• Reference
    HG7/2/44
  • Title
    Correspondence between Mr Preston of Fisher, Sanders & Co and Rev H H L Longuet-Higgins re. the lease of Turvey Abbey.
  • Date free text
    May - December 1943
  • Production date
    From: 1943 To: 1943
  • Scope and Content
    Begins with partial letter detailing the background and previous leases of Turvey Abbey since 1904. 'Douglas Fraser hunted and he turned the big barn opposite the old range of stables into accommodation for so many hunters'. Wells was given a long lease in consideration of his intention to carry out extensive alteration and repairs. The house was modernised, heating installed, and the bedroom accommodation altered. House occupied continuously by the Higgins family for 116 years. HHL spent two Easter Holidays there one before Fraser and one in 1906. Harry Gardiner was the gardener and his first wife the housemaid. Capital has been drained off the estate by the mortgages and aunt's excessive annuity hence sales of farms. Three Fishes produced the capital for his marriage settlement. Letter about WAEC demonstration at the Abbey. Sir Richard Allen happy to stay on at Turvey Abbey until next summer but the firm are standing down in favour of Rupert Allen. Rest of correspondence relates to the negotiations over the lease. W H Allen Sons & Co to give up lease Rupert Allen to take on lease.
  • Level of description
    file