Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 22 Jan 1737

To Wm Corbett Esqr

      Rav: Castle  January 22d 1736/7

Sr

	I hope tomorrow’s post will bring me the Confirmations of the Sevl Farms that were not before Confirmed, on wch I shall acquaint the Severall farmers but I expect to meet wth some difficulty from those who lose their Farmes, as some of ‘em threaten that they will not goe of this year, as they have been kept so long on uncertainty I shall however do my best

	Mr Boag’s being absent so long has been a great hardship upon me.  I wish the Hospital may not have Suffered by it, at a time when a narrow Inspection was necessary thro’ the whole Estate particularly where there is an alteration of Tennants, who always take advantages in their last year, I say I wish the Hospl may not have Suffered by it, as it is not possible for me to Inspect the whole so narrowly as it ought at this time to be

	The Tennants of Langly Castle Mr Boag writes me are not to be admitted Tennts of that farme at their last offer of wch I have acquainted ‘em by letter, but have not had their answer.  I am of opinion they wll give no more than £70 for it.  nor do I believe any other persons wll but I shall pursue wt the Comissrs are pleased to direct in it.  there Will be some things of this kind wth other Tennts (Vizt)  Dinnitley Farm confirmed to Wm Todd.  he he wll not be Concerned wth & mary wreight for pt of Elrington wll not give more than £34 tho by her son She offered £35 & it was Confirmed to her Accordingly

	George Potts of Throckley has brought me his Nephew.  Mr George potts Who is possessed of an Estate of near £100 per Annum as a Security for the paymt of rent & performance of Covenants to be Incerted in his lease of Throckley Farm, & the young Man agrees to Joyn wth his Uncle in the Lease or become otherwise bound as the Commissrs think proper.  This Security of Joyng wth Mr Potts in the lease wll be a good one to the Hospital & I have agreed to it Subject to the Boards Approbation.

	I have Sevll applications of late from the Freeholders of Corbridge who desire to know if the Commissrs wll agree to a division of Corbridge lands.  I had also some talk wth Mr Elder (who is his Grace the Duke of Sommerset’s Agent) when he was on their audit at Newcastle last week, & he tells me they have applyed to him also, & that he gave ‘em for answer that as soon as they had all agreed, & had stated the method they Intended to pursue, he wd lay it before his grace, who he believed wd readily Concur.  As this Sr is the Case it wll be necessary that there should be a meeting of the Freeholders, at wch I shall attend if the Commissrs think proper to state th Severall Interests & Method Intended to be pursued to lay before them for their Concurrance as well as his grace the Duke of Summersetts approbation.

	Inclosed I send you the Bill to be brougt into parliamt fair Coppyed after it has undergone the alterations of Councellor Grey as also a Coppy of Such Instructions as he had from Mr KingCourtkeeper at Keswick you have also Inclosed the Draught you Sent me

	On the River Banks & wears at Fourstones where the late repaire was made it is necessary to plant Willows as a Security to the work & as this is the proper Season for Planting the same I beg to have the Commissrs direction in it, as also that a further Security may be made to the wears by Strengthning the points by pyling where they have Suffered in a late very great fresh in the River Tyne.  The plantg of the willows may cost abt £6 & Securing the damag’d wears about £30 more.

	Inclosed I send you a state of the Case Moor against wood in the Tyth Cause as it was begun continued & Ended in the Eccliastical Court of Durham.  Mr Wrangham is the Attorney Concerned for Mr Wood  I am Sr   Your most Obedt Servt

      Nichos Walton