Journal Entry – William Hooper – 26 Jan 1833

Saturday 26th Jany 1833



Saw Mr Sample relative to the embankment at Throckley, and arranged to meet him there on Wednesday next to examine into it. Called his attention to the amount of arrears, £408, due from Benson who is recommended by the late Receivers as Tenant of Dilston New Town South Farm, upon the recent letting, and desired him immediately to inform Mr Benson that he could not be accepted Tenant unless this arrear was immediately paid off, and that I should otherwise distrain. Enquired of Mr Sample as to the claims set up by the Tenants for compensation of damages done by the Carlisle Railway, and satisfied myself that if the Company paid the full annual value of the land, and compensated the Tenants for all the damage by trespass etc – it was all that could be expected; and I accordingly arranged with Mr Sample that I would ask the Company to fix on some person to assess the value of the land and damages, and that such person might confer with Mr Sample who would assist in adjusting the claims of the Tenants upon equitable principles.



Requested Mr Sample to use his endeavour with Coxon to meet Mr Cookson’s wishes.

Mr Sample stated that the Widow Armstrong who occupies Dilston Mill and is to quit at May next, has eleven children, that her debt to the Hospital up to May next will be £300, and that she has not a penny to pay it, beyond her Stock and away-going Crop – that the latter will be worth about £80, and that the Hospital will secure; (the Hospital having distrained a short time since) and if that is taken, the woman and all her Children will become chargeable to the Township of Dilston, whereas if she is allowed to remove her stock she will take possession of a small farm she has taken in another parish, wherein the Hospital has no interest; Considering the large interest which the Hospital had in the township, Mr Sample recommended that the Stock be given up to get rid of so heavy a burden. Told Mr Sample that I quite agreed with him as to the policy of making some sacrifice to relieve the parish, but differed as to the mode – that as the whole Township were interested in the Woman’s removal, so all should contribute to effect it, and I would therefore propose on the part of the Hospital that if the Stock we should seize upon proved worth £40, I would offer no objection to the Woman’s removing it to secure her going to the place he spoke of, if the other parties interested would make up £30, or three fourths of the value. He admitted this to be a just and fair proposition, and I instructed him to act accordingly.



Saw Mr white, who was a bidder for Haydon Town Farm, and satisfied him that justice had been done him, as well in his not being accepted for that Farm, as in giving Mr Potts the preference of Rattenraw West Farm.



Wrote to several parties relative to the Candidates for Bailiff.

Wrote to Ridley & Co relative to two Bills due the 24th & 26th Inst.

Heard from Mr Martin that Mr Walton would take the Silver at that price,5/2½, gave directions accordingly. 



An application from Mr Cuthbert Snowball, Tenant of Fourstones West Farm, to be compensated for the damages he had sustained by trespass from the Lessees of Fourstones Colliery. He complained bitterly of the was his applications had been neglected, for eight years, in all which no compensation had been made him. Informed him that while I regretted the neglect of his applications, as I considered we were bound to protect one Tenant from the aggressions of another – yet it was from the Lessees of the Colliery and not from the Hospital that he had claim for redress, but I promised immediately to inspect into the matter on the spot, and endeavour to obtain a settlement.



Mr Snowball also claimed £12 for stones obtained from his own Estate at Wharmley for Coastley and Heckford, and this I also promised to enquire into. Mr S. is the father of the late Tenant of Dilston New Town South Farm, and if the Hospital’s interest had not been lost sight of would have been security for his Son’s arrears of £67.10.0 which is now wholly lost.