Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbertt – 27 Jun 1736

To Wm Corbett Esqr



Sr                                                                                  Ravensworth Castle  June 27th 1736

	In Obedience to the Commands of the Board of Directors at their meeting at Salters Hall the 2d Inst we have made Enquiry when any Courts have been held in the Derwentwater Estate, what are the Customs and methods observed by the sd Courts & whether Messrs Aynesley Simpson and Thompson the Stewards appointed by the treasury, have transacted any Affairs in the said Courts since the Estate has been made over to the Hospitall.

	In answer to which there has been no Courts kept since the Estate was made over to the Hospitall nor for some time before, but we cannot come at the exact time for want of the Court Rolls which we beleive are all in Mr Aynesleys hands

	The Severall Courts kept in the estate are Court Leet and Court Barron, the former of wch can only be held twice in the year (to wit) within a Month after Easter & within a Month after Michs but at no other time, & Consists of Enquirys & presentments.  And the latter is the Lords Court & appendant to his Manner & may be held as often as the Lords pleases & is for the Tryall of Accons [actions], between one Tennant & another under forty Shillings.  But to Save Expence to the Ld of the Manner & for more ease to the Steward, the Court Leet & Court Barron have been held together, & is the usual method in all parts where Courts are kept in this Country

	Messrs Aynesley & Simpson have done no busyness for the Hospitall since the Estate was vested in the Hospitall nor doe we believe Mr Thompson has, but we do not hear of any such Man who was Court Keeper in any part of the Estate

	The places where Courts have been kept in this Estate are Newland & Whittenstall Manner, Haydon Bridge, Wark, Alston & Keswick it has been usuall at such times as Courts were kept to Entertain the Freeholders & some Few Substantiall Tennants with a Dinner etc at the Expence of the Lord, which we take the Liberty to lay before the Board desiring their directions therein

	Throckley Estate is said to be a Manner, & that Courts have been formerly kept there but not for many years, for want of which there has been Enchroachmts made of the Common, by the Freeholders of Callerton we would therefore advise a Court being held there, but hope as it is one additional the Hospitall will be at the expence of it

	The Manner of Alston & Keswick being at great distance from Mr Airey (who we apprehend is appointed Courtkeeper) will occasion a great expence upon us & we are afraid from his being at such distance that some things may escape his observation, wch naturally could come before one upon the Spott, Mr Simpson (who was late Courtkeeper at Alston) is Clark of the Peace for the County of Cumberland, is a Gentn of extraordry Character & verry fitt for that Trust, & Mr John <Hearge> Attorney at law in Keswick, is also well recommended to us, & has since we have been concerned, shew’d his zeal for the Interest of the Hospitall, when ever he had it in his power, & who we beleive will discharge the Trust of Courtkeeper with great Fidelity.  We therefore begg leave to recommend these two Gentn Vizt the former to be Courtkeeper at Alston & the latter at Keswick

	We have had a Conference with Mr Airey who thinks as we doe that it is necessary to call upon Mr Aynesley for the Sevll Court Rolls & papers now in his Custody, but we do not intend to move in it without the Directions of the board.  We have given Mr Airey directions to proceed against the persons in possession of Greenhead Colliery, Late Farm’d by Mr Gabll Hall, as the Law directs, To Morrow we goe to Dilston upon a Recet of the Rents & on Wednesday Mr Airey is to be with us to Open the three Chests of Papers

	Sometime since we wrote you about Mr Thompsons sarveying Keswick & Alston inclosed Lands to wch we have not had your Reply; & we have since been with Coll Liddell consulting him about the Survey of the Commons who was so good as promise to write to you his thoughts about them & we doubt not but he has so done to wch we referr What he writes is our Joynt thoughts.

	We have reced from Mr Radley a Coppy of the Grant of the Tyths of the Rectory of Hartburn, & we have this day acknowledged to him the recet of it, & have given him an Accot of the proceedings in the Cause of Moore against Wood; a Coppy of wch you have inclosed

      We are Sr Yours etc	Walton & Boag