Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Luke Noble – 20 Jul 1787

Mr Luke Noble   Bretton                                          Newcastle    July   20th. 1787

        Yorkshire



Sir       I received your letter of the 10th inst.  Mr Wilson Mr Heron Mr Bell & myself had a Meeting yesterday to settle the business of Riding the Boundaries of the Regality of Hexham & to prepare an Advertisement for the Purpose  it is to be begun at 10 O’Clock on Monday morning the 13th Augt. it was rode in 1690 & 1732 and took up three days, I apprehend that there will be difficulty in getting through it in that time, Mr Bell is to make inquiry for two old Men who were present at the last Boundary Riding, he goes with them Mr Hunter & Mr Forster the Boundaries the next week, & every other necessary step will be taken previous to the day of Riding.  If Sir Thos. Blackett should incline to have a Survey taken of the Boundaries of the Regality? it will be necessary that we should have timely notice, that a proper Person may be engaged for that purpose who shall go the Boundaries; Please to give me an Answer to this, and let me know when Sir Thomas intends being at this Place.  The Assizes at Durham begin on Tuesday the 31st inst. at this Town on Saturday the 4th Augt., if Sir Thomas has any thoughts of Dining with the Bishop of Durham that week in his way? it should be Wednesday the 1st Augt. when the Gentn. of the County dine with him, on being acquainted I shall meet him there.  I acquainted Sir Thos. that I had sent a Pipe of Port & a Hogshd. of Claret to the Abbey the former will be Bottled off on Monday next, Mr Johnson tells me he has wrote to Sir Thos. to acquaint him of their Importation of French White Wines etc if he would have any sent please to acquaint me.  I desire that you will send me the Arms of Sir Thomas Blackett as they tell me it will be necessary that his Arms & that of Hexham should be painted on a small Flag to be carried at the Boundary Riding.                                    I am etc    J. E. B.