Journal entry – John Grey – 7 Sep 1833

Saturday 7th September 1833



Alston Mill

Heard from Mr Taylor of his intention of buying at Alston on the 13th Instant & have written to say that I shall meet him there.  Wrote also to tell Mr Murray a millwright at Chesterleystreet  [sic], asking him to meet me at Alston to examine the Mill along with me, that we may decide upon what is needful & try to make an agreement for it. 



Dilston No[rth] Farm Machine

 Went to the men engaged at the Tyne Banks & took Thomas Harle with me, who seems to be the only man here who has any judgement in such matters, and can give any information respecting them, to try to discover some spring of water that might be conveyed to the reservoir at Dilston North Farm, which is at present quite empty.    The only one of any magnitude is at the farther end of Snokoe Hill, which would be to bring from a great distance, & in fact over rocky ground which in fact it could be difficult to secure it from disappearing among the crevices, making the attempt at once expensive & of doubtful success.  There is another which may be brought at little cost, but so small at present, as to render very little service, so that I fear this very expensive Machine, must be left dependant in great measure, upon the casual supply of the clouds, for its operations.  By keeping the courses clean, the supply in winter will generally be abundant, but in summer it must be scanty and frequently will altogether fail.  Mr Hunt is gone to Whittonstall today to look to the repairing and painting of some Windows & in the Farm houses and to measure drains.