Journal entry – John Grey – 2 Jun 1834

Monday 2nd June 1834



A day of labor & confusion.  Removed our furniture into out Houses at Dilston, dispersed the Children to Lodgings & took up my abode in the Cottage preparing for the Bailiffs amid Workmen, wet Paint & raw plaster.  Yet it is refreshing to escape from the atmosphere of Corbridge & look out upon trees & green fields, and in a short time, I trust we shall be all very comfortable.  Mr Stott, the late Tenant of Buteland, called upon me to say that Mr Spencer, the purchaser of that property, claimed the Threshing Machine, upon the Ground of its having been conveyed to him as well as the Mill. Both Mill & Machine were erected by Mr Stott, but the Mill having been advertized along with the Estate, Mr Hooper, as appears by his Journal, May 29th 1833, paid Mr Stott the value of it, that it might be transferred to Mr Spencer, but gave him at the same time a Letter which he showed me, stating that the Machine was his own, & that he might remove or dispose of it at pleasure.  Stott is willing to sell the Machine to either party by valuation, but if he does not effect that, must remove it.  Only before doing so, he thought it right to acquaint me lest it should involve the Hospital in a dispute with Mr Spencer who claims the Machine.  As I know nothing of these transactions, it may be proper to apply to Mr Bicknell who I suppose made the conveyance, or go Mr Fenwick, who can see Mr Spencer or his Solicitor any day in Newcastle to ascertain the Grounds of his claim; and this should be done without delay.  Stott also presented some accounts for work done at Buteland, which he said ought to have been allowed him, but I see from Mr Hoopers Journal that that he had presented them to him & had been refused payment.  One however for work at a Pump done by a poor man who has not been paid and ordered by the Receivers, as he says, was not shown to Mr Hooper, and I told him that upon procuring an Order & proof of the work being sufficiently done, I thought it certain that the Board would allow it.  The amount is under £3.