A probable merchant's hoard of bronze implements consisting of fifteen axes; four spearheads; three sword blades; and three armlets (1) was found on May 14th 1879 (2) on Prior Hall Farm in the banks of a stream which runs through Middleton Moss, underneath Middleton Hill (NZ 039852). Now in Wallington Hall. (1)(2)

Found in area centred NZ 037854 by Mr Hedley's father, then farming Prior Hall, in what is now known as 'Bogs Field'. The hoard is displayed at Wallington Hall: eight of the axes are palstaves, the remainder socketed, and one of the spearheads has debased side loops. The swords are of short rapier type. The three armlets are plain circular in section, with overlapping ends. (3)

Type hoard of Wallington phase probably 8th century. Group 4, Lisburn, dirks, transitional palstaves, socketed axes, penannular armlets, spearheads. In Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle. (4)

Hoard: dirk or rapier 180mm long, 29mm wide; rapier 303mm long, 41mm wide. Associated with eight looped transitional palstaves, seven socketed axes, three penannular armlets, protected opening spearhead, two blade fragments of leaf-shaped spearheads, fragment of basal-looped spearhead sockets. In Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle, from Trevelyan Collection at Wallington Hall. (5)