Letter – Henry Richmond to Walter Blackett – 23 May 1769

To Sir Wr Blackett Baro[ne]t at Wallington                                            Newcastle 23d May 1769

Hon[ou]r[e]d Sir

It appears by an Abstract which was got from Mr Denton of an old deed dated 10 Augst 1615 That Thos Ord settled, on the Marriage of his Son Thos with Joan Pudsey, among other Things “Eight sheets of Net of fishing water in the Upper of Tweed called the High sheel” In another deed, in the same Abstract, dated 10 May 1671 Hen Ord who by intermediate deeds, that do not mention the fishings particularly, appears to be Son of the said Thos the Younger, devises to his son Ralph “ the Water fishings called the two Bells in the River Tweed”. In all the subsequent deeds of the Family their Fishings are called High and Low Bells. how the variation from High Sheel to high and low Bells has happened cannot I fear be accounted for at this day. I understood from Mr Armorer that you had two boats at each of the Bells and at each Boat had a right to use two nets, which made up the number in the old Deed. I am etc    HR