Journal entry – John Grey – 22 Feb 1834

Saturday 22nd Feb 1834



I met Mr Leadbitter this morning at Dilston Hall Farm to make the arrangements respecting the occupation of it, reserving the House, small Field called Halls Nook, Garden Stable etc as specified in a written Agreement, for the Bailiff, he paying £22 and Mr Leadbitter £150 for the farm and remaining premises, with which he professed himself well satisfied.  His Lease of the land should be made to determine along with that of his present farm & chargeable with the rent he will actually pay i.e. £150, leaving Mr Hunt as tenant at will for the remainder & entirely independent of Leadbitter.  Mr Teasdale complained loudly of my injustice to him in preventing him sowing for his awaygoing Crop, land that grew a miserable Crop of Wheat last year, without which he could not obtain all that his Lease allowed, but by going into Moorish land.  I told him that his Lease had allowed too much throughout, & he had taken more, injuring the farm by execrable management, & that any attempt on his part to repeat a Corn Crop upon the land that had grown Corn last year, would cause me to recommend to the Board to withhold the indulgence that had promised him respecting his arrears.  He still however complains of harsh treatment.  I afterwards visited the farms of Westwood, Fourstones & Allerwash, chiefly for the purpose of inspecting some hedges and the manner of culling them.  The Colliery at Fourstones has been overpowered with water of late & the men driven into an old working to get out some pieces of left Coal.  I imagine little more need be expected from this Mine, without a new winning, & even that will be of doubtful success.