Chippenham <1>
2nd Jany 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 Acct of the Nash Hill <3> draining, as that was done by Contract & rather less than the price wch Lord Lansdowne <4> had been giving, in consequence of its being a larger Job, The only thing in that Transaction in wch the Lacock Poor were concerned, was my stipulating with the Man that he should employ a certain number to be formed by Thos 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 Thos 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 Josh Crokers 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 Pr 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 incurrd (I believe) as long ago as during your Minority their Tenements were part of an old Copyhold wch 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 Anthy 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 (£4Μ15Μ0) 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 Yr obliged Servt
W. H. Awdry
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, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (17801863), MP, WHFTs uncle.
5. Thomas Moore (possibly d. 1854), member of the Lacock Parish Vestry.
6. West Awdry (18071892), solicitor, Chippenham.