Letter – Nicholas Walton to Thomas Simpson – 13 Apr 1742

To Mr Thomas Simpson				Ravensworth Castle April 13th. 1742



Dear Sir 

      Mr Chis. Ricardson of Randalholme in Aldston moor has an Estate also at Low Houses in the Chappellery of Garrigill within the Said Mann[o]r by which last mentioned Estate he Claims a part of the Common North of garrigill burn & the Royaltys as Lord of the Man[no]r of Garrard Gill Als Garrygill. And as this part of the Common has been understood by us to be a part of the mannor of Aldston moor of which the Hospitall or King is Lord, we apprehend the Royalties belong to us. The lessees under the Comiss[ione]rs   are now working one of their mines very near the Boundary of this disputed Common, & if they are not already wrought into it, will very Soon, so that Mr Ricardson apprehends he will be Injured if the Boundary is not fixed. He has therefore presented to the Commiss[ione]rs that he is seized of the mannor of Garrygill and is willing to shew his Title thereto, to Such Counsell as they shall appoint and will be determined thereby, & in pursuance of it our Board have order’d us to State to them particularly the matter in Dispute, which we cannot well doe without having Mr Ricardsons Title looked into , which we beg you will doe & let us know particularly how he Claims & how you apprehend the Affaire will determine in case of a Disputation in Law. We have ordered Mr Stephenson the Moor Master to Attend you, who will Inform you that some Mines have been wrought under the Derwentwater family in this Disputed Ground & what Else he knows of the matters & we have wrote to Mr Ricardson to Attend you with his Title, so that as soon after you see them as you can give us a State of the Affair & you’ll oblige Sir

      Yours &c Walton & Boag