Letter – Henry Richmond to John Bell – 20 Jul 1764

To Mr John Bell at Rich                                                           Newcas[tle] 20th July 1764

Ellis’s in Hexham     



Sir                             I shall be glad to know whether Allendale Living has ever had the Queen’s Bounty; Mr Ellis can tell you if it has. & you can let me have an answer by the Return of the post. Mr Fawcett will want copies of the two surrenders that have been made of the piece of Ground for Ninebanks Chapel Yard in order to prepare a deed to be enrolled according to the Mortmain Act. So that when you have Leisure Time you may send me them, as also the Lists I mentioned to you of the Freehold and Copy hold Estates in Hexham Manor. Pray do you know how Whitley Chapel yard has been settled, whether it has been surrendered by any Body, or being a piece of the waste or common, has been taken in for that use with Sir W[alte]rs Consent? I should be glad to have Information and advice too from you about this matter, that we may get it finished also, now we are at work. Should not there be a penny or some small matter paid to the Lord for it as is customary in other copyholds.

And now that we are talking about the Mortmain Act I can’t help mentioning and lamenting the permission which is given to the purchasing of estates in the Manor of Hexham for the Endowment or Augmentation of Chapels & livings even in remote parts of Northumberland: for I am told that two clergymen in this Town viz Mr Stephenson & Mr Alderson are Trustees and were up lately taking possession of an Estate purchased for this use for Cramlington Living. I will make free to speak to Mr Collingwood about this. For I think he ought  to  charge  the  jury with making Inquisitions after such Grievances.

If you know, or can learn, any thing of the past temper and conduct of J]o]n[atho]n Armstrong of Allanheads, who lived for sometime at Manchester but of late at Hexham, I desire you will let me know it as soon as you can.

I hear Mr Lowes’s Client claims to be descended from one Mary Ritson a sister of old W[illia]m Ritson’s of Karsley: but does not prove this by Registers but only by hearsay Evidence and such <two> as I am told is very questionable. Pray can you propose any way of searching into the truth of such Testimony ? I am etc                   H R