Journal Entry – William Hooper – 18 May 1833

Saturday May 18th 1833



I met Mr Cookson at mine this morning according to appointment, and was much mortified at his renewing his claim for dilapidations on Swan’s premises, and also insisting on his right to the Thrashing Machines at the two Needless hall Farms. I told him my surprize at hearing any more on this subject, after the liberal concession I had made by giving up the Thrashing Machine on the North farm, in consideration of his purchasing the one belonging to Robinson on the South Farm, which the Receivers had agreed to purchase, and his waiving all claim to dilapidations. That I felt so strongly convinced of the correctness of the view I had taken, that I could not listen to any proposal for further concession on the part of the Hospital: that if he refused to purchase Robinson’s Thrashing Machine, I should, of course, be obliged to do so to keep faith with him, but I should remove it immediately, as well as that on the North Farm. Finding me determined, he at length gave way, and this matter was settled according to my proposal.  He then attacked me as regard the Rent for the 54 days between the date of conveyance and the 22nd of November, requiring the whole amount according to the rental, but this I also refused, 



Confining myself to the repayment of the monies I had received, which he took under a protest, that I could not but laugh at. The conveyance of the Lead Wharf was not quite ready for execution, the former lease had been granted to Messrs Forster and Wailes, and not to the Hospital, so that it was necessary for Mr Wailes to execute the conveyance, I merely certifying that the transfer to Mr Cookson was made with the consent and approval of the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital. Accordingly I called on Mr Wailes, and obtained his consent to execute, and in the afternoon Mr Clayton brought me the Lease to certify, and on my signing an undertaking that Mr Wailes should execute, and paying £2.12.6 for a Licence from the Mayor to transfer the Lease, I received from him the consideration money, £350. – I obtained a further sum of £21 from the Tenant of Needlesshall South Farm, and I then went with him to Mr Fenwick, with I concerted on the best means of trying to secure the Hospital, for if Mr Cookson distrains which he is likely to do, we shall have little chance – I therefore gave him a tempting offer of two years to pay by half yearly instalments, if he would bring some satisfactory person to join with him in security, and provided he did so by the middle of the week- - for my great fear is that unless we get security in a very short time, Mr Cookson will have put in a distress, and then all chance is at an end.



I sold to Mr Lownds the large Beam Scales and Weights in the Lead yard, he agreeing to pay me whatever they are valued at by Mr Storey. The Beam, Scales and Weights for Silver which we had at Newcastle, are taken at a Valuation by the Hudgill Mill Company. I obtained the Draft Lease of the Colliery from Mr Fenwick, and having settled my account at the Bank, I left Newcastle, and returned to Haydon Bridge.