Heytesbury House

17 April

My Dear William,

     I send you the quarterly accounts which I have closed, altho’ Ingram’s rent is still due. He has solicited two days, which I have allowed; as it is essential to keep on terms with him, in order to get him to allow us to alter his roof before the expiration of his lease. I have already been obliged to put Messrs. Phelps on his back respecting straw which he now furnishes so to enable me to put all his premises in perfect repair in spite of his circumstances. His thatch was in a shameful condition and he evidently wished it to remain so ‘till he left the Farm.     Prangley’s bill this quarter is high – owing to the repairs we have commenced on your stables, which were getting into a sad state. In the current quarter, it must I fear, as well as the Brew house, be new lathed. The old lathes are so completely rotten that the tiles fall off at every breese. The Laundry chimney (face stones) must also be renewed by Howell, or we shall have the building on fire.

     Last week we were dreadfully alarmed at the dining room chimney taking fire. It was fortunately in the day time – plenty of water & as many workmen as was required. The Jackdaws I imagine originated the accident & I have in consequence now had every chimney cleared & gratings placed on the tops of the …….  for about a couple of hours I was very apprehensive that the whole house was in danger. Thank God, it has been attended with not the smallest damage.

     I shall write a separate letter about Chandler’s farm. Chandler I find looks to the old rent of 1794 – 705£. Have told him that if he is serious, we must of course part & th….. …….    …….. remain‘till Edward arrives tomorrow. He fully agrees to cede the land under Cotley hill & other plots which I will point out to you in my next letter. Howden is laying out nearly 40£ in an ornamental new fence to the plot opposite his house; and in consequence, have asked him only 1 (shilling?) a year for the land. The strip above it he will rent at 20 (shillings) a year at the expiration of Chandler’s lease.  Miss Baldwin rents all the bits of land formerly attached to the mill, for 50 (shillings) a year – rent due at Michaelmas.  I will write fully on the subject of your plantations in the course of next week.

Yours always affectionately

C: A: à Court