Journal entry – John Grey – 29 Jan 1834

Wednesday 29th January 



Went to Thornbrough to see the extent of land that had been covered by the Tyne in yesterdays flood & consider of the practicability & cost of securing it, but as yet there was too much water standing in the low ground to ascertain it. Went forward to Shaw House & informed the tenant that unless he could take means to reduce the Arrear standing against him, I feared some other steps must be taken by the Hospital.  He engages to bring me some money ere long, but complains like many others, that whereas in former years, being on the road to Newcastle, he made half his rent by the carriage of  Lead from Langley Mills, since the Mills were let, he has had none of the employment.  I then proceeded to Whittle Dean & examined with the Quarry-men the rock they mean to cut & the line of road they wish to use, making a farther stipulation with them, that in case of their being able to dispose of any of the refuse stone for building purposes, which would at any rate be better taken away, they should pay one tenth of the price as Quarry leave to the Hospital. They wish to make all into Rail way blocks, that they can, and as they are restricted to size by the Company & we are to be paid according to their account, any further stipulation on our part is unnecessary.