Letter – Henry Richmond to John Bell – 3 Mar 1764

To John Bell at                                                                                Newcas[tle] 3rd March 1764

Hexham



I see by this days news paper that there is an Estate at Anick, now in possession of Geo[rge] Rochester, To be sold and that the Coll[ie]rys and other Royalties under the same are also to be sold along with it. I desire you will consult Mr Ellis and let me have his and your Opinions whether the owner of this Estate has a Right to the Royalties, for it is within the Manor of Anick grainge. I should suppose Sir W[alte]r Blackett will be intitled to the Royalties thereof. I find it is an Opinion propagated industriously of late, that all Mines and other Royalties within the several freehold Estates in the Manors of Hexham & Anickgrainge belong to the freeholders and not to the Lord& they do not stick at claiming them even in the allotm[en]ts made to freehold Estates on the late division of Hexham Comons notwithstanding the reservation in the Act of parliament. This to be sure is Vain and ridiculous, But as to the others wch are claimed with more Confidence, such as this Estate at Anick, one at Spittle, another Harwood Sheel & another at Bishopside, I should be glad to know what Mr Ellis thinks of their pretensions.For it will be necessary for Sir Walter to assert his leigning or else these notions will prevail more & more every day.

I have met with a paper wherein mention is made of an order that was sett at the Head Court held at Hexham on the 22nd Dec[embe]r in the 33[rd year of the reign of] Henry 8th touching the Custom of Hexham Mills. I should be glad to know whether you have Records of so antcient a date & whether you can find  this or any subsequent orders of the like nature, for they will be of service. I am he or etc                                                     H R