295. Robert Bloomfield to John
Glover, 3 November 1814*
Shefford. Beds. Nov 3rd 1814
To My Father in Law
Mr John Glover
When I left you I had spent nearly all my money, and was in low
spirits. If this had not been the case I would gladly have arranged matters so
as to have had the painting and other things done, but when I tell you what I
have paid, and you have compared it with the my [sic] receipts you will be a
better judge of what ought to be expected from me so situated. While in Suffolk
I paid to
| £ | S | D |
| Mr Barker for attendance on my Mother | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| | | |
| To Mr Austin for mending clay,
whitewashing, | | | |
| and work done to the well, and materials | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| | | |
| Do—To straw and thatching two sheds at the | | | |
| Back of primises— | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| | | |
| Do—For well Curble | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| ____ | ____ | ____ |
| 7 | 0 | 0 |
| | | |
| Or, properly speaking, for the House only | 3 | 18 | 0 |
I cannot in my conscience ask the widow of my Brother
to pay Rent. Yet the parish have assessed me in 8 shillings per year as
Landlord's property tax; this have been paid by Mr Mothersole for six years past,
and I now find myself £2 s8 d0 in his debt. If you deduct 8 shillings per ann.
from the only rent I receive you will leave me just 2 guineas a year to stand
for simple interest of the value of the Cottage, and to
stand to Repairs! If I was forced to sell the place and got, as I trust I could,
£140, it would bring me £7 per ann. at common interest, and without
deduction.—
What can be done in repairing a House out of two guineas per
year? I therefore think that no one can think me unreasonable if I expect for
the future that the occupiers should pay the Tax, which for the three tenements,
and gathered half yearly, would amount to sixteen pence a piece only.
My affairs are by no means flourishing, but I hope I shall be
able to keep the place till I dies, but further repairs now, or for some time to
come would not at all, suit my pockets or perhaps be prudent in any way. You
must wait, and so must I for better prospects, I am perfectly satisfied with
what you have done, and wish I could do more
Love to Sister Bet and Children and I am yours sincerely
Robt Bloomfield
P.S. I did not learn from Mr Mothersole that he had paid the tax until the very day before I left Honington.