Chippenham <1>
30th July 1833
Dear Sir,
On the other side, is the Copy of a Bill delivered to me by Stroud the Gardener of Trowbridge <2> - He states that he was to receive the amount at this time, provided the Plantation was in a flourishing state - I have spoken to Fitzsimmons <3> upon the subject & he says he believes it to be correct & that the Plantation is looking very well in every respect - I told Stroud that I would write to you immediately for instructions respecting the payment -
I have succeeded, after a little negociation, in getting possession of Mr Spencer's <4> House & Premises - Mr Matthews has taken the House, but he did not want the Field or the Stables - I have no fear however of getting an eligible Tenant for that part of the Property, as it will be a convenience to some other Tenant who has not any Land - but I was very glad to let the House - as it was the only application which I had for it -
I have some hopes of being able, 'ere long, to get the Gravel Pit closed - I wrote to the Agent of the Canal Compy at Swindon, on the subject of the injury done to the Wells, since the Pit was opened, requesting that no more Gravel might be dug & that the Land might be valued & paid for - I have a very civil Letter in reply, & altho' the Agent states his doubts respecting the injury which I have complained of ("in consequence of the shallowness of the Pit") he expresses his readiness to discontinue the digging, provided he can make arrangements to prevent essential disadvantage to the works of the Company -
I shall be very glad to get an amicable settlement of the Business, but I have no doubt of being able to make out a strong case, as to special damage, if it should be necessary -
Your Tenant Curnick <5>, has taken a large Corn Farm of Sir Francis Burdett <6> - n[ear]<7> Ramsbury <8> - He has been so good a Tenant, as well as his Father before him, that I should have regretted losing such a Person, in these times particularly, - but his Brother, who I know well also, from having rented under Dr Arnold, <9> has applied for the refusal - & in case we should eventually agree upon terms, I have no doubt that you would like him for a Tenant - you will probably do the same as when Inlands Farm was let last, viz received offers & select the one who appears the most eligible Tenant, under all Circumstances -
The new Building for the Workhouse, is going on prosperously & that last Vestry was as unanimous upon the subject as on former occasions - My Son <10> (with the approbation of Mr Harman <11> & J Awdry <12>) has made an arrangement for the more speedy payment of the Money than was at first proposed & which considered more generally satisfactory, as well as more safe for the Guarantees of the Payment -
I remain Dear Sir Yr obliged Sert
W. H. Awdry
I have not yet had any Letters to forward to you
(Copy)
Talbot Esq - to [illegible] of Stroud
1831 June 30h - To Balance due on A/c for planting
4½ acres of Land - £9 -
W. H. F. Talbot Esq
Switzerland
Poste restante
Berne
En Swisse
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. 8 miles SSW of Lacock.
3. Cornelius Fitzsimmons, Scottish gardener at Lacock Abbey.
4. Dr Henry Spencer (1805-1842), surgeon in Chippenham.
5. William Curnick appears on the list of Tenants 1826 (No. 4)
6. Sir Francis Burdett (1770-1844), radical MP.
7. Text torn away under seal.
8. 24 miles East of Lacock.
9. Not identified, but unlikely to be the Rev Thomas Kerchever Arnold (1800-1853), editor & author.
10. West Awdry (1807-1892), solicitor, Chippenham.
11. Ezekiel Harman.
12. John Awdry (1766-1844), solicitor, Reybridge.