James Loch: Managing the Sutherland Estates, 1813

Description:The image above shows a letter written by James Loch to Francis Suther on 23rd November 1813. Part of Loch’s scheme of improvement for the Sutherland estates was a revision of their administrative management. Instead of employing regional under-agents at the various estates in Staffordshire, Loch appointed Francis Suther to oversee the general administrative responsibilities of the Marquis of Stafford’s estates in Trentham and Newcastle in 1814. In November 1813 Loch wrote a letter of advice to Suther, providing information and education necessary to the successful undertaking of his new post.
The letter demonstrates the level of involvement which James Loch had with the administration of the Sutherland estates in the early nineteenth century. It is significant to remember that Loch wrote this letter to Suther after only fifteen months serving as Chief Agent, reflecting the dedication and innovation which he brought to the role.
Unable to be present at Trentham on Suther’s arrival, Loch suggests that Suther ‘be fully occupied in getting acquainted with things’. Reverend Thomas Butt had overseen estate administration alongside a number of other under-agents until his retirement in 1814. In his letter to Suther, Loch advises Suther to recover ‘from Mr. Butt the charge of the papers and deeds in the office’.
Suther is given instructions to open a separate account in the estate Ledger for Mothershall common plantation. Loch writes ‘you will always recollect that the English acre is 1/5th less than the Scotch’. Loch advises Suther to see to the ordering of ledgers for Trentham and Newcastle and informs him about customs on the estate, such as the supplying of straw. Loch tells Suther about a custom on the Trentham estate where tenants would supply straw for the Marquis of Stafford’s farm and would ‘bring their receipts for this as part of their Rent’. He remarks that this ‘is a very bad plan and I have determined to put a stop to it’. Loch outlines his new more stringent policy for the ordering of straw in the letter, allocating this as a responsibility for the Groom and Gamekeeper.
Loch advises Suther to order a printed check book and receipt book for the office. He writes ‘your own experience in such matters will easily supply you with the means of putting them in good order’.
Towards the conclusion of his letter Loch describes his ‘great object’ in revising the financial management of the Sutherland estates. He writes ‘my great object is to put an end to that intricacy and confusion of accounts which has arisen by allowing one set of accounts to go in part payment of another set’. Reflecting the influence of contemporary political economists, Loch advocated a system where employees of the estate would ‘be paid for what they furnish exactly as if they had no connection with the family’, a scheme which he envisaged would make accounting ‘all clear and fair and right’.