Letter 1348

[fol. 177] Sr Upminster July 10 1708 By reason you came not yr self I went over this week to view the Barn-floor, lest they should in any rise impose upon you. But I found both the condition & dimensions of the Floor agreeable to wt they reported. I saw the Deals they bought; wch are Stout & good, at 2s-4d p deal: but they are so broad that I believe 40 fewer may do. The Joyce is seemingly sound, but very slight, & only Six in th cross the floor, wch is one reason of the more spee- dy decay of the former floor, together wth the slight- ness of the Deals, wch I saw were only an inch thick. I ordered them that since 6 Joyce served before, they should not lay 9 in what is done anew (as they intended) but only 7 or 8 at most, & that if the Joyce fail in any part when the floor is taken up, they should make good these failures wth the surplu- sage of the Joyce they have provided, or return them back to ye Carpenter. They have promised this, & all other fidelity, wch I hope will be effectu- ally performed by reason the workman is the same person that was with you, my neighbour who I take will do every thing for the best for you, & whom will take care of also & also again & view the Joyce when the old Deals are pulled, wch will be next week or the beginning of the week after. I this day recd the last Transacti- on for wch I suppose I am to thank you. My wife I thank God holds well, only now some wandering pains in her Limbs after the Flux I desire my humble service to your Lady from Sr Your much obliged humble servant Wm Derham