Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 1 Apr 1740

      Ravensworth Castle  April 1 1740

To William Corbett Esq.



Sir

      Some time ago Mr Radley gave us directions to gett the several Trees which had been valued as fitt for sale numbered, which during the continuance of the Severe Frost and Snow & for some time after the snow was gone was impracticable, we have since gott the Woods of Dilston & Thornbrough Number’d, which at most are as much as shou’d be advertized to be sold together; & inclosed herein we send you the joint Affidavit of Mr Hopper Ramshaw and Johnson of such there being numbered with an accot. annexed of such Wood as they and we think should be left for Ornament.  There can none of that Wood be advertized & sold this Season, as the Spring is farr advanced, be pleased Sir to desire the Board to give us their Directions whether we are to go on to number all the rest now, or it may be done at such time as the Several P[ar]cells are directed to be sold. If it be required that the same persons Number or See them Numbered, whuch were concern’d in the valuation, it may be proiper not to postpone it, as in case of any of their Deaths it may be an Inconvenience.

	Joseph Green of Raw Green has been Sued for a Debt due from him on Bond; but we were apprized of it & made a proper Seizure for the Hospital & sold his Goods by publick Sale last Wednesday, a Schedule of which you have Inclosed After all is deducted out of his Arrear there will at mayday next remain in Arrear £18.11.2d which his Crop of Corn we hope will answer. He has Sons who will undertake the Farm so that we apprhend no loss will arise to the Hospital & we are Sir

      Yours &c

      N.W.   H.B. 





In the Exchequer	Concerning the Estates of the Late Earl of Derwentwater

Ambrose Hopper of Fugar House in the County of Durham Yeom[an], Wm. Ramsay of Collierly in the Sd. County of Durham Yeom. & Robt. Johnson of Ebchester Hill in the sd. County of Durham Gent. severally maketh oath & say that within this Month last past they these Deponents viewed & Carefully Examined the Several Trees standing & growing in and upon Dilston Wood & Thornbrough Wood in the County of Northumberland being part & parcell of the Woods Surveyed and Valued by them these Deponents & Edwd. Oxley of the Birks in the County of Northumberland  Yeom. in the Months of Aug. Sep. Octo. & Novemb. One thousand sevenhundred and thirty seven & mentioned in an Affidavit by them these Deponents  & the sd. Edwd. Oxley made & sworn the nonth day of August now last past  And these Deponents further severally say that they have marked & caused to be marked the several trees standing & growing in and upon the said Woods of Dilston aforesaid in manner following to witt fourthousand & twenty four Oak Trees from Number 1 to Number 4024 both Included & Eight hundred and Nineteen Ash & Elm Trees from Number 1 to Number 819 both Inclusive and also one thousand four hundred & ninety five Birch & Alder Trees from Number 1 to Number 1495 as aforesaid & that they have also marked the several Trees Standing and Growing in and upon Thornbrough Wood aforesaid in manner as aforesaid to witt One Thousand fivehundred and sixty Oak Trees from Number 1 to Number 1560 both inclusive & one hundred & sixteen Ash & Elm Trees from Number 1 to Number 116 both Inclusive And these Deponents further Severally say that they these Deponents verily believe that the said Trees abovementioned are the very same Trees which were viewed by them these Deponents and the sd. Edwd. Oxley in the said months of August Sept. Oct. & November One thousand sevenhundred & thirty seven as aforesaid according to the best of these Deponents Remembrance   And these Deponents farther severally say that in their judgement & opinion it would be proper & fitting not to Cutt Down the several trees in the schedule hereunder & of the number & value therein Expressed & mentioned but rather to lett the same stand as an ornament to the Capital Messuage of Dilston, the same growing near to the said House & the Hedge Rows thereabout.



Ambrose Hopper	Wm. Ramsay 	Robert Johnson



Taken & sworn at Newcastle upon Tyne this thirty first day of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and forty before me Jno. Airey a Commissioner of the Sd. Court    



Number of Ash & Elm Trees which should for Ornament be Reserved at Dilston, Mark’d

and Valued the 26th day of March 1740 as followeth Viz. 



[163 trees listed to a total value of £88 2s6d, ranging from £2 10s to 1s]