Journal entry – John Grey – 23 Apr 1834

Wednesday 23rd



Rose at 5 and left to Carlisle, looking in my way home, at the commencement to build the farmhouse at Whitechapel. Mr Howden, the builder, had begun to work Stones from a piece of rock so near the turnpike as to occasion inconvenience & perhaps danger. His object was to get to the stones without breaking much ground & its a situation which would occasion little leading to the tenant.  I warned him of the blame he might incur & that if any damage should arise, the Hospital could have nothing to do with it, he having taken it upon himself & without my permission to work stone there.  He stated however that he had the consent of the Road Surveyor who was quite satisfied with the precaution he used, in closing up the place at night etc.   I then proceeded to Haydon Bridge & informed Mr Richmond who has been elected Head Master of the Charity School there, on Mr Birkett having succeeded to the Living of Ovingham so long held by his father, that he might occupy the Grass Land as held hitherto by Mr. Birkett, at the rent which he had paid ie £10 a year, which is I think its value - returned to Corbridge & attended to business in the Office.