Journal Entry – William Hooper – 13 Feb 1833

Wednesday 13th Feby 1833



Rode to Elrington Hall Farm by the Bridle road which Mr Armstrong had called my attention to, it passes through a large portion of Dinnetly Wood, and is likely to cause some damage by trespass. On enquiry of our tenants, I found they only use the road for their light carts going for Lime to the Kiln near Langley Castle, the road is so bad that with a laden Cart they do not attempt it; nor do they ever think of riding that way, since the new road has been made. It being only a Bridle-road, the Carts passing is clearly a trespass, and it would certainly be a great benefit to Mr Tweddell and the Hospital to confine it to a footpath, but the tenants of both the Elrington farms offered many objections to doing so, and I should desire a better knowledge of the Country before I recommended the measure.



Having examined Elrington Hall Farm, I rode to Elrington East Farm and went over it with Mr Lambert, whom I again pressed on the subject of his arrears, he had made no effort to raise money, and I told him that I could not forbear much longer; he has relatives able to assist him, but they calculate on the lenity of the Hospital – the farm is over-rented, and I am quite sure he meditates giving it up, and will pay no more rent than he is forced.



Mr Cowing of Westwood failed in coming to me yesterday, and this morning I received a letter from him promising to bring £100 next Tuesday, and security for the remainder – these evasions are trying, but I will wait the week, and no longer.