Chippenham <1>
Decr 25th 1832.
Dear Sir
On consideration, I think your Charitable Donation to the Poor might be distributed in a much easier manner than giving Tickets for Bread; and have talked the matter over with Mr Bradbury, <2> who perfectly agrees with me. – My plan is this, to give to each poor family according to its number, the sum of sixpence, ninepence or a shilling, except where the family was very large, then eighteenpence – and to ascertain nearly the sum it would require to accomplish this, I have gone over the last Census taken by the Overseers, and are of Opinion, that if the gift is confined to the Poor of this Parish, from £30 to £35 will be sufficient, but if Langley &c &c are taken in, it will require near £10 more – I feel assured this plan would give great satisfaction and be a saving of time and trouble not only to those concerned in distributing, but also to the Poor themselves, who would lose but one Day instead of two.
If you approve of this and will advise me thereon I will arrange accordingly and personally attend to the distribution. –
Mr Neeld <3> has been giving away Tea & the £25 left by Mr Mayne <4> has been has been expended in Coals, given away –
I remain
Dear Sir
yours very obediently & faithfully
Wm Wilmot. Junr
H. F. Talbot Esqr M.P.
Marquis of Lansdownes
Richmond
Surrey
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. George S Bradbury, governor of Union Workhouse, World’s End, Chippenham.
3. Joseph Neeld (1789–1856), MP & botanist.
4. John Thomas Mayne, barrister. [See Doc. No: 02317].