Journal entry – John Grey – 25 Mar 1834

Tuesday 25th March 1834



This being a Cattle Fair at Hexham, I attended it to see how things were selling, taking the opportunity to see several of the Tenants on various matters and of delivering to them the Agreements for their farms as returned from Greenwich with the Commissioner’s signatures.  The Rowells of Thornbrough Highbarns, whose arrears accumulated there and at Newtonhall, together with the rents of the former up to May Day next, will amount to £985-.-. inform me that they have found friends who will join them in giving security to the Commissioners for £800, in case the Board will consent to strike off the remaining sum, & allow them to keep possession & dispose of the away going Crop.  I have been to the farm to examine the Stock upon it & the Land sown & to be sown for the Crop, & under the most favourable circumstances.  I can only value the whole of their available Property at £940 or 50£, but if brought prematurely to sale by a seizure, I am by no means certain that it wd realize more than  the sum they offer, besides the unfavourable effect that such a proceeding would have upon the Credit & future endeavours of the poor people, whose case is a hard one.  Under these circumstances the Board will perhaps authorise me to obtain the security for £800 & relinquish the remaining £185 especially as the farm has been recently let at a reduction of £65.  The sale of Cattle today was tolerably good & several of the Tenants promised to be with me shortly to pay up their Arrears.  After going through the Market praising those of the Tenants whose Cattle deserved it, & criticising those which were the reverse, I took my Horse & rode up to see the Cottages now building by the roadside at Westwood & afterwards proceeded through Fourstones and Allerwash. The Season is favourable & the Seed time prosperous.