R3/4644

Letter Reads- Cople almshouses: 2 tons coal given to widows before Xmas, but no gowns. Draining: in new lettings best to keep to rule: have all done "at his own expense & under the steward's directions without exception"; it is just the more intelligent who are the most difficult to deal with - attend least to practical carrying-out on which entire success depends; such men go more from home on business or pleasure etc. & have no one behind their backs to see work is done as it should be; they can see work above ground, but not draining underground, so more likely to be scamped; few to be trusted; discrimination would cause jealousy. Favouritism gives offence. The Willington tenants, Brown & Twitchell, whom I allowed last year to have their own way because they paid cost, admitted they did not pay such attention as required. The Oakley farmers this year did not like it because they wanted to keep on all winter. His method of enlisting men from various farmers in parish; uniform standard; price per pole. The Ampthill tenants have never before had such privileges - far more alive to their value; in one fortnight I had 100,000 brought away to Houghton [draining tiles?] by the tenants there, & K now have the North Bedfordshire tenants begging & praying for what they cannot now have. They are a little wrong-headed at first, but when they once see their way, & others falling into the plan, the whole body will follow.

8 Jan 1843

From: 1843 To: 1843

English

item

Haedy, C,
Brown,
Twitchell

almshouses, coal, WATER & DRAINAGE, farmers, letters, letters, WOBURN, Woburn Abbey, COPLE, WILLINGTON, OAKLEY, AMPTHILL, BEDFORDSHIRE