Journal entry – John Grey – 13 Jan 1835

Tuesday 13th January 



I reported formerly to the Board that Robert Curry, tenant of the small Farm of Eadsbush & Allotments, who is a very industrious, decent man, had been unfortunately cheated of a sum of money, by an Attorney into whose hands it had gone for other purposes, & on being called on to make it good, was compelled to make an Assignment.  I obtained from his Assignee payment of the rent due at May day and an undertaking for that due at Martinmas, and sent for Curry to come & show to me, whether he had any fair prospect of continuing in the Farm after next May - for if not, I must not loose the present season for letting it, though I should be glad if he could find friends to assist him, to recommend the Commissioners to allow him to remain, which I thought they would be inclined to do in consideration of his misfortune. He came to me today, & said that in a fortnight he hoped to have his Affairs settled, and then he would bring forward friends who would keep him in the farm.  The Snow having melted partially in the night & sent a good deal of Water off the high ground, I rode over the Dilston Farms & detected a great deal of mischief doing by the water flowing over the land & in some parts running away the Soil, from the slovenly management of the Tenants in not cleaning out the Ditches, especially in Mr Leadbitters Farm. On which subject I sent him a Letter as soon as I got home.  Rode also through the Dipton Woods where we are preparing to plant up the Land cleared up two years ago & thinning some of the youngest of the Wood.  Obtained the signatures of some Tenants to their Agreements for new Leases, & wrote to the Bankers desiring them to pay £3000 to the Credit of the Commissioners on the 26th Instant.