Chippenham

18 Dec. 1863

Dear Sir,

The law allows you Six months from M^r Paley’s ^<1> death to present to the Living – in the mean time the Church-Wardens are responsible for the care of the Parish – As M^r Blomfield ^<2> is the licenced <sic> Curate of course his Services can be secured for the present. I give you the estimated value of the Living on the other side I will furnish you with further particulars on hearing from you.

With regard to the Timber which I recommended to be cut I will write next Week, but the Season is advancing and Timber is selling low especially Elm –

I am Dear Sir
Your obliged Ser^t

West Awdry.

H. F. Talbot Esq

The Tithe Rent Charge as commuted is – £325–

(variable according to the Average price of Corn – which for the current year is worth £348· 11· 9)

The Glebe Land about 8 acres is let at 24· –

Exclusive of the Vicarage House –

Garden &^c about 1<illegible> and 1 q^r – 349–

This is subject to parochial rates on the Rent Charge which of course vary – but I suppose are never less than £50 a year.

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Notes:

1. Rev James Paley (1790–1863), Vicar at Lacock.

2. Arthur Blomfield (b. 1827), curate of Lacock.