Journal entry – John Grey – 28 Feb 1835

Saturday 28th February 1835



Had a purchaser for the Hartburngrainge Lot of Wood, but his ideas of its value differed so widely from Parkins’ valuation that we could not make a bargain.  I fear it may be necessary to submit considerably in that Lot, from the prices we obtain in other districts, both on account of its situation, being far from the Mining countries, & because it contains such a quantity of bad Bark which will hardly pay the purchaser the expense of cutting & removing.  There is no use whatever in letting it stand, as it has made no improvement for a long time & has only occupied Land to no purpose that that might have produced Wood of greater value.  The River having fallen considerably today, we were able to ascertain more distinctly the extent of the damage done to the Widehaugh Embankment, where I spent more of the day, having a great number of Men & Carts employed in preparing, leading & laying in the Materials to avert, if possible, the entire destruction of the Bank at that place, should another Flood take it in its present condition.   I was very glad to obtain a settlement of our account for Wood, with Deans of the Hexham Saw Mill today, whose Credit had become doubtful, owing to the failure of an Attorney there, who was his Partner.   Having got his affairs set straight, I hope we may be able to take him again as a customer, which I had prohibited of late.