Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 16 Dec 1748

To Willm. Corbett Esqr, 				Ravensworth Castle   Decemr. 16 th 1748



Sir

      The inclosed Petition we have received from several of the Derwentwater Estate Tenants and others the Inhabitants in and about Keswick which we take the liberty to inclose you. And desire you will be pleased to lay it before the Board of Directors for their Consideration. What the Petitioners represent we believe to be a matter of Fact and we are of opinion the Road by Winlater by much more elligible both in respect to its being the nigher Road & in respect to the Expence of making it.

      All the Objections we can see to it is tht the Road is more hilly and mountainous & consequently may be attended with some inconveniency to Carriages      We are

      Sir your obedt. Servts.

      N. W.      H. B.





To the Honourable the Governors of Greenwich Hospital



      Whereas an Act is intended this Session of Parliament for a Turnpike between Cockermouth & Keswick, We the Inhabitants of the Town of Keswick, & others his Majesty’s Tenants within the Manor of Castlerigg and Derwentwater being apprehensive that it will be attempted to be carryed by Ouse Bridge, and not over Winlater to the great detriment of your Petitioners beg leave, to lay before your Honours, the reasons that induce us to oppose that Attempt.

      First     The Road by Ouse Bridge is two Miles longer than by Winlater a great part of it narrow Lands and would require a large Sum to purchase Ground to widen the Road and a large Stone Bridge must be built over the River Derwent a wide & rapid River which would cost near Fifteen Hundred Pounds in building.

      Secondly  The Road by Winlater is the Post Road & Carrier Road and the only Road that out Coals and Lime can be brought which are twelve Miles distant from us; And that all the Cattle bought at the Fairs at Cockermouth intended for the South are driven that way.

      Thirdly  As one Gate is intended to be set up at the North West End of Keswick, which is a very great thorough fair for all Merchants and Travellers from the South a great many would go through Brudholme Wood and would miss Keswick, and the said Gate if the Turnpike went by Ousebridge which would be a very great prejudice to the Town of Keswick and lessen the Toll considerably and deprive great numbers of the West side of the Country who are by far the greatest number that frequent Keswick Market of the Benefit of the Road, and yet make them liable to the Toll at Keswick Gate 



And whereas it is objected that the Road by Winlater is subject to Floods and that part of it is so steep as would make it unfit for Carriages We affirm that it may be done and made good and sufficient for all manner of Purposes at a much easier Expence than the Road by Ousebridge.  We therefore for the reasons aforesaid, as you are intrusted for the good and prosperity of the said Hospital which are in some measure inseperable from ours, take the liberty with all due submission to beg that your Honours would interpose your good offices in our behalf; and your humble Petitioners will ever pray



Abra. Allison			Jona. Norman			John Rookin

Richd. Crosthwaite		Thos. Banks			Thos Jackson

Peter Crosthwaite		John Willson			Jane Grave

John Crosthwaite		Margt. Scott			Jos. James

William Grave			Edwd. Waterson		Gawin Bowe

Thomas Robinson		Mark Fisher			John Grave

Geo. Fisher			Thos. Chapman		John Scott

Joshua Scott			Nichs. Grave			Lanct. Perry

Thos. Hodshon		Jos. Garkarth			Abra. Scott

John Grave			Wm. Banks			Frans. Hodshon

Daniel Grave			Thos. Cockin			Wm. Waine

Jos. Hodshon			John Mayson			Jos. Tolson

Wm. Grisdale			John Younghusband		Jos. Dawson

Edwd. Nicholson		Isaac Scott			Jos. Fisher

John Scott			Wm. Barker			John Dalton

Gawin Willson		John Fisher			Anthy. Sharp

Frans. Waterson		Jona. Fisher			Robt. Allinson

John Banks			Henry Scott			Philip Jackson

Jos. Willson			Eliz. Grave			Isaac Cockburn

Robert Grave			James Harrison		Jos. Pearson