Journal entry – John Grey – 23 Jan 1834

Thursday 23rd January 1834



I prepared to set out at an early hour this morning, to inspect Thorngrafton Allotments & ascertain how far the interests of any of the Hospitals Tenants were involved in the working of the mines or Quarries below them, but after waiting for some hours, was obliged to abandon the intention, as riding to such a distance against a storm of wind and rain was not likely to secure the object.  I received a letter from Mr Bigge, as Chairman of the Morpeth Dispensary, informing me that the Hospitals Subscription for five years, at three guineas a year, is unpaid. Finding no order for the discontinuance of the subscription, I suppose it might have fallen into arrear through neglect, but since a large portion of the only property which could alone by benefitted by that Dispensary, has been sold to Mr Cookson, I beg to submit to the Commissioners whether they might not with propriety reduce the amount of the Subscription, or withdraw it altogether.  Mr Walton, Agent of Mr Beaumont, having examined the lot of Wood in Dipton Plantation, No 3 in the printed list, which is valued by Mr Parkin at £175 came today to treat for it, but I could not induce him to offer a farthing more than £140 for it the whole to be paid for in May next, alleging that he could get wood enough in the Country on quite as good terms.  If he would have offered £150 I told him that I should have recommended the Commissioners to accept his offer, as he is a good customer, but he would not move further, & considering the quantity of wood in the market m & coming forward on the Hospitals Estates, I fear it hopeless to stand out for such prices as Parkin has been accustomed to value at; but before submitting to much reduction from his valuation.  



Mr Hunt has had a meeting today at Aydonshields between the present Tenant & Bell, whom I had informed of his offer being the highest & that I had no doubt of his being accepted, for the purpose of adjusting the amount of Crop etc from his report. I suspect that Bell is rather inclined to break off the engagement which however I must put to the Test as soon as I hear of his being accepted, for no time is to lost should the farm to be advertized over again. I am told too that Robinson who offered highest for Dilston Hall Farm has been seized upon & is to be sold off!!  My opinion of Todd’s Petition which has been referred to me for the purpose, is, that it points out the most equitable mode of ascertaining the fair and just amount of reduction that his farm requires.  The other farms upon which a similar reduction is expected to be made according to Mr Hoopers promise to the Tenants that it should have his recommendation are Vauce, Plankey Mill, Middle Deanraw, Lough, Harsondale, Gairshield, Bagraw, Mirehouse & Turfhouse (Spency Croft, Sproats Farm & Hartburngrainge South Farm have already received the Boards sanction to that effect). The difference it will make in the Rental will be ascertained after the Conditions of the new lettings are finally settled, by comparing the former with the present rents, & can be extracted either at Greenwich or here.