Place

Type: Officers Quarters

Maureen Terrace was built as part of the urban expansion plan within Seaham – the entire street was progressively erected between 1906 and 1913. It was situated on the outskirts of the urban core of Seaham, with St. John’s Vicarage (occupied by Rev. James Colling in 1911), Victoria Street and a school immediately close by. It was a mostly self-contained neighbourhood surrounded by public fields.

The plans for 24 and 25 Maureen Terrace were drawn up in 1911 by a Mr WW Jackson. Construction was likely completed in 1912 as the houses’ first occupants, Henry Thomas Owen Shilling and his family, had moved into 24 Maureen Terrace by 1913. William Watson Jackson and his family had moved into 25 Maureen Terrace by 1914.

During the First World War, 25 Maureen Terrace was used as officers’ quarters when the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry were stationed in Seaham. However, its visibility on records is low – most likely due to it being lumped into the Victoria Street (Victoria Terrace) Billets, which was immediately adjacent to Maureen Terrace. The nearby playing field was often utilized for the troops’ games and training.

During this time, Henry Shilling continued living in 24 Maureen Terrace while John and Joseph William Hall lived in 26 Maureen Terrace. The surrounding landscape was also being utilized under the Cultivation of Unoccupied Lands Order – at least 5 allotments were set up on the west end of Maureen Terrace by the Urban District Council in 1917.

By the end of the First World War, Maureen Terrace had become a fully-fledged neighbourhood with at least 32 houses. 25 Maureen Terrace was occupied by Frederick William Armstrong and Florence Louisa Armstrong.

25 Maureen Terrace still stands today, although most likely not the original structure from 1910s.

Cited Sources:
UD/Sea 64
Urban District Council Records of Seaham Harbour (1916-1920)

CC/Cl 1/226 M67/154
1919 October
Seaham
(Seaham and Dawdon)

CC/CI 1/152 M67/120
1911 January
South Eastern Division
(Dawdon)

CC/C1 1/168 M67/129-130
1913 January
South Eastern Division
(Dawdon)

CC/C1 1/176 M67/134-135
1914 January
South Eastern Division
(Dawdon)

CC/C1 1/184 M67/139-140
1915 January
South Eastern Division
(Dawdon)

Keys to the Past
http://www.keystothepast.info/article/10339/Site-Details?PRN=D47193

Plans and Images:
D/Lo Acc 1251 (D) Plans 166
Plan of two houses proposed to be erected in Maureen Terrace, Seaham Harbour, by W.W. Jackson, 6 March 1911

D/Lo Acc 1251 (D) Plans 167
Ground plan of two houses proposed to be built in Maureen Terrace by W.W. Jackson, 6 March 1911

Civil Parish: Dawdon

Contributed by Tullia Fraser | Durham County Council Archaeology Section