Chippenham <1>
19th Sept. 1825
Dear Sir,
Agreeably with your desire, I send you a Copy of the Valuation for the Melksham <2> property – The Wood was not purchased by the Gentleman you allude to – his Nephew was at the Auction, but I beleive <sic> it was sold for a higher price than he expected – The Wood & the largest peice <sic> of Land, were bought by a Farmer who has some Property in the neighbourhood – Since I wrote last I have sold the reversion of the Cottages – & having now paid the expences of the Auction & Valuations (except of the Timber) I am enabled to send you an Account shewing the Balance in my hands from the Deposit Money, which shall be remitted as a separate Sum to Messrs Hoare, as I conclude you would wish to keep this Account distinct from the Rents – the Timber is to be valued next Week & I hope to give you the Particulars of that at Bowood <3> – I have written to Mr King <4> & requested him to proceed with the Abstracts of Title, for the Purchasers –
I am Dear Sir
Yr Obliged Hble Sert
W. H. Awdry
| recd Deposit Money | £150 – |
| Paid for Auction Expences & valuations – | 29 · 17 · 6 |
| 120. · 2 · 6 Balance |
Copy of Valuation
| A. R. P. <5> | ||
| Cloves Wood | – measured – | 20. 2. 24 |
| Blackmore Coppice | – do – | 5. 3. 30 |
| Common Land | – do – | 1. 1. 6 |
| reversion of Cottage | – do – | 0. 1. 7 |
| 28. 0. 27 |
valued at £791 · 10 · 0
exclusive of Timber –
| Cloves Wood sold for | £510 – |
| Blackmore Coppice – | 354 – |
| Common Land – | 94 – |
| reversion of Cottage – | 57 |
| £1015 | |
| Deduct Payments – | 29·17 · 6 |
| £985 · 2 · 6 |
Add, Melksham for Poor Rate – 150 · (about) <6>
W. H. F. Talbot Esq
13. Princes Terrace
Clifton
Bristol.
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. Melksham, Wiltshire: market town near Lacock, 2 miles S.
3. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
4. Of William Read King & Son, solicitors, London.
5. Acres, roods, poles/perches.
6. Written in another hand.