Letter – Nicholas Walton to Richard Horne – 19 Mar 1756

To Richd. Horn  Esqr.           				Ravensworth Castle  March 19th  1756



Sir     

      We have rece’d this day a Letter informing us that the Vicar of Alston in Alstonmoor & County of Cumberland, lies dangerously ill & it is believed cannot live long so that of Course a Vacancy will soon happen.  We therefore desire you will acquaint the Board therewith as we apprehend this Living is in the Gift of the Directors; it is worth about £60 a year, and has been disposed of by the other Proprietors of the small Tythes in Alston Moor in Turn; the Derwentwater Family who were Roman Catholics never having presented.  You will be pleased to observe that these Tythes are held in thirds.  That the Hospital have one third, Mr Alderman Stephenson of Newcastle upon Tyne one third; and the representatives of Mr Ra. Whitfield the other third; and consequently as the two last mentioned Proprietors have both presented within memory the presentation now must be in the Directors as Protestants in the Place of the Derwentwater Family.

      We are Yours etc Walton & Boag