Journal entry – John Grey – 17 Jun 1834

Tuesday 17th June



Went to Hexham - settled the Nursery mans Acct amounting to £57.8. for young Trees & Thorns used in planting during the last Season.    Being Market day, saw several Tenants, who have generally some applications to make, but who are universally complaining of the Drought & bad prospect for a Crop, & stating the impossibility of holding their Farms at the present rents.  I regret to learn that Mr Fenwick has found it necessary to resort to a sale of Robinsons Goods at Needlesshall, to obtain his Debt due to the Hospital. Mrs Benson Tenant of Grindon Hill, who has Sons working upon the Farm, was one today among the applicants to have a reduction of Rent, or to be quit.  I had expected it from her as the farm had been so hastely taken, & being a good deal in Grass & adapted to the keeping of Sheep, ought from the good price of Wool to pay better than the more Corn growing Lands.  She admitted that they ought to cultivate no more Corn than would afford winter provision for their Cattle, but that her economy & the industry of her Sons would not at all do to enable them to pay their way.