Letter – Benjamin Johnson to Thomas Wentworth Beaumont – 5 Feb 1822

Mr B 		Feby 1822

We were in a great state of alarm on Saty night expecting to have the water in the house.  The river began to rise early in the morning and continued to rise until five o'clock on Sunday.  At this time it had advanced whom? in front of the house and was within a few inches of breaking over at the west end.  I had removed all the furniture out of the low rooms and was about to begin throwing up a mound which might have held it back until it had advanced two feet more, when it fortunately subsided.  I am persuaded much may be effected by a slight embankment on the west and south.  This has not been so high in flood since the one in 1815 or 1816.  The dam has been a little damaged but to no great extent … The mill was 12 feet deep in water and the miller has had considerable loss in corn and flour.  I have not yet heard what damage Mr Harbottle has sustained the whole of his low land must have been underwater … I have sent Mr Fosters answer to my application to him to pay off a part of his arrears.  I do not believe he will obtain any money from Mr Blackett and think he should give better security.