Letters – Joseph Richmond to Richard Wilson – 7 Dec 1756

To Mr Richd. Wilson Esq. at Leeds

7 Dec 1756

Sir

I rec[eive]d yo[u]r Lres of the 1st & 4th inst & have p[ai]d Mr Ord the £92.17.6 & taken his receipt for it as being the remainder & in full of his proportion of the purchase money for Kenton.

As to this Estate, it is certainly capable of very great improvem[en]t & in my opinion may with the prudent laying out of about £1500 be in time advanced £200 a y[ea]r. But what method is most proper to be taken, must be well considered, & depends upon your own determination, whether you will take any part into your own hands & fix a skilfull person upon the spot, or you will let leases for 21 y[ea]rs & build the Tenants such conveniencies as can be agreed on: Some of the tenants now upon the estate are in Low Circumstances & very indifferent managers, & not fit to be trusted with for a long term & I doubt able & substantial ones are mostly provided, & it will not be easy to meet with any such ag[ain]st mayday next. Upon the whole I think it is quite right that you come over as soon as possible, if you intend to make any alteration this y[ea]r that some Method of proceeding may be resolved on.

As to the purchase ~Deeds they must be sent to Alnwick to be executed by Mr & Mrs Stoddart, the representatives of the late Mr Major Allgood, & then may be sent forward if you please to the Chief Baron at Edenbro:, who is not expected here before Candlemas if then. I am etc    JR

PS the Kenton deeds are come down to my son to get executed, who will proceed upon it as soon as a bond of indemnity is signed by Sr W.Blackett for Mr Stoddart & the Ch[ief] B[aron]s Lre of Attorney & Mr Ords <...> sent down to be d[elivere]d up.