Letter – Joseph Richmond to Richard Ellis – 19 May 1729

To Mr Ellis at Hexham							May 19 1729



Sir, I have received by Mr Hunter  Mrs Featherston’s reckoning books for Dukesfield & Allanheads mills, that for Rookhope I hope won’t be long behind. Notwithstanding the delivering of these books  in wch many articles are omitted I think it will be of absolute necessity for the security of both Sr Wm Blacketts Ex’rs & Mrs F& will undoubtedly proven mistakes in the pay, that a pay bill on due paper be drawn out for each mill expressing the exact sum due to every person mentioned in the quarterly accounts & that the same be sign’d to by Mrs F-n for till the same be done & all the offtakes bro.t together under these proper heads there’s no knowing how matters stand consequently no making a pay by us for Mr Featherston’s time unless the Exers think fit to pay their balance to the mill into Mrs Featherston’s hands & let her make that part of the pay & even in <eq.y> [equity’s?] case the above will be necessary so that I hope Mrs Featherston will think it reasonable to be with all expedition prepared if she will immediately appoint a time that will suit you either Mr Hunter or I will attend you & facilitate yr affair as much as wee can for it is our shame the people should be kept longer out their money. I give you the trouble of this because having been concerned in settling his acct you must know the reasonableness & necessity hereof better than Mrs F-n  & therefore desire that with my best regards you will communicate the same to her & let me have the answer as soon as possible. I am

	Sr your very humble servant, 	JR