Journal entry – John Grey – 17 Jul 1833

Wednesday 17th July 1833

	Rode in the morning 12 miles to Hartburngrainge where I visited the three farms belonging to the Hospital, giving the respective tenants charge of directing & superintending such repairs of their buildings, chiefly the roofs, as are absolutely necessary to be done before winter, to secure the timber & floors from further decay, leaving all new & more expensive erections that they either wished for, or expected, to future consideration – One Barn & Granary which I formerly mentioned as having been so badly covered with slates, must I fear be entirely unroofed and covered a new, but the Tenant is first to have it examined by a Slater who is well reported of by the Agent of Sir John Trevellian, & who is to report to me of its condition. I rode to Corbridge 20 miles in the evening. Before leaving Milfield hill, I gave my Son the measurement of the Farms at Scremerston & Spindleston, desiring him to take a minute account of the state of the tillage in each farm, & to report of that & of their general appearance & condition to me, which will save a long journey to Mr Hunt, who is at present fully occupied in managing the draining, looking after young Fences & various repairs of Stables & outbuildings which can only be done by days works and require constant and vigilant superintendance – He is at present measuring off the sod draining on the high lands in Grindon, which are now I trust complete & likely to answer extremely well – He has engaged a Carpenter to make 50 Gates, upon trial at 2/- each.