Journal entry – John Grey – 19 Jul 1833

	Friday 19th July 1833

	I was called upon this morning by the tenant of Woodhall Mill, asking permission to sell some hay – He produced an account of a quantity of manure bought by him at Haydon Bridge & laid upon his land, also of the straw of certain Tithe Corn which had been consumed on the premises – In consideration of which, & his promise to continue to bring dung from Haydon Bridge, I thought it right to grant his request.

	I had a call from the Representative of the late Tenant of Wooley, stating his inability to manage the farm for Margaret Cooks family at the present rent, & praying for an abatement, or to be released from it.

	I then rode to Whittonstall to see what progress the Tenants are making in the repairs of the roads to which such large advances are to be made. I found a great deal of Work done & many men engaged upon the roads which will certainly be put into much better condition although the only material attainable there is not of a desirable kind. After this repair however, they will be laid upon the respective Townships – I then went into a minute examination of such repairs, (which belong chiefly to the roofing) as are absolutely necessary to render the buildings habitable, & preserve the Wood from decay, upon the several farms in Whittonstall & Newlands – Giving directions to the Tenants respecting them – Fixing with the Lessee of the Mill & land annexed, about the work to be done to his dwelling house & Byer – and with Mr Soppitt about the building of a certain Stone fence which forms part of the boundary between his farm & Mr Wilson’s of Shotley, & which by the Award of division belongs to the Hospital to make and maintain – I also made memoranda of all the windows and other wood work in the farm houses, which have been allowed to go to decay for want of paint. In some instances, new Sashes must be put in – but in general, they may be made to last for a while & hold the Glass, by applying fresh putty and paint, which I shall endeavour to have done in the most economical manner.