Letter – Dorothy Newton to John Erasmus Blackett – 8 Dec 1797

      As it is Coll. Beaumonts determination to take the Carpenters Work at Hexham Abbey out of my father William Newton's hands & as my Farher is willing to think that the work could be proceeded in as he has engaged, but as Coll. Beaumont will not come into any proposal he has made for carrying on & completing the said work, my Father in such case, can only give his approbation to Col. Beaumont's own plan of concluding it - under such certain circumstances as my Father has desired me to specify.  –

      Two skilful Men are by Col. Beaumonts desire to meet, survey & value the Carpenters work already done, one of these Men is to be sent by Col. Beaumont, the other by my Father, in addition to the work done, they must also value such materials as are provided by my Father, for carrying on the abovementioned work  -- My Father states he was to be paid in advance certain sums of money for carrying on the work, a part of which he has received, --  the work already done, may, or may not, be equal to the money advanced but Mr. Ebdon & Mr. Stephenson will be judges of that -- My Father further adds he received the abovementioned sums of money, for a certainty, that he was to give in exchange Carpenters work and materials & such exchange he is willing and engaged to make, therefore whatever if any defect there is, he stands engaged to complete the sum received in work, abiding by the same Judges, to point out what part of the work he ought to finish.  His bill for plans, Estimates, attendance & plastering materials, Mr. Stephenson will be provided with, he submits himself to the judgement of the abovementioned Architects most willingly, but to Col. Beaumonts determination with reluctance - ill health has long prevented his personal attendance at Hexham Abbey, as Architect he could not go on, but as Carpenter he always thought himself secure. ---  

                                                                 Dorothy Newton



Mr. David Stephenson Architect appointed by me will communicate this to Mr. Blackett for the inspection of Col. Beaumont to the contents of it I will abide.

                                                     William Newton

Newcastle Decr. 8th 1797