Journal Entry – William Hooper – 25 Jan 1833

Friday January 25th 1833



Had an application from the Tenant of Tofts Farm relative to some improvements in <stubbing> etc – to enable him to plough out some land that has been hitherto in grass, explained to him, how little could be done, and promised to examine into it, and give him an answer. Had an application from Mr Potts, who was bidder for Rattenraw West Farm at £195, but rejected by the Receivers from having been in arrears, and Mr White, a builder at £190 recommended. On satisfactory enquiry I find White is a very bad farmer and would prove a worse Tenant than Potts, who is now only £20 indebted to the Hospital, and, who offers immediately to pay off the arrears, and to bring his Brother-in-Law, Mr Stevenson of Colwell, who is a Man of substance, as security for prompt payment of rents – I therefore told Potts what the Hospital expected, by this day fortnight, and, that Mr Stevenson came to me as security in the Agreement, I would recommend him for the farm.



Wrote to Mr Fenwick respecting the Hareshaw Common Righters – Wrote to Mr Clayton, declining on the part of the C. of G. H. any advances on the proposed new line of Road by the Derwent. A long interview with Mr Spencer, and Mr Wright relative of ploughing additional 40 Acres, and explained to them that the C. of G. H. could not be parties to the transaction, beyond affording Mr Spencer every facility, and it was at length settled that the matter should be arranged in the way I had first proposed, and obtained the <Hosts> consent to, by each party appointing a person, and the two to choose a third to settle it. Arranged with Mr Spencer to have the Thrashing Machine immediately valued, and requested him to write to his Solicitor to be satisfied about the Modus, which he did, and I enclosed it to Mr Bicknell.



Mr Davidson of Ridley Hall called on me at the request of Geo white, one of the applicants for the bailiff’s situation to speak as to his character etc but Mr Davidson had some doubt about his practical experience.



Interviews with several of the farmers relative to their farms. An application from Mr Turnbull who is building a house at Haydon Bridge for permission to carry a drain under some of the Hospital’s property adjoining the river, to which I promised consent if I should find it could be done without injury or inconvenience to the Hospital Property.

Another long interview and explanation with Mr Lownds, as to the terms on which the C. of G. H. wish to treat for their Ores, and am to have a definitive proposal in a few days.

Wrote to Mr Bicknell, informing him that the Property sold to the Duke of Northumberland with the Manorial rights of Wark Barony, consists of Wark Manor Farm, Greystead Tythe Allotment, Greystead Common Allotment, Stannersburn Common Allotment, and Elingham Rig Tythe Allotment: Also Fell-end Colliery, the Collieries named High Green, the Sneep, Black Crag, and Greenhaugh: Also <Free> farm rents amounting to £37.17.10. – The Reservations are the Manor of Elrington & Woodhall, by which is to be understood all the Lands within the Barony of which the Hospital will then stand possessed, and of these the Manorial rights and service of every Kind is fully and wholly to be preserved to the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital.



Sent the Elingham Rig Abstract & Agreement