Letter – Jonathan Hilton to John Gilbert – 29 Nov 1777

A Copy of A Letter sent Mr Gilbert				Alston 29th Novr 1777



Dear Sir,

I hope you recd my Letter of the 24th Inst, and on the 25th I recd your favour of the 17th Inst I left Stanhope yesterday Stobbs & Partrs in the rich Bargain had Drove the Forehead two Fathoms nearly Dead in a Shake or Douk, but yesterday the sides were put on sound, and pretty good Ore appearing in the Sole which seemed to set up into the forehead I think there is no doubt of its being good again. The String South of Greys Vein let to Ralph Sanderson & 5 Partrs does not appear to come so fast to Greys Vein as it did and cannot be Drove but at a great expence so we have given that over & as Stobbs & Partrs has only between 5 & 6 fathom to Drive to their Ground end we thought right to Sink a Shaft Two or Three fathoms West of Stobb’s Ground end which Shaft I suppose will be set on next Week & I hope there is no fear of success. Palpayman & Partrs East of Stobb’s Shaft has raised as much Ore as could be expected, but their Ore runs so much down that it cannot be worked much longer for Water. Now as the Old Man has Worked the same Vein and his forehead is standing at the bottom of the Great Limestone about 38 Fathoms East of Palpayman’s Working and without bringing up that Drift Palpayman’s Working will be lost; There is a prospect of getting ore that may pay the Expence of that Drift, but Mr Sellers will Write you next Week more particularly about it. The rest of the Ore Workings are doing as well as could be expected: but Shieldherst Vein is not yet cut.