CH/20/43

CH/20/43

File

Correspondence relating mainly to property, tithes and finance

1832-1846

1 bundle

A bundle of letters, mostly to William Macdonald, Archdeacon of Wiltshire (1828-1862) and dealing with various property, tithes and fnancial matters, but also including some informal social and personal news about members of Chapter and others. (1) 22 Apr 1846, to Archdeacon William Macdonald from J L Alford, applied seal in red wax with the letters "J L A", postmark Salisbury; about "Mr Benson Earle's Legacy in augmentation of Bishop Ward's Charity" and the Matrons' College. (2) 26 Oct [no year], to "My dear Macdonald" from [J P ?] Bouverie, the Close; "You and I in Chapter . . . agreed to renew Miss [Eyres'?] and Miss Putman's & I know not what other houses - afterwards I went over Miss Putman's & a most capital house I find it - so much so, that it appeared to be perfect absurdity to add 14 years to the lease of it for [120?] £. . . . I took it upon myself to [advise?] Alford to withhold our consent to these different renewals on the terms proposed". The letter seems to suggest some alternative financial arrangements and lease renewal terms. "We should look a little, I think, to the value of money". "I went back Wednesday to Pewsey & returned . . . with a violent bowel attack". "I wrote to Fisher as I have to you; I think the feeling among us is that we might make some effort to improve our property". (3) 9 Dec [no year], to "My dear Archdeacon" [Macdonald] from W K Hamilton, Sarum Close, asking for a payment of £25 to be made to Charles Finch, Treasurer of Fisherton School; and inviting a contribution to an annual subscription of £15 for "the Infirmary". W K Hamilton was consecutively Treasurer (1841-1843), Precentor (1843-1854) and Bishop (1854-1869) of Salisbury. (4) 25 Mar 1845, to J L Alford from J R Fisher, High Street, applied seal in red wax with the letter "F" on a shield, marked "Copy"; "Mr J H Macdonald has requested me to make my Report of the Value of his House in the Close, late the property of Mr Peniston . . . I should now set the clear Annual Value . . . at 72 £ only" (it was £85 in 1830). (5) 21 Oct 1844, to "My dear Archdeaon" [Macdonald] from Dean Hugh Pearson, the Deanery; "The Ecclesiatical Commissioners being admitted into partnership with us, we cannot of course object to show them our accounts"; "I was sorry not to see you when you were here, as I should have been glad to [?] with you upon one or two points - particularly respecting the next door house which has been so long an annoyance to the Deanery"; "I hope the sea breezes . . . quite set you up again . . . Bouverie has been laid up by a cold caught in returning last Thursday from Pewsey outside the Coach . . . Hamilton is gone for a month to Lichfield to introduce his intended bride to the Archdeacon & his Mother". (6) 12 Jul (no year), to "My dear Macdonald" from [J P ?] Bouverie, Pewsey; "I think we cannot do better than accept Swayne's offer . . . "; "I hope you will derive benefit from your tour"; "PS I saw the Bishop's Chaise & 4 go through Kensington, All blinds down". (7) 12 Jul 1845, to "My dear Archdeacon" from Dean Hugh Pearson, the Athenaeum, on paper with the impressed stamp, "Athenaeum"; "one line before leaving Town for Sonning"; "I see no objection to the allowance to [Mr Fowle?] on the ground stated if you and the other members of Chapter consent; "A pleasant excursion to you. I hope to be at Salisbury at the close of my Visitation". (8) [Day and month illegible] 1845, to Archdeacon Macdonald from J L Alford, Sarum; "Mr Swayne yesterday concluded the Business of the [renewal?] of Chute & the Price £955 has been paid to the credit of the [Domine?] Fund". (9) 2 Aug 1845, to Archdeacon Macdonald from J L Alford, Sarum; fragment of applied seal in red wax; "I beg to inclose for your perusal a Correspondence which I have had with Mr Swayne relative to the renewal of Chute. Until I receive your instructions I [?] merely to inform Mr Swayne that I must submit the matter to the consideration of the [?] Chapter". (10) 8 Jul 1845, probably to Archdeacon Macdonald, from J L Alford, Sarum; "I have this afternoon had a [Discussion?] with Mr Swayne relative to the [?] renewal of Chute"; a number of financial considerations are set out, then "Mr Swayne offers to pay £955 as the Fine, alledging that the Chapter should relinquish the residue . . . in consideration of the Expence incurred by Mr Fowle in the Commutation of the Tythes". (11) 25 Jul 1845, to "Jn^o Swayne Esq" from J L Alford, Sarum, marked "Copy"; "At my interview with you on the subject of the renewal of the Tythes of Chute I understood you to offer a Fine of £955. I so represented the matter to the Chapter. On reference to my Memoranda made at the time in your presence I find my understanding to have been correct. A larger deduction from the Fine is proposed than I had expected was acquiesced in by the Chapter somewhat in departure from their accustomed rule. Under the circumsstances I feel some difficulty in reopening the question, but if you desire it and will state the shape in which you wish the representation to be made I will attend to your request." (12) 23 Jul 1845, to Archdeacon Macdonald from J L Alford, Sarum; "I beg to inform you that the Deeds of Appointment of new Trustees of the College of Matrons have been [engrossed?], and will be ready for execution by the existing and new Trustees, whenever they can be assembled for the purpose. I find that Mr Stanford is still residing at the Farm". (13) 19 Apr 1845, probably to Archdeacon Macdonald, from Francis Attwood; "I think it right to inform you that I have now received a letter from Lord Malmesbury and I have accordingly instructed the Stone Mason and Bricklayer to do the needful Repair of the Wall of Mrs Salisbury's House". Frances Salisbury was the sub-lessee of Malmesbury House (15 The Close) from 1815 in succession to her father, to whom it had originally been sublet in 1781 (Salisbury: The Houses of the Close, Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, London: HMSO,1993, p.102). (14) 6 Oct 1832, to J L Alford from Richard Webb, Melchet, Salisbury; "Clarendon Tythes. The Composition agreed to be paid to Mrs Salisbury in Lieu of Tythes amounts to £659 per Annum . . . she has not received so much by a very considerable Sum from the failure of Tenants, and the Tythe Owner not having the Means of securing Payment as the Landlord [?] is obliged to take his chance as any other creditor. The Land Tax and Rent paid to the Dean and Chapter amount to £64-6-8. The Agency also should be considered as well as the Risk of bad Debts. I give you the fullest Information I can of the past, what the future Income from Tythes may be it is impossible in these Times of Reform even to guess at. When the Gentlemen of the Chapter have determined on what Fine to propose I shall be obliged by your informing me of it and I will lose no Time in taking the directions of the Trustees under the late Mr Webb's Will and Mrs Salisbury on the Subject". Francis Webb was Frances Salisbury's father, and the original sub-lessee of Malmesbury House (see 13 above); Richard Webb may be a family member. (15) 15 May 1837, to Archdeacon Macdonald, from Francis Attwood; a letter relating to "The Clarendon Rental", suggesting that "in justice to Mrs Salisbury, an Abatement should be made upon the present rental"; "Mrs Salisbury hopes that the Chapter will accept £1,900" for what appears to be an interest in a lease valued at £1,950. (16) 15 Oct [no year], probably to Archdeacon Macdonald, from H W Barnard, Wells; "As the Accountant from the Ecc[lesiastica]l Commis[sione]rs has paid us the threatened visit, you will like to know the result. Before I opened our books to him, I ascertained that it was a general measure , & that he was directed to visit in due course all the Sixteen Chapters in which the Commis[sione]rs have an interest. He assured me that the step was resolved on simply for the sake of information, and without any view to dictation or interference in the managment of our affairs"; "I have no cause to complain of the questions which he asked, or of the manner in which he conducted the inquiry"; "He was going on the Gloucester & Hereford". (17) 26 Feb 1845, to "My dear Archdeacon" from Dean Hugh Pearson, 7 Savile Row, London; "The enclosed letter [not present] from the Provost of Worcester was returned to me from Salisbury. I really think it very reasonable that the College should have the nomination of the Curacy of Lyford". The extract from the Chapter Minutes at (18) below records the transfer of the patronage of the Chapel of Lyford to the Provost and Fellows of Worcester College, Oxford. (18) [Undated], "Extract from Chapter Minutes of 2nd January 1839", addressed to Archdeacon Macdonald, "With Mr Alford's Compliments"; "It was resolved that the consent of this Chapter be given under the Common Seal to the transfer of the Patronage of the Chapel of Lyford . . . to the Provost and Fellows of Worcester College". (19) 11 Dec [no year], to "My dear Archdeacon" from W K Hamilton, the Close; "The Dean wishes us to hold a Chapter to order the Seal to be affixed to the presentation to the Vicarage of Winkfield". (20) 8 Jan 1844, to Archdeacon Macdonald from Louisa Wise, Pendarves; "I enclose you a draft on Messrs Coutts & Co for £19-10-11 being one years Land tax and [illegible] due [Michaelmas?] and Xmas last to the Dean & Chapter of Salisbury. I shall thank you to acknowledge the receipt of the draft directing your letter to Rear Admiral Wise, Plymouth, where we shall be the end of this week". Rear Admiral William Wise (1784-1844) was to die in Plymouth in April 1844; Louisa Wise (1791-1861) may have been his wife; Pendarves House was the Cornish seat of the Pendarves family, built in the eightennth century and demolished in 1955. (21) 16 Jan 1844, to "My dear Hamilton" (presumably Walter Kerr Hamilton, in 1844 Precentor of Salisbury Cathedral) from [initials illegible] Jacob, [Ossiington Twyford]; "I am glad to hear of the determination of the Chapter about the Colors of the 8th Rg^t . . . I have written to Colonel Malet by this post telling him of the Chapter having accepted his kind offer . . . his address is Lt Colonel Malet, 8th (Kings) Infantry, Bolton le Moors, Lancashire". (22) 16 May 1843, to J L Alford from John Hayward, Tottenham Park. Letter seeking an abatement in connection with the "Renewal of Savernake Tythes", referring to the "recent alterations to the Corn Laws, as well as the Tariff and the present low prices of Agricultural produce". "I . . . hope to receive a Letter . . . I can communicate with the Marquess of Ailesbury & his Trustees on the Subject". (23) 20 Mar 1844, to the Dean and Chapter from George Hume, Vicar of Melksham. Petition for enlarging the Parish Church of Melksham; "we have 4,492 persons dependent upon the Pasrish Church for the services of the Church of England. At present . . . accommodation is found for 550 . . . one eighth part of the population". (24) 20 Mar 1844, to "My Dear Sir" from George Hume, Melksham. "I enclose a short circular" regarding "the Enlargement of this Church". (25) 8 Mar 1844, to Archdeacon Macdonald from George Hume, Melksham; fragment of an impressed seal in red wax. "I am very desirous to increase the accommodation in our Parish Church". (26) 6 Apr 1844, to "My dear Sir" (probably Archdeacon Macdonald) from George Hume, Melksham Vicarage. "I did not collect when I left with you the sketch of Melkssham Church in its roposed new form, that I should find it necessary both in the Parish Meeting . . . and for the [illegiible] . . . Perhaps you will have the kindness to forward it to me". (27) No date, postmark 8 Aug 1836, to Archdeacon Macdonald, from his son, Douglas Macdonald. "I write this . . . on a separate part of the paper, as you may perhaps wish to take it off. Foale says there is some considerable inaccuracy in the statement you sent . . . the estate called Priestlands is not in his occupation but in that of a man named Hurrell . . . He has, I believe, ordered the sum . . . to be paid throught the hands of the Kingsbridge branch of the Devon & Cornwall banking Comp^y to their correspondents Barclay & Co London payable to your order . . . All the news will be found in a former article, as the newspapers say". (28) Three undated sheets containing financial notes relating to "The demesne lands at Erlestoke & the Imber tythes". (29) Jan 1845. Schedule headed "Melksham Renewal. Calcuation for Fine". (30) 7 Nov 1845, to Archdeacon Macdonald from J L Alford, Sarum; fragment of a seal in red wax. "Melksham. I inclose a letter received this morning from Messrs Awdry & I shall be glad to be made acquainted with your opinion on the subject" The copy letter, dated 6 Nov 1845, is headed "Melksham Renewal " and deals with the value of "the Erlestoke Leaseholds": " our client does not wish to withdraw from the Offer he has made" but "there will be within a moderate period a depreciation in the value . . . owing to a change in the Corn Laws". The 7 Nov letter also makes reference to financial matters relating to Cricklade and Bowood. (31) 28 Oct 1833, to Archdeacon Macdonald from Francis Attwood, Close, Sarum; impressed seal in red wax. "You will see by the Correspondence copied on the other side how the matter now stands with Awdry . . . I hope you will agree with me that for the present the Business must rest where it is". The correspondence copied elsewhere on the same sheet is between Francis Attwood and H G Awdry: "I have only to say that I regret the handsome offer made in my last letter has not been accepted" (Awdry); "you must excuse me if I say, I will not depart from my last offer"; "your last offer was handsome by comparison with the proposal you first made . . . but bears no proportion to the liberal manner in which . . . I departed from my own judgment in deference to your Staements" (Attwood). (32) 13 Oct 1845, to Archdeacon Macdonald from J L Alford, Sarum; impressed seal in red wax. With a copy of a letter dated 10 Oct 1845 from H G & J W Awdry, Melksham, dealing with the "Melksham Renewal", and specifically "the Erlestoke Leasehold" and "the rent charge payable in respect of Imber Farm". Alford says, "I have this morninig had a Conference with the Dean on the subject who is of Opinion that the Chapter had better adhere to the [illegible] originally made for the renewal". (33) 23 Oct 1845, to Archdeacon Macdonald from J L Alford, Sarum; impressed seal in red wax. "Previous to writing to you on the subject of Melksham I had explained to the Dean the Particulars of the case . . . I have now seen him again . . . The Dean . . . concurrd with me in thinking that it is for Mr Awdry to convince Mr Attwood either by himself or with Mr [illegible] of the inaccuracy of his [illegible]. (34) 16 Aug 1845, to Archdeacon Macdonald from H G Awdry, Weston Villa, Weston-super-Mare, on black-edged writing paper. "My cousin has written to me to say that you mentioned to him the subject of the renewal of the Leases held by my brother with the Dean & Chapter. I therefore write to propose, if you wish it, to meet you at your House, or any where else you might appoint, to talk over this matter. I was not altogether satisfied (I say this to you privately) with the use which Mr Atwood made on a former occasion of all the Information which I so unreservedly gave him, but I would gladly provide you with all the data upon which my Brothers offer was made." As a PS: "Allow me to thank you for the trouble you have lately taken with reference to the Allotment of Pews in the Melksham Church. It is a great comfort to feel that we have at last the means of affording accommodation to the Poor there". (35) 10 Jan 1845, to Archdeacon Macdonald from H G Awdry, Melksham, broken impressed seal in black was; one penny postage stamp. "You have perhaps heard of the death of my Father which happened on 29th of last month by which one of the lives on which the Manor of Melksham [illegible] is held has become vacant. I believe that the Deans obligations are not yet consigned over to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners . . . Perhaps . . . it might be to our mutual interest to renew the Lease. Perhaps you will let me knowin due time on what terms this could be done". (36) 21 Nov 1845, to Archdeacon Macdonald from J L Alford, Sarum. "I sen you . . .Copy of a letter I have this morning received releative to the renewal of Cricklade . . . My answer by this Day's Post will be that I have no authority to consent to an exchange of life without the sanction of the Chapter". The copy letter from Karslake & Crealock of 4 Regent Street says, "the Cause of . . . delay has arisen from the illness of Dr Heberden's nephew . . . the Life Dr Heberden had intended to add on the present renewal . . . this casual Illness has induced Dr Heberden to fix on another Life". (37) 15 Dec 1845, to Archdeacon Macdonald from J L Alford, Sarum; fragment of an impressed seal in red wax. With a copy of a letter dated 13 Dec 1845 from Jones, Trinder, Tudway & Eyre, 1 John STreet, Bedford Row, both relating to the "Uffcott Renewal", delayed because "The present Receiver is in Madeira". (38) 11 Jul 1845, addressed "Dear Sir" (probably Archdeacon Macdonald; see item (20) above) from Louisa Wise, Ide near Exeter, on black-edged writing paper. "I inclose you a Draft on Messrs Coutts & Co . . . for £19-10-11 being one years . . . Rent and Land Tax due to the Dean and Chapter of Sarum". (39) 1 Jul [no year], to Archdeacon Macdonald from W Fisher, Close, Salisbury. "Atwood and Sturge have had a meeting , and the result has been a proper hole in Atwoods valuation as you will see by the inclosed paper [not present] . . . I do not see that there is any possibility of standing out against these demands; and therefore after much anxious thought I directed Atwood to write a private line to Sturge in which - without compromising the Chapter - he should suggest to him the [illegible] sum of £4,100 as a fair & proper fine for him to pay and for us to receive . . . I hope the Chapter will not think that I and my colleagues have done wrong in taking this step . . . "; "Hamilton has gone away for a few days to see Henry Denison. No sign of the Dean at present". Added at the head of the letter (upside down): "I trust to hear that you are better for the change of air".

English

Material: paper