Letter – Diana Beaumont to John Erasmus Blackett – 4 Oct 1801

Hexham Abbey Oct 4th 1801.



Dear Sir,

In Consequence of the Conversation that Coln. Beaumont and I have had with you on the Subject of the Chapel in Weardale, we determined not to leave the Country without visiting the place where the Bishop of Durham proposed to build the said Chapel, being much inclined to give our Consent, if it perfectly agreed with the Representations of Mr. Mowbray, notwithstanding the very serious Inconvenience it would be to our Concerns, which you are well convinced of, yet we should have had the highest Gratification in promoting any Plan of his Lordships for so humane and benevolent a Purpose as that instituting a Chapel and School; Col[onel] Beaumont was prevented going to Weardale by the Meeting at Hexham for the Defence of the Country; but my Son being infinitely better, I resolved to mount my Horse on Tuesday last to be convinced of the Propriety of agreeing to the Measure, I was absent five Days, and had time to view and fully consider the Situation pointed out by Mr. Mowbray and I must say from my own Observation of the Place, a more improper one in that Country could hardly have been proposed,  & his Representations are extremely incorrect and quite different from the actual State of the Case & I am convinced if the Bishop of Durham was to see the Situation himself he would be of my Opinion, for no one sees or judges more clearly that his Lordship or would be unwilling to adopt an oppressive & injurious Measure which this would certainly be, and could not have the desired Effect, for where the Chapel is proposed to be built there are very few Dwellings at any Distance & the Congregation would be extremely limited, the meeting Houses are a very considerable Distance from thence and their frequenters would not be prevented attending them as usual, for the new Chapel would be at too great a Distance to draw them from the Paths of Error & Delusion & by such a Measure I am persuaded not one Person would be brought from a State of Ignorance, to feel the benign Blessing of Christianity, so much the wish and benevolent Design of the Bishop of Durham; & I should truly lament if that devine Intention was frustrated by the Misrepresentations of others; there is an excellent Situation near Burtry ford upwards of two Miles nearer to the Meeting Houses, & in a far more populous part of the Country where hundreds might profit by the instituting a Chapel and School, and in all probability would be drawn from the Meeting Houses, and the few above where Mr. Mowbray proposes the Situation could with Ease come down to the Chapel when the more numerous part from below would not be induced to go to a Distance when they could attend the Meeting Houses so near to them, there is also another Situation at a little Distance from Burtry ford which would be extremely advantageous & not attended with the very very great Inconvenience which in every point view the other must be considered by  all unprejudiced Persons.  I am Dear Sir

        Your Sincere Hbl  Servt. 

      Diana Beaumont 

Your Letter to Mr. Mowbray I think fully explained the Detriment it would be to our Concern in Weardale were his Proposals carried fully into Execution.