Journal entry – John Grey – 19 Jan 1834

Saturday 19th January 



Settled with Mr Storey his Salary & Gratuity as directed.  Rode into Hexhamshire to look over the farms & obtain information respecting some Offers for those lately advertized. Directed the Woodman there to get some assistance in thinning the young Plantations, which are ruinously thick, and ought to be done before the Spring.  Set out a new fence to divide a field in two, at Staples, for the purpose of getting the Land into a suitable course of tillage - the tenant undertaking to do it himself, on being allowed the young thorns.  Some of his Outhouses have bad roofs of thatch which it was intended to cover with Slates - but as that would alter the pitch & require new wood, I got an estimate for laying on a new thatch at £13:10.  I agreed to allow the tenant £12 for completing it, which he consented to do.  Such a roof will last for a Lease without repair, if properly done.  Blue Slate roofs will hardly do for that climate.  The Wind blew so strong today I could sit on horseback at times with difficulty.