| Description | 1. No.1: 3 Jul 1790 to John Grosvenor to say her brother was abroad and any draft presented would not be answered.
2. No.2: 27 Jul 1790 to the Bishop of Sarum advising that she could not supply the Bishop with the authority under which she agreed the presentation of the Fisherton Living being given to Mr Johnstone as she is away from home, without access to his papers. A note says that on receipt of this letter the Bishop inducted Mr Johnstone to Fisherton Rectory immediately.
3. No.3: 20 Aug 1790 to Mr Davenport discussing the future of the living of Fisherton and the wording of the relevant bond.
4. No. 4: 18 Sep 1790 enclosing a revised bond to which she hopes Mr Johnstone will agree.
5. No. 5: 17 Oct 1790. Mr Johnstone had altered the time limit for resignation of the Living from 3 to 12 months and is being asked to revert to the original period.
6. No. 6: 23 Oct 1790 saying Mr Johnstone has signed the bond with the original 3 months period.
7. No.7: 4 Sep 1790 to Reverend Mr Willis, curate of Lacock regarding the lack of respect in the church following the death of Martha Talbot. Also one to Mr Taylor the clerk, who Barbara Davenport considers to blame for taking the church out of mourning. 12 Sep 1790 following receipt of one from Mr Willis and the propriety of not replacing the mourning.
8. No. 8: 5 Nov 1790 regarding persistent demands for money which will need to wait for her brother to return to discharge.
9. No. 9: to W Hughes, Devizes regarding interest due on her brother's policy and bonds.
10. No. 10: 2 Nov 1790 to Mr Goldney junior, Chippenham regarding financial matters.
11. No. 11: 4 Nov 1790 to Mr Montagu, Lackham concerning the gamekeeper, Mr Fussell, being impeded by Lackham tenants from shooting on grounds of manor of Lacock.
12. No. 12: 3 Nov 1790 to G Beauchamp from John Shakespear concerning payment of either one, but not both, accounts due.
13. No. 13: 5 Dec 1790 asking to meet to discuss the situation of the gamekeepers.
14. No. 14: 19 Dec 1790 regarding the family finances, particularly the debts of William Talbot, and the care of Prideaux Talbot.
15. 24 Jun 1791 to William Talbot about his debts and asking him to be prudent financially for the next 6 months. Mention of a deed which was not registered in time and is therefore not valid and suggesting the estate be put in the hands of trustees to secure its future. Much discussion of financial position plus Barbara Davenport hurt and angry that she was not consulted. Mention of Boy de la Tour, Stokes and Mary Shakespear nee Davenport's children.
16. 24 Jul 1791 to Mr Montagu who was demanding a quit rent for Wick Farm, which had not been paid for many years. She had not heard of this claim previously and would look through her papers on return to London.
17. 3 Apr 1791 to Mr E Davenport concerning the Living of Fisherton and the family's long term aim to have the livings of Fisherton and Lacock held by the same person at the same time.
18. 16 Jun 1791 Copy of a letter from John Shakespear to Mr Talbot following Barbara Davenport's distress about the financial position and monies owed. Boy de la Tour mentioned.
19. 22 Jun 1791 to Mr Stokes replying to a letter sent to Mr Shakespear asking whether a new deed could be drawn up exactly as the previous one, and sent to her brother in Canada to sign unless she has the necessary power of attorney to sign for him.
20. 3 Jul 1791 to Mr Vezey asking him to look out for a gamekeeper; to enquire about Gibbon's deputation; possibly allow neighbouring gentlemen to shoot and keep poachers at bay; to give orders for repair work to be done in the summer; to offer H Taylor the old house next to Tuckers.
21. 4 Jul 1791 to Lady Shrewsbury discussing the new lease required and stating that Mr Vezey should act as lawyer in the matter and that she will ensure the house will be better attended than previously.
22. 30 Nov 1791 to William Davenport Talbot, at length and in detail, about his income and outgoings including the cost of promotion, and that she will do her best for him but he must keep his side of the bargain or else she must throw in the reins.
23. Letters written since her illness in December 1791: Messrs Drummond; Mr Hoare; Miss Johnson, Worcester; Mr Hayward; Mr Vezey; Mr Mayo; Mr Drake about T Berrington and Bredon rents; Mr Davenport about Lacock vicarage; Mr Siddons about hire of furniture; Mr Kent & Luck about exchange of carpet; Mr Busby ordering green cloth; Mrs C Shuttleworth; Miss Kynnersly; Mr G Montague; Mr Hay; Miss Wroughton; Mrs Buxton; Miss Master; Mrs A Shakespear; W Talbot by Quebec packet; P Davenport; Orders to Francis.
24. 19 Jan 1792 to unknown regarding disappointing news about William Davenport Talbot's promotion in the Army, forwarded by Mr Greenwood, and mention of another deed of annuity as security for his incumbrances.
25. 7 Feb 1792 to Mr T, mainly concerning finances. Mr Boy de la Tour has been paid and given a receipt and Mr Stokes has advised she cannot receive the interest from the trusts which belong to her brothers which is tied up for their lives. Note of receipt of a bond and amounts paid out.
26. Letters and draft for arrears of interest sent to Mr Johnston at Worcester, Mr Martin, and Mr Niblet at Gloucester
27. To Mr Hayward about Mr Skeate's bond: offered him the Home Barn to rent and he could have more land if he would take the house.
28. 16 Mar 1792 to William Davenport Talbot in Canada via Mr Coffin, along with other letters from the family.
29. 16 Mar 1792 to Mr Vezey: discusses which bills to be paid and that tenants should pay for work they ordered. Also asks many questions about the finances of Lacock, such as church rates appear high, land and houses to offer for rent and what became of the sale and proceeds of potatoes in new copse.
30. To J Berrington to collect arrears of copyhold and freehold rents at Bredon to Lady Day and to give notice to tenants that in future they will be responsible for tithe and poor rates for free meadows - if they do not agree they will be given notice to quit.
31. 1 Apr 1792: Drafts sent to Messrs Jones and Carr for interest.
32. To Mr Dawkins. |