As mentioned briefly in the "Possible origins of Colson surname" article on page 2, Jesmond is believed by some to be home to the earliest example of a Colson surname, Ælstan Colsune in 1090. Jesmond lies near to Newcastle in the Northumberland region. In 1727, William Coulson, esquire, of Jesmond married Jane Blenkinsopp, the sole heiress to the Blenkinsopps estates. William Coulson later sold the Jesmond Manor House to John Anderson in 1808. It is presumed that he did so to fund improvements he made at Blenkinsopp Hall near Greenhead just west of Haltwhistle near the Cumberland-Notherumberland County line. It is said that William Coulson rebuilt Jesmond Manor House in 1720 on the site of Nicholas Grenville's 12th centry home. The Grenvilles were a noble family in Northumberland. They knew the Blenkinsopps and apparently served in high government positions with them, primarily as County sheriffs in northern England. A sheriff position was more akin to what we understand to be a governor today. We have evidence of Blenkinsopps serving as the sheriff of Westmoreland and Northumberland.
     Although there is archaeological evidence for prehistoric human activity in Jesmond through the discovery of flint artifacts and bronze age cist burials in the garden of Crag Hall (1844) and Villa Reale (1828), the first documentary reference to the village of Jesmond dates from the late 12th century and refers to Jesmond as a member of the barony of Ellingham. The shape of the village cannot be deduced from historic maps, but it is assumed that the site of the original village was south of St. Mary's Chapel, and aligned along the Grove, where two stretches of stone wall survive on the south side. St. Mary's Chapel in Jesmond Dene is first recorded in 1272 and was a place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages, until dissolved in 1548.
     Up to the end of the 18th century, however, a part of the ruins was known as the Hospital, having been the hospice of the pilgrims. Lord Armstrong gave the ruins to the City in 1883. The nearby St. Marys Well was once thought to be medieval in origin, but has recently been shown to be relatively modern. Jesmond Manor House was rebuilt by William Coulson in 1720 on the site of Nicholas Grenville's 12th century house and lay just north of where the present Manor House Road joins Grosvenor Road until demolished in 1929.
     Another early residence, the 17th century Stote's Hall, lay on the east side of Jesmond Dene Road, and was rebuilt in the early 17th century, but demolished in the mid-20th century. Medieval documents record the existence of a mill at Jesmond in 1272. This was almost certainly on the Ouseburn and may have occupied the site of one of the later mills on that stream. Later mills include Jesmond Old Mill, a water corn mill in existence by 1739, Jesmond Vale Mill, originally a flint mill (and site of the first standing engine made by George Stephenson after he commenced business for himself), but converted to grind flour in the 1880s, and Busy Cottage Corn Mill, on the site now occupied by Millfield House, a corn mill with a forge, converted from former ironworks buildings by 1855.
     Although coalmining was carried out there–records show that Jesmond Colliery was open by 1727–Jesmond developed in the industrial age primarily as a residential, rather than industrial district. This status was consolidated by the opening of the Armstrong and Heaton Parks, established in the mid-19th century up to 1894, which straddle the Ouseburn and occupy around 18 hectares. Also at this time Jesmond acquired a railway station, built in 1864, as well as improved road connections, including the Armstrong Bridge, opened in 1878. Jesmond Dene House was used as a Home Guard HQ during WW2 and various modified tunnels and a pillbox survives there.

     Excerpts of the History of Northumberland: Haltwhistle, published by Reverand John Hodgson in 1841 (pages 128-133):

    Township of Blenkinsop.–Camden says, from Thirlwall "I saw Blenkinsop, situate in a pleasant tract to the south, and which gives name and residence to a famous family, and was formerly a part of the barony of Nicholas de Boltby." The old family residence stood on the right bank of the hope or valley of Glenshelt, near Thirlwall castle, and from thence passes through luxuriant meadows, walled-in on each side with green and bosky banks of great beauty, till it mingles its waters with the South Tyne opposite to Bellister castle. The boundaries of the township and manor are commensurate, as described in a subjoined note, and include about...acres. Till the year 1818, the turnpike road from Haltwhistle took a very hilly route to join the military way, about a quarter of a mile east of Glenwhelt; but in that year was carried the whole way, in a new and level line, along the right bank of the Tipalt; and at present the Carlisle railway is forming parallel to it.
    Blenkinsop Castle. Camden spoke with great accuracy when he said the residence of the Blenkinsop's stood "in a pleasant tract." The ruins of this castle form a venerable pile of grey and massive walls, which date their origins from the year 1339, when "Thomas de Blencansopp" had a license to fortify his mansion on the borders of Scotland. It occurs as the residence of John de Blenkinsope in the list of Border Castles about the year 1416; and, in 1488, its proprietor of the same name and his son Gerrard committed the custody of it to Henry Percry, earl of Northumberland, who at that time was warden of the West and Middle Marches, and no doubt thought this a desirable situation for a garrison on the Borders. In 1542, it is described as a Tower of the inheritance of John Blenkensope, decayed the roof and not in good reparations. When it was finally deserted as a residence, by its owners, I have seen no account; probably they left it when they let it to the lord warden Percy, and then took up their residence at Bellister, from which to this castle there is a clear view up the valley of the Tipalt. Wallis, prior to 1769, found "the west and north-west side of it protected by a very high cespititious wall and a deep foss--a vault going through it, north and south 33 [actuall 53] feet in length, and in breadth 18 1/2 feet; two lesser ones on the north side. The facing on the western wall has ben down beyond the memory of any person now living." Hutchinson says, it has been "surrounded by an owtward wall at the distance of only four paces, of equal height with the interior of the building," and adds, that "the out wall towards the west has been removed of late years, and lays the tower open on that side." Part of it continued to be tenanted by labouring people till a new dwelling-house, in the castellated style, was attached to its south front seven years since, and which is now used as the residence for the agent of the adjoining colliery.
    Blenkinsopp-Hall, then called Dryburnhaugh, was the residence of John Blenkinsop, esquire, in 1663, and of Thomas Blenkensop, esquire, in 1712; and had probably been so of his progenitors for some generations before. It was a border fortalice; and, in later years, has had large additions made to it by Colonel Coulson, it present proprietor. Seated on rich ground, at the opening of a woody glen, while it seems to be saying "in nemus ire juvet," it smiles sweetly on the eye of day, and stretches out its towered walls and long-extant of front, to the noon-tide sun. The entrance-hall and dining-room occupy the ground floor of the centre of the front; and the library of its west, and the drawing-room of its east tower, the latter of which was built in 1835, and measures 36 1/2 feet by 21.