Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 5 Mar 1769

To Sr Wr Blackett Bt MP in Half Moon Street

Piccadilly London                                                                                Newca[stle] 5th March 1769

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

Mr G Silvertop has a freehold Estate in the Manor of Winlaton, called Ash tree: there is Coal under it, w[hi]ch he claims, and has begun to work, within these few Days; tho’ it is apprehended he has no right to it. I see by an Abstract of the Writings of Winlaton, which are in Mr Darwins hands, that Sir Wm Blackett bought a Moiety of all the Coalmines in this Manor, consequently a Moiety of what is under this Estate of Mr Silvertops should belong to You & Sr Edward unless Mr Silvertop can shew the Contrary, which is not probable. For tho’ the person that sold this Estate to his Ancestor might be one of the Lords of the Manor & might have an intire property in some part of the Soil, as the Lords have at this day, yet he would only be intitled to an undivided Share of the Royalties; which at most is all Mr Silvertop can pretend to. What this Share is it will perhaps, if you and the rest of the Lords think so, be proper to file a Bill to discover. Sir Edwd, Ld Widdrington and Mr Ridley will I expect be acquainted of this Matter, & in the mean time Mr Darwin may be examining the Deeds and considering the Case. You and Sir Edward have each of qua[rte]r, Lord Widdrington 3/8 ths & Mr Ridley, Mr Simpson and others have the other 1/8 th.

Mr Davison is a good deal better.

Mr Bell desires his Compliments & says any time in the Month of May will do for the payment of his Money which I am glad of, for my Brother cannot meet with any yet under 4 ½ p[er]Cent[u]m. I am etc    HR