Journal entry – John Grey – 7 Jun 1834

Saturday 7th June



Left home at Six o’ clock, & drove to Throckley, taking Benson with me to examine the state of the a public house there & the repairs that are needful.  It is surprizing that the back Building should have stood till now, bearing the weight of a tiled roof, as the wall are filled with nothing but Clay.  I then proceeded to Newcastle, got my account examined at the Bank and directed £5000 to be paid to the Bank of England on the 16th Instant, of which I have given Mr Paine notice. Saw Mr Forster, the Viewer, & engaged him to go through the Collieries, beginning at Throckley on Thursday next & then coming here that we may proceed to Fourstones etc.  Gave Mr Fenwick as directed by Mr Lethbridge, Mr Claytons Correspondence upon the subject of Green & Rewcastle’s demands for buildings at Scremerston.  He cannot however obtain any explanation from Major Johnson at present, as he is confined to bed by illness & unable to attend to my business. Mr Robinson of Needlesshall having been able to offer no security nor fix any time for the payment of his debt to the Hospital, I was reluctantly compelled to direct Mr Fenwick to proceed for its recovery, lest Mr Clarkson should come in between us & sweep off all his property.