Journal Entry – William Hooper – 13 May 1833

Monday May 13th 1833



Made up my Cash Account, and paid my Balance into the Banker’s hands.  I today saw Mr Coats, and communicated to him the Board’s decision to allow him twenty pounds a year. – I trust the Board will approve of this, notwithstanding the observations in my journal of the 5th of March last, for upon cooler reflection, it may be doubtful whether Mr Coats who is quite past service, should be held accountable for the flagitious conduct of his substitute; and I could not but consider Mr Coats in the light of an old servant, and a man eighty four years of age!! – He cannot be long a burthen [burden] upon the Hospital.



Mr Storey and Mr Wilson came today to value the Machinery etc of the Colliery, and I explained to them the terms upon which the lessors and Lessee had agreed. – I am glad to say that Mr Reed of Corbridge has consented to let his House for twelve months to the Receivers for fifty pounds a year furnished.  It will be little or no inconvenience to the Hospital business to hold the office there also, and I am happy in believing that it will be attended with as little inconvenience to all parties, as in the circumstances of the change can be expected.



I feel sanguine in my expectations to obtain an offer of the Abbey at Hexham for next year, which will afford comfortable accommodation for the whole establishment, and to my mind be the most desirable thing possible.



I received today the copy of the Admiralty Warrant for the appointment of Mr Grey, as Receiver; and shall be quite prepared to surrender my charge to him on the 1st of June, by which day he will I believe be ready to assume the duties of the office, and intermediately I shall of course hold such intercourse with him, as may facilitate his arrangements, and promote the interests of the Hospital.



I have considered on the application of the Perpetual Curate of Slaley for a contribution towards building a Glebe House. The only property of the Hospital in the parish, is Wooley Estate, the rental of which is £180 a year, and this farm is about one & a ½ miles distant from the Village, so that the Tenant will derive but little benefit from residence of the Clergyman. In April last year the Board subscribed £20 towards he repairs of the Church, and on that occasion a comparative value of the lands of other Proprietors in the Parish was laid before the Board, and must be now on record at the Hospital, tho’ I can find no copy of it here. Such a comparison is important for the consideration of the Board, but considering all the circumstances, I doubt if the Hospital is called upon to subscribe at all. For so small a village, and considering the very low rate of House-rent, eight hundred pounds is an unreasonable price for a Glebe House, but whatever may be necessary, should be mainly contributed by the Patron of the living, Mr Beaumont, who is a principal proprietor – at all events, I should recommend the with-holding any subscription from the Hospital, until it is ascertained what is given by the larger and more interested landed proprietors.