Letter – John Bell to George Brooks – 5 Feb 1783

Document Type: Letter
Date: 5 Feb 1783
Correspondent: John Bell
Recipient: George Brooks
Archive Source: NRO 672 E 1E 5
  • Transcription
  • Comments (0)
  • Change font
    If columns/tables do not appear straight, change font
George Brooks Esqr  Green Street                                       Hexham Abbey   5th Febry 1783

       Grosvenor Square   London



Sir

	I was astonished at receiving a Letter from Mr Aldn Blackett the other day intimating that a mistake had happened between Mr Dew & me respecting the Renewal of Lintzgarth & Kilhope & Welhope Leases.  On Thursday the 5th of Decemr last about Ten o’Clock in the Morning I waited upon Mr Dew at Bp Auckland & acquainted him that I came on behalf of Sir Thomas Blackett to treat with about the Renewal of the Leases of Lintzgarth Kilhope & Welhope.  Mr Dew then said I must furnish him with a Rental wch I accordingly did & gave him the Rental of Lintzgarth first which I aver to be no more than £10 a Year but he seemed not satisfied with it & looked at his Books where he found that £14 had been paid for putting in a Life in that Lease in the Year 1760 & he said tho’ he must acknowledge that Land was perhaps 25p Ct lower than a few Years ago yet the Lord Bishop of Durham had never come down in his Fines, to which I replied that Sir Thomas would never differ with His Lordship for so small a Sum as £4 & therefore would agree to give £14 the Sum paid on the last Renewal which was assented to by Mr Dew.

	I then at his Request gave him the Rental of Kilhope & Welhope which is £88.17s.6d out of wch deduct £1.7s.8d the Rent paid annually to his Lordship & there will remain £86.19s.10d the Net Yearly Rent which was agreed to be paid for the Renewal of the last mentioned Estates.  I then asked Mr Dew what Sum his Lordship would require for Exchanging a Life & he answered half the Sum for putting in a Life.  I then took Pen & Ink & put down in my Book in Mr Dews Office 

                                     £  s  d

  For putting in a Life in Lintzgarth Lease 14. 0. 0

  For Exchanging a Life                      7. 0. 0

                                           £21. 0. 0

  

  For putting in a Life in the Lease of 

                     Kilhope & Welhope      86.19.10

  For Exchanging a Life                     43. 9. 9

                                           £130.9. 9



	Now this seems rational for as no more than a Years Rent was ever asked or paid for putting in a Life in the Place of one that was dead certainly Exchanging a Life cannot with Propriety be valued so high for various Reasons.  How the mistake you mention has happened I cannot tell but with great Deference to Mr Dew & yourself I assert it never could have been agreed on the part of Sir Thomas Blackett to have given 3 Years Rent for the putting in a new Life and Exchanging one.  By your mode you Charge 1 Years Rent for the new Life & two Years for the Exchange when the Exchange as I have said before for various Reasons ought to have been less than the new Life.               I am etc    John Bell

Leave a comment

We welcome further information or corrections on topics and incidents mentioned in individual letters. It might take a while before your comments are checked for adding to public view within the website. We cannot undertake further research in response to questions.

Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked *

*

General Discussion
Suggested correction or addition

*

  Return to search results or refine/create new search
The Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project aimed to celebrate and discover the heritage of the Dukesfield Arches & lead carriers' routes between Blaydon and the lead mines of Allendale and Weardale. A two year community project, it was led by the Friends of the North Pennines in partnership with Hexhamshire and Slaley Parish Councils and the active support of Allendale Estates. It was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the generous support of other sponsors. Friends of the North Pennines: Charity No:1137467