Letter – Arthur Mowbray to Shute Barrington – 9 Jan 1798

      Sherburn, 9th January 1798

My Lord,

      I have seen Scruton & Pearson several Times lately. we do not get forward with the Weardale proprietors & I have been told they are proving a little Lukewarm, but I hope they will come round and be sensible of your Lordships Goodness, no pains on my part shall be wanting to bring about a Work so laudable in every Point of View.

										  £   s   d  

Paid Mr. Tew half a years Int. due 22 Novr last on £6,200 155  0  0

do.  Mr Lawson     ditto                         on £1000  25  0  0

do.  Mrs Yeoman do. £1800 till the 16th October, 

     when the principal Sum was paid                       38 14  1



                                                         £218 14  1

     Receivd. by <Dft.> on Drummond & Co.                 200

                           Due to A. Mowbray              £18 14  1





By some Chance I have mislaid Mr. Bramwell’s Bill

     which I think amounts to abt.                        £43  0  0



And I have Messrs. Froggitt & Robson’s (Mr. Tews Solicitor)

     before me, which amounts to                          £29 10  4



                                                To pay    £72 10  4



I have sent for a Copy of Mr. Bramwell’s Bill.

      I had wrote Lawson as to the £1000, saying that I was afraid it would not be convenient to pay the Money at May, and I also observed that I hoped on reconsidering the Matter he hardly could desire it being so soon after the Transfer & Expense.

      I am really almost distressed, for Want of Buddells Report as to Bedlington Coal. I hope to see him next Week, if so, I will sit by him till I get it. I learn Cooper Colliery is doing very well, and Buddell says your Lordship’s is the same Seam.

      I have received an Acct. from Mr Castles of some vacant Bedlington Leases. as soon as I get them fully examined I will forward them to your Lordship with observations.

      I gave Mr. Fenwick possession on Monday last Mr. Emm having previously informed me of his Correspondence with your Lordship as to an abatement in the Fine. Mr. Fenwick observed that he had wrote. I told him I was informed and had directions to make that Matter pleasant to him, that it was not your Lordship’s Wish on any Consideration that a Fine should bear hard on any Man. What was set, was the usual Fine. Mr. Fenwick said he did not wish to have his Renewal on easier Terms than others, I told him I could assure him that the year & quarter had been always taken by the late Bishop of Durham, in Course he paid the whole Fine very pleasantly, wch. I was very pleased of, as it would have been the Means of several similar applications Fenwick being by no Means poor, but rich.

      Sir Jno. Eden & Coln. Bewick are desirous to enclose a Common that lays to the North of Chester Common, called Urpeth Common, of wch. your Lordship is the Lord, they propose to proceed without an Act of Parliament, if your Lordship consents. Sir John thinks it is not so good Land as Chester and that 4d p. Acre would be fair for the Lord. Chester was 6d. I really don't know, I should suppose whether 6d or 4d the Difference would not be much as I believe there is not more than abt. 150 Acres. I told Sir John that I would write your Lordship and acquaint him with the Answer.

      I am, My Lord Your Lordship’s very much obt. &  mch. obld. hble. Servt.

      Arthur Mowbray



The Honble. & Right Revd. The Lord Bishop of Durham.