Letter – Edward Blackett to William Lowes – 11 Jul 1709

Honest Will                                 					July 11

      You need not fear my giving Christo. Barrow or his son Discharge for anything which he owes me, but you that are Concerned knows last what he’s Indebted to me, His son I hear is married att Wakefield to a woman that has a very good Character and very Rich  She keeps the Greatest Publick House In Town which if true as I believe it is she may in a little time Redeem his fathers Estate, I wonder to perceive by yrs that the Tythes that are unlett you think will not give the old Rent, which is a miracle to me, for my Servt the last Markett day gave 8 s a bushell for Wheat, and would have bought a good quantity but he would not lett him have it att that price,   Be sure you take care to Raise all the Whitsuntide rents before Lammas and those tenants that does not pay their Tythes at Lammas according to the old Custome be sure you do not allow them one farthing assessment if you do you shall allow it out of yr own pocket, <As you do> mighty well to Encourage Tenants to plow up part of the Common for <…>  the great Improvement to the Tythes  <….> Receive 50 <£> or more of the Tenants pay it to Messrs Featherstone & Reay Merchant in Newcastle, they are <partners>   I do not know whether you know Mr Featherstone tis he that bought Featherstone Haugh in the Neighbourhood,  in my last I ordered you to to pay <£60> to Jacob Peart on the 25 July – and Raise the Rents as soon as you can Either the Workmen or my Selfe will have occasion for them  I <hope> you have disposed of the Bark long before this, and Recd the money, for the same you sold fail not to write once a month to     yr assured friend



For Mr Wm. Lowes