Letter – John Grey to James Graham – 10 Apr 1834

Private.                                                			Corbridge April 10th 1834



Sir

      On the receipt of Major Graham’s note, desiring me to make enquiry respecting a suitable person for a Head Gamekeeper, I applied to Mr Dickinson, our Moor Master at Alston, knowing that part of the country to be a nursery for Poachers & Keepers.   By the letter which I have the honor to enclose from him, you will see the account he gives of a person whose qualifications he enumerates.

      I should have made more particular enquiry respecting this person, had I not recollected having heard that George Moffat, a son of the old Keeper at Howick, had left the situation of Keeper at Eslington, which he has held under Mr Liddell for <nine> years and was at present living with his father at Howick.  As I was to go over to the northern estates & to pass near Eslington, I took that opportunity of asking more particularly the cause of his leaving that Situation, which I found, both from his own account & that of others, arose from his refusal to marry a servant of Mr Liddle, to whom he had paid his addresses.  I then wrote asking him to meet me at Belford, where I held a rent day on Tuesday & am now able to report that he is at liberty and very willing to go to Wetherby, should the terms be such as he likes.   He is now single, but is going to be married which will prevent him remaining in his father’s house.  He refers you to Mr Liddle or any of Lord Grey’s family, for a knowledge of his character, qualifications etc, all of which I believe will be found very satisfactory.   He has one brother, Gamekeeper with Lord Mulgrave, & another with Mr Bowes at Gibside.  The latter wishes to leave the situation, having been twice shot by the unruly Colliers, & would probably take yours, should the elder one decline it.   Besides this, I have heard others recommended by Mr Silvertop & Gentlemen living among the moors but none whose experience could be relied upon.

      It will give me pleasure to render you any further assistance in the matter.

      I have the honor to be Sir

                         Your most obedient Servant

                                 John Grey