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Document number: 4425
Date: 15 Jan 1842
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: HAYWARD Thomas
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 9th February 2011

Jany 15th /42

W. H. F. Talbot Esqre

Honoured Sir,

I have presumed to adress [sic] you on the subject of a letter received yesterday from your Agent Mr West Awdry, <1> the content stated that you could not allow me to hold my farm longer than Lady-day next oweing [sic] to the embarassed [sic] state of my affairs. As I cannot but think you have been misinformed as well as Mr Awdry (there being so many injurious and false reports afloat) to state the true particulars I write this and hope you will pardon the liberty I have taken. My eldest son James who has for many years used me very ill thought propper [sic] to imploy [sic] an Attorney to recover the sum of £700 and threatened if I did not pay him he would commence proceedings to prevent his doing so I was perswaded [sic] to take a very injudicious step. I made my Stock over to my brother – people directly said that we were ruined, and, as I stated before spread many ill reports.

My affairs, believe me Sir, are not in so bad a state but I can pay every penny I owe, and have a sufficient left to farm the estate well, which has for so many years been rented by my family of yours, my father held it before me, there I was born, and all my children, there I have lived till my head has grown grey, and to be turned from it in my old years and through the misconduct of my son would break my heart. Let me humbly intreat [sic] that you will still allow me the honour to own you as my landlord my brother will be answerable (if necessary) for my rent and will sign back my property to me again and rest assured that nothing shall be removed from the Farm. The differences between me and my son are now about to be settled as speedily as posable [sic].Myself & daughter are now at the Abbey & will answer any questions you may wish to ask us on the Subject

I remain Respected Sir
Your humble and Obediant [sic] Servant
Thos Hayward

P.S
We have £1500 of funded property.

Notes:

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