Record

Document Reference	Pl C 1/576
Title	Letter from John Cossen, Wimpole [to Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford]; 2 Jul. 1727
Date	2 July 1727
Extent	2 ff
Level	Item/file
Content Description	Enquires whether the veal and butter arrived safely; reports that the earl's brewer was discovered giving barrels of beer to Francis Holilay at his lodgings at the parson's house; writes that he has explained that Francis's wife has an entitlement of beer for the days she works at the haymaking, and that Francis has a rent-free house and other perks and should be staying there rather than at the parson's house. Has demanded that Mr Jeffreys no longer let Francis and his wife stay at his house; states that Mr Jeffreys claims it was done out of pity and has not happened often; writes that Francis's wife has now left for the house at Kingston Wood; reports that there has been a flood which has affected the haymaking. Accuses the two gamekeepers of taking 'uncomon Libertys in the House of Yr Lordshipps Tenant at Kingston Wood'; is to send some butter and 'some things from the Garden'; claims that the tenant at Kingston Wood has been harbouring William Gore and his wife; undertakes to remove the tenant if he does not hear otherwise from the earl. Recipient identified by comparison with other letters in the same series; addressed 'May it please your Honor'.
Term	domestic affairs, servants, perks
	domestic affairs, servants, housing
	domestic affairs, provisions
	estate business, Wimpole

Persons

Code	PersonName	Dates of existence
NA39091	Holilay; Francis (fl 1724-1737); Mr; gamekeeper at Wimpole	fl 1724-1737
NA39178	Holilay; - (fl 1727); Mrs; wife of Francis Holilay	fl 1727
NA39008	Jeffreys; Francis (fl 1713-1731); -; Rector of Wimpole since 1713; Vicar of Ashwell Hertfordshire from 1728	fl 1713-1731
NA38997	Gore; William (-1735); Mr; gamekeeper at Wimpole	-1735
NA38705	Cossen; John (fl 1713-1738); Mr; wood agent later chief agent of 2nd Earl of Oxford at Wimpole	fl 1713-1738
NA1047	Harley; Edward (1689-1741); 2nd Earl of Oxford and Mortimer; styled Lord Harley 1711-1724	1689-1741