Letter – Isaac Hunter to John Erasmus Blackett – 15 Apr 1781

J.E.Blackett Esqr. Newcastle				Dukesf[iel]d 15th April 1781



Sir,

I call[e]d upon Lawyer Wilson after I left you, but he had not got the Case w[i]th the depositions of the Witnesses f[ro]m Mr Heron who I also call[e]d upon to desire that the Lawyer might have them as soon as possible but he was f[ro]m Home.

I took a ride the other day to see how much the Carriage men went upon the Turn pike at the West end, and find they have (as far this season) gon upwards of three Hundred Y[ar]ds w[hi]ch I do suppose Mr Silvertop will make a handle of at the meeting tomorrow for having a side Gate at Winlaton Lane post - the Branch f[ro]m Mickly Bank to lead-hill is upon a Com[m]on or unenclosed ground, so that the Carriage-Men keeps the Turn pike so far as it goes near the Old road, but S[i]r Tho[ma]s Blackett’s Lead can go down the old road by Winlaton without coming upon the Turn pike more then crossing it at each end. I have wrote Mr Mulcaster to desire the Wainmen not to use it at Apperley Bank as that will make them liable to pay the Toll – as the Branch and the old road f[ro]m Lead hill along Apperley bank for three or four hundred y[ar]ds are parallel and upon unenclosed ground it may be difficult to prevent the Carriage men at all times f[ro]m going upon the Turnpike at that part, and to prevent disputes on that Acc[oun]t it might not be amiss to agree w[i]th the Trustees for the use of that part of the Turnpike – I am

Yrs Hble servt & c  IH