This letter appears to be a draft letter written by the Curate of the time, the Reverend Henry Hasted Victor (1845-1848), to a previous Curate, the Reverend Charles Bloxham (1820-1839) - both were Curates in Badsey at the time of the absentee Vicar, the Reverend Charles Phillott. [The pencilled copy at the top saying “Letter to Rev T G Griffith (copy)?” is thought to be an incorrect assumption. Rev Griffith was the Curate between Rev Bloxham and Rev Victor.]
Badsey, January 13 1846
Dear Sir
I hope that you will please to excuse my not writing to you before has I have not had an opportunity of doing so for we have had so much illness in the house, my Wife and little Edwin have been ill for this last 3 months that I did not think that they would live. We were very glad to hear that you and all the family were well, I forwarded Mary’s parcel on the following Monday after I heard from you and I hope that she received it.
You wished to know about the things that you left behind and I wish to inform you when Mr Phillott was here he gave me Pethard’s, Johnson’s, Baylis the baker’s and Humphris's the Butchers account and I could make enough of the things he wished me to discharge there which I have done, all but Johnson and I have paid him some but not all as I have not sold quite all but I will undertake to pay him and if there should be anything more after that is paid I will forward it either to you or Mr Phillott. Mr & Miss Byrd are well, Mr Collet is ill and has not been able to leave the House for some time and he is worse the last two or three day. Both Mrs Sawyer and Mr Taylor’s family desire their kind respects to you and family and they are very sorry to hear that you have been so ill but will be glad to hear that you are better. Mr Cartwright has presented a very handsome Stove for the Church Mr Applebee is very ill with the Yellow jaundice and Mr Thomas Byrd had his 4 Children Christened last Sunday week. I don't know that there is anything else. I have took the jar to Mrs Stanley’s and she says that she should be glad to hear from you soon.
Charles Bloxham may have had some kind of a breakdown after his wife's death in 1836. He remained living in Badsey (but not at the Vicarage) for a few years after he ceased to be Curate. He had money problems and it seemed that the Curate of the time, Rev Victor, was left to sell some of the items he had left behind when finally leaving the village and use this money to settle various accounts. He probably wrote a draft first for a letter which he may have put off writing for some time.
The "Mary" mentioned in the letter is most likely Rev Bloxham's youngest daughter, 12-year-old Mary.