Letter – Jonathan Hilton to John Cleaver – 29 Jul 1776

A Copy of a Letter sent Mr. Cleaver 				Alston 29th July 1776



Sir,

I recd your favour of the 15th May which should have answered sooner but I waited for Mr. Gilbert fixing a meeting, I never heard from him till the other Day and in his Letter he desired I may go to Worsley or anywhere within a Days Ride from Worsley. In answer to which my Son this Day wrote Mr Gilbert that I will attend either the first or second week in Sept. whichever may be most convenient at any place you & he may fix for a meeting and will then bring along with me the several plans & Memorandums necessary for laying before you what Tryals I think ought to be proceeded with Greengill forehead has lately been very uncertain sometimes pretty good & looks promising and at other times very ill, it is now very poor. The Tryal into the Little Limestone has been unsuccessful & very expensive we find the Vein too strong for so weak a sill as such are attempting to sink into the Coal Sills which sinking & Tryal may be continued into the Great Limestone if you & Mr Gilbert think proper. We have cut four Veins at How Blagill but no Tryal will be made till you consider the matter, nothing at Garrigill Burn, or very little has been done since I wrote you, & we have been much hindered at Bentyfield by Water but now got pretty well forward upon the whole I think a meeting between you & Mr Gilbert absolutely necessary and as such do beg you will be kind enough to fix with him & if any other time after that I have mentioned be more convenient to you I hope you will fix & be so kind as let me know & I will most undoubtedly attend if Health permits as I should be sorry in not having you together the necessity of the Workes require it.



N.B. For the remainder of the Letters sent John Cleaver Esqr & the Rev. Mr. Cleaver in the year 1776 See the 18th 19th 20th & 21st pages in this book