Letter – Nicholas Walton to Edward Stewart – 5 Mar 1754

To Edward Stewart  Esq.                                         Ravensworth Castle  Mar 5th  1754



Dear Sir

      Mr Bigg of Little Benton having made a Demand of Tythe Potatoes of our Tenants at Whittle in the Parish of Ovingham, we wrote to the Board in regard thereto, and as that Matter is now before them you will probably be asked some questions about it.  We therefore give you this Notice of it & think proper to intimate to you that Mr Bigg has all manner of Tythes payd out of Whittle both great and small except Hay for which he receives a Modus of Two Shillings. You will be pleased to Observe that the last Summer was the first Crop of Potatoes in Whittle Estate, so that this Tythe of Potatoes was never payd for which reason we thought proper not to Suffer it to be payd till we had the Boards Orders.  We have had three Superfine Days, so that you must have had a fine Journey & hope you are now near if not in London.  Mr Robert Ord is Circumstanced as we are as to the Potatoe Tythe at Prudhoe which we mentioned to the Board & wrote to him at the same time, so that as you will be with him, you may be thoroughly Informed as to that matter.  We are        

      Sir    Yours etc       Walton & Boag