As a result, hundreds of houses were built to house the families who flocked to the town in search of work in the mines, railways and shipyards. This is the first ‘private’ house (i.e. not built by a company or corporation for rent) built in the ‘modern’ town of Middlesbrough. It was built at number 26 West Street in St. Hilda’s. The inscription on the stone’s commemorative slab reads
“Erected by Mr George Chapman April 1830 Being the first house in the New Town of Middlesbrough upon Tees”.
The slab remained in situ above the door of the house until it was demolished in 1959 and is now on display in the Dorman Museum.
Find out more about Joseph Pease in the Teessiders theme.
Image courtest of Middlesbrough Museums Service