Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 30 Apr 1736

To Wm Corbett Esqr



Sr                                                                             Ravenworth Castle  April 30th 1736

	We wrote you the 24th Inst that Mr Aynesley of Hexham had Seized the Goods of Readhead Tennant at Whittles for an Arrear of Rent due at Marts 1734 & that the Goods so Seized were to be Sold on Monday the 26 Inst.

	We Sent our Bayliff Mr Johnson to attend the Sale & to take an Accot of the Value of the Goods Sold to the end that we might call upon Mr Aynesley for the Overpluss, which we apprehend must in Course goe to the discharge of part of the Arrear which has become due to us Since Martinmas 1734, but on Mr Johnson’s going to the Place Mr Aynesley putt off the Sale & withdrew his distress, and tho’ he knew we had Lett the Farme putt the Man upon disputing his right to hold his Farm another year altho’ his Circumstances is at present Such as there must be a very considerable loss by him.

	We have as we before wrote you lett the Farme to a very good Tennant, who will pay his Rent well, & out of a regard to that & the right he has to enjoy it, by taking it in a Legal manner, we have thought proper to make distress of the Goods of Readhead & they are to be Sold next Wednesday which we hope the Directors will approve of.

	This Affair has given us a great deal of Trouble & indeed Mr Aynsley proceedings there on Seams to have been Calculated for that purpose as he never could mean to doe the Hospitall Service in distressing a Tennant so near Mayday when it was a very great Chance that we gott a Tennant.

	We hope the Directors will take into their Consideration the great Inconvenience that must attend the destraining of Tennants at improper Seasons of the Year, & that they will order a Stop to be putt to any thing of that nature being done for Arrears of Rent due at Martinmas 1734 till we are acquainted therewith, for Should they Suffer things of that Kind to be done where ever it happens the Farmes will be untennanted & fall into the hands of the Hospitall by which there will be an undoubted loss.  We are etc

      Walton & Boag