Letter – Isaac Hunter to John Erasmus Blackett – 2 Oct 1783

      D[ukes]f[iel]d 2d October 1783

J E Blackett Esq[ui]re N[ew]Castle



Sir

      The other day the Corn Mill Wheel fell to pieces, I had an experienced Mill Wright to view her and he says she’s so old & bad that the Wheel and all the inside Works must be new and by his Calculation it will cost (to make her a clever going Mill) One Hundred Pounds.

      It was formerly a Smelt Mill, and I see by the rental that Mart[inma]s 1729 was the first rent rec[eive]d and that she was let to a Tho Dickinson at 10£ p[er] year who was Clerk at D[ukes]f[iel]d Smelt Mill that Family Farm’d her till 1753, then Mr Salkeld at the same rent in the year 1770 the Mill[e]r agreed to give 30 shillings more rent to have Blue Stones since then Mr Salkeld has paid 11£ 10s p[er] y[ea]r – I am afraid there will be no advance of Rent to Sir Thos Blackett for expending so large a Sum during Mr Salkelds time – you’ll please to let me know soon whether you choose she should be repaired or not – I am sorry to find the Lead Trade’s so dull. I am

      Y[ou]rs IH