Catalogue

Articles of Partnership betwwn Theodore Fry, agricultural implement manufacturer of the City of Bristol; Alfred Kitching and Charles Tanson, engineers and ironfounders of Darlington in the business of bar and malleable iron manufacture in Darlington, which became Darlington Rolling Mills, Hutchinson and Lucas Darlington 19 January 1865.

Letter including the concerns of cousin Jane Proctor regarding the loan of money to Sanders and Wetherall; the allotment of Stockton and Darlington Railway shares, sister, M. Overend, 23 September 1847.

Letter concerning the continued monetary problems of cousin Jane Proctor, including the intention of Mr Robson to be released from all liability as a trustee with Josuah Wetherall, 27 September 1847.

Letter including reference to Stockton and Darlington Railway shares and William and Alfred Kitching being Directors of the Company; Richard Kitching's proposed annuity; the health issues of John Kitching and sister Overend; the London physician E. May, 15 January 1850.

Letter including a Stockton and Darlington Railway Board meeting with Thomas Meynell Junior, Chairman, H. Hutchinson solicitor, O. Gilkes; further attendance at a meeting of the Northern Counties Union in London, 6 February 1850.

Letter including a report on a large Stockton and Darlington Railway shareholders meeting held that day, attended by nearly 30 people representing 1200 shares out of 2000, 27 February 1850.

Letter asking about the safe arrival of Stockton and Darlington Railway share certificates; the statement of Stockton and Darlington Railway traffic for four months-£15,771 and the likelihood of future increases, 24 May 1850.

Letter including the disposable balance of the Stockton and Darlington Railway for the last half year £13-14,060; the likely dividend on the Stockton and Darlington Railway shares to be 4%, 13 August 1850.

Letter including the death of brother William at about 6.15 pm that day, with brother Richard present, 4 September 1850.

Letter following the death of brother William including the fact that an inquest was not needed and that Dr Peacock presented a certificate to the registrar; a meeting with John Pease regarding arrangements; no will has ben found; the hope that John Kitching will visit Darlington, 5 September 1850.

Letter stating the necessity of closing the coffin and arrnaging the funeral of brother William with the help of John Kitching and cousins, 6 September 1850.

Letter stating the day of brother William's funeral (Tuesday); cousin Cudworth at West Terrace, Darlington; no will for brother William; an invitation to John Kitching to visit Darlington, 8 September 1850.

Letter with information on the large, respectable funeral of brother William, 10 September 1850. John Kitching, sister Sarah, John and Sophia Pease did not attend; Isaac Sharp spoke at the meeting; friends and relations took tea at Alfred's house; Alfred and Richard searched unsuccessfully for a will; Alfred's foreman very ill, 11 September 1850

Letters including Alfred's foreman's illness; references to the Trustees of the Tolls which had brother William as Secretary; the Town Hall and the Public Health Act (1848); sister Sarah at Woodale House, 14 September 1850.

Letter including the valuation of brother William's property; the death of Laidler, Alfred's foreman, 20 September 1850.

Letter mentionng the work involved following the deaths of brother William and his foreman, Laidler; unable to see sister Sarah, 24 September 1850.

Letter posted to Brighton suggesting notice to brother William's creditors, and debtors, 2 October 1850.

Letter which accompanied the sending of papers valuing brother William's assets, 9 October 1850.

Letter accompanying papers for sister Sarah Kitching to sign relating to brother William's assets, references to 'the man' (Longstaff) that threatens to marry Sarah and there being five shares of £7-£8,000. 24 October 1850.

Letter including mention of Stockton and Darlington Railway bond; the personal effects of brother William being under lock, and Alfred has the key; attempts to stop Longstaff getting sister Sarah's money; Alfred going to see Sarah at Woodlake House to get Sarah's signature, 25 October 1850.

Letter referring to a payment of £124, and an enquiry concerning the outstanding rents on brother William's houses, 31 October 1850.

Letter including the payment of dividend on shares at Stockton; payment from T. MacNay; the transfer of Stockton and Darlington Railway shares; spoke to Edward and John Pease about Longstaff; the Tees Cut and the Stockton and Darlington Railway; alteration to a cottage to receive brother William's papers and goods; parcel delivered to Jane Pease, 10 November 1850.

Letter mentioning he has been involved with clearing the shop; relative R. Smith dealing with the annuity with the hope that bad relatives and money seekers will not profit; the possible sale of Tees Cut shares; E. Brotherton's intention to make a claim for wages and board with a threat of court action, 21 November 1850

Letter including a claim by E. Brotherton and a payment to him; a complaint about Richard Kitching's behaviour; a large sum of money owed by E. Brotherton's mother; someone from Newcastle looked at the premises but an agreement unlikely; called on Edward Pease; query about Old Cut shares and channel not kept navigable; meetings of the Middlesbrough and Redcar Railway Board and the Wear Valley Railway Committee; no rent to be paid to the Stockton and Darlington Railway until 4% is paid to the guaranteed lines; people losing confidence in the Wear Valley Railway; Edward, John and Joseph Pease to go to London; reference to William's 'base conduct', 26 November 1850.

Letter showing that Alfred is behind at his bank and John has offered him £500; reference to his Great North of England bonds; William's letters sent to E. Brotherton; Stockton and Darlington Railway meeting; Middlesbrough and Redcar Railway and Wear Valley Railway; deputation on docks and railways; figures relating to reserve fund; Old Tees Cut shares; a need to leave brother William's affairs and concentrate on his own as having problems, 2 December 1850.

Letter with a valuation of William's personals with a proposal to offer them to Richard; intention to close shop; trying to appoint someone as agent for County Fire Office, who is a clerk in the Stockton and Darlington Railway Transfer Office; Middlesbrough and Redcar Railway meetings, 10 December 1850.

Letter including the possibility of renting the shop for £50 a year and the foundry for £30 a year; sister's health is improving, 15 December 1850.

Letter noting that their sister's health not making significant improvement, no further news concerning the shop with the possibility of the contents being sold by public auction, with the exception of the pictures; disgust at Richard's conduct towards him for the last eighteen years; sent a swan hamper including geese but not hares by train, 17 December 1850.

Letter including the person from Newcastle to rent the premises of late brother for £80 a year and will take stock at a discounted price; intention to try and find work for Jess who had been with William for 25 years; may take the foundry and close it as a workshop and use it as a warehouse; possibility of retiring and selling stock at public auction, 20 December 1850.

Letter noting that the sale is in its eighteenth day; Wear Valley Railway Meeting with fifty shareholders and directors and its value may be maintained if Stockton and Darlington Railway can keep from litigation and strife, 30 January 1851.

Letter including proposal to continue the bond of the North Eastern Railway for three years longer; Stockton and Darlington Railway results, 18 January 1856[?].

Letter including Isabel Kitching unwell; North Eastern Railway bond; work very scanty, 21 January 1856.

Letter with Stockton and Darlington Railway estimate of half year receipts and expenditure; after paying Wear Vale Railway and Middlesbrough and Redcar Railway guarantees leaves 9% dividend; engines and wagons fully employed; mother Cudworth visited, 25 January 1856.

Letter informing that they are the only railway company to pay a 9% dividend; gathering of relatives to dinner, 1 February 1856.

Letter stating many meetings, including the satisfaction with the efforts of the directors and dividend to be paid, 16 February 1856.

Letter mentioning the death of cousin Ann I'anson of Bishop Auckland 27 February 1856; his son Johnny walked the full length of High Row, 28 February 1856.

Letter stating cousin Ann I'anson interred 2 March 1856; a special train from Darlington to Bishop Auckland for the funeral with John and Sophia Pease present, 3 March 1856.

Letter considering buying William Backhouse's house and describes some aspects of it; unhappy with present home next to Durham Road, 8 March 1856.

Letter in which he thinks that William Backhouse will not accept less than £2,100 for the sale of his house, and will be willing to accept 4.5% interest; J. B. Pease is offering to pay £1,650 for a four acre field opposite his house, 17 March 1856.

Letter with a plan of Elmfield and surrounding properties; includes criticisms of present home including a fear of the chimney falling, planning to meet William Backhouse in Newcastle, 21 March 1856.

Letter sent from Newcastle where he has met William Backhouse who has offered the whole house with extra land for £2,400; no time has been fixed for payment but has decided to buy and is pleased with obtaining a bargain, 25 March 1856.

Letter in which he believes that J. B. Pease will buy the greater part of the field, at about £400 per acre; gets possession of Elmfield next week, 26 March 1856.

Letter stating purchase of property concluded and to have possession almost immediately; at quarterly meeting had the company of Messrs Cornish and Robert Forster; appointed representative to the yearly; gas and water committee; living in Northgate Terrace, 2 April 1856.

Letter mentioning John and sister's intended visit to Brighton; attended meetings with George Cornish, 15 April 1856.

Letter mentioning that the visit to Brighton continues; the 'training up' of son Johnny and his characteristics; have not moved home yet, 29 April 1856.

Letter mentioning that the visit to Brighton continues; intention to go to Stamford Hill, London on 20 May 1856.

Letter mentioning his return home from London with a description of the journey, 3 June 1856

Letter mentioning correspondence from sister M. Overend who informed him that John had been poorly; advice not to work too hard; sittings of the yearly meeting of the Society; S. Gurney has died and the internment likely to be at Winchmore Hill, London, 11 June 1856.

Letter acknowledging John's health improving; S. Gurney's death; will probably see William Backhouse at the Sunderland quarterly meeting, 19 June 1856.

Letter highlighting the dispute with T. MacNay over land adjoining Elmfield which will result in a road reduced in width, 27 June 1856.

Letter mentioning contact with Henry Hutchinson of the law firm Mewburn & Company and hoping to have the road issue settled; proposed payment to the British School; the value of new shares, 4 July 1856.

Letter containing the opening of the Darlington and Barnard Castle Railway, 8 July 1856; the proposed disposal of John's farm, 11 July 1856.

Letter containing Stockton and Darlington Railway half year's working results and thinks 9% dividend certain; possible business with Peacock concerning land; the opening of the Darlington and Barnard Castle Railway and objections to how it was celebrated, 25 July 1856.

Letter commenting on a meeting of the Stockton and Darlington-Wear Valley Railway mentioning the attitude of N. Plews and a recommendation that the Wear Valley Railway and the Middlesbrough and Redcar Railway be merged into the Stockton and Darlington Railway; family at Seaton for the last week, 13 August 1856.

Letter mentioning he had been to Seaton to bring the family home; harvesting mostly done by Irish labourers; the price of land at Elmfield has been settled but did not like MacNay's mode of dealing; family has not moved home, awaiting paper hangers; visited at Seaton by Henry and Mary Aggs of Tottenham; the farm at Nabbots possibly to be sold, 4 September 1856.

Letter commenting on the Stockton and Darlington Railway shares; the position of the land at Nabbots and I. G. Marriage, with regard to rental or sale; the railway between Ferryhill and Durham flooded, 1 October 1856.

Letter including reference to the Shares Act 1855; still uncertain over whether the farm at Nabbots should be sold; an increase in Stockton and Darlington Railway traffic; planning to move to Elmfield next week, 10 October 1856.

Letter stating that the family are now in Elmfield; the house in North Terrace to be let; invitation to John to visit Elmfield; Stockton and Darlington Railway traffic increasing, 31 October 1856.

Letter stating that had been to High Terrace to visit brother who had been unwell, 14 November 1856.

Letter stating Jane Proctor's affairs more settled, though the bond of transfer awaits John I'anson's return; a railway proposed to connect Westmoreland and Durham and parts of the Tees and the Tyne-Haggerleases branch to Tebay being surveyed, 43 miles long at a cost of £400,000, Henry Pease interested in line, Temperature of 27F, 14 November 1856.

Letter acknowledging the receiving of a bond-coupons of transfer of £300 from cousins estate; reference to the application to parliament for the railway, 17 November 1856.

Letter with further information on the bond, received from cousin's estate; the new line of railway South Durham and Lancashire appears to be well thought of by directors; circular to shareholders of Stockton and Darlington Railway, Wear Valley Railway and Middlesbrough and Redcar Railway, 21 November 1856.

Letter mentioning a Board of Health meeting; new railway line will be of advantage to the Stockton and Darlington Railway; damp in many houses due to a rapid thaw; advising brother to sell Nabbots, 10 December 1856.

Letter concerning the resolutions as well as reference to the new line into Westmoreland, the latter will be valuable to the former; thinking of taking twenty shares, most of the directors have taken forty shares; extreme cold with three degrees of frost in bedroom; sudden death of Richard Smith, 5 December 1856.

Letter mentioning the sending of a hamper with two turkeys and a brace of pheasants to Stamford Hill, London; shares in the South Durham and Lancashire Railway; Jane Proctor's will; proposed amalgamation of North Eastern Railway and Hartlepool docks noting the belief that the Stockton and Darlington Railway; fewer vessels loading at Middlesbrough but most Stockton and Darlington Railway trade is landscale; John's eighty-fifth birthday, 22 December 1856.

Letter indicating that he is taking thirty shares in the South Durham and Lancashire Railway and other directors accepted forty shares or more; no opposition yet to railway, 29 December 1856.

Letter informing of the birth of another child to Mary and Alfred; Reform Bill withdrawn for this session [Reform Act not passed until 1867]; against giving working people more power due to strikes and intimidation; fear of war with China according to Lora Russell, 14 June 1860.

Letter stating that Mary and babe progressing well, 15 June 1860.

Letter stating that Mary and babe continues to progress well, and that the child may be named Frederick Walter or Charles; sister Overend has proposed the name William I'anson but it is noted that other boys in the family have been named William, 15 June 1860.

Letter stating that Mary and the nameless babe going on nicely; Mary wants to call the baby Henry, 21 June 1860.

Letter stating that the name Frederick has been almost chosen for the baby; Mary much stronger, 23 June 1860.

Letter stating that the baby has been registered with the name Henry, 26 June 1860.

Letter stating that they have not got the half year statement as the Secretary in York; sister in Tunbridge, 26 July 1860.

Letter mentioning the dividend warrant, 19 August 1860

Letter explaining the confusion over the allotment papers; iron making business bad and had to write off £100 a share; sister Overend, John and Isabel all unwell; mother Cudworth left by train; Johnny reading and spelling, 21 August 1860.

Letter mentioning he has accepted one hundred and twenty-four shares for himself and one hundred and three shares for John at a cheap price; unwell with attack of diarrhoea; £10 each to be given to Ayton School; Mary and children travelling to Middleton, 23 August 1860.

Letter stating that T. McNay informed of request; the payments to Ayton School are optional as mentioned in John and Isabel's wills; 28 August 1860.

Letter sending an authority for the bankers to receive the allotment of first call on shares 1860; thinking of visiting sister Sarah with Johnny and Eddy, 30 August 1860.

Letter stating the farm buildings discussed with John Pease, 3 September 1860.

Letter stating that the family were at Ayton; share acceptance; William Bouch, contractor at Shildon Works, to value premises; Johnny draws and writes his name; Syrian massacres-12,000 murdered, 12 September 1860.

Letter stating his intention to visit Stamford Hill, London on 8 October; possible 10% Stockton and Darlington Railway dividend, 25 September 1860.

Letter stating the decision to buy thirty-two Stockton and Darlington Railway shares at £4 premium, 27 September 1860.

Letter commenting on the Stockton and Darlington Railway share allotments, 28 September 1860.

Letter stating that a large proportion of the Stockton and Darlington Railway shares taken up, 2 October 1860.

Letter stating that the 1855 and 1858 Stockton and Darlington Railway shares are at £9 premium; intending to travel to London, 5 October 1860.

Letter stating safely returned to Darlington from London, stopped at Knottingly, Yorkshire where companion left, sister unwell at Chitts Hill, London, 11 November 1860.

Letter acknowledging that sister's health better, the transfer of monies to Ayton School, Isabel Kitching's Trust and British School; A. Gilkes to provide the amount for bread and coals, 13 October 1860.

Letter mentioning he had served as a Grand Juror with about fifty cases to get through; hoping to hear whether the Stockton and Darlington Railway will accept the premises; William Bouch expected shortly to make his report; for the last two to three years has been Chairman of Board of Health Committee, 23 October 1860.

Letter mentioning Stockton and Darlington Railway Notices of Application to Parliament in the Darlington and Stockton Times; an abandonment of a half mile short curve near Saltburn for an extended one mile curve; Board of Health to raise capital for gas, water, roads, covered market and corn exchange; contemplating building a hotel at Saltburn, 14 November 1860.

Letter stating that the Bank of England has raised the discounts; proposed premises not yet recommended; finances of the Stockton and Darlington Railway improving; mother Cudworth well, 16 November 1860.

Letter mentioning Johnny and Teddy have colds; Harry has inflamation about the air vessels; John Kitching has sciatica; Jackson's schemes in the Durham Advertiser; Saltburn scheme to buy land of the East of Zetland for building; Stockton and Darlington Railway deviation line; amalgamation with South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway; Stanhope extension, 27 November 1860.

Letter mentioning six houses at Saltburn for workmen's cottages; the hotel at Saltburn; Hartlepool scheme and possible opposition; Stanhope and Frosterly scheme; Cockermouth and Keswick line and the Eden Valley and South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway; Saltburn deviation sanctioned 1859, 30 November 1860.

Transcript of letter D/NERA 2/2/91(1).

Letter stating that the premises were looked over; no report made due to the absence of John Pease, though a fair offer made; an accident at a junction of the Stockton and Darlington Railway involving a mineral train due to fog; payment on shares; distribution of coals and bread due to cold weather; P. Bedford indisposed, 17 December 1860.

Transcript of letter D/NERA 2/2/92(1).

Letter including Stockton and Darlington Railway shares; an accident at the junction with the North Eastern; the distribution of coals and bread, 19 December 1860.

Transcript of letter, typed, D/NERA 2/2/93(1)

Letter stating that the report on the premises not yet made; twenty-seven degrees of frost and several feet of snow, 24 December 1860.

Letter stating that there has been a further examination of the premises, valuation of the property £11,865, Alfred Kitching's offer to the company was £12,000; weather still very cold, on the evening of 24 December nine degress below zero, shrubs including Japonica killed and thrushes falling dead from trees; Cuthbert Wigham died, 28 December 1860.

Transcript of letter, typed D/NERA 2/2/95(1).

Letter stating the arrival of books for coals and bread; asking for permission to distribute ten units of coals to each; the cost of hot coals about six shillings per ton; good brown bread seven and a half pence for four pounds; temperature two degrees below zero, 31 December 1860.

Letter stating that the directors are considering the offer on the premises and that Alfred Kitching's valuation judged to be honourable; weather still cold, 4 January 1861.

Letter including the estimate valuation figures of Alfred Kitching and W. Bouch; John Dixon Stockton and Darlington Railway engineer; 20 coal tickets written out; weather still severe 22 degrees of frost, 5 January 1861.

Transcript of letter, typed D/NERA 2/2/98(2).

Letter stating the purchase of 11 tons of excellent hut coal at 4/3d per ton and asking permission to buy an extra 10-11 tons for the poor; continued cold weather including 10 degrees below freezing; also intends to give out 12 loaves of bread a week; frost killing plants, 7 January 1861.

Letter stating that he will act in a prudent and careful manner with regard to helping the poor with bread and coals; recipients of help very grateful; many more people seeking relief; receipts and expenditure for the previous six months; possible 9.5% dividend on ordinary Stockton and Darlington Railway shares; traffic seriously affected by the severe weather; saw W. Bouch about the sale of the premises; brother has put stove with 'green and brown' [?] in bedroom; Alfred Kitching has a gas stove but dislikes the unpleasant smell, 11 January 1861.

Letter including the death of Joseph T. Foster; Mary Dodshow and her daughter to live at Cockerton, the latter continuing her school; Mary Dodshow died with John and Elizabeth Dodshow frequent visitors; son Johnny Kitching has been poorly but is recovering; Alfred Kitching to act as Superintendent of the Friends First Day [Sunday] School for three months, 3 February 1861.

Letter mentioning ill health of sister; a proposed line from Newcastle to Liverpool via Consett and joining the South Durham and Lancashire Union at West Auckland which is opposed by the Stockton and Darlington Railway and unlikely to be passed by Parliament; dividend for the Stockton and Darlington Railway to be 9.5% for the year; the premises value minuted by the board [of the Stockton and Darlington Railway], evening meeting in relation to Board of Health business; John Kitching giving money for calls on 1855 and 1858 shares, 5 February 1861.

Letter mentioning the amounts paid on shares, 1855 and 1858; Stockton and Darlington Railway receipts improving since weather improving, 6 January 1861.

Letter mentioning the dates for payments on the 1855 and 1858 calls and the sums involved, 11 February 1861.

Letter including comments on the half yearly Stockton and Darlington Railway meeting chaired by T. Meynell which passed a resolution to build a hotel at Saltburn, a sea-bathing resort; Francis Mewburn, solicitor resigned, 12 February 1861.

Transcript of letter, typed D/NERA 2/2/105(1)

Letter including Stockton and Darlington Railway shares £6000 loss incurred with Tron[?] Works property; seventeen degrees of frost with snow, 13 February 1861.

Letter stating that R. W. Jackson before the magistrates for assault; four petitions against South Durham and Lancashire Union, and Eden Valley and Stockton and Darlington Railway amalgamation; stocks of pig iron large; Joseph Pease ill, 1 March 1861.

Transcript of letter, typed D/NERA 2/2/107(1)

Letter stating that mother Cudworth's brother, John Cudworth's funeral on Good Friday, 27 March 1871.

Letter stating quarterly meeting, meeting for sufferings adjourned; attended funeral of John Cudworth at Leeds; Isaac Sharp to go to the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland; monthly meeting at Newcasitle to be attended by friends from Darlington, Guisborough and Richmond; John Kitchng suffering from sciatica; Isabel Kitching feeble; opposition to Jackson in Parliament, 4 April 1861.

Letter sent on John Kitching's ninetieth birthday, with love and prayers for his future wife, 10 December 1861.

Letter stating that Alfred Kitching has fallen on his hip; reference to activity in various dockyards with regard to Canada and the hope for peace during the American Civil War; [the Trent affair: 2 Confederate diplomats seized from a British ship, which led to troops being sent to Canada and possible trouble with the Union side]; children dining with Grandma at West Terrace, Darlington, 27 December 1861.

Letter thanking John Kitching for a barrel of oysters he sent, and enclosing a bank post bill for £21.0.0; staying at mother Cudworth's with her children and five grandchildren; a report of several burglaries including an attempted one at Alfred Kitching's office, [?] 1850s.

Letter from Edward Kitching, Newcastle to his sister Elizabeth Kitching thanking her for the letters she had sent him, mentions that brother Richard's health is much better; asks how she is going on in the foundry; comments positively on the condition of Newcastle including the library; John George Lambton visited the shop and Lady Lambton is a good customer; sends his best respects to George Pease, 17 January 1820.

Letter from Benjamin Dally to William Kitching offering sympathy on the death of William's father, received half year annuity from John Pease, Darlington; Dally previously in Coalbrookdale, 7 April 1820.

Letter from John Kitching, Stamford Hill, London to Edward Kitching, Newcastle including family health, the deaths of William Cudworth, Mary Naftall, Sarah Rudd, 20 November 1820.

Letter from Benjamin Dally, Coalbrookdale, Shropshire to William Kitching, Darlington reminding the latter of an unpaid half year annuity, 18 May 1826.

Extracts from a letter by J. H. to P. B. commenting on the fine character of John Kitching, 27 September 1830.

Letter from Henry Freeling, aboard ship, to John Kitching, posted in the Isle of Wight,; ship awaiting improvement in the weather at Motherbank, in the Solent, 18 December 1833.

Letter, possibly Daniel Wheeler, from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, to William Mahley, sent financial information back to England on board the 'Medora' and 'Caroline'; intending to travel to Hobart town on Van Diemen's land [Tasmania] aboard the one hundred and forty-six ton schooner 'Marian Watson' with Captain Shaw; Abraham Davy and Francis and Anna Maria Cotton with a large family moving from Van Diemen's land to Sydney, 19 July 1837.

Letter with seal from Daniel Wheeler, Hobart town, Tasmania to John Kitching. Daniel Wheeler has spent fourteen years in Russia meeting both Tzar Alexander I and Tzar Nicholas I, he and his assistants drained marshes around St Petersburg and cultivated some as farmland before leaving in 1832. The letter was sent on the North Briton together with extracts from his 1836 journal to William Manley and a letter to St Petersburg;l letters arrived on board 'Hebe' and 'Orissa' mentioning the death of William; some arrivals from London and Sydney; not sure whether his children are in Russia or England; hoping to return to England soon; few vessels leaving the River Derwent; James Backhouse and George Walker staying for at least six weeks; his son Charles thinking of working again in Russia, 16 September 1837.

Letter from Daniel Wheeler, Hobart town, Tasmania to John Kitching, intending to leave Tasmania and return to England, but does not know of any vessel to take them; 'The Mayflower' sets sail tomorrow, 19 August 1837.

Letter from J. Wheeler, Falmouth, Cornwall to John Kitching, Brighton including the death of his father Daniel, in America; expecting his father's papers abroad the Great Western to Bristol; not aware of his father's will, 1 August 1840.

Letter from Joshua Wheeler, Clifton to John Kitching, Stamford Hill, London; trying to get information for his father's memoir including that from Mr Allan and the papers of the late Richard Phillips; has the later part of his father's journal up to his death aboard ship; description of his home in Lower Crescent Clifton, 10 November 1840.

Letter from Daniel Wheeler, Bristol to John Kitching, Stamford Hill, London; received a letter from St Petersburg, Russia including articles of partnership; government loan on £4500 sterling; hoping to visit John Kitching but dependant on the health of Joshua Wheeler who is poorly, 3 June 1841.

Letter to brother from John Kitching, Wakefield; thanking brother for visit and hoping to return home tomorrow evening; intending to visit sister Overend; reference to Dewsbury, Croyden Bay and Ackworth, 5 June 1843.

An anonymous letter detailing the story of an illiterate slave in America who had a vision of God and after being freed by his master travelled around the country preaching; he gained the freedom of his wife and with help from friends in Philadelphia the freedom of his two daughters; he then settled in New York, 27 July 1843.

Letter from William Furnish to William Kitching; agreement to transfer the tolls and house in Darlington from William Furnish to William Kitching, 3 June 1845.

Letter from Hannah Peacock to Alfred Kitching, enclosing a lock of hair from a dead sister; sister Elizabeth's health improving and being looked after; Alfred's sister Sarah and the rest of the family are well, 2 September 1846.

Envelope addressed to Alfred Kitching, Darlington which had held twenty sealed share certificates of the Northern Counties Union Railway Company, with a seal of the company, 11 December 1846.

Letter from John Sharp in Croydon to possibly Alfred Kitching, mentioning Robert Bond leaving Colchester under pressure and the circumstances by which he will receive a gratuity; favourable comments on role of treasurer, 15 February 1848.

Letter from Charles I'anson, Newcastle to possibly John Kitching stating that he has sent halves of £20 and £10, other halves to follow by later post, staying at Tynemouth which is convenient for his sisters' company in Newcastle; father's eyesight a problem and may need an operation; D. I. Co. [possibly Derwent Iron Company] have several unexpiring rail contracts; hoping for improvements in the depressed markets, 3 September 1848.

Letter from E. H. Browne, Angel Court Throgmorton Street, London, a sworn broker to Alfred Kitching, Darlington about the sale of Wear Valley £25 shares and Manchester Sheffield and Lincolnshire £10 preference shares, 9 October 1850.

Envelope with seal from E. Browne to Alfred Kitching, Darlington, 10 October 1850.

Letter from E. H. Browne, Angel Court Throgmorton Street, London, a sworn broker to Alfred Kitching, Darlington, the sale of twenty-five Manchester Sheffield and Lincolnshire £10 preference shares, no improvement in the Wear Valley shares, 30 October 1850.

Letter from E. H. Browne, Angel Court Throgmorton Street, London, a sworn broker to Alfred Kitching, Darlington stating that the Wear Valley Railway Shares have declined further and to consider exchanging them with York Newcastle and Berwick shares, 4 December 1850.

Letter from John Kitching, Stamford Hill [?], to Alfred Kitching, Darlington including the poor health of sister Overend who is being looked after by E. L. May her physician of twenty years and also Dr. Hodgkin; received the Wear Valley Railway Director's report.

Letter from John Kitching, Stamford Hill [?], to Alfred Kitching, advises against buying a house without a garden behind and suggests renting a property; Wear Valley shares and the Tees Navigation; query about payment to Barclays, 24 January 1852.

Letter from E. H. Browne, Angel Court Throgmorton Street, London, a sworn broker to Alfred Kitching, the sale of fifty £25 Wear Valley shares, with a further fifty shares to sell, 1 July 1852

Envelope with seal from E. H. Browne to Alfred Kitching, Darlington, 17 July 1852.

Envelope with seal from E. H. Browne to Alfred Kitching, Darlington, 5 July 1852.

Envelope with seal from E. H. Browne to Alfred Kitching, Darlington, 17 July 1852

Letter from John Kitching, Stamford Hill [?] to Alfred Kitching, a misunderstanding about money for the York and Derwent bond; intends to take all the new shares and depending on the dividends may dispose of some, problem with his health and making the journey to Darlington, Alfred Kitching has an account with John Kitching, 23 July 1852.

Envelope with seal from John Kitching, postmarked Stoke Newington, to Alfred Kitching, Darlington, 4 September 1852.

Letter from John Kitching, Stamford Hill [?] to Alfred Kitching, John Kitching 81 years old and married upwards of 52 years; Alfred Kitching 44 years old; Alfred Kitching to relinquish his wife Mary's share of her father's property to her; advice on shares and trade accounts; circular received from Messers Pease and Backhouse relating to the dispensary at Darlington and donations to it by M. Overend, Isabel Kitching and John Kitching; not aware of the new Redcar shares otherwise would have brought a few; unhappy as to the name on Tees Navigation shares; Barnard Castle deed signed; received the half year dividend on York Gas shares; anti-slavery papers to Mary and her mother, 18 December 1852.

Letter from niece at North Cave, East Riding of Yorkshire to Uncle and Aunt, death of husband of twenty-two years marriage; four children; speeches made by Mabel Hipsley and Leonard West; Dr Kirkpatrick cared for her husband and herself, 17 March 1853.

Letter from John Kitching, Stamford Hill [?], to Alfred Kitching mainly relating to sister Sarah Kitching's annuity and its possible costs, a good month financially, but no accounts from Leonard Jackson concerning the Tees Navigation shares, 7 September 1853.

Letters from John Kitching, Stamford Hill [?] to Alfred Kitching; information relating to shares, including Stockton and Darlington and Gas, and other monies which will go to Alfred; John Kitching now eighty-three years old and has resigned the Treasurership of the monthly meeting; given a fine account of Alfred's son Johnny by Alfred Gilkes; no reply to an offer of a little chaise, though money still available; reference to Alfred Kitching being a probable shareholder in furnaces at Darlington and the lower price of iron, 20 January 1855.

Letter from John Kitching, Stamford Hill, S.N. to Alfred Kitching with preparations for the former's will including arrangements for sister Sarah Kitching; matters relating to shares including lead and the Darlington and Barnard Castle Railway, 3 March 1855.

Letter from John Kitching, Stamford Hill, S.N. to Alfred Kitching, including Stockton and Darlington Railway half year results; carraige nearly completed by Allen and hopes Alfred Kitching will have it within seven days;signed Johnny the elder, 23 July 1855.

Letter from John Kitching, Stamford Hill, S. N. to Alfred Kitching, twenty £25 Stockton and Darlington Railway Shares which were in the name of late brother William Kitching to go to Alfred Kitching through Thomas MacNay; Allen has sent the 'preambulator'; niece M. Collinson and son Samuel visiting; cousins U. C. and P. C. tomorrow, 30 July 1855.

Letter from John Kitching, Stamford Hill, S. N. to Alfred Kitching; Stockton and Darlington Railway shares, once belonging to brother William to be transferred to Alfred Kitching together with the dividend; pleased to hear Johnny likes his carraige, 6 August 1855.

Letter from Alfred Kitching, Darlington to sister Isabel Kitching, his wife Mary, mother Cudworth, Johnny and servants have been three weeks at Seaton [Carew, Hartlepool]; work continuing at Elmfield; letter from sister Sarah; hopeful of a favourable harvest, 29 August 1856.

Letter from John Kitching, Stamford Hill, S. N. to Alfred Kitching; changed his mind over selling Stockton and Darlington Railway shares of 1855; recommends keeping Gas and Water Work bonds; instalments paid in Stockton and Darlington Railway 1855 shares; which are at a considerable premium; offer of sixty-seven shares to Alfred Kitching; asking about Middleton an architect at Darlington and Captain Robson, captain of a collier the Endeavour; Stockton and Darlington Railway advertised for two hundred new wagons, 12 March 1857

Letter from James Bowden, Croydon, London to John Kitching writing about shares and accounts including the return of Joseph Cooper from France, which will lead to an increase in shares and their value; possibility of obtaining new premises, 10 March 1863.

Letter and envelope from Alfred Kitching, Royal Hotel, Scarborough to Teddy Kitching, Elmfield, Darlington, visiting the town with his wife Mary and cousin Sarah; the hotel kept by a Pole called Jancowski and to stage a Grand Ball, Olivers Mount Quaker School, 6 February 1869.

Letter from Mary Kitching, Royal Hotel, Scarborough to Teddy Kitching Elmfield, Darlington, called at Oliver Mount, taking tea with J. Penny, W. I'anson and O. Gilkes; visited the remains of Scarborough Castle; description of the Grand Ball, 6 February 1869

Letter from John Kitching junior, Grove House, Quaker School, Tottenham, London to brother Teddy Kitching, sending stamps from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; supposes that Teddy will be looking after the butterflies; asking if he has any birds eggs and that he will be able to get them at 4 Riggs Field; parents possibly at Ayton, 27 April 1869.

Letter from John Kitching junior, Grove House, Tottenham, London to brother Teddy names some boys at the school with measles; lessons affected by absentees; caught a moth and posting it home; shared interest in collecting foreign postage stamps, 1 May 1869.

Letter from John Kitching junior, Grove House, Tottenham, London to brother Teddy and Harry; prefers coffee to milk, which is 'like chalk and calves brains and water'; postage stamp collecting; going to visit the South Eastern Railway Company engine worlks at Ashford, Kent [where their relative James I'anson Cudworth was locomotive Superintendent, apprenticed to Robert Stephenson and Company Limited], 29 September 1869.

Letter from John Kitching junior to brother Teddy; Mr Abbott asked Backhouse and himself into the drawing room for dessert; Teddy to look into the drawers of the cabinet and 'douse the moth-eater butterflies and moths' with their mother's benzine, 3 October 1869.

Letter from John Kitching junior, Grove House, Tottenham, London to brother Teddy, including description of the South Eastern Railway Company engine works at Ashford, Kent and its similarity to Darlington North Road works, 14 October 1869.

Letter from John Kitching junior, Grove House, Tottenham, London to brother Teddy, asking for a letter to be sent on the 6 November describing the fireworks; given stamps by Richardson; hopes that their father will go to Ayton and see how the house is progressing; wants to know if Mr Robinson has acquired the place at Middlesbrough; believes that it will be better for the chestnut horse to travel by road than rail, 31 October 1869.

Letter from John Kitching junior, Grove House, Tottenham, London to his brother Teddy, expecting Teddy to break up tomorrow and go to Ayton; Harry reading 'The Gorilla Leaders' [by R. M. Ballantyne], after reading the [young] 'Fur Traders' [by R. M. Ballantyne]; his nightshirts are large enough; Teddy had visited Obby; school possibly breaking up on 25 July, 16 June 1870.

Letter from John Kitching junior, Grove House, Tottenham, London to his brothers Teddy and Harry; enquiring about The Elms; wants stamp album sending as likely to get more stamps than brother; has cold and cough which is being treated by Miss Abbott with a mustard plaster; kept in the sickroom and playing backgammon; asking about the postcard he sent as it is a new idea, used by business firms in London; subjects taught and the teachers, 16 October 1870.

Letter from John Kitching junior, Grove House, Tottenham, London to his brother Teddy, visits by a Mr Beaumont who read Shakespeare and 'Hard Times' by Charles Dickens; the brothers pets; a cart which is taught to ride in a cart and a new horse which is frightened of being touched; visits to grandmother Cudworth; coals 25/- a ton and prefers the north where people are more likely to keep a good fire, in London use coal in blocks-briguettes made of squashed cinders, 17 November 1870.

Letter from John Kitching junior, Grove House, Tottenham, London to his brothers Teddy and Harry; received 'pretty cards' from home; a collection of cards including valentines at home; death of Mr Abbott's father at Hitchin; railway accident at Brockley [Whins?], on the North East Railway between Sunderland and Newcastle which resulted in five deaths and fifity-seven injuries; unsure when the schools break up for Christmas, 7 December 1870.

Envelope with seal to Alfred Kitching Elm Field, Darlington, postmarked New York.

Letter from Ernest Alderson Trustee, Norfolk Street, Manchester to Charles I'anson Son and Company, Whessoe Foundry, Darlington; representative Thomas Greenwell to give up the keys of Hope Town Foundry; interest rate of 5% on the balance; hoping that Messrs Dunn and Watson are pushing on and that the transfer will soon be completed; some auction items still on the ground and the buyers notified about the keys, 26 April 1878.

Letter from Alfred Kitching, Boarding House, to son Teddy, returning to Darlington from Pinchingthorpe, near Guisborough, home to a Pease family; five day [?] 1870s

A notice of a special general meeting of the Tees Navigation Comapny in Stockton on 9 December 1850, from L. Jackson Secretary, with regard to making a harbour at Redcar; putting the River Tees in commission; and possibly dissolving the company, 19 November 1850.

A notice from the Inland Revenue Office to Miss Mary Hugall at Scarborough concerning non payment of Legacy Duty concerning the estate of the late Henry Hugall, 27 January 1852.

A receipt from Barber at the County Fire Office, London to William Kitching County Fire Office, Darlington, 26 March 1810.

An acknowledgement of the receipt for a bill from T. Chapler County Fire Office, London to Wiliam Kitching County Fire Office, Darlington, 2 January 1815.

A receipt and request for payment from Beaumont, County Fire Office, London to William Kitching, County Fire Office, Darlington, 16 November 1821.

A receipt from Thomas Schabner, County Fire Office, London to William Kitching, County Fire Office, Darlington, 19 December 1825.

A receipt from J. A. Beaumont, County Fire Office, London to William Kitching County Fire Office, Darlington, together with concern about a Mr Longstaft, 10 April 1826.

Caution from J. A. Beaumont, County Fire Office, London to William Kitching, County Fire Office, Darlington, with regard to Mr J. Longstaff, a former agent, 1826

A receipt from J. A. Beaumont, Provident Life Office, London to William Kitching, Provident Life Office, Darlington, 12 August 1843.