Journal entry – John Grey – 23 Jul 1833

Tuesday 23rd July 1833



       Engaged in the Office in the forenoon.   Rode to Hexham being Market day to see some of the Tenants & to direct the Plumber about the Water pipes at East Rattenraw & consult him respecting these at Haydon Bridge.   Afterwards rode to Highside, a small Farm that is out of the way & seems to have been much neglected - nothing having been done to put the Buildings in any kind of order for the present Tenant.  He is satisfied with moderate things, & I engaged to lay the Barn floor with home wood, which at present is quite unfit for pulling corn upon, to build him a shed for Coals etc & a Pig Stye - neither of which he has - to put some railing before the windows to keep off the Cattle, & give him some Gates.   

       Thence to Langhope, the Tenant having complained of the state of his Barn, but did not fix upon any thing, as he was not at home.  It does not want much.

       Rode to Woodhall to see what had been done to the Houses - the Farm House has been repaired in some measure - the Kitchen floor new laid with flags and the old ones applied to a bad cottage in the Farm I directed the Stable to be made habitable for the winter at the least possible expence - being anxious to obtain leave to remove that & Pig houses etc, to the square of the other Buildings, which would be a great improvement to the homestead & convenience to the occupier, and as the materials would serve again in great measure, the additional expence would not be great.  This farm has been left by Mr Pigg in sad condition - hardly a Gate, or Gate post standing.  Some thatched roofs most insufficient, nor can I have them mended until' the Tenant gets straw of his own - all at present on the premises belonging to his predecessor I wanted for covering his stacks.   I went to the Inn at Haydon Bridge to sleep.