Chippenham ^<1>
Feb. 20. 1821

Dear Sir/

The Books which you desired to have immediately, are sent by this Even^gs Coach & the others are put away, to be forwarded whenever you may wish for them – I have had much conversation with M^r Grosett ^<2> respecting another Lease for the Abbey & I enclose a statement of his last Proposals on the subject, which I hope may be satisfactory to you – The great object I have kept in view, in negociating [sic] with him – has been to prevent any application in future for repairs, except such as will be for your Interest to undertake – If you should approve the Basis of his Proposals – he will thank you to forward them to M^r King ^<3> to put them into a more regular form for M^r Grosett’s Solicitor to peruse – M^r G– hopes that a very short Lease may be sufficient as the Conditions are so simple –

I have spoken to M^r Paley ^<4> about his Composition Tythe for the three Farms & he expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the proposal which I made from you upon the subject & I therefore hope we shall soon settle that Business –

I have seen the Agent of the County Fire Office – He informed me that the Insurance for £4000– on the Abbey, will be £10– p^r annum – but he did not think the Office would take either the Farms or the Houses in the Village on the general Plan which we talked of in Town – He said it would be necessary to specify a given Sum on each Farm & House in the Village – under these Circumstances, I should hardly think it would be worth while to ensure the Cottages in the Village, being so numerous, but I should recommend laying out the £2000– among the Farms. Proportioning the amount according to the supposed value of each – If this Plan meets your approbation, I will carry it into effect as soon as I hear from you – The Insurance for the Farms will then be £5– p^r annum unless some of them should have thatched Buildings attached (which I do not think is the case with more than one or two) & in that case there will be something extra for such –

Respecting the two Houses in the Village which are so much in want of repair I have had a good deal of conversation with the Bailiff & our Carpenter – There does not seem at present any disposition to take the ground or building Leases – One of the Tenants has made a Proposal to me which I am induced to recommend as I think it very fair – He will take his House for fourteen years on a repairing Lease, at a reduction of £5– p^r annum from his present Rent & should any part of the Premises fall down during that time – he will undertake to rebuild it – Under the present Circumstances, I think the Proposal very desirable – The other Tenant appears to have taken an opinion upon the state of his House, w^ch is that tho’ old, it will probably stand for many years & he is therefore quite satisfied with it & begs he may continue to rent it as it is & he will not ask for repairs –

The Carpenter who wants to build a shop w^ch will cost him £40– will do so if he may have a Lease of his House (on which he will join it) for 21 years – I do not see any objection to his Proposal as it is only a Cottage & he is a respectable Man & a good Tenant –

I am afraid you will be tired with reading such a long string of Questions, but if you will take the trouble of giving me your sentiments on each of them at this time I trust I shall not have occasion to plague you again for some months –

I am Dear Sir Y^r obliged & obed Ser^t
W. H. Awdry

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Notes:

1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.

2. John Rock Grosett (1783-1866), MP; Jamaican Parliament; occupant of Lacock Abbey until summer 1827.

3. William Read King & Son, solicitors, London.

4. Rev James Paley (1790–1863), Vicar at Lacock.