Worthing,
Sussex. 28th Janry
Mr Talbot has not with him any detailed statement of the property, but the following is an outline
| Acres | Rents | |
| Farms – 1120 – | 1813 £ | |
| Meadows near the Abbey | 25 – In hand – rich land |
|
| Scattered tenements and houses in the town – acres not stated, I suppose 100 or 150 – |
 |
– 758 £ |
| Chief Rents & Great Tithes – | 211 £ | |
| Woods in hand – | 92 – 50 or 60 £ annual value of Underwood |
Nine tenths of the houses in the Town are my property, if I am not mistaken there are 90 or 100 of them.
This statement is probably sufficient, until I know more precisely what offer your employer is disposed to make. You can let me know the about how many years purchase would be offered for the land, which meeting my views, the value of the Abbey, Buildings, Standing Timber, Manor, & Advowson <1> would be subject for separate consideration –
As I suppose that your employer (whose name I request you to state) is connected with the County, he will probably find it convenient, during the Spring or Summer to visit the Abbey, which is shewn to strangers one day in the week.
I believe I stated that possession cannot be had until Lady Day 1829 unless the present occupant Mr Grosett M.P. <2> – should be disposed to remove.
Mr Phillips
Auctioneer
73 Bond Street
London
Notes:
1. The right of presentation to a church benefice.
2. John Rock Grosett (1783-1866), MP; Jamaican Parliament; occupant of Lacock Abbey until summer 1827. Lady Day is one of the traditional English quarter days, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, on 25 March.