Salisbury
5. July 1836
Dear Sir,
Mr Alford after consulting with his Client this morning declines purchasing upon your Terms – I think he would agree to have the dilapidations estimated at once and add the Amount to the £1000– which he offers for the Living – I am going on to Dorchester this Evening to meet Mr Attwood when I will consult him as to the best mode of disposing of the Rectory and as to the probable total Amount of the Dilapidations, and write you from Dorchester – Mr Attwood’s father (whom I saw last night) considered £1000 as a very high price – but strongly recommended that the question of dilapidations should be arranged at the time of Sale by adding the Amount to the purchase money – If you wish me to see Mr Alford again I will thank you to write to me at the Kings Arms Inn Dorchester by return of post, and I will then return by Salisbury instead of Bath –
The Guardians have decided upon making some alterations to the present Chippenham <1> Workhouse, with a view to the removal of the Children from Lacock in order that they may be educated at our National School there; the old people now at Corsham <2> to go to Lacock –
I am Dear Sir
Your faithful & obliged Sert
West Awdry.
H. F. Talbot Esqr
31 Sackville St
Piccadilly
London
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. Corsham Court, Wiltshire, 3 mi NW of Lacock: seat of Ld Methuen.