Letter – Henry Richmond to William Darwin – 7 Jul 1769

To Mr Darwin Greys Inn London                                                            Newca[stle] 7th July 1769

Sir

I rec[eiv]ed your Letter inclosing the Case about the tithes of Wallington, which I think is well stated and Contains all the Facts we can Collect. As to the queries and Notes you have made in the Margin of the 2d sheet. I answer 1st that Isaac Johnson was Curate to the Vicar and usually employed by him in Collecting the Tith[e]s and giving Receipts. 2dly that the payment of £5 a Year for Harwood for 100 years appears by a Case stated by old Sir William Blackett, but which should not, if it was Evidence be produced; because it admits too much – but we have good Evidence of the payment for 77 Years of this £5 as Composition Money for these Tithes; by Rentals that are Entred in the Capital books of the family, & have been preserved in this office. 3dly The receipt for the £5 is rightly copied and the words or composition money are right. In the third Sheet it is said the said King granted the Manor of Rothley, which words as they are connected imply, I think, Hen. 8. But I suppose by the date in the Margin it is meant that they were granted by James 1st.

I am pretty certin that the Bishop of Durham is patron of the Vicarage; but Sir Walter has wrote to Dr Sharp, and if it is a necessary matter to be rightly stated you had best wait till I can learn his Answer – but unless I can hear to Night I shall not be able to write You about it till this day Se[ven]night as I am going to Berwick for some days. I shall make the copies of the Case for the Council here correspond with what I have said above & am etc    HR