The ruins of Andrews Houses nr Marley Hill, Gateshead. There’s not a lot of info on these ruins, but they’re apparently remains of a 15/16th century farmhouse. I’ve also seen the buildings were demolished to make test bores for mining purposes. Does anyone have more info?

"Andrews House was a 15th/16th century farmhouse/manor house, the ruins of which are still clearly visible. I recollect reading an article some years ago in the N&D FHS monthly magazine explaining that originally Andrews Houses did not have a fresh water supply and the inhabitants used to collect their water from Andrews House." - McTalbert, Rootschat

"In 1610 Beckley and Andrew Field were owned by William Porter of Shield Row and in 1618 he had a house at Andrew Field, with gardens and a pasture close, at which date he gave the house to his son-in-law Nicholas Blakiston in part payment of a £400 debt. His daughter Jane, wife of Nicholas, was buried at Tanfield in 1624.

It is tempting to link Andrew Field with Thomas Andrew, Yeo-man, who in 1598 was granted a messuage called Newhouse near Park Head by Henry Jackman esq. of London. Newhouse was then granted to William Clavering of Gateshead in 1627 by William Andrew of Newcastle. It seems this came to be known as North Causey. By the beginning of the 18th century the Claverings owned North Causey, part of Middle Causey with Cadger Bog (south east of Causey Hall), Andrews House, Beckley, Barcus Close, and Crook Bank.

In February 1726 an agreement was made between (1) Sir Francis Clavering of the Whitehouse near Winlaton, the lessor, and (2) the Grand Allies partnership, the lessees. The lessor grants liberty to the lessees to work the coal seams in his estates at Beckley, Andrews House, and Byermoor. Also way-leave over the land, to make wagonways not more than 15yds wide, except where they have to cross denes or hollows. Also to erect buildings for Collieries and workmens houses, to cut water courses, obtain stone and gravel in pursuance of winning coals. Term to last 11yrs £500 to be paid in equal portions on May day (the feast of St Philip and St Jacob), Lammas day 1st August, Martinmas day 11th November, and Candlemas day 2nd February.

Also for the first 2yrs to pay £3,000 for the right to work 2,000 tens of coals annually (a ten being 22 wagons, a wagon carrying 19 bolls, and a boll consisting of 36 gallons Win-chester measure, ie. a Ten was measured by volume). After the first 2yrs the annual rent will be £2,250 to work 1,500 tens of coal. This is for Beckley and Andrews House while at Byermoor there is an annual rental of £150 to be paid on May day to work and carry away 300 tens of coals. The money due is to be paid either at the Whitehouse or at the house of Sir Francis' agent, Ralph Featherstone, in Newcastle.

The lessees had the right to make up short working during the term. Sir Francis or his agent was to have access to the Staithman and Overmans books of presentments and leadings so as to check the amount of coal worked and led away, and the measurements of wains and wagons. Sir Francis could send a Viewer down the pit to check that it was being worked in "a proper manner".

The Claverings had already been mining at Beckley before the allies took over but on a much smaller scale of what was to follow during the next 30yrs. The water pumping engines draining the Beckley mines were at Bob Gins. Anthony Leaton, the agent at Gibside, John Barnes, Colliery Viewer, and Joseph Laybourn inspected the Beckley mines and pumping engines in November 1726 on behalf of the Grand Allies."

Note - There is competing and contrasting info on Andrews House thanks to the similarly named 'Andrews Houses' closer to Sunniside. I have added all references available which align to this settlement above.