DENBV OLD HALL AND ITS OWNERS. I 7 



Grace, Robert, and Edward. Frances, Robert and Grace died 

 while infants. 



Thomas. — The Denby estate was inherited by Thomas, who 

 was baptized April 4th, t688. He soon proved that his father's 

 lack of confidence was only too well justified. A spendthrift 

 with an unenviable reputation, he ran through his estates at 

 Breedon and Hose, co. Leicester, and Pinxton, co. Derby, sold 

 the tithes of Diseworth and the old family estate at Castle 

 Doningtnn, and mortgaged the Denby estate. He seems to 

 have squandered every penny he could raise. 



By a deed, April 18th, 1726, he injudiciously leased the 

 coal mines at Denby to John Fletcher for ninety-nine years, 

 receiving one shilling for every stack load of hard coal and 

 sixpence for every stack of soft coal. In connection with this 

 lease, the following note in the Heanor parish registers is of 

 some interest : — 



"January 24th, T740. — Wm. Fletcher and others, owners of 

 the collieries of Heanor, Smalley and Denby, have been accused 

 of monopolising re-sale of coal, stoutly deny imputation and 

 offer to supply any persons with coals at 2s. 6d. to 3s. od. per 

 ton, for 40 years to come, and to give security for performance 

 of the same." 



Thomas Robey lived to the advanced age of ninety years, 

 and died at Oakerthorpe, a house belonging to his son-in-law, 

 February 17th, t 776. He was buried on the north side of 

 Heanor churchyard, where his sandstone altar-shaped tombstone 

 bears this inscription : — 



"Tho 5 Robee Esq: of 

 Denby departed this Life 

 February 17 th in the Year of 

 owr Lord 1776. Aged 90." 

 He married, about August, 17 14, Alice, daughter of Richard 

 Clayton, of Codnor Breach. She was born March 5th, 1695, 

 died April 24th, 1762, and was buried with her ancestors at 

 Heanor. Early in married life the husband's evil ways caused 

 domestic unhappiness, and eventually separation. 



