Letter – John Bell to John Bearl – 17 May 1833

Sir

      On my return home I recd. your Ltr of 16th inst.

      I have since seen Mr Isaac Hunter & have had great difficulty in making out any thing from him even with the help of his wife who seems anxious to afford every Information, from an Idea that her Husband as well as Mrs Hunter the Widow of the Testator has not been fairly dealt by.

      To your 1st q. 1500l. was the full Price for the share in Alston Brewery, by a Part of this sum the 50l. annuity to Mrs Hunter was purchased – as Mr Morrison paid the annuity he must have been let retain as much of the 1500l. as the annuity was deemed to be worth I suppose.

      To your 2nd q. I cannot at present procure at your Expence an abstract of the Conveyance to Col. Beaumont, but perhaps in a little time I may have the Deeds in my Custody & may then send you one if not too late.

      To your 3rd. q.  It appears by a Letter from the late Col. Beaumont Dated Portman Sq. Novr. 23rd 1797 that Robt. Hunter, the younger Son of the Testor. died at Port au Prince in St. Domingo on the 28th of Septr. then last past – Isaac Hunters wife thinks that her Husbands sister Catherine Hunter the Daur. of the Testor. died sometime in or abot. the Year 1807.

      To your 4th. q. She thinks (for her Husband does not seem able to recollect) that Mr Robt. Surtees the Trustee died about the year 1811.

      To your 5th q.  Mr Isaac Hunter thinks the 3285l. 6s. 4d. mentd. in my marginal Note was pd. by Chr. Blackett Esq. chief Agt. in NCastle to Col. Beaumont to him Isaac Hunter in the presence of Anthy Surtees Solr. to Rob Surtees the Trustee abot. the time when the Purchase of Steel Hall was completed.

      I spoke to Isaac Hunter (whilst I was with him) twice about the Documents you desire to have but got no reply – I cod. not well press the Matter further, but read to him that Part of your Letter relating to those Documents &c – Possibly I may come at them hereafter if not too late to be useful to you – He sent me Col. Beaumonts Letter this afternoon to show when his Bror. Robt. Hunter died.  

      It is really very difficult to make much out with people who have been struck with Palsy –



MOH 24 May 1833.  I am, Sir, your Obed Servt. Jno. Bell



To Jno. Bearl Esq:  <…..>

							

P.S. to q 3.  Isaac Hunter carried on the Farm on his own accot & he accounted for the Stock thereon to the Trustee at Testors. decease.