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Corbridge March 31. 1739 A Copy of the Revd. Mr John Waltons Letter sent to Messrs Walton & Boag who sent the Original whereof to the Board
A proposal being on foot for Erecting a large Gallery on the west side of Corbridge Church, I think it proper to Communicate it to you, that so the Commissioners of the Hospital may be Apprizd of it and be able to Judge whether their Joyning in the Design may be of Service to the House, and Estate now under their Direction and how farr they are to Engage in it.
The Derwentwater Family having not been of the Communion of the Church, no Care has been taken for making or keeping <Covenient> Seats for the family in the Parish Church, and but very little for the Farmers, till I prevaild on Mr Errington, or Mr Busby to repair an old Seat, and to take in an Additional vacancy for their own use: But still proper provision is awanting for the seat house and a better Family, when any happens to settle there.
Now if this Intended gallery be taken up entirely by other subscribers, there can be no proper place for such a Family afterwards wherefore I heartily wish that the Commissioners may be Apprized of this opportunity, and prevaild upon to Contribute for the front seat (which will be about 12 Feet in length, made wider than the back Seats, and project a little before the rest in the Middle of the Church and of something better work. I am of opinion that about seven ponds or £7.10 – will make this provision, and if the Commis[sioners] Agree to it, the Contribution may be either in money, or oakwood as you and they shall think proper. I wish you would give me a Call and View the place yourselves; I’m persuaded you’ll judge with me that the proposal is for the Advantage of the Estate, & should not be overlookd. An Answer as soon as you can procure it, will oblige Messrs,
Your very hble Servt, J. Walton
A copy. The original was forwarded to the Board (see the letter from Boag to Corbett of 15th April). John Walton was vicar of Corbridge from 1720 to 1741. In April 1738 he, the churchwardens and the four-and-twenty publicly announced that they had consented ‘that two rows of common pews with three rows of seats or benches be erected by voluntary contributions against the west end of Corbridge church for the inhabitants of the said parish.’
