Journal entry – John Grey – 12 Jan 1835

Monday 12th January 



Received the Secretary’s Letter, & reported to Mr Fenwick the instructions it contained respecting the Steps to be taken for securing payment of the Rent due by the Lessees of Scremerston Colliery & applied to Messrs Willowby and Home for information respecting the result of the Magistrates meeting in North Durham.  Mr Stephenson came from a considerable distance to enquire about the New Town Farm, but the heavy fall of Snow rendered it impossible to examine it, & also prevented my going into Hexhamshire, as I intended.   In the course of the day, Mr Jobling came up and executed an Agreement for Newtonhall Farm.  The Ground is so intermixed with his own & the Farm house so close to his Garden & Offices, that he is anxious to secure himself against troublesome neighbours.  I suspect he may discover that he is paying high for the privilege of that & the Game, but it is well for the Hospital to get so good a rent & so respectable a Tenant.  I communicated the Boards decision to Mr Thomson of Scremerston, respecting the change from a Wind to a Steam Machine; & opened a negotiation with Mr Nairn for a new Lease of his premises.