Within the chest is an IOU signed by Robert Charlton who is borrowing money from William Charlton.
The transcription is:
BILL THREE PENCE OR NOTE
July 18th 1895
I promise to pay to William Charlton of Broomhill on demand the sum of Eighteen Pounds with Interest at Five% pr anuam
Signed Robert Charlton
I think that the ‘Robert Charlton’ who is borrowing the money is probably William’s younger brother who was born at Blackhall Hill, Durham in 1837.
I wonder if the fact that it still exists means that it was never paid back?