Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 9 Nov 1761

To Sir Wr Blackett Bt. to be left at the Cocoa tree in Pall Mall London        9th November 1761

Hon[ou]rd Sir      

I am very glad to hear you are you are better & hope you will soon be able to walk without support. Since my last I met with Mr Ellison, but he co[ul]d tell me nothing further than Isable Pattison had done before, he says by the pedigree he has it appears, Sir Fra[nci]s Liddell had 2 sons & 2 daughters & that one of the daughters was mar[rie]d to Parson Fenwick & the other to R[ichar]d Heron. but as to his wife there is no mention of her name, nor does it appear that he was marr[rie]d more than once. R[ichar]d Johnsons acco[un]t, which I have just rec[iev]ed, is to the same effect, only he adds that the 2 sons dec[ease]d without issue & that Fra[nci]s Liddel the Eldest was a Lunatic. So that there is no evidence yet of  S[i]r Franci]s Liddells marrying a Stote, wch is the Sine quo no. Parson Thompson, who is one of the Lecturers of Sandgate Chapel at £40 a year, is a dying & probably you will soon have applica[ti]on about it. I do not yet hear of any that stirr for it except Mr Aldersen. The magistrates I am told intend to consult you & Mr Ridley before they dispose of the place. The step taken at Durham by the Mr Gowland & his friends of making abo[u]t 300 honorary freemen in order to secure his Election against Gen[era]l Lambton is by many look’d upon as unconstitutional. It may secure his Election, but is apprehended it will occasion mischief at the poll & a petition to parliam[en]t in case Mr Gowland is chosen. I hear Sir Jam[e]s Lowther S[i]r Wm. Meredith S[i]r Ra Milbanke Sir Jno. Eden & S[i]r Thos. Robinson have got their Freedom on this occasion   I am etc      HR