Chippenham ^<1>
2^nd Jan^y 1832

Dear Sir,

As I have some Engagements the beginning of this Week, which will prevent my calling at the Abbey to answer your last Letter in person, I trouble you with a few lines for that purpose – on the subject of clearing the ground at Nethermore ^<2> last Winter I am certainly most exceedingly surprized to read what you state & cannot but hope that there must be some error in the Calculation – it is so long since I gave you the Account, that I cannot recollect the Items – but as I submitted it to you before I settled it, I can hardly suppose it would not have struck one or both of us as an extravagant charge – till I read you Letter I was not aware but that all the Ground was cleared by the Lacock Men – I have no fear of the Acc^t of the Nash Hill ^<3> draining, as that was done by Contract & rather less than the price w^ch Lord Lansdowne ^<4> had been giving, in consequence of its being a larger Job, The only thing in that Transaction in w^ch the Lacock Poor were concerned, was my stipulating with the Man that he should employ a certain number to be formed by Tho^s Moore ^<5> & for which he allowed you the proposition in Money – as you will see upon investigation – The concern at Nethermore I had no control over & I really believe that Tho^s Moore was terribly plagued with the Men, but I still cannot help thinking there must be some mistake in the calculation you mention –

Respecting the Arrear of Jos^h Croker’s Widow, you will find by reference to former Accounts that it arose during the time of great distress among the Farmers – it was larger at one time & there was also an Arrear from Nicholas Crocker & upon my representation to you of their distress, you allowed me to take the Arrears of both, at £5 and £10 – P^r annum as they could manage it – this you will find has been done & Nethermore is nearly cleared off – The other was always the largest –

The Arrears from the two Battons were incurr’d (I believe) as long ago as during your Minority – their Tenements were part of an old Copyhold w^ch fell into hand very much dilapidated & even hardly habitable for some time & then we got no rent – I think we had to wait for an order of Court to get them repaired – Joseph Batton has been lately transported for receiving stolen goods & his House is let to a good Tenant – Anth^y pays regularly now –

The Houses in Luch Lane of late Joyces were in a most dilapidated state when they came into hand & therefore I was obliged to spend a good deal upon them for they were worth repairing – but they are well let & on the average of years will be found not more expensive than the others –

The fire Insurance in the Inn Office was become void, in consequence of a late Act of Parliament which requires that the Amount of each House, Buildings deta tched &^c shall be insured separately – I have therefore effected another Insurance in the West of England Office (of which my Son ^<6> is the Agent) for the same Amount as the former one & specified according to the requirements of the last Act – I find that an Allowance is made in this office on Policies effected beyond one year as follows – viz. 5 PCent on Premium, if made for 3 years – 10 PCent for 5 years & 15 PCent for 7 years –.

With respect to the Clubs at Lacock, I am happy to say that I paid the Balance of one of them the last year (£4Ì15Ì0) which made up the £100 – The other Sum was £140 – of which £35– remains & which I will take you instructions upon before I pay any more –

I am Dear Sir Y^r obliged Serv^t
W. H. Awdry

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Notes:

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

2. Nethermore Farm and Wood, Lacock, Wiltshire.

3. Nash Hill, also Naish Hill, a hill and farm 1 mi NE of Lacock, Wiltshire.

4. Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3^rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780–1863), MP, WHFT’s uncle.

5. Thomas Moore (possibly d. 1854), member of the Lacock Parish Vestry.

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