Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Corbett – 30 Jan 1747

To Willm. Corbett  Esq.          		Ravensworth Castle  January 30 th 1746/47



Sir     

      It is with a good deal of difficulty we have gott a very imperfect Information as to the Turnpike from Buckton Burn to Berwick etc which is the reason why we have not sooner wrote you on that subject.

      The Inclosed is all that we can find has been done, and as you will observe no place is fixed for the Toll Gates it is difficult for us to say how farr the Derwentwater Tennants may be hurt by it.  Scremerston Coll[ier]y we are of opinion may Suffer greatly unless a provision  is made that Coales from that Colliery into the Town of Berwick may goe Toll free or that the Gates be so fixed that the same may not be nearer to Berwick than the South Boundary of Scremerston Estate and as we suppose neither of these can be guarded against in the intended Bill, we think such opposition shou’d be given as to prevent its going forward.  There has been some differences amongst the Freeholders in regard to this Affaire & it is said it will not goe forward.  And we have acquainted them that in regard to any Expence which may attend an Application to Parliam’t we don’t think it reasonable to Contribute towards it & we are

      Sir  your most obed’t Servts. 

      Nichs. Walton   Hugh Boag



Minutes taken relating to a Turnpike Road proposed to be applied for to Parliament for carrying on a Turnpike Road from Bucktonburn in the County of Durham to Berwick Bridge and from Berwick Bridge to Cornhill on the West Road.

      That a Clause might be inserted in the Bill to Exempt for payment of Toll, Limestone, Freestones, Bricks & other Materials for building, Manure for the Improvement of Lands, Implements of Husbandry Stones for Paving Berwick streets and Hay and Straw  & Corne in the Straw All these to be Toll free.

      That the Gates be erected so as no person avoid the Toll by leaving his Horse, Chaise etc at Tweedmouth Spittle etc which might injure the Town of Berwick.

      That a Clause might be incerted Impowering the Commissioners to Compound & agree with such Persons as have little or benefitt of the Roads.

      That the Roads should be repair’d in Manner following Vizt. first 2 miles of the Post Road and 1 Mile of the West Road by Rotation



Rates Proposed ( One Tickett to pass the whole Road)

For  Every Traveller on Horseback per Diem           1d

Every Horse loaden or unloaden    Do                 1

Every Cart loaded with Coales     Do                 2

Every Horse or Ass                per Diem            3/4

Every Chaise Chair etc & Cart with a Horse           3

  Ditto with 2 Horses or Oxen                        6

  Ditto with 3 Horses or Oxen                        9

  Ditto with 4                                    1s -

  Ditto with 5                                    1  3

  Ditto with 6                                    1  6

Coaches, Wains, Waggons etc 

  with 2 Horses or Oxen per Diem                     6

  D[itt]o with 3                                     9

  D[itt]o with 4                                  1  -

  D[itt]o with 5                                  1  3

  D[itt]o with 6                                  1  6

Every Drove of Oxen or Neat Cattle per Score         5

  And so in proportion for any less number

Every Drove of Sheep Hoggs Lambs & Calves per Score  2

  And so for less numbers