392 



Wark, and Mr John Gregson [Extract from old MSS. 

 in State of Garham Parish.'] Communicated by Me 

 R. G. BoLAM, Berwick. 



Not much was done, indeed, before the year 1740. Mr Ralph Forster, 

 the proprietor of Carham, had endeavoured to introduce the growing of 

 turnips to supply the want of herbage in winter ; but this practice was 

 not followed to any considerable extent till the late Mr Gregson of Wark 

 most effectually demonstrated the usefulness of this plant, both in 

 breeding and feeding black cattle and sheep. 



At first, indeed, a farmer called Hoggart, on the opposite banks of the 

 Tweed, observed that Mr Gregson's practice would never answer expect- 

 ation; but a short time made a convert of hitn to that kind of husbandry^ 

 and from that time northern markets were constantly snpplied with plenty 

 of good beef and mutton, whereas before that time people killed usually a 

 mart or two, so called from their being killed about Martinmas, for their 

 winter's store, and their mutton in winter consisted only of a sheep 

 being exhibited in the market, commonly called a pet from its being 

 band-fed about the farmer's house. 



Mr Gregson* was an honest, hospitable, kind man, and much respected 

 by all his neighbours, and so much esteemed by his landlord, the then 

 Earl of Tankerville, that his lordship would often come and spend a 

 fortnight or three weeks' time at Wark, where he drank good claret, and 

 had all things as if he had been at home. One day after he tasted some 

 of Mr Gregson's claret, he asked his tenant from whence he had that 

 wine, he was told from Leith ; "John," returned his lordship, "yon must 

 order me a stock of the same sort to my house near London," which Mr 

 Gregson accordingly did : and upon his return thither, he invited several 

 of the nobility aud gentry to dine with him, and the Leith wine was not 

 forgot, and being greatly liked by the whole company, his lordship was 

 asked from whom he had such excellent claret ? " From my tenant at 

 Wark-upon-Tvveed, who generally drinks the same sort at his own table!" 

 " A tenant of yours, my lord, and drink claret ? At Tweedside too ? " 

 " Yes," returned his lordship, "a tenant of mine at Tweedside, whom I 

 sometimes visit, and though I raised his rent, I find he can still drink his 

 beloved claret, and pay his rent, if I should want it, even before it is 

 due ! " Astonishment seized the whole group. 



To show the hospitality of his patriark, as Mr Wallisf often called him, 



* Mr John Gregson, who previously farmed Sunnilaws (1718-1729), took 

 a lease of Wark from 1729 for 11 years. This was renewed in 1739 for a 

 further term of 1 1 years, and again it was increased when the lease was 

 renewed in 1750 for 21 years. Mr Gregson left in 1771, and was 

 succeeded by Robert Smart. (Mr Gregson also farmed Heating from 1732 

 to 1774). Mr Matthew Culley succeeded Robt. Smart in Wark farm 1787, 

 and held it until 1812, when Mr William Dawson entered. 



t The Rev. Richard Wallis vras incumbent of Carham 1748 to 1775. 



