Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Romer – 18 Feb 1759

To Capt. Romer                               Ravensworth Castle  Feb 18:  1759



Sir

      I reced. both your favours, the one relating the North side of Scremerston & the other congratulating me on upon the appointment of my Son as Receiver, for which I am much obliged to you.  The Conveyance of Priors Land came to Mr Stewart about a Week ago, but in some part of it there seems to be a defect which he thought proper to acquaint the Solicitor with, before the finishing that long & tedious affair, & wrote accordingly to which he has not yet reced. any answer.  When he does I suppose everything will be soon finished as the Money is ready in our hands.  One thing is necessary to fix, & that is whether you & Mrs Romer can come over to Newcastle, or we must come to you, which I desire you will settle as is most agreeable to you both & let me know.  If it could be with convenience done to you both I should wish it at Newcastle; but that I desire should have no weight as I desire your own Convenience may be considered only.  The Hedgers at Scremerston want money & must be paid once in 14 days and as we have no way of doing it but by giving you the trouble I must desire you will pay them what is now due, & afterwards once in 14 days.  Mr Macknab will inform you how much is now due & afterwards from time to time.  But I must observe to you that the Hedgers find great inconvenience in the hedging by the Plowing so near the edges of the Turnpike Road, & as what is done cannot be now otherwise helped than by leaving about Ten or Twelve yards nearest the edge of the Turnpike unsown, in which space the Sodds turned up by the Plow will make the Fences; and I desire you will give Directions accordingly & that in the future plowings you come no nearer the Edge of the Turnpike than about Ten or Twelve yards.  The Rect.day at Whittingham will be fix’d as soon as I see Mr Boag who has been absent since I reced. your Letter relating the Tenants of the North side of Scremerston & I think till we see you nothing can be done in that affair

      I am yours etc

      N. Walton