Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 6 Dec 1768

To Sir Wr Blackett Baro[ne]t MP in 

Half Moon Street Piccadilly London                                                   Newca[stle] 6 Decemr 1768 

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

Inclosed is a Rental of Wallington as it stood at Mayd[a]y last & a List of Annuities payable during your pleasure; both which I send according to your order.

The present Tenants of Woodcroft have an Article for 15 Years from Mayday 1762. I told Mr Isaac Hunter about their management; but he thinks they are not doing any Thing irregular.

The pays are made, and the people satisfied. At Coalcleugh pay old Robt Armstrong who was your Steward there formerly, & recommended his Son Thomas in his Stead, who died in your debt about £43, paid Mr Westgarth £17 9s 2 ½ d of it: being all he could ever be convinced was due – he was under no obligation to pay this Money, & never thought of doing it till lately – so it was taken readily – the rest will never be got.

Mr Westgarth says he does not know of any person fit to manage Allanheads, but one Thomas Nixon; an under grove Steward to Lord Darlington, & who is employed also for Mr Hen Errington & some others, & would he believes readily accept the Employment, if his L[or]ds[hi]ps Allowance could be had. Mr Caleb Hunter is no worse, and the Grove by what he & Messrs Allgoods say of her, is better – they have let three ore bargains at the East End, at 20s a bing - & have further Expectations.

Here is a Yawl come from Burlington from Mr Hudson; which I shall send to Wallington this week.

The Servants boxes are shipt on board the John, George Robson Mas[te]r who I believe saild this Morning.

Mr Heron has sent me Mr Errington’s promisory Note to You for £470; for the Wood at Anick grange [illegible]

Mr John Widdrington Junr & Mr John Smith Merchants desire me to acquaint you that they would have waited on you, if they had known of your going to London, to have requested your getting their Names inserted in the New Act, As Com[missione]rs of the Landtax for Newcastle.

I have the pleasure of hearing you are well after your Journey. I pray for the Continuance of your health & hope long to have the Satisfaction of expressing myself etc    HR