Chippenham <1>
4th Feby 1835
Dear Sir,
I was aware that Mr Clark intended to apply to you upon the subject of his Rent – as he has mentioned it to me, more than once & I understood that the chief ground of his application, was the great difference of in the price of Farm Produce since the time of his entering upon the Estate – I fear that this is very considerable, as far as it may affect the Rent – & that it will be necessary to consider the subject. Clark is so good a Farmer that I am confident he can afford to give as good a Rent as the Estate is worth, & therefore, that you may not risk the loss of such a Tenant, I will, with your permission, before giving him any answer, take the opinion of some disinterested Person, as to the present Value of the Estate – & it is in such a good state of repair & of cultivation, that I have no fear of letting it for its full value, with reference to the price of Produce – We have all the summer before us, for this purpose – as there could be no notice necessary on either side before Michs <2>next – & by that time you may be enabled to judge whether the Rent is, or is not, too high –
I have for many years past employed a Tailor at Melksham <3> named <Fricker?> – who is also employed by half a dozen other Awdrys, at least – & we consider him a very good Tailor & very reasonable –
I am Dear Sir
Yr Obliged Svt
W. H. Awdry
P.S.I have said, as above, supposing you wished a Tailor for yourself, but if it is for Servants Cloaths, we have a very respectable man here named George Tanner, near Mr Wilmot’s <4> who would answer the purpose
W. Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. Michaelmas, the festival of St Michael on 29th September, a quarterly rent day in England.
3. Melksham, Wiltshire: market town near Lacock, 2 miles S.
4. Probably William Wilmot, jnr, solicitor, Chippenham.