Letter – Nicholas Walton to Hugh Boag – 12 Nov 1736

To Mr Hugh Boag



      Ravensworth Castle  Nor 12th  1736

Dear Sr 

	I reced yours at Morpeth where I stayd all night on Sunday & went to Whittingham on Monday Morning where I reced all the rents I expected except the rent of Scremerston Colliery

	I waited upon Mrs Clavering to acquaint her wth having lost her farme who was greatly Surprised at it, nay wonderfully affected by it for on having notice she fell into fitts & was like one distracted for sometime however I left her better satisfied fully resolved to bid for Scremerston Colliery, & to have her or to make her I doubt too dear for any body  I acquainted Mr Ankeram the Tennt of the North side Mr Lumsden Capt Archibald & Such Others as fell in my way

	I have not time to write to Mr Corbett to whom pray excuse me but I am to acquaint you that the Tennts of the north Side of Scremerston have bid for the Fishery £2 per Ann.  That Mr Smart of Spindleston has Offered £305 for his Farme but Desires to have the preference If more Is Offered at any Rent not Exceedg £320 tho he hopes he’ll not be put upon paying that unless it’s offered by any other person.  That Mr Marton has Offered for his Farme £270 but will not give more I told him it Deserved £320 & we expected it.  I would desire advertising a Fresh Such as not next wednesday  Confirmed Geo Wilkinson had Offered for Whittonstall Farme £45 per Ann wch are all I have reced Since my Last Except Brokesfield Tythe wch Mr Archibald wrote you about.

	I was very glad so many farmes are Confirmed & Observe the Several Querys as to Fourstones  Abra. Bunting £10-10  I understand Jno Gibson made an offer of £12.12 & he Should I think have it, As the Hospital determines to take the highest bidder I shall say nothing to Mr Bunting till I hear further from you  James Dodds must Invitably have high green Collry as it is the greatest proofe of the Hosplls Title Imaginable wt to do about Throckley I know not as the last offer So farr exceeded Mr Potts  I doubt Mr Potts Cannot have it as I am afraid of his Sircumstances being verry Indifferent, but I shall post pone doing anything till I hear from you, I have Sent for Mr Heppell & Cowell to See If I can agree with them for meldon out grounds

	The bidg for Cuthbt Camets Farme is a mistake for it is an old Lease it is the same Old Man that offered for Dr lamberts that offered for it

	Peter Hughes is willing to give £145 you wll Observe in my last that the Allerwash Tennants are willing to give £165 & I Shall tell them they may have it, all the Offers that was made for Hartburn Tythes was wth Needless hall Tythes inclusive but Mr Lumsden Offered both ways Vizt £84 Exclusive of Needless hall Tyths, & you must Observe all biddings & you must Observe all bidgs for needless hall are free of Tythe both great & Small  Mr Lumsden says he will doe as we please, Throckley Colliery is very wll at <12s>  It’s high Enough tho’ it wd Look well If the Coll. Consents to 12/6d there is 19 Bouls to Each wagon & 353/4 Gallons to Each Coale Boule of 22 Wagns to Each Tenn of Coales.

	I shall Observe the Utmost Exactness in wtsoever I have to transact for the Hospitall as far as time will alow me but I realy am hurryed to Death

	The winning of Screnerston Collry Seems more Difficult than I imagined for it is reported that a winning was brought from the Sea Banks many years agoe & was Lost in Quicksands but as it is 60 or more years Since it may have been owing to want of Judgment.

	I will write to you again on Sunday the new Engine went to work yesterday at Heaton But I can Say Little how it may Succeed as the Tyne was small there is plenty of Steam and If Any thing is wanting it will be Injection I am Yours etc

	Nichos Walton