Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Ibbetson – 12 Mar 1779

To Jno Ibbetson Esqr                                        	Farnacres 12th March 1779



Sir

      In our Letter of 26th Decem'r last, to which I beg leave to refer, Mr Turner and I acquainted you with a demand having been made by one Wm Thirlwall for the amount of his Bill, for Liquor and Victuals, given to the workmen at Nentforce and Lowbyer, by order of Mr Joseph Hilton, and that there was a debt Similarly contracted, due to John Bell; and we then stated that Thirlwalls charge amounted to £103, and Bells to £102, according to Mr Hilton's own Acco[un]t of the Matter; & that we had apprehensions that they might attempt the recovery of the Money at Law: which now appears to be intended as you'll observe from the inclosed Letter received from Nicholas Walton of Alston William Thirlwall of Lowbyer and John Bell of Alston relative to their Charges for Liquor &c delivered by order of Mr Joseph Hilton the late Moor Master which Letter you are desired to lay before the Board. As to Bell and Walton they never made a demand upon us except what is contained in the inclosed Letter but tho' we omitted mentioning Walton the 26th Decem'r last Mr Hilton always admitted the having given orders not only to him but to the other two and instead of the Charges given in by Mr Hilton as set forth in our Letter above referred to the whole will be as follows

                        

    Nicholas Walton   £21 18  5 1/2

    Wm Thirlwall      107 13  -

    John Bell          50  9  6 1/2

               Total £180  1  -



      By the Floods which happened before Christmas last the Banks of the Tyne at Fourstones were broken and as there was hazard of a Considerable Breach it was thought

necessary to defend the foot of the Bank next the Water by tumbling in Quarry Stones to prevent further damage during the Winter which was accordingly done as soon as possible

but the Charge of making the defence compleat could not be estimated til the Water in the River lowered considerably. The Season having been for some time remarkably dry, an Estimate has been made from which it appears that the making of a Wear will cost about £70 - - and as there is now a proper opportunity of getting the Work done I have  given directions to Mr Thornton to proceed with all dispatch in securing the Bank where the derangement has happened.

      The Roof of the Chancel at Hartburn being greatly in want of Repair the Arch Deacon has required that it shall be put into good condition I have therefore had it Viewed and an Estimate made of the Expence of putting it into Repair which amounts for Plumber & Carpenter Work and all Materials to the Sum of £25.-.-  but as the Church Roof is also to be repaired I hope both Works going on at the same time will enable us to get the Chancel done

for somewhat less than the above Sum.

      The Water and Cog Wheels at Whitley Mill having so far failed that it will be necessary to have new ones this Summer I have had our Mill Wright to make an Estimate of the Expence which amounts to £22 - - .

      I cannot doubt the enormous load of busyness relative to the Affairs of Greenwich Hospital may have been the occasion of our not receiving directions for the General Letting of the Derwentwater Estate and that the same cause may still further delay this very essential busyness and seeing matters so circumstanced should have been happy not to have occasion to press for directions at such a time but in reality the probable prospect of great injury to the revenue of Greenwich Hospital and the distress occasioned by the Letting not taking place urge me so strongly that I cannot omit requesting in the most serious manner that orders may

be immediately given to have everything finished respecting this busyness in the most expeditious manner and I must beg leave to add that I hope the resolutions of a General Court will accompany the Orders so as that such Persons as appear to be eligible may be assured of being put into possession in due time without which the greatest  part of the Derwentwater Estate may be without Tenants at May day next. I am for Mr Turner & self 

                                          Sir Yours &c N W Junr.