Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 7 Sep 1739

      Ravensworth Castle  Sept 7:  1739

To Wm Corbett Esqr.



Sir

      We recd. Yours with the Boards Minutes of the 29th Aug last and a Copy of the Minute relating Mr Jefferson Cutting down Timber in the [Manor] of Thornthwaite dated the 22 March 1737/8.

      It is a very great Surprize to find this Order of the Board of the 22 March 1737/8 unexecuted and we are in great Concern to find we have neglected any of their Commands and more Particularly so, as we can give no other reason for it than the Hurry we were in nst that time, when the Bill was in Parliament - which put it out of our heads then, and prevented us from thinking of it (as we ought to have done) after the Hurry was over. We think our Selves greatly Blamable in it, but hope as it was done without the least designe that the board will pardon us. The Case is now stated and lyes before Councellor Grey for his Opinion which shall be sent you as soon as it comes from him to our hands.

The Tenants mentioned in ours of the 20 of August last, who Claim a right to the Timber in the Hedges, as also Mr Jefferson, who Cutt down and sold the Birch and Alder, are all within the manor of Thornthwait, and hold their Lands during the Joynt Lives of Lord and Tenant by Admittance at the Lords Court, paying Certain Yearly Rents, and Arbitrary Fines according to the Custom of the Manour and are not within the Indenture; The form of which Indenture Admittance is as follows.



  Manor of Thornthwait

At this Court came Thomas Jefferson and took of our Sovereign Lord the King before John King Gentleman Steward of the said Court a messuage and Tenement with the Appurtenances lying at Lonning Foot within the said Manor of the Yearly  Arbitrary Rent of ten shillings and tenpence halfpenny, and now in the hands of the said Lord to be Demised after the Death of James late earl of Derwentwater deceased the last Generall  Admitting Lord of the said Manor To hold and to have the Premisses afores’d withy the Appurtenances During the Joynt Lives of the said Lord and Tenant at the Will of the Lord According to the Custom of the said Manor  Yeilding & Paying therefore the said Yearly Rent and all other Fines Dues Dutys and Services at the Severall Days and times Accustomed and having Compounded for a Fine of GTwelve Pounds Ten shillings is thereupon admitted Tenant.



  The Advertizment is Incerted in the Newcastle paper this Day Pursuant to your Order, and we have Inclosed you herein the Article Intended with Mr Stokoe for Winning Scremerston Colliery. It is made between him and us to save the Com[missione]rs and Directors trouble, but that you will be pleased to Alter as is thought Proper. Mr Barras’s Bond is very good being a Gentleman worth £8000 at least and we are Sr

  Yr most Obed.Servts

      Nich. Walton Hugh Boag