Letter – Benjamin Johnson to Thomas Wentworth Beaumont – 1 Apr 1823

Mr Beaumont		Apr 1823

The colliery at Kirkheaton was retained by Col Beaumont and is let to Mr Dixon ... I have reason to believe the present tenant is considerably in arrears.  The colliery has been very much neglected and might in proper hands have worked twice the quantity of coals.  Dixon spends the chief part of his time in the Ale house and I should suppose cannot long keep his head above water ... Excepting the breaking of the ice we have had no flood whatever this winter.  The dam was then a little injured by it but to no great extent and may be soon repaired when the weather will allow the workmen to work in the water.  The commissioners of the Hexham new branch of road have not yet settled the line of road through Hexham.  Mr Clark opposes the line through the Seal and is determined to bring into a court of law if it pass that way.  He has taken upon himself to <....> [possibly ‘install’, which the Revd Clark did indeed do that Spring] these new seats in the Seal for the accommodation of the public. Mr Bates the new surveyor of the road says you do not wish the road to pass over the Seal and that you gave your consent without due consideration his authority.  Revd Charles Lee Mr Richardson who applied to you for a piece of land to build the new scotch chapel … the vicar of Bywell has not received or heard any thing about books which were to be sent from the society for promoting Christian knowledge and which you said you be so kind as send someone to enquire after ... I shall take care to procure all the pheasant eggs I can meet with ... I am sorry to say our markets which had <…> have fallen back to the same low prices and are at present very dull. The next rent day will be about the 15th of next month and you will be so good as to inform me if you intend any return to be made to the tenants.