Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Everest – 11 Mar 1753

To Mr Everest                                   			Ravensworth Castle  March. 11th 1753    



Sir

      I rece’d your Letter of the 6 th of March Inst.  in Answer to which I find you are led into a mistake by Supposing the Hospital Estates in Hexhamshire to have a right upon Hexham Commons which are to be divided.  The Estates in Hexhamshire have no right upon these Commons; but the Estates of Coastley, Longhope, Heckford and Bagraw have which with £30 a year we reckon Bagraw will advance amount to £228 per annum a particular of which you have Inclosed.

      I was applied to yesterday by the Steward of Lady Oxford who has an Estate of about £100 p ann. in Hexham Intitled to a Share of Common in the Intended Division, to join with him in drawing up a Petition against the Bill; but as we had no directions from the board I desired to be excused medling in it till I had their Orders.  I find Lady Oxford will give a warm opposition to the Bill unless Sir Walter Blackett give up his Sixteenth part as Lord of the Manor and her Ladyship has several other Objections to the Bill passing in the shape it is in.  As to Sir Walter’s giving up his 1/16 part we apprehend it unreasonable to Expect it as it is what Lords of Manors in this Country generally Insist upon for their Consent to Divide.  There are others which we think have some reason in them and should be altered as we wrote the Board, all which we were in hopes Mr Boag would have personally pointed out; and as he waits for a Call every Post; I hope he will soon be with you in London & therefore omit entering into Particulars which cannot be so well Explained by Letter.  But upon the whole I think if the Hospital are admitted into a Share in both Commons there is no material objection with us especially as we are persuaded Sir Walter Blackett will come into very reasonable alteration in the Bill.  I was with Sir Walter’s Agent yesterday who acquaints me he has orders to apply to the Town of Hexham for their directions as to as to our being admitted into a Share of the whole Commons which probably they will not Consent to; and if that should be the Case the Board will we doubt not give the necessary opposition as it is by no means their Interest to divide if they are Excluded from a right on 3/4 of the whole.  I find it would be very agreeable to Lady Oxford to have this Affair put off this Session that there may be time to settle the points in difference; and I wish with all my heart it could be postponed. Sir Ra. Millbank will likewise give an opposition to the Bill. You will be pleased to lay this before the Board as I don’t write to them upon it and in Case they would have us do any thing further we wish to have their Commands  & I am for Mr Boag & Self  Yrs etc  NW

      PS. We have rece’d the Box of Leases





A Schedule of Lands belonging to the Derwent’r Estate Entitled to a Division upon Hexham Commons Viz:  Coastley & Appurtenances



Coastley Farm David Brown                  £ 71

   Do.        Eliz’a Nicholson               59

Baggraw       Matt Leadbetters heirs   £10

              Do. will advance next yr  30

                                             40

Heckford      John Bell                      25

Longhope      John Dixon Scott               33

                                           £228



NB  Hexhamshire has no right upon the Commons above men’td