Denham

MICHAEL DENHAM (d. 1859)

A merchant at Piercebridge, Denham was an industrious collector of folklore. His works include a compilation of weather sayings, Durham Bishopric rhymes, proverbs and sayings as well as The Slogans and War and Gathering Cries of the North of England . His Folklore of the North appeared in six parts, and was followed by Folklore, being a collection of local rhymes, proverbs, prophecies and slogans relating to Northumberland, Newcastle, and Berwick.

He speaks of the water-hag in the Tees, Peg Powler, who is liable to drag children down to her lair and eat them. Foaming water was said to be 'Peg Powler's suds'. The river Skerne had its own water-hag - Nanny Powler.

Myers Literary Guide:	The North-East
MICHAEL DENHAM (d. 1859) A merchant at Piercebridge, Denham was an industrious collector of folklore. His works include a compilation of weather sayings, Durham Bishopric rhymes, proverbs and sayings as well as The Slogans and War and Gathering Cries of the North of England . His Folklore of the North appeared in six parts, and was followed by Folklore, being a collection of local rhymes, proverbs, prophecies and slogans relating to Northumberland, Newcastle, and Berwick. He speaks of the water-hag in the Tees, Peg Powler, who is liable to drag children down to her lair and eat them. Foaming water was said to be 'Peg Powler's suds'. The river Skerne had its own water-hag - Nanny Powler.
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