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 and land use, farmer, michaelmas, debt, public houses, Limbersey, farms, FAMILY, FLITWICK, foreman, Flitwick Priestley Farm, crops, beans, oats, rentals, EVERSHOLT, HOUSING, building work, Office, town & local roads, estate labour, employment, Vestry, estate wages, shoes, parish