| The school
used to own a good deal of land & property stretching back from Todmorden
to Northowram, which provided income for the school to provide a free
education. The letter dated August 17, 1837 [typed exactly below] was noticed
among the correspondence and was written by Joseph Medley, who rented a farm at
Ovenden Cross and failed to pay the rent. The governors were anxious to draw
the arrears and set their agent to get them. He, J Patchett, describes Medley
as 'slovenly, idle fellow and I should say, the sooner the governors get quit
of him as tenant the better' ".
August 17. 1837To the Governer's of
the free Grammer scholl heath Gentle men. I write to you a few lines of my
situation when i took the farm I had a hundred Pounds in Mr Haighs hands wich I
laid out in that place and for six years i worked Day and Night nearly i did my
work at Cropping in the Night and worked in the Land in the day time for all
That I did Not make twenty pounds a year one with another I have had very bad
Crops 8 years out this time and now To see the Distress my family is thrown
into Seven Children some without father and mother bringing with tears in
theirs eyes, Grandfather where must we sleep, I have no where to lay my head
nor yours, Now Gentlemen hath toiled To toiled to get the land
in good order and now is Deprived of home and habitattion and if I had my
wright that I have laid out I should not owe you one halfpenny witnes To all my
Neighbours but now I am willing to liver up On fair terms but not as I was
Gered at the Election To agree with me one day and make Distress Another I hope
you will Consider my Situation no where to ly my head
I remain your Petioner
Jopseh Medley
[Added 15.12.03]
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