Journal entry – John Grey – 9 Sep 1834

Tuesday 9th September 1834



I heard today from Mr Johnson that the Directors of the Rail Way were desirous to adopt the line at Allerwash which would interfere with the Mill, and desiring first to know when compensation would be required for the old Buildings, by the Hospital.  I Inclosed him a Copy of mine of the 4th of August, addressed to Mr Walker, another Agent, but which seems never to have been laid before the Directors, containing a Copy of Mr Bensons Valuation of those buildings, amounting to £180. Informing Mr Johnson at the same time that the Mill is under Lease to the Tenant of the Farm, who would require compensation during his Time, & that I should be ready to forward for the Boards consideration any mode which the Directors might propose, for settling present & future compensation.  The Rain having ceased at 11o’clock, I set out for Hexhamshire, the Rivers in a flood, the Corn Fields in that district, cut & uncut, looking dismal enough, passed through the Farms of Wooley, Staples & Mirehouse.  Went to the Woodkeeper & directed him to take off a great number of Gates leading into the Woodlands, which are of no manner of use, & supply the Tenants with them.  Many of these Gates have never had occasion to be opened since they were made, & it is so much cheaper to take down a Gap in the Stone Fences or to rail up a Gateway that is only wanted once in 8 or 10 years, than to maintain Gates, that I cannot conceive why they were made at all, unless to give a job to some favoured workman.  I then walked over every Field in the Farm of Rawgreen, putting a value upon them as I went, & afterwards arranging the course of management & making such remarks as will be necessary to direct the letting of the Farm.  Before i had finished this, the rain came in so heavily that I was compelled to return without proceeding to do the like at Rowleyhead as I intended.