Chippenham ^<1>
18^h May 1836

Dear Sir/

I have endeavor’d to give the best attention to the Subject of your Letter ^<2> rec^d last night – & fearing lest I might commit some Error on a Matter of so much importance – I have consulted a clerical Friend – on whose good feeling judgement & independence, I could place implicit reliance – & he is of opinion, that in the present state of D^r Nicholas’ ^<3> health (supposing he is still alive) the next presentation to the Living, could not, with any propriety be sold – & that it could not legally be done after it becomes vacant – The Living should be filled, before the Advowson^<4> is sold – I understand that Six Months is allowed to a Patron, after the death of an Incumbent – before the Presentation would lapse to the Bishop –

I have heard D^r Nicholas mention the value Income of the Living & I believe that £150– is about the Annual Sum – & that any new Incumbent must give the whole Income to a Curate, if he does not reside himself – there is a tolerably good House I believe & D^r N– told me he had insured his Life, for a Sum to cover Delapidations ^<5> –

As a Sale at the present time, would not be practicable, I would not put you to the expence of a Journey to Salisbury, but will take care to apprize you of any Circumstances w^ch may be communicated to me – should it be necessary before you return to Lacock – but, from what I have before said – I do not expect this likely to happen –

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

W H F Talbot Esq^r
Mount Edgcumbe
Devonport

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Notes:

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

2. Letter not located.

3. The Rev Dr John Nicholas (1764-1836), Rector of Fisherton Anger and Vicar of Westport, Wiltshire. died on 7 October 1836. [See Doc. No: 03467].

4. The advowson for Fisherton Anger, Salisbury, Wiltshire. WHFT had inherited the advowson (the right to present a new Rector to St Clement's Church) from his father, Davenport Talbot, and held it until 1849. The new Rector would enjoy the income and assets of the living, including the Rector's house.St Clement's was demolished in 1852 and parts of it were incorporated into the new St Paul's Church.

5. Repairs to the parsonage house.