Chippenham <1>
21st May 1828
Dear Sir
I had intended writing to you this day, having occasion to ask your instructions on different subjects, but before I proceed with them, I beg to apologize for my apparent inattention respecting the Remittance to Messrs Hammerslys <2>
The fact is, that Mr Hayward <3> has not yet paid his Rent & I have been waiting in order to make the Remittance as good as I could & the Account being rather overdrawn before the Audit, I thought it better to leave the Money a few days longer than usual, at my Bankers in order to compensate them for it Hayward is generally the last of the Farmers with his Rent but as it has always come in time to pay the Tradesmens Bills & sooner than most Rents in the Neighbourhood, I have hitherto abstained from mentioning it to you I observe by my Books that there is about £300 Balance in my Hands I have remitted this Sum to Messrs Hammerslys & as Hayward has assured me that I shall have his Rent by the 1st week in June at the latest I can then remit £200 more unless you would wish me to retain any part of it for Mr Readings <4> Cheques He generally draws £15 pr Week but sometimes £20 you will therefore be so obliging as to mention when you write next, whether I shall retain Haywards Rent, or a part of it only
The first subject wch I had to mention is, respecting the small Rick at the Abbey Hayward desires me to say that he has sold it for £15 wch he considers the full value of it, being very coarse & much Rain on it, when making & if I do not hear from you to the contrary, he will receive the money for it & pay to me this Week He also desires me to say that the Rubbish from the old Buildings taken down, will make (when sifted) very excellent Manure for the Stew Ground in this I entirely agree with him in opinion, as such materials are particularly good for coarse Grass He says it can be sifted for about £2 if he continues to rent the half of the Abbey Grounds, he will remove the earth from the yard to the Field at his own expence
I apprehend that there will be a good many Stones among the Rubbish, some of which will do for building & the remainder for Roads & paths
Captn Fielding <5> having told me the other day, that I might at present direct under cover to Lord Ilchester <6> I do so with this Letter
I am Dear sir Yr Obliged & Obedt Sert
W. H. Awdry
W. H. F. Talbot Esq
31. Sackville Street
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. Hammersley & Company, bankers, London.
3. Thomas Hayward (b. 1783), tenant farmer, Wick Farm, Lacock.
4. David Reading, builder, working on Lacock Abbey.
5. Misspelling of Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (17801837), Royal Navy; WHFTs step-father.
6. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (17871858).