| Description | The majority of the letters are estate and tenant related, between Richard Foley, agent for Lacock, and Eardley Knollys, the agent for the National Trust who took over management of the estate following Mr Foley's retirement, and also between Richard Foley and the solicitors Wood & Awdry, and the National Trust's chief agent Hubert Smith. There are also many letters between Matilda Talbot and National Trust representatives (notably James Lees-Milne and D M Matheson, among others) in 1937-1938 and 1943-1944 when Matilda Talbot was considering presenting Lacock Abbey to the National Trust.
The documents are not arranged in date order but the correspondence, particularly of 1946 and 1947 between Richard Foley and Eardley Knollys, is well arranged. The documents include:
1 May 1952 Copy memorandum by Matilda Talbot giving her niece Katharine Burnett-Brown all her furniture, pictures, silver, plate, household effects and other personal property except money and securities for money.
25 Jul 1944 Copy deed of gift of Lacock Abbey, the Manor Farm and village at Lacock from Miss Matilda Theresa Talbot to the National Trust, with a schedule of lands.
Envelope: suggestions on the ownership of the abbey and what rights the National Trust will have for maintenance, income etc (4 copies, 1 manuscript draft, 3 typed).
13 Apr 1940 Letter to Matilda Talbot from Richard Foley enclosing his notes of the points in connection with a perpetual charge and an explanation.
Extract from the Secretary concerning National Trust properties, and a letter to Mr Foley from E H Mason, accountant, dated 12 Aug 1918 enclosing the cutting in relation to the negotiations with the National Trust.
List of properties possibly to be retained if any arrangement happened with the National Trust, and some calculations for Matilda Talbot's consideration.
Mar 1938 Booklet on the preservation of historic country houses by the National Trust.
Typed notes on the preservation of historic country houses by the National Trust.
16 Jan 1948 Letter from James Lees-Milne, secretary of the National Trust, to Matilda Talbot to accept the portraits of the family at Lacock.
1 Nov 1951 Letter from J F W Rathbone, secretary of the National Trust, to Matilda Talbot asking for her consent to let Colonel Burnett-Brown take out a 50-year lease for Lacock Abbey.
26 Feb 1940 Letter from D Matheson, secretary of the National Trust, to Matilda Talbot suggesting that Lacock should be preserved under the Country Houses Scheme.
14 May 1938 Letter from E H Mason to Matilda Talbot: he has read the booklet and is concerned with an owner giving property away and depriving heirs.
14 Nov 1951 Letter from J F W Rathbone to Matilda Talbot about the possibility of hanging the Zinkeisen portrait of William Henry Fox Talbot at Lacock: he thinks it would be better given to the Royal Photographic Society on permanent loan for them to hang.
Copy letter to unknown from Matilda Talbot to say it would be preferable if the National Trust took over the Abbey and Manor Farm.
4 Mar 1938 Letter from D M Matheson to Matilda Talbot sending the Country Houses pamphlet suggesting that Matilda retains a life interest and then no death duties will have to be paid by the Trust on her death.
15 Nov 1938 Letter from D M Matheson to Matilda Talbot confirming her decision to let the matter rest for now.
1943-1944 Letters from George Champion at Mill Farm to Richard Foley about the possibility of purchasing land from Matilda Talbot.
Nov 1943 Copy letter from Matilda Talbot to D M Matheson wanting to reopen the question of Lacock Abbey being taken by the National Trust.
26 Nov 1943 Letter from D M Matheson to Matilda Talbot to say they would be delighted to talk to her about the possibility of the National Trust taking Lacock, and they have had some experience since they last spoke which should be beneficial.
20 Jan 1944 Copy letter from Matilda Talbot to James Lees-Milne asking if the National Trust intends to buy Wick Farm, Whitehall Farm and four other portions of accommodation, as the tenants want to know what their position will be.
19 Jan 1944 Letter from James Lees-Milne to Matilda Talbot confirming that the Country Houses Committee agreed to recommend the acceptance of the offer of Lacock Abbey, the village and Manor Farm.
21 Jan 1944 Letter from James Lees-Milne to Matilda Talbot asking for her solicitor's name. He confirms that it would be good to keep the estate intact so purchase the remaining farms, but this would not be happening at present.
25 Jan 1944 Copy letter from Matilda Talbot to James Lees-Milne: she would like someone to have a look at the farms; if the Trust does not purchase them she will sell them to someone else as she needs the money. The tenants are anxious to be tenants of the Trust or buy the farms themselves.
26 Jan 1944 Letter from Hubert Smith to Matilda Talbot to confirm he will come and see the farms.
2 Aug 1944 Notice to quit a plot of land in Inwood by Richard Foley to George H Wiltshire; notice to S E Holton of the termination of an agreement of the right to deposit refuse in a disused sandpit in Nethermore Wood.
21 Apr, 26 Apr and 12 May 1944 Letters from the Wessex Electricity Company to Mr Foley concerning a proposed water heater at Lacock Abbey and tests of the electricity lines for its suitability.
Draft notes of tenants and their land: names the streets in Lacock and the occupiers of the houses.
22 Feb 1944 Letter from Matilda Talbot to D M Matheson or James Lees-Milne to say that Lacock might now be used unexpectedly by the government, for a scheme under the Air Ministry. She does not want the house to be used for this purpose and wants some advice.
25 Feb 1944 Letter from James Lees-Milne to Matilda Talbot in response to her letter about the RAF threat to Lacock; they have had some problems with this with some of their other properties and will see what they can do.
15 Feb 1944 Letter from James Lees-Milne to Matilda Talbot to confirm that the Executive Committee confirmed the recommendation to accept Lacock Abbey with farm and cottages.
6 Mar 1944 Letter from A J Sylvester to Mr Foley: he is interested in buying two cottages on the turnpike and wonders if the National Trust is taking them over. If not, he would like to buy them.
6 Mar 1944 Letter from James Lees-Milne to Matilda Talbot about the Air Ministry problem: he has spoken to Geoffrey Mander who has promised to try and protect the amenities of the house; the Ministry of Works has also written to the Air Ministry to stress the importance of Lacock.
9 Jun 1944 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Hubert Smith: the tenant of Manor Farm (Mr Newman) died in December 1943 and his son wants to take over the farm, which Matilda Talbot feels he should be able to do so. In that case it is good for him to become a tenant of the National Trust.
21 Jul 1944 Letter from Hubert Smith to Matilda Talbot asking how long Mr Foley intends to stay in his post before retiring, as the new manager will want time to know his way around.
10 Jul 1944 Copy letter from Mr Foley to Wood & Awdry sending conveyances to Sir John Gladstone and Mr Bodman, and a draft deed of gift. Also asks what they intend to do about the furniture, books and pictures as a schedule will need to be drawn up.
5 Sep 1944 Letter from Hubert Smith to Richard Foley to say the National Trust will be prepared to redeem land tax on certain properties.
14 Nov 1944 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Eardley Knollys with observations on the schedule of properties; mentions a house which will be coming up for rent; the possibility of overlapping rentals and other matters.
8 Dec 1944 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Eardley Knollys with suggestions based on a list of possible tenants. Encloses two notices to quit, one for Mr Burnett who has not paid his rent, and one for Mr Tayler.
9 Dec 1944 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Mr Knollys to say he will add her name to the list for consideration; and about the possibility of two houses in Church Street becoming vacant.
19 Dec 1944 Letter from Eardley Knollys to Matilda Talbot about Stevens who has accepted a job which comes with The Lodge; they want to offer his wife money for selling tickets, guide books and postcards, but want to know if this is acceptable.
19 Dec 1944 Letter from Eardley Knollys to Richard Foley asking if he could buy the rest of Foley's ledger as he has not been able to find a suitable one.
19 Dec 1944 Letter from Eardley Knollys to Richard Foley about applications for empty houses: Edward Jones has refused 1 Lovers Walk; A H Martin and J H Gardner have both applied for houses; wonders if Burnett is going to quit his property.
5 Jan 1945 Letter from Eardley Knollys to Richard Foley enclosing a copy of his reply to Mrs Fidler who has asked for Mrs Gerrish's cottage; someone wants to come and take photographs for a newspaper. Includes copy of Knollys' response to Mrs Fidler about her problems: it is impossible to let her have another house.
9 Jan 1945 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Eardley Knollys about telephone poles; tenants, particularly Mr Burnett who will not leave, and the Fortunes who wanted his house but might now view Mrs Gerrish's; an ill tenant, Miss Kettle; remuneration for Fortune and his wife; sanitation at The Lodge; 1 Lovers Walk; issues with yew trees at Cantax House; the rent book; Tayler's Yard and its "mysteries".
2 Feb 1945 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Eardley Knollys: the tenant of a flat at 19 Church Street, Mrs Flower, is now in an infirmary and the flat could be worked on to make it suitable for a larger family.
9 Feb 1945 Letter from Eardley Knollys to Richard Foley: considers the possibility of offering 2 East Street to the Colemans and 24 Church Street to the Fortunes; mentions the flat at 19 Church Street; asks if he can value the garden tools for sale.
10 Feb 1945 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Eardley Knollys about rents for 16 High Street, the rental of 14 Church Street and 24 Church Street; what they can charge for the flat at 19 Church Street; many applications for houses.
14 Feb 1945 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Eardley Knollys thanking him for the copy of his letter to Miss Kettle; in fact she is in Lacock and her aunt died the night before so the property should now become available. Locke is vacating 24 Church Street and Miss Crathorne does not want 19 Church Street.
20 Feb 1945 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Eardley Knollys: he would like 27 Church Street to be offered to the Colemans before anyone else, but Miss Kettle's niece may decide to take it even though she has no legal claim.
28 Mar 1945 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Eardley Knollys giving an account of money owed to Matilda Talbot, and the possibility of the youth club having the upstairs at 19 Church Street, which he advises against.
18 May 1945 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Eardley Knollys in response to his letter about insurance valuations; he had also suggested to Matilda Talbot that they were low but she was happy to keep them as they were.
26 May 1945 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Eardley Knollys about Lacock market cross and its history: it is uncertain who is responsible for its repair.
19 Jun 1945 Letter from Eardley Knollys to Richard Foley enclosing an illustration of the cross at Lacock; the lordship of the manor was not transferred to the National Trust so Matilda Talbot is still lord of the manor.
17 Aug 1945 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Eardley Knollys asking to see the old plan showing the springs on Bowden Hill and an agreement between Matilda Talbot and A W Doel on pipes at Bowden Hill.
6 Dec 1945 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Wood & Awdry about water rights, Bewley Common and the issue about Miss Kettle who has decided to stay in the house in Church Street.
7 Oct 1946 Copy letter from Eardley Knollys to the building surveyor for Calne and Chippenham Rural District Council about the possibility of a house on Nethercote Hill for Miss L Gale; they have asked an architect and he thinks the design is not in keeping with Lacock.
10 Dec 1946 Letter from Eardley Knollys to Richard Foley asking for the rateable value of Cantax House.
23 Dec 1946 Letter from Eardley Knollys to Richard Foley about the possibility of Messrs Wiltshire taking over the Simco's business in Lacock (a village shop run by Maud and Amy Simco). Copy reply of 30 Dec 1946 from Richard Foley.
19 Jun 1946 Letter from Ernest Stevens, building surveyor for Calne and Chippenham Rural District Council to Eardley Knollys informing him of the proposal to build 10 houses on the Bewley site in Lacock; with many other letters relating to this. Richard Foley had no objections to the proposal.
16 Jul 1946 Letter from Eardley Knollys to Richard Foley about a Scots pine at the Lodge that he would like to cut down but Matilda Talbot wants it to stay. With Foley's response of 19 Jul 1946: he thinks removing just one branch will be sufficient.
4 Jun 1946 Copy letter from (Richard Foley) to Wood & Awdry concerning grave spaces at Bowden Hill church: he wants to know if there is a document which would help decide what form of need should be used if there needs to be an extension. With response of 5 Jun.
3 Jan 1946 Copy letter from Eardley Knollys to J Newman about the way for his cattle in the event of foot and mouth.
12 Jan 1946 Copy letter from Richard Foley to Eardley Knollys about 10 Church Street, which was taken over by the council in 1941 and is in very bad condition.
19 Feb 1946 Letter from Eardley Knollys to Richard Foley to ask if he has any plan of the drains at the Red Lion garage as they are thinking of turning it into a teahouse.
Various letters of early 1946 about excavations for gravel at Inwood.
22 May 1945 Notes prepared on the checking of the dilapidations schedule at Lacock Abbey. |