Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Radley – 25 May 1740

      Ravensworth Castle May 25  1740

To Mr Radley



Sir

	The Inclosed came lately to us from Mr Downes, which (as it relates to high Stublick Colliery) we send you Inclosed & beg you will hasten the Injunction as it is greatly wanted now in the season when there is the greatest demand for Coales. And we believe the Injunction to stay the workings of Mr Blacketts Lessees would putt an end to the dispute, & we are 

      Sir  Yr verry Hble Serts

      Nich. Walton Hugh Boag



 

In the Exchequer

Robert Middleton of Whinnitly in the County of Northumberland Yeoman Viewer or agent to the present lessees or farmers under the Hospital of Greg Shield otherwise high Stublick Colliery maketh oath that since the time of the present lessees under Mr Blackets entering upon High Stublick aforesaid and working Coales there they have at a moderate Computation wrought & Sold Coales there to the amount or value of Eighty pounds, & upwards wch said Coales the Deponent verily believes to be the property of the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital or their lessee, and Saith that by  the said Mr Blacketts Lessees paying no Rent (as this deponent hath heard and verily believes ) for the Coale they work at high Stublick aforesaid as also the Low Pitt they have thereby brought the price of Coale to there, which together with the great hinderances of the vend of Coale they have occasioned to the present Lessees of the Hospital this Deponent in his Judgement verily believes the loss and damage occasioned by their whole proceedings to the present lessee of high Stublick otherwise Greg shield Colliery will amount to the sum of one hundred & fifty pounds and upwards and this deponent further Saith that the Said Mr Blacketts lessees meeting with no interuption of Disturbance in such their proceedings as aforesaid, the Tennants of the Neighbouring villages that have a right of Common within the mannor of Hexham have of late drove their cattle not only upon high Stublick Liberty but even to the furthest part of Gregshield pretending now right of Common thro’ the whole to the manifest prejudice & injury of the Tennants belonging to the Hospital within the Barrony of Langley.



Taken and Sworn at Hexham in the County of Northumberland the Thirteenth Day of May in the Year of our Lord 1740 before me Shaftoe Downes a Com[issione]r in the Sd. Court.