Journal entry – John Grey – 18 Jul 1834

Friday 18th July 1834



Being kept indoors by a rainy morning which is most acceptable to the Country, I take the opportunity of forwarding to the Board the resignation of Leases, or as they should more properly be, permissions for leave to relinquish Farms, at May day next from the following Parties.



Thomas & William Brewis of Hartburngrainge West Farm.  These are respectable Tenants & little fault is to be found with their management, but the Land is generally cold & poor in quality, leaving little return for cultivation, at the present prices of Grain, while it is unfortunately not very safe for Sheep Pasture, being subject to rot in moist seasons. The Farm is too high rented.  



Thomas & Wm Davison of Hartburngrainge South Farm.  The description given of the West Farm & its Tenants, above, will apply also to this. There is Land of rather better quality in this Farm than in the other, but I believe it is equally high rented.  Davison is virtually released from his Agreement already, having the Board’s promise to be allowed to pay for this year, according to the letting of the next.  



Messrs Pratt- Newtonhall.  This is an industrious Man & I have rather a good opinion of the Farm, which is well situated, but he complains that he has lost so much by farming it at the present rent, that he cannot continue it any longer without the total sacrifice of his capital.  



Messrs Todd of Rawgreen.  The Tenant of this Farm died some months ago leaving several Sons, who are desirous to continue in the Farm, if they can have it at such a rent as it will afford.  It is a poor place in Hexhamshire adjoining Turfhouse which was let at a considerable reduction last year. 



Mr Scott of Thornbrough Town Farm.  I have felt disappointment at this application from Mr Scott because I entertain a good opinion of both his Farm & management, & although the prices of Grain for the last two years have been very discouraging, yet he is not so entirely dependant upon Grain as those who keep no Sheep.  He was accepted as the Tenant of the adjoining Farm of Highbarns too last year, by my recommendation at a lower rent than was offered for it, partly with a view to relieve him in this, both in respect of Rent & the advantage & economy of working the two together, the one consisting chiefly of Wheat and the other of Turnip Soil, which we do not require to be cultivated at the same season.  I had also another object in laying them together, which was to save the expense of a new boundary fence between them, which besides being useless, is in a wrong situation &c & should include some Land now belonging to the Town Farm in that of Highbarns, in case of their being again let separately.  To accept Mr Scotts resignation of the one Farm without the other, would defeat this object, & I should recommend to the Board, to require Mr Scott either to hold both, or to resign both, as they may see proper.  



Mr Lee of Land Ends.    Mr Lee is one of the fortunate men who had a share in the Hudgill Burn Mine, in its golden days, and is still of the party.  He was induced I believe to take this Farm, by the good & pleasantly situated House & its convenient distance from the School at Haydon Bridge.  On these accounts it is likely to command a high rent at any time, and the acceptance of Mr Lees resignation will be seen to be more of an act of justice than necessity.  



Mr Errington - Lipwood.    Errington is an old Man, possessed of a small Estate, which he says, he must lose if he continues his Farm at the present Rent, but having Sons to manage it, would like to take it again on reduced terms.   It is a nice little Farm adjoining the Tyne above Haydon Bridge with a considerable Allotment of Common, at rather an inconvenient distance, & will command offers enough on good terms. 



These are all I have yet received, & from what I hear, there is no reason to apprehend want of employment in viewing & valuing Farms, during the Autumn Months.  





Saturday 19th July



A day of incessant rain, of which the Farmers will now be complaining that they have too much, the Crops however in this neighbourhood are not so heavy as to be lodged by it.



Nothing to be done today, but to write Letters & work up Office Work.