158. Robert Bloomfield to Isaac Bloomfield, 14 March 1805* 

No. 2

London March 14^th 1805

To Isaac

We all know that it was the intention of my brother George to devide equally between his brothers and sisters the value of the House at Honington if he outliv'd his Mother.

And when George and I were writing on this subject in Jany 1804, I made a memorandum in a book I have by me, sending a copy of the same to George at that time.

It stands thus

'Memorandum. Jan^y 25^th 1804.'

'In a letter to George this day have promised that if ever my Mothers Cottage becomes my property, to give to each of the surviving brothers & sisters a sixth part of the then value, before it shall ever be call'd mine. But not to have anything to do with it while my Mother lives.'

A few days after the interment of my Mother on the last day of last year George wrote to me at Honington to say that 'now was the time to settle about the House,' and using these forcible words, 'If you demur I will immediately advertize it to be sold by auction.' That letter is not in being, but I read it to Isaac and his wife. I mention this that it may be as evidence to yourselves & children; that the transfer of the House took place by the immediate wish and desire of my Brother George.—And as I sign'd the Writings but yesterday, I take the first moment to tell you what I mean and what I always meant to do.

The place was not valued by a Surveyor; but by the guess of my Father-in-law and Isaac, it was worth one hundred guineas.

On examination of the writings it was found that John Glover, the second Husband, possesses thirty pounds, being a right on the Estate by virtue of an old mortgage redeem'd by our Grandfather Manby, and given to my Mother.—Therefore deducting that sum from the value, George's property is about seventy five pounds; which would certainly have been divided amongst us if he had been able.—

In consequence of my engagement to George, which I imparted to Mr Fellows when in Suffolk, as well as in consequence of the great blessings that providence has shower'd upon me, I hereby engage to pay you, this time twelvemonth, that which our elder Brother, through misfortunes, is not able to pay, your sixth of the above sum.

You will do me the justice to observe that the Forty-two pounds I paid for repairs during my Mothers life, is not brought forwards against George nor you* if so, the dividable sum would be thirty three pounds.—

This gift, for it cannot be a debt, except of honour and of love, I hope you will take as a pledge of lasting good will, and as my acquittal to your children.

Yours truly

Robert Bloomfield

*All expences of the Funeral, a small debt, and the Doctors Bill, (amount unknown) I account it as a duty to pay, and trust any one of us in my case would have done the same.—I have tried to write this so as to avoid the appearance of ostentation, and to express my real feelings for you all, for each will receive a copy of this. And it is needless to say that your testimony of satisfaction would please me, when you have time to write.—

I wish you would keep this for future reference if necessary.