Journal entry – John Grey – 10 Oct 1834

Friday 10th October



      After attending to various transactions in the Office, & writing several Letters, I rode to Whittle & made a valuation of the Farm. There are upon this farm a few Acres, perhaps 5 or 6 in all, of Land which is scarsely of any value to the occupier, having been the workings of Quarries in former times, or banks too steep & stoney to be cultivated.  In Hartburngrainge there is still more of no use at all, which were the Estates mine, I would plant at once, especially where it can be done at little cost for fences.  Should the Board be inclined to plant such parcels of waste Land, I should be glad to have their authority for reserving the right of appropriating them at any time during the Leases, without any demand being made for them by the Tenants.

      I have received Messrs Parker & Crawhalls award of the average price of Lead for the bygone quarter, ending the 30th Ultimo, which £17.12.6 & am informed by the Clerk of Deliveries that he has weighed over 3740 Bings & 6 Cwts of Ore, from which he has received in Duty for the Hospital 597 Bings 6 13/42 Cwts.

      I received today from Major Johnson a Sketch & estimate for the alteration of the Road by the side of the Quarry, which I requested his Clerk to make for me.  I see no other way than this of obtaining the Stone that is wanted, except by leaving the present road & breaking up a Quarry in the field to the South of it, which would incur a greater expense, by the waste of land; but it may perhaps be got done for less than £33, as estimated. He has sent me likewise as I desired a statement of what he considers his claims against the Hospital for certain sums awarded to Pringle, which he has paid, that I might obtain the Boards direction respecting them.  The Hospital having always taken upon itself the expense of the old Water Level, it seems right that they should also pay the damage done in repairing it, which amounts in this instance to £15.6.6 and an annual payment of 6s/6d. The sum of £123.12.0 for severance of Fields & inconvenience sustained in consequence, with an annual payment of £21.5.0.  I understand him to claim on the ground that by the custom in Colliery districts. Such damage is borne by the Lessors & that on entering into a Bond for a settlement for all matters in dispute, he had Mr Hoopers promise that he should not be called upon to pay a Shilling more than the custom of the Tyne & the Wear would require him to pay.  This sentiment, I certainly heard Mr Hooper repeat, when Johnson objected to execute the Bond, in the manner it was prepared, at Berwick, but whether the custom which prevails in the Coal country would exempt him from such payment, or not, I am not able to say.  I should be glad however that the matter were settled & set at rest, that our account with Johnson might be closed.