Journal Entry – William Hooper – 28 May 1833

Tuesday May 28th 1833



Rode to Lightbirks farm with Mr Hunt, and examined into some small repairs required by the Tenant to his Dwelling House and Stable, and made arrangements for employing a journey-man Carpenter to do what is requisite, for which I undertook to supply the wood necessary, the tenant engaging to superintend the Workman and see that he did it properly. I afterwards rode to Woodhall Farm, and made some similar arrangements with the Tenant there, Mr Robert Stephenson. The person who has been working Throckley Freestone Quarry came to see me to-day, and explained why he had not worked for so long a period, and that he wished to continue the Quarry – I told him that the only terms upon which I could allow him to do so, was on his punctually paying his rent, and paying Mr Stephenson two pounds a year for the damage already done, and compensating him for any further damage he might do; and that I now required of him twenty pounds for the second years rent, and four pounds for the two years damage.  He paid me the rent, but had not brought money to pay the damage. He engaged, however, to pay the four pounds to Mr Stephenson of Throckley within a month, and agreed to pay regularly for all damages or trespass, and upon this I gave him a note to Mr Stephenson to allow his continuing to work provided he fulfilled his promises. The Man seems respectable, and I find he lives at Gateshead, and is engaged in other Quarries.



I received from Mr Bainbridge to-day, the fourth instalment from the Alston Road Trustees which became due on the 24th instant.



I received the plans with an account of the land taken for the Carlisle Railway from Mr Johnson this morning, who states that the Dilston Tenants persist in their refusal to settle with them upon any terms, stating their claims to be upon the Hospital, and requesting I would endeavour to settle with them, and the Railway Company would re-imburse the Hospital – I fear I shall have some trouble, but I will do my best to arrange it.