Chippenham ^<1>
18: Feb^ry 1838

Dear Sir,

As you will observe by the enclosed copy of correspondence between Captⁿ Rooke ^<2> & myself since Monday last, that I cannot go any further without fresh instructions from you, I send it now, in order that you may have time to consider the subject, previous to seeing me again –

I am Dear Sir Y^r Obliged Ser^t
W.H. Awdry

W.H.F. Talbot Esq^r
Lacock Abbey

[enclosed:]
(copy)

Chippenham
16 Feb^ry 1835

Sir

I beg to acknowledge the rect of your Letter of the 14th Inst – I have communicated the Contents to Mr Talbot & in reply, he has commissioned me to offer you a Lease of the Water from his Farm at Nash Hill, ^<3> for a term of Fifty years – The Conditions of the Lease would be, that you should be allowed to build a Reservoir & to convey the Water by Pipes in the way you mention, to Lackham –

That the Pipes should not at any time be disturbed by Mr Talbot or his Tenants – That you should be allowed to open the Ground, where necessary, for the repair of the Pipes, & stipulating, that you should pay whatever damage might be incurr’d by opening the Ground, for such repairs

Mr Talbot wished that you would name a Sum which you may consider to be a fair annual Rent for such a Grant as I have now mentioned –

I should add, that the expence of the Lease & Counterpart would be to be paid by you –

I remain Sir Y^r Obed^t Serv^t
W. H. Awdry

To Captⁿ Rooke R.N.

[enclosed:]
(copy)

28 Crescent
Feb. 17. 1835

Sir,

I have just recd your’s, giving Mr Talbot’s consent to allow me to convey Water from Nash Hill to Lackham – granting a Lease for that purpose for 50 Years –

I am requested by you to say what I think right to pay – This is rather a difficult question to answer as I before said I was ready to pay any thing required me; if only an acknowledgement or mere nominal Rent is expected. a Pound a Year would answer that purpose, I having always to pay for any damage that may be done in repairing Pipes & of course paying the drawing out of the Lease: But if any thing further than this is required, it remains for with Mr Talbot or you to say what that may be –

I remain Sir Y^r Ob^t Ser^t
(signed) J. N. Rooke

To H. Awdry Esq

---

Notes:

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

2. Captain Frederick William Rooke (1782–1855), of Lackham, Wilts.

3. Nash Hill, also Naish Hill, a hill and farm 1 mi NE of Lacock, Wiltshire.