Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Ibbetson – 13 Dec 1794

John Ibbetson Esqr					Farnacres 13th December 1794



Sir

	As several Trees stand in the way of the Fences necessary to be made for completing the inclosure of the Wood Ground in the Copyhold of Rawgreen Purchased of the Bacon Family by the Hospital, we have caused an Estimate to be made of the Value of the Wood from which it appears probable that the Sale of it will produce about One Hundred Pounds after deducting the expence of rooting up the Trees and removing the Roots. With the Boards permission we propose offering this Wood for Sale along with Seven Parcels the Particulars of which were sent you the 29th November.

	One John Horsley having of late very much interfered with Willm Hetherington the Hospitals Bailiff for the Manor of Alstonmoor with which Office the latter is also Cryer or Bellman as hath been usual; Mr Henry Dixon the Hospitals Courtkeeper served Horsley with a Notice not to Act as Bellman or Cryer within the said Manor to the prejudice of the Right of the Commissioners and Governors of the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich in the County of Kent Lords of the said Manor; notwithstanding which the said Jno Horsley still continues to Act in the same manner.  Under the circumstances of it being known that this Office of Bellman or Cryer at Alston has been enjoyed by the Hospitals Bailiff exclusive of all other Persons it seems necessary that something should be done to compel Horsley to cease acting as he does and desire the Boards Orders that he may be proceeded against.

	The serving Writs upon the Crow Coal Defaulters has had a very good effect but we are obliged to have a strict Eye upon them and hope in a little Time that nothing improper will be done in that respect.

We inclose a Proposal for a Lead Mine lately discovered in Dilston Estate and are

	Sir Your most Obedt Servt

	   Walton & Turner



PS  It is thought that the perquisites of Office To a Bellman wd be Three or Four Pounds 

P Anno if exercised by one Person