Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Airey – 26 Nov 1740

      Ravensworth Castle Novemb. 26. 1740

To John Airey Esq.



Sirs

      I Reced. yours from Chester of the 24 Inst. with one Inclosed from Mr Robt. Lowes in relation to Bridget Horsman of Corbridge who at present Stands in Arrears to the Comniss<ion>ers of Greenwich Hospital no less than £8 - 5 - 3 after Deducting £3 for which her Household goods were Sold.

      Mr Lowes’s Letter Contains a great mant p.ticulars, which I shall pass Over and only Acquaint you with the Severall Facts upon which we grounded our Distress & what was done therein from time to time.

      When we Comenced receivers a Rentall was Transmitted to us by the Board  with their Order to Collect the Severall Rents therein Contained amongst whom was Phillip the Husband of Bridgett Horsman or the Father I know not which at the rate of 30s per annum & we had likewise a return of Arrears due in the late rec.ers time from Horsman & an Order to receive the money.  In May 1739 after having made frequent Demands of Brigitt Horsman, Mr Boag was applyed to on her behalfd by Mr Busbie & she herself was with him & pretended the Derwent.r family had given her or her predecessers the house and Garth during Life but at the same time offerd to attorn Tennant provided the Hospitall wou’d accept of 10s instead of 30s a Yeare which he Cou’d not Comply with; & you are to observe that we never admitted her having any Right at all, therefore Mr Bunting was Ordered to make a Legal Distress which was done accordingly at which Mr. Downes was present, & Consequently I wou’d hope all was done with Strict regularity. The Directors were Acquainted with all these proceedings & approved thereof, so that in that P.tcular I hope we are warranted, & by which I hope you’ll be able to give the young Lawyer a Satisfactory Answer, but I wou’d further  observe that this House & Garth was Lett at the Generall Letting of the farmes on the Derw.water Estate by a generall Court to Mr Bunting which I think verry plainly Shews they admitted no person to have a right therein, or that it was the absolute property of Horsman as Mr Lowes would Insinuate. As Horsman is So Considerably in Arrears at present wou’d it not be proper to Threaten her with prosecution on that Accot.  Herein I return you Mr Lowes’s Letter.

      Hexham will no doubt be a proper place to Execute the Comission in, as the Witnisses may be brought thither. I wish we may have proper Evidence for as I remember Mr Simpson was of opinion  these be Examined  & from whom he took Affidavitts were not so good as to answer our purpose. Some of them I know were [partie]  and Cannot be admitted as Evidence. Pray Consider what may be proper to be done towards procuring more & whether it may not be proper to have Mr Simpson Come into Alstonmoor to prepare them.

      I am Sr  Yrs &c

      Nich. Walton