letter – Isaac Hunter to John Erasmus Blackett – 11 Oct 1786

J E Blackett Esqr N[ew]castle				Dukesf[iel]d 11th Octobr 1786



Sir

      You’ll receive herewith a Plate of Silver as p[er] inclosed Acco[un]t

      I wated upon Mr Ord in my return f[ro]m N[ew]castle in regard to the Wolfcleugh Ore coming through his estate at Hunstanworth & acquainted him with what I knew (f[ro]m my own knowledge) & what I had learned from the Neighbourhood of it being a public High Way, Mr Ord said that his Agent (Mr Ramsey) told him that it was not but that he would not dispute the matter w[i]th Sir Tho[ma]s Blackett, that his Tenant complained of damages w[hi]ch he would be obliged to make him an allowance for; I acquainted Mr Ord that we would do all in our power to prevent the Carriers from trespassing on his Grounds and if his Tenant would inform me of the Carriers that suffered their Galloways to graze (while they past through the Estate for the future) that they should be discharged f[ro]m the Carriage; Mr Ord thought that might be a means to prevent his suffering so much, though I think he would rather that Sir Thomas contributed towards walling off the Way; it’s no doubt an disadvantage to have a Public Way through in Estate (for such I am convinced it is) that’s not fenced off but , think its unreasonable for that Sir Tho[ma]s to be singled out as the only contributor because he happens at this time to make more use of it then others; if Wolfcleugh Mine should fail or the other Weardale Mines so that Rookhope Mill could smelt all that Ore, there would  be little or no use made of that Way (for Sir Thomas’s Carriage) (then on former) years for the Wood etc that’s sent f[ro]m here to Rookhope.

      There’s a small Estate belonging to Mr N White of Hexham, that joins on the West of Sir Tho[ma]s Blackett’s Estates, at Dukesfield and the Steel, which Mr Bell tells me will be soon to be sold (as White has failed) which I wish you would advise Sir Tho[ma]s to purchase as a part of it lies on each side of the Devils Water, it would inable us to make a more durable Dam then the present One which is built  on a ragged Sil, broken by a Vain that closses it, and being tied to the present sight to get Level to bring the Water on to the Wheels) as the Water might be taken off 150 yds above the present at a trifling expence in comparison to what it would cost at the present place; in case this should be taken away the Estate is Copyhold & let (I believe) at £14 14s p[er] y[ea]r

      Y[ou]rs etc IH