A section taken from an extensive article on Westmorland slate titled 'Westmorland Slate at Buckland (Berkshire) and the Bath, 1754-9' by Julian Munby, which details a Lease taken out on Wrengill Quarry by Robert Wilson in 1724. The article was published in the Transactions of the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society, volume 89, 1989. The Lease is to found amongst the archives held in Levens Hall, Westmorland. (Wetsleddale Line)

....... The Andover's fictitious order for Slate. In September 1754 Lord Suffolk ordered Martyr to enquire into Craven's affairs, and investigate his building of a new house at Melling (some five miles south of Kirkby Lonsdale). The first mention of slate comes in November, when Lady Suffolk asked Martyr to "make sly enquiries" into the slate quarries, as she had "much reason to believe we are much abus'd in our property in them", but had been "kept in the Dark". Martyr replied to Lady Suffolk on 22 November. As to the slate Quarrys - That called Wrengdale Gill was granted by Lease to Robert Wilson from the 2d of February 1724 for 12 years at £3 a Year, and Stockdale (the other Quarry) was then let to one Anthony Bownas at £1.10.0 per Annum. In 1737 Wrangdale Gill was advanced to £11 a year & Stockdale Bank to £3.3.0 amounting in the whole to £14.3.0. And in the year 1751 a Lease of both Quarrys was granted by My Lord to Robert Wilson for 7 years at £14.3.0, the Old Rent. From whence it is obvious there is an Improvement Rent of £9.13.0 in the year 1737 & not a single farthing from that time, nor can there be any additional rent 'til the Expiration of the Lease which will be in the Year 1757. This way of proceeding seems very extraordinary to me & more especially so - as I am informed by Postlethwaite the Customhouse Officer of Millthrop that there has been 300 Tonn sold by Robert Wilson one year with another for 4 years past to London, Portsmouth, Emsworth & many other places, whereas about fourteen years ago (when the rent was raised to £9.13.0) this sort of slate was scarce known in London, or anywhere else, except in this Neighbourhood. If some other reports prove true that I have heard my wonder will cease, but I am not easily led away with Appearances, neither would I have your Ladyship. therefore avoid writing what does not carry a self-conviction. Superficial Enquiries will never do to attain the true knowledge, slate & Condition of these slate Quarrys; Mines and Mosses, much circumspection & close application are required. Therefore suspend writing anything more on this Head 'till I am fully satisfied ..... Notes:- This article is a major insight into the then growing trade in high-quality slate from the quarries in the upper reaches Longsleddale. Robert Wilson, who lived at Hollin Root in Longsleddale, appears to be at the forefront of this trade. There is further mention in this lengthy article of Robert Wilson, who leased Wrengill Quarry off Lord, as Mr Martyr continues to investigate on behalf of Lord and Lady Suffolk. Transcribed from the original by Julian Rawes of Cheltenham, 2009

Indenture dated 1733 between the Vicar and Trustees of / Orton School and Robert Wilson of / Longsleddale, Westmorland. Kendal Record Office (WPR9/I302). (Wetsleddale Line)

[Sheet one:] This Indenture made the -[blank]- Day of -[blank]- in the -[blank]- year of the Reigne of our / Soveraigne Lord George the second by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland / King & Defender of the Faith and so forth And in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred / and thirty three Between Thomas Nelson Vicar of Orton otherwise Overton in the County of Westmorland George Birk-/ -beck Robert Hutchinson Henry Bland John Unthank and John Dent Governors Directors Managers and Trustees of the the / Schoole Situate in Orton aforesaid in the said County of Westmorland of the one Part And Robert Wilson of / Longsleddall in the said County Slategetter of the other part Witnesseth that the said Thomas Nelson George / Birkbeck Robert Hutchinson Henry Bland John Unthank and John Dent for and in consideration of the full sum / of Five pounds of Lawfull money of Great Britain to them or some of them in hand paid by the said Tobert Wilson be- / -fore the ensealing and delivery of these presents (The payment and receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged) To the / Intent that the said sum of Five pounds shall be imployed and applyed to and for the sole use and benefitt of Orton Schoole / from henceforth for ever and to no other use or uses whatsoever For which consideration they the said Thomas Nelson George / Birkbeck Robert Hutchinson Henry Bland John Unthank and John Dent for themselves respectively and for their severall / and respective successors Vicars Governors Directors Managers and Trustees of Orton Schoole aforesaid Have and each of / them Hath given granted authorized confirmed and assured and by these presents Doe and each of them Doth give / grant authorise confirm and assure unto the said Robert Wilson his heirs and assigns for ever One Scholar at his / and their request and by his and their Order and Appointment yearly and every year to be faithfully and diligently / taught by the person or persons who shall be schoolmaster at the said School from henceforth for ever and free and clear / without any wages stipend or salary to be demanded for the same To Have and To Hold the full power and authority of / ordering directing and appointing of one scholar yearly to be faithfully and diligently taught by th peson or persons which shall from / time to time officiate as Schoolmaster in the said schoolhouse situate in Orton aforesaid and without reward or wages for the same / to the siad Robert Wilson his heirs and assigns for ever And further that the said Thomas Nelson George Birkbeck / Robert Hutchinson Henry Bland John Unthank and John Dent and every of them their and every of their successors Vicars Governors / Directors Managers and Trustees of the said School situate in Orton aforesaid shall and will from time to time and at all times hereafter / upon the request and at the proper costs and charges of the said Robert Wilson his heirs or assigns make doe and execute or cause / or procure to be made done and executed All and every such further and other Lawfull and reasonable act and acts convey- / -ances and assurances in the Law whatsoever for the further better and more perfect conveying settling and assuring of the full / power and authority and appointing of one scholar yearly and every to be faithfully and diligently taught by the person / or persons which shall from time to time officiate as Schoolmaster in the Schoolhouse aforesaid and without any wages for the / same to the said Robert Wilson his heirs and assigns to the use of him the said Robert Wilson his heirs and assigns forever / in manner as aforesaid by such conveyances and assurances in the Law as by the said Robert Wilson his heirs or assigns / or his or their councell learned in the law shall be lawfully and reasinably advised devised or required so as the Parties to / make the same be not compelled to travel to any other place or places than the Town of Orton aforesaid for the making and / executing thereof In Witness whereof the parties hereunto have interchangeably set to their hands and seals the day and year / first above written. [Sheet two:] Sealed and Delivered / being duly Stamped / In the presence of [no visible signatures] Received the day and year first within written of the within named Robert Wilson the sume of Five pounds in full satisfaction and discharge of the consideration within mentioned to be paid to us and so received the said sum of           £5. Witnesses / by us [no visible signatures] Notes:- Robert Wilson lived at Hollin Root, Longsleddale and was manager of the slate quarry at Wrengill from about 1724. Transcribed from the original by Bryant Bayliffe of Brockworth, 2002

Transcript taken from a book of Rental Court Rolls & General Fines 1732-1804. The entry relates to Robert Wilson of Hollin Root, Longsleddale, Slate Merchant. Carlisle Record Office, D/Lons/L5/2/18/16. (Wetsleddale Line)

Robert Wilson of Longsleddale. 12th Dec 1759 Robert Wilson the Elder of Long Sleddale in the County of Westmorland, Yeoman at this Court in like manor admitted Tenant to all that Messuage and Tenament formerly Rowland Nobles consisting of a Dwelling House, Barn, Biar, Stable, Garth and Garden, also two closes called Willy Field and High Pasture, also the half of Low pasture & Long Close which said premises are situate and lying at Wet Sleddale within the Manor aforesaid with all appertenences thereto belonging of the ancient yearly Customary Rent of Ten Shillings & Four Pence being in the Lords Hands to be Demised on the alienation of William Rawes of Green in Wetsleddale in the Parish of Shapp in the County aforesaid Yeoman by Deed Dated ye 5th July 1759 Consideration Five Shillings and in order to pay his Debts and incumberances having Paid to the sd Lord as a Fine for his admission the Sum of Eleven Pounds and Five Shillings (saving the Right to a General Fine as in Page 841. [At the back of the book] Inrollment of the Suitors at this Court: 1747 May 7 - William Rawes do of Rowland Noble 2 Parcels 10s 4d. 1759 Dec 12 - Robert Wilson Purchd of William Rawes 2 Parcels. 1784 Sep 1 - Robert Rawes upon the surrr of John Windson Notes:- The above record is to be found amongst the Lowther estate papers (Lons). The only entry that connects William Rawes to Sleddale 'Hall' is with the baptism of his daughter Betty in 1755. It is noted that in the above document of 1759, William describes himself as of 'Green'. It is interesting to note that William's eldest son Robert also described himself as 'of Green' in a document dated 1770. This is thought to be Green Farm but may relate to Cowper Green. Transcribed from the original by Julian Rawes of Cheltenham, 2002