Chippenham
15 Jan: 1867
Dear Sir.
I will attend to Your direction about John Wilkins <1>’ Wages. I shall be happy to remit you £300 if you will let me know how you would like it paid. We are all rejoicing in this delightful change of the Weather. I am very anxious to obtain some <parsonage?> for my Eldest Son who is engaged to be married – He has been in orders upwards of Seven years and at present holds a solo charge as Curate under the Bishop of Salisbury, but unfortunately there is no parsonage House; he rents a small Cottage which as a Bachelor suits him well enough – I have purposely abstained from asking your Kind interest in his favor as long as Blomsfield <2> was unprovided for, but now that he is so comfortably settled I venture to ask if you will if opportunity offers kindly think of us – I observed lately that a small Living (I think in Cornwall) in the patronage of Lord Mount Edgecumbe <3> was vacant. Your relation Lord Ilchester <4> has a good many livings at his disposal, I hope you will excuse the liberty I am taking, and help me if in your power. I am sure my Son can obtain the most satisfactory references from his Bishop and others who know him –
I remain Dear Sir
Yours obliged
West Awdry
H F Talbot EsqNotes:
1. John Wilkins, son of George Wilkins, employed at Lacock at least from 1867 to 1869.
2. Arthur Blomfield (b. 1827), curate of Lacock.
3. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
4. Henry Edward Fox Strangways, 5th Earl of Ilchester.