Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Blackett – 29 Jan 1779

Sir Thomas Blackett Barot                                                      Newcas     29th Janry 1779

    Bretton  Yorkshire



Dear Sir

	I made a longer Stay in Ripon than I intended & only got Home the 21st instant.  Mr Bell was with me Yesterday & paid me £500 on Account of your Rents - he was disappointed of about £150 which he expected to receive for Wood but hopes to have it soon.  Inclosed you have Bell Cookson & Cos Bill on Castell & Co at a month for £300 & by this Post I send Sir Edward Blackett a Bill for £200 for the like Sum you received from him.  You will please to acknowledge the Receipt of this Bill.  I acquainted Mr Wilson that you had no Objection to the Request made by the Lessees of Winlaton Colliery for anor Year for the Winnings.  Mr Eyre has likewise given his Consent.  Mr Wilson did Expect to hear from you as he wrote on Business of Consequence.  I have not heard further from Sir Thomas Clavering - I acquainted him that you had fixed the Lowest Price for the two Farms & would make no Abatement.  Mr Bell informs me that neither the Leaseholders nor Freeholders within the Manor of Hexham can take up any part of the Waste without your Consent.  That you may make your own Conditions with them and are not obliged to take 4d p Acre but that it has been thought adviseable to accept of that Sum; In the Divisions that have taken place in this Country the Lords have had a 1/16 th reserving the Royalties at which rate Mr Bell says it will be 5s 4d an Acre which would not be a bad Price taking the whole together but the Persons that do inclose commonly make Choice of the best Land.  Mr Bell likewise informs me that several Persons have inclosed without the Consent of the late Sir Walter Blackett or yourself who do not pay Acre Money and that no Steps have yet been taken to Compel them.  This is I think a Matter deserving your serious Consideration & that Mr Wilson should be consulted about it for if no Notice is taken of it you will be greatly injured & may in Time Lose your right.  Mr Simpson tells me that he should soon send you his Proposals for the Purchase of Parkhead Farm.

	Mr Morrow the Master of your Charity School of St Andws died suddenly Yesterday on Wednesday Night - the sooner this Vacancy is filled up the better & I should be glad to know if you have any Person in Yorkshire that you would appoint.  In Case you have not I would recommend that Dr Fawcett our Vicar & Mr Ellison the Minster of the Parish be desired to Examine the several Persons that may offer & Enquire into their Characters & recommend to you the Person they find the best Qualified.      I am etc    JEB





                                            £300.-.-     Newcastle Bank     29th Janry 1779

                                      One Month after date Pay to the Order of John Erasmus

                                   Blackett Esqr Three Hundred Pounds     Value received

                                                                         For Bell Cookson Carr Widdrington & Self

To Messrs Castell Whately & Powell                                                 Jos Saint

                   London                          Pay the Contents to Sir Thomas 

No 9658                                            Blackett Bt or Order Value in

                                                           Account           John E Blackett