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Darwin Correspondence Project

From John Higgins   19 June 1860

Alford

19th. June 1860

Dear Sir

On my return from Scotland this morning, I found a sketch of the Anwick Estate had been sent to me, and I enclose a copy of it for your inspection.1

The Nos. from 59 to 66 inclusive are situate at the upper and better part of the Fen and are well drained at a small annual expense   the remainder is all high and dry land.—

I intend to go over the Estate and make a valuation of it on Saturday next; and will attend the sale on Monday; and if I find I can purchase it upon terms that I am sure will be conducive to your interests I will do so; but you may depend upon it, I will be guarded and cautious in my proceedings.—

If necessary I will pay the Deposit money, and will draw upon you afterwards for the amount.—

After I have seen the Estate on Saturday next, I will write to you again; but I shall have no opportunity of communicating with you further until after the auction; when I may probably be able to suspend the actual sale until I have time to communicate with you; at any rate you may rely upon my taking care of your interests—2

Whether I purchase the property or not, I shall hope to be favored with a visit at Alford from your Son, and I will afford him the cordial hospitalities of my house, and will shew him yours and Miss Darwins property in the neighbourhood—3

I am Dear Sir | Yours faithfully | John Higgins

C. R. Darwin Esq

Footnotes

See this volume, Supplement, letter from John Higgins, 16 June 1860. There is a map and printed bill of sale for the Anwick estate in the Lincolnshire Record Office (Lincs RO HIG/4/2/3/5 and HIG/4/2/3/6).
CD did not purchase the Anwick estate in Lincolnshire, although no further letters on the subject have been found, other than one from CD leaving the matter in Higgins’s hands, dated 21 June [1860] (see Correspondence vol. 8).
William Erasmus Darwin planned to visit Anwick, and also CD’s estate at Beesby, Lincolnshire, and Susan Elizabeth Darwin’s estate at Claythorpe, Lincolnshire.

Summary

Sends a plan of the Anwick Estate: will value it on Saturday next (23 June 1860).

Will purchase it for CD at the auction on 25 June if he can secure favourable terms.

Letter details

Letter no.
DCP-LETT-2836F
From
John Higgins
To
Charles Robert Darwin
Sent from
Alford
Source of text
Lincolnshire Archives (HIG/4/2/3/14)
Physical description
Draft 3pp

Please cite as

Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 2836F,” accessed on 25 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-2836F.xml

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