Journal entry – John Grey – 16 Apr 1834

Wednesday 16th April



Received a Petition to the Commissioners for Reduction of Rent from Thomas Watson of Lees, & Mr Pickering of Woodhall Mill, which I herewith send. [accompanied in the margin by faint pencil annotations which appear to say ‘Watson <former> rent £388 <……> to 288 Pickerings former 277 <….> 190  Rejected’] Their farms have been let upon reduced terms from May Day next. Also an application from the tenants of Throckley, praying to be allowed  the sum of £19.16.2 which is their share of a rate levied in the Parish of Newburn, for enlarging, repairing & painting the Church of Newburn, in addition to the payment of their annual Church rate, which I also refer to the Board.  I was surprised to learn some days ago that Mr Hind who occupies the public house near Dilston, & who had regular notice to quit at May Day, refuses to go out, upon the ground that he is entitled to hold it till Martinmas.  Having obtained what information I could respecting the terms of his occupancy, I stated a lease & requested Mr Fenwick to give me his opinion upon it, both of which I now lay before the Board & shall act by their directions.  Old Teasdale reckons upon getting into Hinds House at May Day, & vacating that which is hereafter to be occupied by Mr Hunt, but which I shall have to take possession of for want of a better, while the new one is being built.  Hinds obstinacy therefore may throw us all into confusion.  Not having received the Boards direction in the case of Rowell of Highbarns, & the near approach of May Day rendering it necessary to fix & advertise the time for selling their Farm Stock, I sent Mr Hunt to them today, to decide upon a vacant day & send off an advertisement with the understanding that unless the Board should sanction some arrangement of their debt, to be previously entered into, the process of the Sale should be paid to me on Account of the Hospital.