R3/3848

Letter mainly regarding Chenies and Poor Law union, paupers and magistrates in Leighton, labour rates, election fees, Marston tithes, etc.

22 Feb 1835

From: 1835 To: 1835

Reads- Chenies and the formation of a P.U. Union. Don't think it matters whether Steppingley goes to Ampthill or Woburn. I wish Leighton could be a centre for some part of Bucks. I should think from what I heard the master of the workhouse state in the magistrates' room on Friday that there can be no place so bad as Leighton & its hamlets; the people, that is the paupers, are in a state of the most lawless insubordination, the constables dare not put in force magistrates' orders, & the overseers actually paid men head-money last week who had earned on the railway 13s. a week & in constant work. Cites a case of 2 ploughmen required by Tavistock & by Lord Spencer; one was with difficulty persuaded to go to Oakley; nothing could persuade one to go to Althorp. It was such "a way off"; they prefer to stay at home for 6s. than go 30 miles to get double. [Not clear where these two were: "John Purser applied to"; Willington?] Spoke to Green about under-sheriff's fees, (election). Duke saw Thomas and said he should have offer of Lidlington; very intelligent; I will make agreement with Marston rector for tithes; should not like the Duke's largest occupier to have an annual distraint for church rates; the Quakers think nothing of it, but it might originate an unpleasant feeling.

item

Tavistock,
Spencer,
Althorp,
Purser, John,
Green,
Duke of Bedford,
Thomas, James

Chenies, poor law unions, STEPPINGLEY, AMPTHILL, WOBURN, LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Buckinghamshire, parish workhouses, magistrate, POVERTY, LAW & ORDER, constable, overseers of the poor, agricultural wages, employment, railways, ploughman, estate labour, OAKLEY, travel, WILLINGTON, under sheriff, money, election expenses, LIDLINGTON, Marston, vicars, tithes, rates, parish churches, Quakers