Chippenham <1>
19 May 1840
Dear Sir,
I have seen Captain Rooke <2> who is quite ready to adopt the arrangement you propose for making Rey Bridge <3> the boundary of the River, <4> but he considers Humphries <5> should make some apology for the offensive language which he used towards his Keeper, they (Humphries & Blackham) <6> being at the time on Captn Rooke’s side of the Bridge and on Mr Montagu’s Land – I am sorry that I am prevented waiting upon you this Morning being obliged to attend to a public Meeting, but I will do so any Morning this Week (after tomorrow) most convenient to you – The summons stands over for the present.
I am Dear Sir Your obliged Servt
West Awdry.
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. Captain Frederick William Rooke (1782–1855), of Lackham, Wilts.
3. The bridge at one end of Reybridge, Wiltshire, 1 mi N of Lacock.
4. The Avon, which runs through Lacock and the surrounding area.
5. Probably John Humphries, gardener at Lacock Abbey in the early 1840’s.
6. James Blackham (d. 1860), a tenant of Lacock since at least 1826.