Portsea <1>
16th February 1837.
Sir,
I am requested by Mrs De Starck <2> to address you relative to the Fisherton Rectory.<3>
Mr Atkins and myself are the Trustees of her marriage Settlement and at her request we executed a Power of Attorney for the Sale of sufficient Stock to complete the Purchase of the Living and which we are still ready to act upon as soon as we have had the conveyance of the Living made to us - It is our wish as well as Mrs De Starck's that her Husband Mr De Starck <4> should be presented to the Living and therefore you will perhaps favor us with a line explaining how the Purchase of the Living now stands - As soon as I receive the Abstract of your Title as I believe the right of Presentation belongs to you I will lose no time in communicating with my co-trustee Mr Atkins and get the Conveyance prepared without delay.
Your early reply will oblige.
I am Sir your very obedt Sert
Wl Minchin
- Talbot Esqre
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
- Talbot Esqre
Notes:
1. Near Portsmouth.
2. Ann De Starck, née Taswell (d. 1849).
3. Fisherton Anger, Salisbury, Wiltshire. WHFT had inherited the advowson (the right to present a new Rector to St Clement's Church) from his father, Davenport Talbot, and held it until 1849. The new Rector would enjoy the income and assets of the living, including the Rector's house. St Clement's was demolished in 1852 and parts of it were incorporated into the new St Paul's Church.
4. Henry George De Starck (1796-1865), clergy.