Matthew Kenrick started this letter of January 5th 1779 with an explanation as to why the previous letter from Mr. Benson had not received a reply (he thought it was for his son who was “out of Town” at the time it arrived). He then proceeded to quote the following reaction from Miss Amyas to Mr Benson’s letter.
Transcript of the letter
The letter is addressed to “Edward Benson Esq. at Shenfield near Brentwood, Essex.”
Mr Benson’s letter has determined me not to consent to any Bill for Inclosing Deopham Common the thought of Inclosing always gave me Concern but the Wodehouse Family seem’d anxious to bring in a Bill for that purpose. and as it was likely to be beneficial to the Dean and Chapter’s Estates I thought it probable they would promote it, This Circumstanced at every Meeting the Gentlemen have had to Settle a Bill. I have let them know I was determined to withhold my Consent till I heard from the Dean and Chapter but at the next Meeting I Shall let them know that I cannot nor will not Consent to any Bill for that purpose, – I feared before that from many perplexing Circumstances it must necessarily be a very troublesome affair to me and am now convinced (by Mr Benson’s Letter) it Would aksi be a very Expensive one. The Dean and Chapter do not give me any advice and Direction (which as a tenant I expected) nor do they say what they expect as their right, nor what they allow to be my right, yet with all this uncertainty and room for [???] they propose I should be at all the Expense.
Now Good Sir, I must beg the favour of you to let the Dean and Chapter know that I Cannot consent to be at the Expense and Consequently must oppose the Bill.
I am told the Dean and Chapter have wrote to Mr. Wodehouse that they insist upon naming one of the Commissioners and that they do not mean to do anything till that is granted. What answer was sent I do not know but I know some of the Small proprietors are against enclosing , and the rest do not seem to agree in what manner to settle a Bill.
But I will not trespass on your patience any longer on this Subject as I hope now it will not go forward for the trouble to me is certain, the advantage not so and at a great distance and then perhaps comes the Fines and Swallows all.
Mattthew Kenrick then concludes saying that he has “not said anything of my own mind upon this subject”.
Chapter of Canterbury Archives U63 70379
Transcription © G. Sankey
Comments
Miss Amyas’ concluding comment is very eloquent (if not constructive): “the trouble to me is certain, the advantage not so”.
Edward Benson was the Dean and Chapter’s Auditor. There are more comments on this here.
The precise role Mr. Kenrick is not clear: he seems to be acting as a go between without offering advice.
The original letter
Reproduced courtesy of the Chapter of Canterbury; their ref U63 70379
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| 5/1/24 | Published |
Deopham History 