Letters – Joseph Richmond to Jane Gomeldon – 11 Aug 1758

To Mrs Gomeldon

Newcastle 11 Aug 1758

Madam

	By Sir Wr. Blacketts directions I wrote to Thos. maughan his Agent in Weardale about the damage you say is done to Miss Shields Estate by the Slitt Grove, whose ans[we]r is as follows, wch I am ordered to send you; & also to acquaint you that Sr. Wr. is ready to refer the damage to two indifferent persons & when you let him know who you make choice of, he will appoint one to whom there can be no objection  I am, Mad[a]m  Your  etc    JR



‘Miss Shield & Jno. Featherston has a p[iec]e of coarse pasture land at Middlehope Sheel equally between them & Great Slitt Grove is wro[ugh]t thro' the Middle of it, & the deads cuttings &c all lay in it; by wch Jno. Featherston & Miss Shield's tenants will have 40s damage this year, & that is the utmost it can be computed at, and will likewise please them very well.   As to the rest of Miss Shield's land it receives no damage by Great Slitt, but it is a considerable advantage to her that the grove proves good, for her land before last year as I am informed was never let for more than 20 Guineas a yr. & it's now let for 25.15.0. Suppose the whole pasture were to be laid waste by the grove it w[oul]d only be ab[ou]t 3 po[un]ds a yr damage to Miss Shield & Jno. Featherston together.   T.M.’