the survivors have been combined. A ribbon of settlement grew up along the Berwick road from c.1800, known as New Harperridge and Donaldson’s Lodge. At its peak, this housed about 200 people, but has since shrunk to around 50.

Medieval Cornhill	Cornhill 1700 - 1900 cont'd