Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Ibbetson – 30 Dec 1797

John Ibbetson Esqr						Newcastle 30th Decemr 1797

								   	 Py 2 Jany 1798

Sir

	On Thursday the 21st inst there was a Meeting at Haydon Bridge of the Commissioners appointed by two Acts of Parliament, one for the Division of Grindon Common in the Barony of Langley, and the other for the Division of Thorngrafton Common in the Barony of Wark, when Mr Walton had the satisfaction of being a Witness to the Execution of the General Awards for both Divisions, and they are now before the Clerk of the Peace for the County of Northumberland preparatory to their being inrolled. A Duplicate, or original Part, of each Award, along with one for Langley South Common Division already Copied shall be sent you, to be lodged in the record Room at Greenwich Hospital, as soon as Copies can be got made for the Office here, but as those Awards contain, together, no less than sixty engrossing Skins, it will take some Time before the can be sent.

	Mr John Dixon, Owner of an Estate in Hexhamshire much intermixed with Hospitals Lands at Turfhouse, called upon Mr Walton on Saturday the 16th inst, and expressed a desire to sell his Property at Turfhouse to the Commissioners and Governors of Greenwich Hospital, and on Wednesday last, he made an offer of the whole, including three Allotments of Common which have lately been set out in respect of his above mentioned Estate, for the Sum of £1100, and it is not thought that he is unreasonable in his expectations.

	After completing the Purchase of Allerwash Mill Allotment, which was effected upon 23d inst, this Estate of Mr Dixons only remains an Object of internal inconvenience, of any consequence, within the whole of Derwentwater Estate, Tithes excepted and the making a Purchase of it, in case that can be done upon proper Terms, will most undoubtedly appear to the Directors, as likely to be attended with advantage to Greenwich Hospital for when they look upon the Plan which accompanies this Letter, they will be pleased to observe, that there is an interference with the Hospitals Grounds, in the situation of almost every part of it, and that in one instance, there is a Parcel of Ground, called Hood Field consisting of upwards of Fourteen Acres, in which the Hospital and Mr Dixon have an equal undivided Property.

	If a Purchase can be made for £1100, of which, from what is mentioned above, there appears to be no doubt, it will certainly be right to close with Mr Dixon at that Price, rather than losing the opportunity of making a Purchase, but he may take less; at all events it is desirable to receive the Boards most early commands, to make the Purchase upon the best of Terms. Not exceeding the above Sum, and the Directors may depend upon every attention being paid to make the Bargain for the Hospital, upon the lowest Terms possible.

	Should this Purchase be made for Greenwich Hospital, it is exceedingly possible that there will not be an inducement left to make another, as upon examination of all the Plans of the Derwentwater Estates, it is found, that the whole of the Lands which belonged to others, and were intermixed with those of the Greenwich Hospital , have either been given in exchange to, or purchased for, the Hospital, except this Estate of Mr Dixons.  We are

      Sir Your most obedt Servt

      Walton & Turner



PS. On the inclosed Plan, The several Parcels belonging To Greenwich Hospital are coloured

Green, those belonging to Mr Dixon Red, and the undivided Property pale blue.