Journal entry – John Grey – 14 Jan 1835

Wednesday 14th January



       Met the Railway Agent at Hexham & rode with him up the line to Fourstones, to fix upon the points at which Roads for the convenience of the Farm should be made over it some of which require cutting down on one Side & forcing up on the other to make them of easy ascent. We then proceeded to Allerwash Mill & met Mr Benson & the Mason who has the Contract for the Railway works in that part, examined the Ground & fixed on the proper site for placing the Mill.  The situation of the Water Wheel & Watercourse, the necessary enlargement of the reservoir & all other matters, for which the Contractor is to give in an Estimate, to be paid by the Company & the work subject to Bensons inspection.  They agreed also on the compensation to be given to the Miller for loss of time employing his Horses & Men in leading Materials.  I have written to two Millwrights on whom I can depend, asking them to give me Estimates of the Expense of fitting up the Mill, replacing the Works which are worn out, with new, where necessary.  The Contractors must await their directions also, respecting the dimensions of the house which they agree to make much more commodious than the present with a flooring above, which it has not now.  As I found they did not insist on the Wood being given them, I proposed that they sh’d have it in a very convenient situation in Capons Cleugh at 2d a foot below the usual price, which was agreed to. The Hospital will in this way get a new Mill instead of a very old & bad one, at a trifling expense, except that as the supply of water is scarce at times, I would recommend to make the new Water Wheel of more power and larger dimensions than the old one.  As the Dwelling House & Stable are not now to be removed, it will be needful to have them repaired, which they greatly require.

       I then went with Benson to look through the Farm Offices at Allerwash where some repairs are necessary, before putting them into the charge of the Tenant.  I think it better to defer building a Smithy there at present, for the mere use of the Farm, as it may be found advisable, should the Lime Works be carried on to any great extent, to build one on a larger scale to serve all parties, from which we might desire a rent to repay its cost.  I then proceeded through the Farms of Brokenheugh to Mr Howdens of Haydon Town, & examined a field which he is prohibited from ploughing, but which is in so poor & unproductive a state, that I readily consented to his ploughing it, on condition of liming it well, draining some part of it, & then laying it off to Grass, as it is suitable situated for Pasture.  There is an Acre or two of waste land on the West side of that Field, which has formerly been used as a road, though never made, to the Common, it cannot be cultivated, would be easily fenced off, & be very useful for Shelter if planted.  Mr Howdon will give it up without charge if the Commissioners will consent to its being done, & will also lead the Materials for the fence.  I think it would be an improvement in that high situation.  This farm had been sadly out of repair, & a good deal is still wanted to put the stone fences into tolerable condition.  Mr Howden has done a good deal to improve it in the short time he has been there, but I fear, will find it too high rented.  There is great want of a Cottage or two for the accommodation of Work People, having only one on the Farm, but I told him, in these down coming times, I feared to make the request. 

       I then rode to Haydon Bridge & sent for Mr Peacock of Esphill, to say that if inclined, he might have an opportunity of taking Dilston Town Farm & quitting Esphill.  He seemed to be in a desponding mood about Farming, having sold Wheat at 4/6d Per Bushel at Hexham Market yesterday , but said he would perhaps look at it.  The great depression in Markets at present, is operating most unfavorably upon our letting of Farms.   I then sent for Mr Barwick, the Surgeon to treat with him for the House occupied by Mr Hutchinson, his predecessor, & the small Field formerly held by Mrs Routledge. He offered £21 but I told him I would not recommend his offer, unless he made it at £25.  This he would not do at present, but is to send his ultimatum in a day or two.  He wishes to have it for a term of years, but if he will not give a good rent, I would only advise to let it from year to year, as Houses will certainly be more in request there when it becomes a depot for the Rail Way.  Reached Dilston at ten at night.  Having received the Secretary’s Letter this morning respecting the letting of Highwood, I saw Nicholson in passing in Hexham, but he declined advancing upon his offer.  I therefore wrote to Todd on reaching home, asking him to come over with the Messenger, who is to set out in the morning, to try to conclude an Agreement for the Farm.