Chippenham ^<1>
18^th Sept 1830

Dear Sir,

I am happy to inform you that I have succeeded in letting the Premises which you have purchased of M^rs Brindley, upon the following terms, (subject to your approbation) viz –

to M^r Spencer, ^<2> the House & Paddock, for £21 – p^r annum he undertaking to do all the Repairs now & during the continuance of his tenancy –

to Banks the Butcher, the Field at at a distance, for £20 – p^r annum clear of all outgoings –

As the House & offices are old, I think this Arrangement will prove an advantageous one & as M^r Spencer intends immediately to add a Room to the House, for a Surgery, with a Cellar under it – he will have an additional inducement to continue the Tenant & of course, to take care of the place – The distant Field being of great consequence to Banks, on account of his Business, I was enabled to obtain a higher rent than a Farmer could have afforded to give –

I have not been able to sell the second crop of Grass in the Stew Ground & must therefore make into Hay, w^ch I hope we may have good weather for next Week –

I have thought much of the Plan you propose for the future repairs of the Property in general – I have considered it in various points of view & lament that I can not coincide with you in opinion upon the subject – but there can be no harm in giving it a trial – as it can easily be altered if it should appear dangerous to pursue the Plan & I assure you , that I shall sincerely rejoice to find my apprehensions respecting it, erroneous – as you will probably be at home previous to the Audit, I will wait till your return, to submit for your approbation, such arrangements as may appear necessary with reference to this Plan –

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

May I beg the favor of a few Lines at your leisure, to say if you approve the terms upon which I have offered M^rs Brindleys Premises & I will then enter into the necessary agreement with the Parties –

W. H. F. Talbot Esq
Post office
Doncaster

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Notes:

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

2. Dr Henry Spencer (1805-1842), surgeon in Chippenham. [See Doc. No: 01855].