Letter – Henry Richmond to John Bell – 31 Jul 1764

To Mr John Bell at Mr Ellis’s in                                               Newcas[tle] 31July 1764

Hexham



Sir    The List you have sent me is only a part of what I want, for I must if possible also have the names of the several freehold & copyhold Estates in Allandale, Catton, Forest park, West Allan, Acomb and Wall Grieveships; together with the sums which each Estate pays to the Lord by the hands of the different Grieves and which make up the Gross sums mentioned in your List. I wonder that there are not such lists in your office. They are necessary on the present occasion and therefore I beg you will get them if you can from the Grieves; unless there is some other way of making them out. As to Old Town and Broads I suppose they are part of Catton Grieveship. You say that Grottington Spittle & 13 other freehold Estates pay no fee farm Rents to Hexham, but yet owe suit and service to the Courts, pray have they Time immemorially Done this suit & service?

Sir Walter thinks we should not neglect getting information whether old William Ritson had a sister called Mary, that was married to Edw[ar]d Liddell as is set forth by Mr Lowes: lest Mr lambert and the others of the halfblood should not bester themselves sufficiently. If it is so, Sir W[alte]r will very readily admit Mr Liddell. But you know hear say Evidence is of so doubtfull a quality sometimes that one cannot, nay ought not, to receive it implicity. I have wrote to Mr Westgarth to make inquiry and you may make what falls in your way.

I desire I may have Mr Ellis’s Rental as soon as possible. I am etc     H R    

P.S. Mr Fawcett says that the pretensions of Fra[nci]s Bell the parish clerk of Hexham to dues for Burials etc  at Whitley Chapel are vain & without foundation. For he can claim no dues but where he actually officiates, & he has no right or power to officiate any where but in Hexham church only.