Letter – Nicholas Walton to Thomas Simpson – 6 May 1759

To Mr Simpson                    					Ravensworth Castle  May 6th 1759



Sir

      The People in Alston Moor are going together by the Ears, and unless some stop is put to their proceedings they will become so ungovernable that the Lord of the Manor will have no power over them.  Joseph Farnace & Henry Farnace both of Nenthall & Christopr. Walton of Loveladyshield Leaseholders have pulled down several Enclosures of Common upon Skellygillside, belonging to Thos. Dickinson, William Walton, Daniel Wren, James Mulcaster, Joseph Baxter & Hugh Watson, for which they had the Lord’s consent to Inclose, and for which they have paid three pence an Acre as a Rent for the same, and some of them have paid Fines for them at the last General Fine paid for their Leasehold Tenements.  That is they paid for the Fine a proportion of a Fine according to the number of Years the Inclosure had been made, to make the Fine for the Ancient Leasehold Tenement & Inclosure correspond in future. We believe however few, if any of the Inclosures which have been pulled down, have been taken in twenty years; these are facts which it is necessary for you to know, & if any other information be necessary Mr Stephenson of Nentsberry will attend and inform you, that you will be well prepared with proper Materials before we go to the Field of Battle, something must be done as whole Inclosures will be attempted to be pulled down if we don’t stop it; and as the Rents & Fines are something considerable upon the Inclosures we desire you will immediately write Letters to the two Furnaces and Christr. Walton acquainting them you have directions to proceed against them if restitution is not made to the injured Tenants. You will be so good as speak your mind freely to these three Gentlemen for they seem to be stupid and very troublesome, And you will be pleased to Consider what further steps can be taken, in case your threats do not bring them to reason. And before any further step is taken let us have a full state of the matter to lay before the Board of Directors for their Instruction.  The Tenants wish much to have the Authority of the Court supported, and we beg you will have that matter under your consideration & do what is proper on that occasion.  We are

      Sir, Yours etc

      N Walton H Boag