Estate Archives
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An historic missing book of letters, giving an insight into the workings of the Clinton Devon Estate in East Devon, has miraculously reappeared after staff thought it was lost forever.
The beautiful leather-bound book is "Number One" of a 150 volumes of correspondence written by a succession of Estate Managers in the 19th century.
The books are kept in the library of Clinton Devon's East Devon headquarters at Rolle Estate, Bicton, with one glaring omission on the neat shelves - book number one.
The book covers the period 1865 - 1895 and contains letters written by Robert Hartley Lipscomb who was Estates Steward from 1856 to 1892.
It was originally loaned to a local history researcher 15 years ago and was never returned. It has now turned up in the man's attic, and has been returned to the Estate by his wife.
Clinton Devon Estates Director John Varley said: "The book is believed to have gone missing around 15 years ago and we were really sad not to have documentation of the oldest letters from Robert Lipscomb's first Letter Book. Our archivist Gerald Millington takes great pleasure in displaying these volumes in our new, purpose built headquarters at Bicton Arena and undertaking research into local history. But he struggled to find detail about these missing years as he didn't have this valuable book.
"Then out of the blue, we received a call and the book came back. It is still in excellent condition and has been returned to its rightful home on the shelves of the Estate Office, much to our delight."
The letters include some fascinating glimpses into the history of the running of a large estate:
January 27 1866
To The Hon Mark Rolle, Stevenstone, Torrington
Dear Sir
I do not know what your wishes or ideas may be with regard to the Cattle Plague and your tenants probable loss thereby, but I venture to suggest, that, as vaccination seems to be answering so well it would be a very kind thing as well as a politic thing if you encouraged them to vaccinate, either by paying half their costs or by subscribing towards a general vaccination of your tenants stock. I am sure that if the Plague does break out here, so many of the tenants are so unable to bear any loss that rents will not be paid..........
I am very anxious to hear from you as to the appointment of a forester. Pile of Bagmores has been given up by the Doctors but he was alive this afternoon and there was some hope of his recovery. He has had inflammation of the lungs.
I remain Yrs obediently
R.H. Lipscombe
August 10 1866
To John Forsyth Esq, Belliona, Parkhill