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To Mr Will[ia]m Alvey Darwin Newcas[tle] 5th Jan[ua]ry 1765 Gray’s Inn London Sir This morning and not before I rec[eive]d a Lre from Mr Christ[ohe]r Johnson Steward of the B[isho]ps Halmot Court, that he cannot find that there has been any surrender made by Dr Smith of the Copyhold Lands at Woodcroft since 11 yr [Queen] Ann. Since the receipt of his Letter I have found in the abstract no 5. That Dr Smiths Mortgage was paid off by one Ralph Featherstonhalgh according to the following abstract (viz) – 18 & 19 May 1719 a mortgage interalia to the said Ralph Featherstonhalgh for £9000 & £4000: which £4000 was due to the said Dr Smith and the said Sir W[ilia]m Blackett by the deeds of this date empowered the said Ralph Featherstonehalgh to pay off the said mortgage to the said Dr Smith. 20 May 1719 an Indenture of defeasance between the said Ralph Featherstonhalgh and Sir W[ilia]m Blackett reciting that the said Sir W[ilia]m Blackett had according to the custom of the Manor of Stanhope & Wolsingham surrendered and conveyed to the use of the said Ralph Featherstonhalgh the said Copyhold Lands at Woodcroft as therein specified. 18 & 19 Decem[be]r 1719 an Ind[entu]re made between Sir W[ilia]m Blackett of the 1st part,Geo: Smith Eldest Son & heir etc of the said Dr J[o]n[atho]n Smith etc of the 2nd part and the said Ralph Featherstonhalgh of the 3rd part witnesseth that the said Geo Smith etc had released etc the premes to the said Featherstonhalgh. After you have considered the title as contained in the said abstract No. 5 (and deduced down to Greys Hospital) you will let me know what is further to be done. Whether it will be necessary to enquire after the Heir of the said Dr Smith and if he can be found out to get a surrender made to the said Ralph Featherstonhalgh’s heirs if they can be found out and then to get them to surrender to Sir W[alte]r Blackett or what else is to be done. I doubt there will be very great difficulties upon us at this time of day & even if they are Surmountable will very much retard the Sale intended by Sir Walter. Sir Walter is gone to York, where Mrs Hudson is dangerously ill after her lying in. I am etc Hen Richmond.
