Chippenham ^<1>
March 7^h–

Dear Sir,

I have seen Captⁿ Feilding ^<2> & am glad to find that he intends being at the Lacock Vestry tomorrow – I regret that I am prevented doing so likewise, having to set out for Yorkshire early in the Morning –

Captⁿ F. and Tho^s Moore ^<3> both thoroughly understand what you wish to have proposed respecting the enquiries which should be made at [illegible], before any thing is determined on & M^r Harman ^<4> is of the same opinion – so that I hope there will be no opposition to the preliminary steps – the expence of which can be but trifling –

Phelps ^<5> informs me that he has parcelled out the 12 Acres of Arable Land in the way you mentioned & I hope by Lady day,^<6> to set the Parties at Work on their allotments – I entirely agree with you in opinion that the Plan, when fixed on a more extensive scale, should be held out as a permanent measure, in order to ensure good cultivation. This 12 Acres piece, is in the Corsham Road ^<7> –

I hope to be at home again by the 20^th Ins^t If in the mean time you should wish to send any instructions to Lacock, my Son ^<8> will be happy to execute them for me –

I am Dear Sir Y^r obliged Serv^t
W. H. Awdry

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Notes:

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

2. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.

3. Thomas Moore (1801 - possibly d. 1854), saddler in Lacock; member of the Lacock Parish Vestry.

4. Ezekiel Harman.

5. Philip Phelps, Surveyor of Taxes & Bailiff, Lacock.

6. Lady Day is one of the traditional English quarter days, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, on 25 March.

7. Corsham Court, Wiltshire, 3 mi NW of Lacock: seat of Ld Methuen.

8. West Awdry (1807–1892), solicitor, Chippenham.