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Document number: 2872
Date: 30 Apr 1834
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: AWDRY William Henry
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA34(MW)-55
Last updated: 12th February 2012

Chippenham <1>
30h April 1834

Dear Sir

I attended the Vestry at Lacock on Friday last & have the pleasure to report, that all the Measures proposed were carried unanimously, which I consider of great importance, as there was a full attendance of Farmers – a select Vestry was appointed consisting partly of Farmers & of Tradesmen – which has been found to work well at Chippenham & therefore I trust it may do so at Lacock – <2>

The additional Building for the Workhouse, was agreed upon, according to the Plan which you mentioned to me the other day & my Son <3> has been desired to draw the Contract, as well as to advertize for a Governor, in one London & two Provincial Papers – Stephen Fussell <4> lends the Money for the additional Building – wch is secured in the same way as the other & is to be finished by the 1st of July –

I have ordered the small Iron Fences for the Creepers, as you desired –

I have had but an indifferent Audit as to the Cottagers – the want of work in the Winter, is a sad draw back in the way of getting such Rents as these paid & I fear we shall not get much more before Michaelmas –

I have paid Captn Feilding’s <5> £300– & have directed a Remittance of £500– to Messrs Hammerslys <6>, which will be paid on the 6h of May without any charge for Commissn

I am Dear Sir Yr obliged Servt
W. H. Awdry


Notes:

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

3. The ‘Select Vestry’ was a voting body set up to assist the poor. With the severity of depression in rural areas after the Napoleonic Wars, and the onset of industrialisation, the traditional means of supporting the poor were clearly inadequate. In 1818, the ‘Act for the Regulation of Parish Vestries’ passed, setting up a voting system based on the rateable value of property. In 1819, this was further amended to add resident clergymen. The Select Vestry elected the Guardians of the Poor and distinguished between the 'deserving' poor and those who were idle. These acts were named after their supporter, the Tory MP, William Sturges-Bourne (1769-1845). This system was completely replaced in 1834 with the passage of the ‘Poor Law Amendment Act’, which established a national Poor Law Commission. Each parish, or union of small parishes, was required to build a workhouse. Outdoor relief was permitted, but discouraged, and previous discrimination against Roman Catholics and Non-Conformists was eliminated. This forced revisions to the workhouses and practices of Select Vestry in parishes that had established a system. In the 1840s, further restrictions were introduced which compelled confinement to a workhouse as the only method of receiving aid.

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

4. Stephen Fussell, church warden.

5. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.

6. Hammersley & Company, bankers, London.

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