Letter – Charles Busby to Anna Radcliffe – 9 Jul 1722

Madam 							July the 9th 1722. 



	With uttmost concern I am to acquaint your Honor that yesterday aboute 7 in the morning the Divells water began to rise and aboute came up to that lenth that it ranne over the Bridge goeing into the Parke allmost as high as the Gates, the flfence I made made [sic] 3 years since stood firm as did the Bridge, save that ye Battlem't is drove of aboute 8 or 10 yards. The Damme y't turns the water to the Mill, is entirely drove away timber and stones, which damadge I fear £40 will not make good, the Bridge att the Mill rec'ed no harme, but the worst Current of Water, broke down poor Math. Thompsons ffences, and tooke into his Corn w'h is now lyeinge flatt to the Ground halfe covered w'th sand wherever the drift of water came ; what adds to the misfortune was the Tine riseing att same time, which covered the wide haught intirely, and halfe of the other melds growing w'th Corn, belonging to Math. ; and now Towne Tennem'ts qvits from Widehaugh beyond Corbridge. The water is now oute of the ffields, but a malancholly sight to see the Corn lyeing in the manner it does. The Warren Math, has been nurseing upwards of 3 yeares, and just brought into order, is now in a Manner totally destroyed and the Widehaugh all over so covered with Sand and dirt that neither Sheep or Beast can live there. The Damadge in the Barrony is verry great but that falls for the most part amongst the 99 yeares Leasers y't are able to bear the Loss, w'h these others are not able to do. last Thursday I returned oute of ye North, and hopes I have so settled matters there, that your Honor will be no further a looser by the Tennant of Spindleston and Uttchester, then the lyeing oute of the Ren[ts for 6] or 7 months. My Wife joyns in her most hum[ble] Duty to your Honor, my Lord, & Lady Anne. I am w'th uttmost Respect 

	Madam Your Honors ever most obedient humble servant 

		Char: Busby. 



For The Right Honorable the Countess of Darwentwater att her House in Bruxells Brabant 

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