This mill is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1857, with adjoining smithy and office.

Monkwearmouth Works (Iron) is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1857. On the map, the works are shown subdivided into a Rolling Mill, boilers, workshop, office and storehouse, and the main building has five chimneys. In the northern courtyard there is a weighing machine. A public house called the Rolling Mill Tavern is shown next to the complex. By 1898, the Iron Works had gone and the whole complex is marked as saw mills. Archaeologicla work carried out in November 2002 during redevelopment of the site revealed a stone and brick retaining wall and an industrial chimney constructed of large rectangular dressed blocks, measuring 2 metres in width and 6 metres high. The chimney rests on a stepped plinth of sandstone blocks and has an arched opening, 1.16 metres wide and 1.5 metres high. The chimney was lined with blackened firebricks and presumably served the building containing the boilers. Malting Cottages, with their decorative brickwork, are the converted office and workshop buildings of the iron works

These 3 houses of one storey and an attic, now one residence, were built in the late 18th century/early 19th century in two phases. The earlier build is of sandstone rubble with quoins; the later build (at left) is of coursed squared sandstone with quoins; pantiled roofs with rendered chimneys. A Sundial dated 1816 is set at a slight angle above the door and a memorial tablet to George Stephenson, who lived here between 1803-15 and is said to have made the sundial. Stephenson built his first locomotive (Blucher) at the adjacent colliery wagon shops and on July 25th 1814, according to the inscription, it was placed on the nearby wagonway. LISTED GRADE 2* A watching brief in 2002 during the conversion of the cottage into a school caretakers house revealed that below extensive redecoration, the core of the original building fabric survives.

By the middle of the 19th century the easterly part of the Rector's Field was occupied by the tracks and sidings of the Coal, Coke and Lime depot and the inclined tubway. The incline ran north from the raised Oakwellgate station, under what by 1898 was called Abbot's Road, and descended the escarpment bridging across South Shore Road to terminate at the Brandling Railway Staith. A sandstone bridge abutment for this incline survives on the south side of South Shore Road at the junction of Bank Road.

A possible mine shaft is visible at this location on Oliver’s map of 1830.

The traditional explanation of the street name 'Oakwellgate' is that given by the antiquarian author, Brand, who wrote: "there had been anciently a well, with an oak hanging over it" (Brand 1789, 482). A stone-lined well 5 feet 9 inches in diameter and 20 feet deep was found to the south-east of the old rectory in 1921. From the brief description the well cannot be dated, but was probably a domestic supply for the rectory.

Between 1802 and 1827 a bank of two lime kilns was constructed against the escarpment immediately west of Abbot's Stairs. The kilns were probably operated by William Hymers & Co, the only lime burners in Gateshead at that time. A public house called the Lime Kiln Inn, presumably catering for thirsty limeburners, was established on the west side of Abbot's Stairs by 1858. The kilns had disappeared (or been buried) by the end of the 19th century.

By the late 17th century there were two staiths in this part of Gateshead. Rock Staith, and some 70 metres to the east, Dock Staith. The space between the two was possibly the wet dock referred to in a lease document of 1705. These were collectively known as 'the Bishopps Staiths', suggesting that they originated when the Bishops of Durham controlled the Manor of Gateshead. By 1835 the former Dock Staith accomodated the Kibblesworth Coal Staith, Hawk's Anchor Works and Abbot Quay. Shortly before WW2, Joseph Rank Ltd established the Baltic Flour Mills on the site of both Rock and Dock Staiths.

By the late 17th century there were two staiths in this part of Gateshead. Rock Staith belonged to the Liddell Partnership in 1687 and served their Bensham mines. It occupied the site of the present Tyne Bridge. A lease of fields in 1691 to Thomas Grayson of 'Gateside Rocksteath, yeoman' suggests that there was permanent occupation at the staith, and cottages are marked there on a 19th century plan. Together with Dock Staith some 70 metres east, these were collectively known as 'the Bishopps Staiths' suggesting that they originated when the Bishops of Durham controlled the Manor of Gateshead. By 18th century 40 part of the buildings on the site of Rock Staith were used as a warehouse for iron merchants Cargill, Mounsey and Co., with a quay and bond yard to the east. Shortly before the Second World War Joseph Rank Ltd established the baltic Flour Mills occupying the site of both the Rock and Dock Staiths.

In 1838 the Brandling Junction Railway Company obtained permission from the Corporation to erect a quay at the east end of Hillgate, which was in place by 1844. This was the terminus of the inclined tubway from Oakwellgate Station goods depot, and included a timber drop for transferring coal and lime to shipping. By 1864 the Brandling Junction Quay had become the North-East Railway Wharf. By 1940 it was cleared of buildings, and rebuilt as a General Post Office sorting office by 1985.