Sir,
In the course of this Week there has been 14 Ft more of Roofing done and 12 Ft more covered with Lead – part of the Chimney is put up and will be finished by to-morrow Evening – the Flat course of the large Window is finished – Doorway is begun against Dining Room – pulling down and proping [sic] for Door way and Window over – letting Beams in the Wall. <1>
John Gale <2> says that the transplanting machine will be nearly finished this Week.
By your Letter of the 1st instt. you wished to know when the Winter distribution of things to the poor was to commence, I applied to the Miss Awdry’s <3> who told me the 6th of December , which I communicated to you. Last Friday Mrs. and Miss Awdry called on me and said the distribution of the things would not take place until the latter end of December up to which time deposits will be received: according to this arrangement s there will be two Months deposits to add (£12) to those up to 1st of November. I beg to say that your Subscription of £5.5.0 was included in the amount mentioned in my last. I find the principal part of the £5 expended was for Sheets to lend to sick Persons. The large Elm in Mr Fussell’s <4> Field near Foot Bridge was blown down on Tuesday last during a tremendous Storm, you will probably recollect that nearly half its head was dead.
I am Sir – Your most Obedt Humble Servant
Philip Phelps
Lacock
22 Nov 1830.
W. H. F. Talbot Esq
31 Sackville Street
London.
Notes:
1. WHFT made major alterations to the south front of Lacock Abbey between 1828 and 1831. [See also Doc. No: 02059, Doc. No: 02070, and Doc. No: 02074].
2. John Gale, carpenter at Lacock.
3. Miss Awdry.
4. Probably Stephen Fussell, ChurchWarden. [See Doc. No: 01898].