Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Airey – 5 Apr 1741

      Ravensworth Castle. Apr 5  1741

To John Airey Esq.



Sir

      We were favourd with yours of the 30 of March last Inclosing us a Letter from Mr Robt. Johnson of Ebchester , an an [sic] Affadavit relating the Der[wentwater] Woods. the former I sent a messenger with Yesterday  morning which brought Mr Johnson to N.castle & the latter I return you herein with such alterations as were proper. Sworn before Mr Dixon. Mr Johnson & Ambros Hopper speek only to the Northumberland woods Joyntly, & Ambros to the Cumb[erland]  Woods Singly which Mr Radley will observe is Conformable by the Aff[idavit] they made when the Severall woods were Marked. We sent before an Affad[avit] Sworn to by Ambros Hopper into Mr Corbitts hands of which we have no Accot. which we wonder at it must Certainly be in Mr Radlkdeys hands & will we Apprehend be of the same use as this which I now Inclose you. Before this reaches your hand we Expect an offer of £5000 or Upwards is made for the Northumberland Woods so that Mr Hunter will have no Chance unless you are Comissiond  to go higher, which Mr Johnson seems Unwilling he sh[oul]d but to that [….] he will give you Instructions this post .

      I am verry glad your stay will be so long in Town as I hope you will in that time you do stay get Sr. W. Middleton to Execute the Bond. We wrote to him some time ago a letter of thanks for his kind favour which I hope he has reced. I hope will meet with you and Mrs Airey will & I am

      Sir Yours &c

      Nich. Walton





In the Exchequer         Concerning the Estate of the late Earl of Derw<entwat>er



	Robert Johnson of Ebchester Hill  Gent in the County of Durham Gent. and Ambrose Hopper of Trugar House in the said County of Durham Yeoman Severally maketh oath and say they are well Skilld & Experienced in Woods & the Growth of Timber & for many Years have been Conversent therein and that they in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Sevenhundred  & thirty Seven Carefully with other Skillfull persons did Survey the Severall woods called Linn burn, Harsondale Lees Allerwash Plankey Esphill Lightbirks Tedcastle Deanraw Sillywray Lipwood & Rattenraw in Langley Barrony in the County of Nortrhumb. and Impartially Vallued all the Oak Trees & the bark thereof and also all the Ash, Elm Birch Alder & other Trees then Standing and Growing in the Said Woods which in their Judgment were fitt for Cutting and felling  And that the Totall value of the Said oak & Bark thereof and the said Ash Elm Birch Alder & Other trees amounting to the Sum of One thousand Six Hundred & six pounds fourteen Shillings & Sixpence, And likewise then also they carefully Surveyed all the Woods Called Bogg and Boathouse lane, Highwood Langhope Meldon Hartburn grainge Dilston & Thornbrough in the parishes of Hexham, Corbridge & Midford & Hartburn in the sd County of Northumberland and also impartially valued the Oak & Bark thereof and all the Ash Elm Birch Alder & other Trees therein then Standing & Growing which in their Judgment were fitt for Cutting and felling and which in the Totall Value thereof Sett according to the best of their Judgment amounted to the Sum of Three Thousand four hundred & fourty six pounds seven shillings

       And these Deponents also further Severall Say that in the Month of March One Thousand Seven hundred & Thirty Nine & in the months of July August & September last they did Survey again and mark all the said Oak & Bark to the best of their Judgment and belief were of the Severall  Values above mentioned and now are of the same Value & worth, And these Deponents further Severally say they are Informed and believe that the said Oak Ash, Elm Birch Alder & Other Trees & bark so Valued and marked as aforesaid were by an Order of this Honourable Court to be Sold before the Deputy to his Majestys Remembrancer of the Said Court and that the Sum of Four thousand pounds hath been Bid before the said Deputy to his Majesty’s Remembrancer of this Honourable Court for all Oak Ash Elm Birch Alder & other Trees & Bark mark’d to be Sold in the said County of Northumberland  & that the Said Bidding is about One Thousand & Twenty pounds under the true Value thereof and what these Deponents upon their said Survey  of the said Trees & Bark valued the same & Verily believe the Said Severall  P[ar]cells of wood may be sold at or Near the value of them mentioned & set forth. 

      And this Deponent Ambros Hopper for himself further saith that he with other Skiullfull persons did likewise Survey all the Woods Called <Catsflen>. Stable Hill Dear Close Waterage banks wood Castle wood the Stands Hagwood The two Islands Watsons park Cocksett & Loaning head in the Mannors of Castlerigg, Derwentwater & Thornthwaite at or Near Keswick in the County of Cumberland and impartially valued all the Oak Trees & Bark therup[on] then Standing & Growing in the last mentioned woods in the said County of Cumberland which ion his Judgement were fitt for Cutting in the Totall Value thereof according to the best of his Judgement to the Sum of Four Thousand Eight Hundred & Seventy five pounds three Shillings & Sixpence 

      And this Deponent also further Saith that in the Months of July August & Sept last he did Survey again and mark all the said oak and Bark thereof  and all the Ash Elm Birch Alder & Other trees so by him surveyed and Valued as aforesaid Standing & Growing in the said severall & respective woods before mentioned And that the said Oak Ash Elm Birch Alder & other Trees & Bark so valued & marked as aforesaid to the best of his Judgement & belief were of the Severall Values above mentioned & now are of the same Value & Worth. And this Deponent further saith he is Informed & believes the s[ai]d Oak Ash Elm Birch Alder & other Trees & Bark so valued and marked as aforesaid are by an Order of this Honourable Court to be sold before the Deputy to his Majesty’s Remembrancer of the said Court & that the Sum of Four Thousand one Hundred pounds hath been bid before the Said Deputy to his Majesty’s Remembrancer of this Honourable Court for all the Oak Ash Elm Birch Alder & other Trees & Bark marked to be sold in the said County of Cumberland which said biddings is Seven Hundred & Seventy five pounds or thereabouts under the True Value thereof And What this Deponent  upon his said Survey of the said Trees and Bark Valued the same at And verily believes  the said severall Parcells of Wood may be sold at or near the value by him mentioned and set forth.



Sworn at Newcastle upon Tyne. the fourth day of April One Thousand Seven hundred & forty one.             Robt. Johnson   Ambrose Hopper

   

Before Thos. Dixon a Com[missioner] by Virtue of the Statute