Chippenham <1>
27th Septr 1837
Dear Sir /
Blackham <2> had not forgotten your instructions respecting the Grass in the Stew Ground – & when I was at Lacock in [sic] last Week, we had decided upon having it cut as soon as possible – & I was glad to find yesterday, that it was nearly become Hay – George Banks <3> had some Idea of purchasing it & I sent him the Price wch Blackham & I considered it worth – it is not the sort of Hay that will do for the Abbey – but if Banks should decline it now, I have no fear of selling it during the Winter – for young Cattle –
The Turf has been laid nearly round the Grave & by tonight will, I hope, be completed – I think that Reed <4> has done it very well & he told me, that he had got it somewhere from the outside of the Premises, where it will not be missed –
Thos Hayward <5> has just called here, & says he thinks he has an opportunity of selling the Bay Horse in case Lady Elisabeth <6> should wish to part with it – he did not wish me to write on purpose, but as I was doing so, I thought it as well to mention it –
I am dear Sir yr obliged Sert
W. H. Awdry
W. H. F. Talbot Esq
31. Sackville Street
Piccadilly
London
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. A James Blackham was listed in 1826 as being a tenant of Lacock.
3. Either George Banks, snr (1786–1864), stonemason & coalseller, Lacock, or his son, George Banks, jnr (1821–1894), stonemason, Lacock, both tenants of Lacock.
4. Misspelling of John Reid, head gardener at Lacock Abbey.
5. Probably Thomas Hayward (b. 1783), tenant farmer, Wick Farm, Lacock.
6. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.