R3/4812

Letter Reads- Returns Ashwood list of his present tenants; the property is surrounded by tenements and gardens belonging to the Duke occupied by James Osborn, William Whitbread and Widow Pearce. Joseph Ashwood the vendor is grandson of Thomas who purchased in 1808. Presumes as agreement for Magpie Hall has been sent the matter is concluded. Agreement contains some absurd clauses as to compensation for draining if tenant leaves. Bennett has not much opinion of the tenant but thinks "it best to keep him in good humour and get him to hire the farm to the Dukes' agreement from year to year and if he does not suit in a year or so we may get rid of him". By the agreement unless he has had three crops of grain on land drained by him he is to be compensated. As whatever he has done was most likely imperfectly done and "no one has any check on him it would not do to compensate him for such work and for the quantity he is sure to claim, unless I find that it is necessary to quit of him at once - when I hear from you on this point I will go over and see the Farm and Tenant"

28 Jan 1844

From: 1844 To: 1844

item

Haedy, C,
Ashwood,
Osborn, James,
Whitbread, William,
Pearce,
Ashwood, Joseph,
Bennett

grain, DRAINAGE, farms, WOBURN, Woburn Abbey