John Dicken writes to the Hon. Richard Hill.

He will meet John Allen, master of the waggon at Tearn Hill and try to get some allowance of the money paid for the tombstone, tho' thinks it unlikely without an agreement made in London about the rate per hundred, for they usually charge a 1d. per pound (9/4d. per hundred) "But at this time of year I know they will carry goods at 5/- per hundred". The vault is completed "the covering of the vault looking very neat and well".

"Wm. Price the mason is now preparing the flags of the South Portique at Hawkestone."

The Marchamley men are in better temper, and will begin next Thursday to amend and prepare the lane from Hawkestone to "this town". The avenue is now nearly completed - Madam Hill's team have been engaged in carrying soil to fill the holes.

Commission of Lunacy has been executed upon John Minshull. He has been lunatic for 9 years: at the time of his lunacy he was intitled to the sixth part of £2,500 charged upon the Shropshire estates Dicken attended with Mr. Williams who bought Stoake estate. The Commission "was executed with great partiality by some of the Commissioners who would not hear some things we would have offered" "Mr. Minshull was produced who I think did not appeare soe bad as the evidence swore him to be". They hope to prove that Mr. M. was sane at the time of his executing the release. It is important to know if Hill had any collateral security on the Cheshire estates.