R3/3663

Letter mainly regarding acquiring land for crops, farm tenancy, building work on Roote's house, unemployment and wages

8 Feb 1831

From: 1831 To: 1831

Reads- At Beckerings Park yesterday I saw Sam(?) Bennett; conversation about those fields of Batchelor's next Amb. Platt's; he is willing to take them, opportunity for more turnip land; good tenant - shall I offer them? If Hen. Platt has the 2 fields on the other side of the road, the land left will come within Tom Batchelor's ability to farm. The Batchelors have had notice to quit at last Michaelmas. I suppose their staying does not give them claim till next Michaelmas. What about their arrears: do you think fit to give up any part? This plan will save buildings & laying land to little public houses, both of which it is desirable to avoid. Have been today at Limbersey with a fresh customer for that farm; Oliver, neph. to our Flitwick tenant of that name, also neph. of former tenant; strongly recommended by Holland (Todd's foreman at Priestley); very industrious. The farm is in a dreadful plight, last year's fallow never worked, no crop on them this year; only crop a few acres of beans & oats; no one with capital will take it; but better to have less rent from a man who is like to farm fairly than to keep it in hand. I was at Eversholt yesterday with Roote; his house; plan to make it larger by leanto to make pantries & sitting-room; I told him, if we could make good the back wall this back building ought to be done without, as room in present house for pantry; and for all the office work he has to do he can have room in my house; his objections to this; house now absurdly too big (more details). Sorry to say the Flitwick men are likely to be thrown on the road again through obstinacy of the [main?] tenant of young Morris, sad awkward fellow; one of his employees at last vestry demanded pr. shoes as wages only 6/6 week (ought to have had 10s.). What a nuisance such a fellow is in a parish!

item

Bennett, Samuel,
Bachelor,
Platt, Ambrose,
Platt, Henry,
Batchelor, Thomas,
Oliver,
Holland,
Todd,
Roote, William,
Morris

Beckerings Park, fields, turnips, tenancy, BUILDINGS & LAND USE, farmers, michaelmas, debt, public houses, Limbersey, farms, FAMILY, FLITWICK, foreman, Flitwick Priestley Farm, crops, beans, oats, rentals, EVERSHOLT, HOUSING, building work, offices, town & local roads, estate labour, employment, Vestry, estate wages, shoes, parish