Letter – William Rollinson to William Blackett – 18 Mar 1676

      London March 18 1675

Sir

I received yours of the 14 instant for which I returne yow my humble and hearty thanks. I am once more imboldened to give yow a further trouble in the same businesse, fearing that your speedinesse to answer my former letter (as I desired) might be a means to prevent your more strict enquiry into the pticulars of that businesse. Now as to the young man, his deportment and carriage at Hambrugh, I am well satisfied about from one Mr. Shepard, with whome he lived there as a Servant for 6 years, and then came to England to visit his relations, with full intentions to have returned thither againe and to have resided there, butt his parents being more inclinable to have him settle in London, in obedience to them he altered his former resolution; He is at present only a Lodger, and nott actually imployed as a Merchant, and if he should marry tho his Father intends that he should have the greatest part of his Wife’s portion for a Stock to imploye in that way of merchandizeing wherein he hath been educated; I understand that his Father expects he should have £3,000 portion with a wife; In consideration whereof he intends to settle upon him £500 p Ann (viz £300 p ann in present possession (which will be a Jointure for his wife) and £200 p ann after his death. The accompt I receive from the younge man of his Father’s concerns is thus; that he hath and Estate in Land of £1200 p ann and in Coaleryes soe much as makes one yeare with another £3000 p ann one moiety of which coaleryes (being £1500 p ann) is settled upon his eldest Brother, whereof £1000 p ann in present possession, Out of the other moiety he is to have a fourth part which according to their calculation will be £375, to which there will be £25 p ann more to be added to make it up to £400 p ann and £100 more in free Land near Durham which he hath lately purchased and this is the £500 which is proposed as an Estate for the young man. Now Sr if his Coaleryes be worth butt £1000, £1500 or £2000 p ann and not worth above 10 years purchase it will fall exceedingly short of what they reckon it, and consequently my daughters jointure will not be proportionable to what they expect as a portion, pray Sr let me once more beg the kindnesse of yow to get what farther information you can and yow may firmly depend upon my privacy, that I shall neither saye or doe any things whereby you shall suffer the least prejudice. I am very sensible that this is a very great trouble that I putt upon yow, butt doe hope that you will honour me once more with a lyne or two from yow, which shall be ever thankfully acknowledged by

	Yr faithfull friend and humble servant

		Will Rollinson