Chippenham ^<1>
3^rd Feb^y 1826

Dear Sir,

The Farm which M^r Pearce ^<2> has applied to you for, is not vacant, nor likely to be for the next year, but M^rs Edwards (who has rented it since her Husbands death) having mentioned her intention of quitting it soon, on acc^t of ill health, I have had two or three applications for renting it, to none of which I have given any positive answer as it is of so much consequence to get a knowledge of character & circumstances previous to letting a large Farm, but I like the competition for it, as I shall be sure to get the full value – I did not think it necessary to trouble you upon the subject till I was prepared with all Particulars, but I expected that you would have an application from M^r Hayward (your Tenant for Wick Farm) ^<3>) as he mentioned his intention of doing so thro’ Miss Shakespear ^<4> who knew him) & he hoped to have the preference as an old Tenant &^c – As he appeared so anxious about it, I did not oppose his writing to you, but for the reasons w^ch I have stated, I felt confident you would not give any promise till I should be able to furnish you with the necessary information upon the Subject, which you may rely upon my doing as soon as it is obtained –

With respect to Cloves Wood, I had hoped ere this to have received the purchase Money, as I have had the Farmer with me & he stated that the Deeds were sent to M^r King ^<5> to be looked over & signed by you & he said that his Money was waiting at his Bankers to pay you –

I subjoin a statement of the other Purchases as you desire – The only Leases granted since your coming of age are as follow viz –

John Gale ^<6> a House £5– p^r annum

Geo. White 2 d^o – 10 · 10 · 0 –

Geo. Carey 2 d^o – 5 · 0 · 0

W^m Brinkworth – 2 d^o – 12 · 15 · 0 These were signed the other day

With respect to the Manor, I see by the Court Book that it is declared to be coextensive with the Parish of Lacock – I perambulated the Boundary in the year 1814, after holding a Court & I think we walked nearly twenty Miles in the two days, The number of Acres in the Parish, I do not know –

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

Dr			Cr
To amount of Expences for valuing, Auction &c – wch appears on the whole, about 3¾ pr Cent	£6 · 0 · 0	By Amount of Purchase Money for Allotment in Melksham <7> Common	94 · 0 · 0
To Balance –	154 · 18 · 0	By Interest on Do –	0 · 18 · 0
	160 · 18 · 0	By Cottage sold to Mr John Awdry <8> –	36 · 0 · 0
		By Cottage sold to Mrs Pettifer –	30 · 0 · 0
			160 · 18 · 0

When the Purchase Money for the other Lots is paid, I intend sending you a statement of the whole by which you will see the exact Balance remitted to Hammerslys

P.S –

In reply to your enquiries respecting the Borough of Chippenham, I can only give you hear say intelligence, as my House being out of the Town prevents my having any official communication upon the subject & I carefully avoid interfering with the Politics of the town –

Alderman Key was one of three Candidates & it was stated that he offered himself on the independent Interest – I have heard that his success at the next Election was considered very doubtful, I have not yet heard of any other Candidate if the Alderman should decline –

W. H. F. Talbot Esq
Worthing
Sussex

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Notes:

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

2. See Doc. No: 01362.

3. Thomas Hayward (b. 1783), tenant farmer, Wick Farm, Lacock.

4. Mary Anne Thackeray, née Shakespear (1793–1850) - Doc. No: 01362.

5. William Read King & Son, solicitors, London.

6. John Gale, carpenter at Lacock.

7. Melksham, Wiltshire: market town near Lacock, 2 miles S.

8. John Awdry (1766–1844), solicitor, Reybridge.