link to Talbot Project home page link to De Montfort University home page link to Glasgow University home page
Project Director: Professor Larry J Schaaf
 

Back to the letter search >

Result number 163 of 167:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >  

Document number: 3715
Date: 15 Aug 1838
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: AWDRY William Henry
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA38-22
Last updated: 7th March 2015

Chippenham <1>

15 Augt 1838

Dear Sir,

I sent your subscription to the Sheriff’s Fund yesterday – by my Son <2> – & he learnt at Mr Salmon’s office, that the last payment was made in 1833 – & as I find no such entry in my Book, I conclude it must have been paid by yourself at Devizes – & that they only apply for it, when they want to make up their Accounts –

I have desired Banks <3> to let me have his Coal Bill – wch shall be paid as you desire –

The Cottage at Bowden Hill <4> has been taken down & the Materials are being used for Repairs in that Neighbourhood as they are wanted – wch will save expence in Carriage –

The Book lent to the Surveyor, will, I find be wanted about a Month or 6 Weeks longer –

I am glad to hear that you have allowed Humphries <5> to occupy the Gardener’s Cottage for the ensuing year – as I think it will be a security to the Premises – & from my observation with respect to him, I am really in hopes, that you will have every thing kept in the same good order as heretofore & at much less expence – I am now going to mention a subject, which I had thought of deferring till your return to Lacock – but as you do not state how soon that may be, I feel that it will be a relief to my Mind – not to delay it longer –

The State of my health, has been for some time past, less strong – than it used to be – & I have lately had symptoms which have warned me, that I must avoid as much as possible, all great fatigue either of mind or Body – indeed such is the advice wch I have received upon the occasion – Under these Circumstances, I have felt that it will be my duty to you, as well as to myself – to tender the resignation of the Situation wch I have so long held in your Service – the duties of which, having become for some time past, more arduous than formerly, I am, of course, still less able to contend with – Happily for me, the present season of the Year; is that in which there is less to be done, than at almost any other period – & consequently there will be no necessity for your being in any way hurried with regard to the selection of a Person to succeed me – There will be no Audit to be held till after Michaelmas – & My son has offered to assist me in all local matters wch may require my attention in the mean time – I am thankful in saying, that my Head is still equal to all Accounts & money matters – & this being the case, I hope that you will not think it necessary to put yourself to any inconvenience, in returning to Lacock earlier than you had intended to do –

I remain, Dear Sir
Yr Obliged Sert

W. H. Awdry

P. S–
Since I saw you last, I have completed making out the Acct of 1837 – Upon which there appears a Balance in your favor of £132•3Μ•9 – When you write next – please do mention where you would wish this sum to be paid & it shall be done accordingly –

W. H. F. Talbot Esqr
Post office
Newcastle on Tyne


Notes:

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

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

3. Probably George Banks, snr (1786–1864), stonemason & coalseller, Lacock or George Banks, jnr (1821–1894), stonemason, Lacock.

4. Bowden Hill, Wiltshire, 1 mi SE of Lacock.

5. John Humphries, gardener at Lacock Abbey in the early 1840’s.

Result number 163 of 167:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >