Chippenham ^<1>

Wednesday night

Dear Sir,

My Son ^<2> rode over to Nethermore ^<3> this Even^g & I am glad to find by his report, that there is no attempt to justify the depredation, on the contrary young Crocker denies having used the Language imputed to him by Stroud’s Man – He says he is sorry that the Cows got in to the Plantations & will prevent it for the future – He has also offered to pay Stroud for the Potatoes w^ch the Cows may have eaten – but he estimates the quantity much under what the Man states it – However I hope it will now all be set to rights & I will inform Stroud of what has been done – as I promised when his Man left me this Even^g –

I have little doubt that some angry words passed between the Parties, altho’ not to the extent reported by Stroud’s Man – as I could not for a moment suppose that M^rs Crocker would intend to be uncivil towards her Landlord –

I understand that M^r Belcher’s ^<4> account is quite correct & that his taking a day or two’s shooting on the Farm, will not be at all inconvenient to the Tenant –

I am Dear Sir
Y^r obliged Ser^t

W. H. Awdry

W. H. F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey

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Notes:

1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.

2. West Awdry (1807–1892), solicitor, Chippenham.

3. Nethermore Farm and Wood, Lacock, Wiltshire.

4. Sir Edward Belcher (1799–1877), Admiral, scientist & author.