Journal entry – John Grey – 12 Apr 1834

Saturday 12th April 1834



Rode over the Farms in Hexhamshire to look into some draining & the dressing of some old & ruinous hedges, with the hope of restoring them to the condition of useful fences.  And especially to examine the ruinous stone fences at Gairshield, for the purpose of deciding which of them it will be prudent to abandon & which it will be necessary to rebuild.  The stormy winds of this season have rendered the farmhouse scarcely habitable, having shaken & opened the West Gable & roof, and driven some large stones from the tops of the Chimnies into their vents so as to fill them up.  This house, though not old, is the worst Specimen of Mason work I ever met with - and is quite of a piece with the fences, which are chiefly of Stone. I took a long walk through the extensive Plantations at the extremity of this high laying property, which have been partially thinned this Season, but wants still a good deal more.  Except that they have been much too thick, they are wonderfully thriving, & if young wood could be readily sold thereabouts, one would be inclined to plant more, the Land being of so little value otherwise.   I was struck at enquiring at Rawgreen for the Tenant, Mr Todd, to be told by his daughter that he had been found dead in his bed that morning.  He had been unwell for some time, but no apprehension had entertained of his death.  He has left a family some of them grown up.  I have also to report the death of old Mr Coats of Haydon Bridge, who was in receipt of a Pension of £20 from the Hospital.