X95/291/163

From: Thomas Sworder, Luton; To: Thomas Sworder, Hertford

13 Apr 1858

From: 1858 To: 1858

From: Thomas Sworder, Luton; To: Thomas Sworder, Hertford "You will be pleased to hear that I have seen Mr.Leigh & he is quite willing to purchase Burr's Brewery, he wants me to fix the price but before doing so I thought I would write you thereon. Medcalf's Valuation for the premises is £8,500 & Cumberland's £10,500. Now I think if I ask £10,000 I shall not be far wrong. I must however tell you that he wishes me also to take the market of him or otherwise get some responsible parties to do so on lease, and I am to state what rent I am prepared to give him for the Market & Tolls. I thought of offering 5 per cent on the purchase money which would be £500 per an for 21 years. The Malting is at least worth £2,000 & the Brewer's House & premises could be converted into an Inn and the rental of that and the malting would be worth at least to me £200 per annum, this leaving £300 a year to be obtained for the Tolls. I wanted to purchase without any condition of my taking a lease, but he would not hear of it and the only question is whether you think I had better deal with Mr.Leigh for the premises on the terms I have stated. I have no doubt the Tolls would bring in £400 or £500 a year & also that I could get a party to take them off my hands, in fact the Brewer's House turned into an Inn & the market might be let to the same party. If you could suggest any means by which Messrs Burr & C could be paid £5,000 by the 1st May, it would be a great relief as then there would not be much to find if Mr.Leigh purchases, and it won't do to lose him if it can be helped. Messrs Burr would then wait patiently for the remainder & arrangements might be made so that you could take the property at a rent that would answer your purpose well without becoming a partner. I hope I have now got over the Stormy season & that I shall now be able to sail along pleasanter than I have done for the last year or so. Young Raws has written to say he could not meet with a party to go down to Merthyr but hopes to do so this week. I wish this was in train for settlement. With kind love to Aunt & hoping to hear a better account of you".

item

Sworder, Thomas,
Leigh, John Shaw,
Medcalf,
Cumberland,
Burr, Edward,
Crabb, Richard Hatley,
Raws

family correspondence, business correspondence, Park Street Brewery Luton, markets, tolls, weather, Dowlais Brewery