Journal entry – John Grey – 12 Dec 1833

Thursday 12 December 



After settling matters with the foregoing Tenants, & writing out their Agreements, I went with Mr Hunt to Esphill, to point out to him some fences to be removed, occasioned by the new Road cutting the fields at angles.  Then went to Elrington which was let for the present year at £300, to Mr Lambert the tenant of Elrington Hall, a man of property although his brother, the late tenant of East Elrington could not continue in his lease.  On their agreeing to becoming joint tenants, I offered them the farm at my valuation of £320.  They would give no more than £300 but afterwards followed me to Woodhall Mill proposing to divide the difference, and eventually agreed to my offer wishing to have the Black Smiths House & Shop included.  To this I consented on their paying the rent of £4 for them which he now pays, making the rent in all £324. [Later marginal note inserted here: ‘The Blacksmith pays besides £4 for 1 1/2 acre of land, which will be a great convenience to let to the Woodkeeper for his <cow>. JL’] I think it better in all practical cases that the Blacksmiths premises should be included in the rent of the largest adjoining farm & that the Farmer should have the choice of his own Blacksmith. When the Blacksmith takes the premises independent of the Tenants, they may be bad workmen or troublesome & unaccommodating people, and the Farmers must either submit to employ them or go to a distance with their ploughs & horses, as it is the case at present with me at Whittonstall, rather than employ some of the Tenants some two miles off to their great inconvenience.  



I next came to Woodhall Mill, of the value of which I have no means of judging.  The present rent is £277 and the Tenant who is a respectable man with a fine spirited lad for a Son, who manages the land well, only offered £180. [Later marginal note inserted here: ‘He has just sent to offer £190, as his ultimatum- 110 for land & 80 for the Mill.  JL] I valued the land at £110 which I am sure they would give, though they only spoke of £100 and considering the reduced prices of grain & profits of Millers I thought it quite safe to make them an offer at £230 for the whole.    This however they declined, & unless they come down with an improved offer, I suppose it must be put up to public tender.  



I next came to Coastley, with which I find more difficulty than any other.  The present rent is £802, & the Tenant, though an industrious man, has fallen into Arrear to the amount of £582.6.2 as is set forth in the report I lately made.  I had an idea that a man with adequate capital might farm it at £580 or £590.  Mr Coulson offers £550, and declines to purchase the expensive machine, but would agree to have it valued now & again at the end of the term, he paying the diminution of value.  He has sustained loss & inconvenience from want of a sufficient supply of water which something must be done to remedy.  Having had no instructions from the Board respecting this case, I declined entering into terms with Coulson, fearing that if the Arrears are to be exacted, it will be impossible for him to occupy a farm of such extent, but if otherwise, as he has good horses & Stock, he might perhaps get through.  I shall not include this farm in the advertizement, till I have the Boards directions respecting it.  In all the farms which are let, I have bound the Tenants to purchase the thrashing machines, which will be a happy riddance for the Hospital.   I feel assured too that the interests which this mode of letting will give, in the good management of the farms, & the confidence with which it will inspire such Tenants, as do justice to the land, will have a most beneficial effect on the condition of the property.