INTRODUCTION
In 1910 Minna Anson and her husband (Captain Walter Anson) made Clayton Windmills their home. The correspondence regarding this matter makes fascinating reading.

Copies of the original correspondence were made available to our Society by the Mills Archive Trust. Janet Thomas, with the assistance of Simon Potter, spent some considerable time reading through the papers, deciphering the handwriting and producing transcriptions. These transcriptions are now held by the Mills Archive Trust.

The transcriptions are also reproduced below, in date sequence, along with scans of the first page of each document.

There are some words and characters that we have not been able to decipher. These appear as question marks, and are followed by the original text, for example :- 2 There is a rain water tank which supplies the Cottages (?). Please do contact us if you can decipher any of these items.

FROM : Charles Ellis TO : Minna Anson DATE : 6th June 1910 NORTHLANDS HAYWARDS HEATH Dear Mrs Anson The windmills are on the Danny estate and were mentioned to me by young Mr Campion. I had hoped to see him this last week, and so save writing as he is just in the throes of the Lewes bye election - but not having seen him I dropped him a line tonight asking for the name of his father's agent and if the mills were still empty. It would be better for you to make your own enquiries and arrangements direct, so I will send you his reply as soon as it comes - he must be busy just now so it may mean a little delay. I am glad that neither you nor Sherard were in residence there last night; we had a thunderstorm from ten at night until seven in the morning with two houses struck here, and up there on the downs you would have been in the very thick of it. It was good of you to drop in on us last Sunday - though I should have smiled if Sherard had not turned up, a motor car "hors de combat" would have been a fair excuse, and he is always unexpected until he comes, and always welcome when he does. Sincerely yours Charles Ellis

FROM : J. I. Blencowe TO : Charles Ellis DATE : 11th June 1910 St. SWITHUNS, LEWES. DANNY ESTATE Dear Sir Mr Campion of Danny has forwarded to me a letter addressed by you to his son, Mr. W.R.Campion, with regard to the Clayton Windmills, and making enquiry on behalf of Mrs. Anson as to whether the mills are in the market. At the present time these mills are let on lease which will expire in a few years but the present tenant is not using them for milling and would probably be glad to give up his lease so that if Mrs. Anson would be good enough to let me know for what purpose she would use the mills and other details I should be happy to hear from her and to give her any particulars she may require. Yours faithfully J. I. Blencowe C.S. Ellis Esq Northlands Haywards Heath

FROM : Charles Ellis TO : Minna Anson DATE : 12th June 1910 NORTHLANDS, HAYWARDS HEATH. Dear Mrs. Anson The enclosed which speaks for itself came last night. I have not seen my friend Mr. W. R. Campion, so can give you no particulars - evidently there is not much of a demand for windmills, and some curiosity is aroused as why you should want one. Had they but seen Sherard they would know that like many another genius, his mind was far from earthy, and the clouds were his usual habitation. Sincerely Yours Charles Ellis

FROM : J I Blencowe TO : Minna Anson DATE : 20 June 1910 St. SWITHUNS, LEWES. Please return to (?) when read Dear Madam, I am obliged for your letter of 17th inst:- In reply to your enquiries with regard to Clayton Mills 1 The Mills have not been used as a habitation, the men employed there live in two Cottages adjoining. 2 There is a rain water tank which supplies the Cottages (?). 3 There is a road up to the Mills and Hassocks Station is about 2 ½ miles. 4 I do not think the Mills could be easily or cheaply adapted as a weekend hut. 5 The present rent of the Mills (?) is £25 p.a. 6 You are welcome to see the Mills at any time and a fly can be had at Hassocks Station to convey you. If you would let me have a few days notice of your intention to inspect I would write to the man in charge and ask him to show you over. Yours faithfully J. I. Blencowe Mrs Anson 4 Smith Square Westminster

FROM : J I Blencowe TO : Minna Anson DATE : 21st June 1910 St. SWITHUNS, LEWES. DANNY ESTATE Dear Madam The rent £25 p.a. includes two Mills and two Cottages and outbuildings. There is a little land round the Mills - perhaps about an acre. Yours faithfully J.I.Blencowe Mrs Anson 4 Smith Square Westminster S.W.

FROM : J I Blencowe TO : Minna Anson DATE : 28th June 1910 St. SWITHUNS, LEWES. DANNY ESTATE Dear Madam I am obliged to your letter of 24th. You can certainly see the Mills (?) next Tuesday but I believe there are people staying there for the Summer so it is not likely that you could obtain possession, at all events, till the Autumn. I should say it would probably be possible to get a little land near the Mills for cultivation with lavender. Yours faithfully J. I. Blencowe Mrs Anson 4 Smith Square Westminster

FROM : J I Blencowe TO : Minna Anson DATE : 1st July 1910 St. SWITHUNS, LEWES. DANNY ESTATE Dear Madam I have given instructions that you shall be shown over the Mills (?) when you call. The Station Master, Hassocks will order you a fly if you will notify to him the train by which you arrive. Yours faithfully J. I. Blencowe Mrs Anson 4 Smith Square Westminster

FROM : J I Blencowe TO : Minna Anson DATE : 8th July 1910 St. SWITHUNS, LEWES. DANNY ESTATE Dear Madam I am obliged for your letter of 7th inst. I will confer with the present lessee of the Mills next week and meanwhile I should be glad to know 1 whether you would require the cottages and other buildings as well as the Mills and yes - for the £25 per annum the present tenants would be our tenants 2 whether you would take over lease for not less than 7 years? The present lease expires at Ladyday 1912 so that it would hardly be worth while to cancel the present lease in favour of a new one for a shorter term than 7 years. Take over present lease till that expires and then consider new lease of 7 years Yours faithfully J. I. Blencowe Mrs Anson 4 Smith Square Westminster

FROM : W Snead Williams TO : Minna Anson DATE : 9th July 1910 ALL LETTERS TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE "MANAGER" NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK OF ENGLAND LIMITED BUILTH WELLS Dear Madam Replying to yours of the 8th inst. the charge for a Loan of £50 to £100 would be Bank rate minimum 4½ per cent. As your financial position is unknown to me will you kindly say if it is convenient to lodge security as I take it the Loan would be for some considerable time. Thanking you very much for your courtesy. I am, Dear Madam Yours faithfully W. Snead Williams Manager Mrs Anson 4 Smith Square Westminster S.W.

FROM : J I Blencowe TO : Minna Anson DATE : 15th July 1910 St. SWITHUNS, LEWES. DANNY ESATE Dear Madam I have today seen the Lessee of the Clayton Mills and the position of affairs is as follows - Mr. Wood, the Lessee, has let the big mill until the 29 September next, the small Mill is let on the understanding that the occupier shall have the option of staying there until Mr. Wood's lease expires being Ladyday 1912 or at all events so long as Mr. Wood continues his lease of the Mills. So far as the Landlords position with the Lessee is concerned it is obviously of no advantage to the former to cancel his lease unless he has the offer of a longer lease or an increased rent. Under these circumstances I would suggest that, if you wish to hire the large Mill from Michaelmas next, you should communicate direct with Mr. William Wood Junr., Hurstpierpoint, Sussex who will be glad to negotiate with you in the matter. Yours faithfully J. I. Blencowe Mrs Anson 4 Smith Square Westminster

FROM : William Wood TO : Minna Anson DATE : 15th July 1910 To Mr. Woods Dear Sir I hear from Mr. Blencowe that you are the Lessee of the Clayton Mills until Ladyday 1912. I write to ask you if you are in a position to allow me to make you the offer of taking over your lease from you - and if you will kindly tell me on what terms you will do this. I should be glad to have the larger Mill in Sept as early in that month as possible and possibly if you asked your present tenant she might be glad to give up the Mill on Sept 1st and I could take it at that date. As regards the other Mill and the 2 Cottages it would be possible to take them over also if you would agree to this and the present occupiers could stay on and be my tenants if they should wish to do so - ( though I would rather have the 2 Mills) and if you would kindly tell me on what terms they take the Mills and Cottages from you. I should be very glad if you would find out as early as possible if I could occupy the large Mill on Sept 1st and whether you would be willing for me to take all over from you for the rent you are now paying which I understand is £25 a year. (?)

FROM : William Wood TO : Minna Anson DATE : 19th July 1910

Rent due to me £6 Mill 7.10 Cottage ------- 13.10 7.0 ------- 20.10

Madam

I hold the Clayton Wind Mills for 2 years from March last - that is, my tenancy terminates at Lady day 1912 at a rental of £25 per annum and I am willing to assign my interest in the Lease to you for £5 subject to my being able to get consent to so assign it and subject also to the condition that I have agreed to let the lower smaller Mill for the remainder of my term that is till March 25/12 at a rental of £6 per annum - if I assign to you - you would of course collect the rental but could not disturb the tenant.

The two Cottages are let to weekly tenants at 3/- a week each.

The Upper Mill is let to Mr. Martin till Michaelmas Sept 29th.

I have written Mr. Martin to ask if he will give up possession on Sept 1st and I have written Mr. Blencowe to ask if he will allow me to assign my lease to you - on hearing from them I will write again to any address you may advise me - on failing any advice to the address I am now sending.

I remain Madam yours sincerely W. Wood

FROM : William Wood TO : Minna Anson DATE : 21st July 1910 HASSOCKS SUSSEX Madam I have today seen Mr. Blencowe he declines to allow me to assign to you my lease of the Mills etc. so all I can offer you is the Upper - the Larger Mill at £10 per annum from 29th Sept next until March 25th 1912. Should I be able to persuade Mr. Martin to give up possession earlier I will at once let you know but up to now I have had no reply to the letter I wrote him. I remain Madam Yours obediently William Wood

FROM : William Wood TO : Minna Anson DATE : 22nd July 1910 HASSOCKS SUSSEX Written on side:- You had better enquire if another cottage can be had & give him a few weeks rent as you suggested Madam Mr. Martin writes to say that he will give up possession of the Mill on Sept 1st on being allowed one months rent - his rent is £2-10-0 per quarter Ten pounds per annum. I am in receipt of yours of yesterday crossing mine. As Mr. Blencowe declines to release me in your favour I can only offer you this Mill. I do not like to disturb the Shepherd - he is a labouring man - he will find it difficult to find a cottage near his work and I do not feel justified in putting him to such serious inconvenience - this I think you will understand. I think Mr. Blencowe's objection to permitting me to assign the Lease to you would be removed if you were inclined to take a lease from him for further term of 7 years - he naturally saw no advantage in releasing me so long as you only proposed to take the Mills for the term I hold them. I remain Madam Yours obediently W. Wood

FROM : Minna Anson TO : Algie Anson DATE : 22nd July 1910 NEWBOLD PACEY HALL, WARWICK My dear Algie I have been meaning to write to you for very long to tell you that Sherard and I had given up the idea of your Mills and Summer house - & I thank you at the same time for all you affirm and said in the matter - on looking into things Sherard found that his wooden house did not exist - and that it was only a small deposit he had with the man who provides the sheds so we should not have been able to manage as we had thought as to your summer house - I had to give it up. Then I heard of some more Mills & went hurriedly down to see them - I am most hopeful about these doing for Sherard's Matters and my requirements! As the one Mill has been used for habitation & in fact is let now till September 29th. Newbold Pacey Hall -----Hoping to get the two Mills & cottages & an acre of ground round. I thought all would be straight forward & that I should not have to bother any one but be able to settle all myself, as I was most anxious to do. From Mr. Blencowe's letter I thought I could get the lease transferred from the present Lessee - with whom he asked me to negotiate see letter of July 15th and now having done this I find that Mr. Blencowe will not allow the lease to be assigned to me - so I am writing to ask you if you would be so very good as to read this correspondence & see Mr. Blencowe - as possibly he may think I am an imposter & would not pay up etc. The position now is like this. I want to rent the Mills & Cottages - at a rental of £25 per annum for the whole - (as stated in Mr. Blencowe's letter) of June 21 & probably let the present tenants of the one cottage & one mill stay in them as our tenants. Would it do to offer Mr. Wood the Lessee the full rent of £25 for the two mills & cottages etc. without assigning his lease to me - & collecting the rent of the cottages myself - allowing him (Mr. Wood) to still hold the rent of the second Mill which he says he has let for £6 per annum until the end of his lease. In this way Mr. Wood of course would gain more than his £5 which he asks for "as his interest in the lease" as he would receive his rental of the small mill - at the rate of £6 per annum - until March 25/-12- at which date his lease expires. After you talk with Mr. Blencowe - if no other way is suggested - & should you think well would you put this idea before him.

FROM : Minna Anson TO : Algie Anson DATE : 25th July 1910 POYNTON TOWERS Nr. STOCKPORT (at top of letter): Return. I have written to Mr. Wood & ask him to suggest a rent for large Shepherds cottage & out houses till the end of his lease is ---?--- My dear Minna I have only this morning been able to see Mr. Blencowe who is a very nice fellow & has no suspicions as to your intentions. I think Mr. Wood cannot have explained to you that his lease is a full repairing one. Consequently if it was assigned to you you would be liable to hand the two mills over at the end of Mr. Wood's lease in thorough working repair & the whole little property done up. Mr. Blencowe says you would be foolish to accept this without good legal advice and apart from any risk & exposure to you. It would be no advantage to the estate for the lease to be transferred. Mills are becoming useless properties but these are in working order & if Tariff reform came in? milling, might boom again. Mr. Blencowe does not anticipate this however and thinks that when Mr, Wood's lease is up & the things repaired by him they would be willing to let again to you at the present rent. In the mean time he strongly advises you (& I cannot help agreeing with him) to take the one mill from Mr. Wood & to see how you like the place during the next 15 months, when you would be in a better position to know your mind & come to terms for the whole property. Anything now I can do command me. Yours affectionately A. K. Anson

FROM : William Wood TO : Minna Anson DATE : 28th July 1910 HASSOCKS SUSSEX Madam I will see at once what can be done in the matter of getting possession of the Cottage by Sept 1st. Your offer to allow the tenant one months rent may help the process. If as you suggest you take over this Mill and Cottages - you had better take the other Mill too & collect the rent of that. Then there need be no adjustment of rates - they would still be demanded of me - I could pay them & collect from you. After you take the Mill for rest of my term at the rent I pay instead of the rent I now get - you must of course agree to do any outside repairs for which I am - and you may become liable. As I make no profit at all on the rental this is only reasonable. Yours sincerely William Wood

FROM : William Wood TO : Minna Anson DATE : 12th August 1910 HASSOCKS SUSSEX Madam I cannot give you the Shepherds name - - he pays his rent to his Master who pays me --- I have written twice to the Farmer & saw him Monday - - he could not then say certainly that he could give possession by the 1st September as it was up to then impossible to find another house but I am writing him again saying that some arrangement must if possible be made - - I can do no more. I am at present getting £10 for the Upper Mill and 3/- a week = £15-2-0 for the Cottages & I think you should pay me at the least £28 for the lot - as you could if of any service use the out buildings between the Cottages & the Upper Mill - which at present are not let though there is some loose machinery in part of these premises. I meanwhile during rest of my term would pay all rates and taxes - & do necessary repairs to outside. Yours sincerely William Wood Note down left side of letter:- You will someday hand me the months rent for Mr. Martin due Michaelmas.

Note across top of letter:- Proposing £19- for Large Mill out houses & Shepherds cottage Large Mill £10- Shepherds Cottage 7-11-0 -------- 17-11-0 Rest for out houses & he will do repair

FROM : J I Blencowe TO : Minna Anson DATE : 13th August 1910 Exford Somerset Note at top left of letter:- Ask him to return Woods letter - will he tell the later price of acre of ground (?) (?) Dear Madam I am sorry there should have been a delay in replying to your letters but I have left Sussex for a holiday. I should certainly advise you to take only the one Mill & one Cottage from Mr. Wood, either till the end of his lease or for a year, & see how it suits you. The rent you propose to offer would, I should say, be fair. Probably an arrangement could be made with the tenant of the land adjoining so that you could cultivate an acre or so. I should advise you to ask Mr. Wood to do what is necessary to the damp place you speak of. Yours faithfully J. I. Blencowe

FROM : R Gwynne ? TO : Minna Anson DATE : 22nd August 1910 National Provincial Bank of England Limited Builth Wells Dear Madam Referring to your letter of the 20th inst. We shall be very pleased to grant you the £50 required. We will charge you at the rate of 4 ½% at present, but should the Bank Rate rise we should have to charge you accordingly. The Guarantee of Mrs. Venables Llewelyn will be quite sufficient security for us. Please let me know if Mrs. Llewelyn will call to sign the Guarantee, or shall we send someone up to Llysdinam. I note your remarks re the title of the account. Yours faithfully R. Gwynne(---- ? ----) Pro Manager Mrs Anson Penmyarth Crickhowell Penmyarth Clayton Mill Account!!

FROM : J I Blencowe TO : Minna Anson DATE : 23rd August 1910 Exford Somerset Dear Madam In reply to your letter of 20th Mr. Holman is the tenant of the land adjoining the Mills on the north side & the land to the south belongs to the Crown & the tenant is Mr. Paul of Pangdean. I think you should wait until you are in the residence at the Mill before you decide what land would be most suitable for the cultivation of lavender. I shall be home about the middle of Sept. & if I can assist you in any way shall be glad to do so. Yours faithfully J. I. Blencowe

FROM : William Wood TO : Minna Anson DATE : 24th August 1910 HASSOCKS SUSSEX Madam The Shepherd has got another Cottage - so possession can now be had on September 1st he has in fact already left. You will please pay me the months rent of Mill. Mr. Martin will pay me one month short. The address you ask for is Mr. Holman Clayton Court Farm Hassocks I will see what can be done about the damp spot. I remain Madam Your obedient servant William Wood

FROM : National Provincial Bank of England Limited TO : Minna Anson DATE : 1st September 1910 National Provincial Bank of England Limited Builth Wells Dear Madam Referring to your letter of the 31st inst. you can draw the cheque for £50 directly the Guarantee is signed by Mrs. Venables Llewelyn. I note you require the cheque for £5 to be placed on suposit is this cheque drawn on your private account? Please write "Clayton Mill account" underneath your signature to all cheques drawn on that account. You state the £50 from Clayton Mill a/c is to go on suposit in addition to the £5 sent today, is this correct? If so you will have to draw a cheque for £50 and send it to me. I presume the Clayton account is to be ordinary current account with a limit of £50 overdraft. Cheque book enclosed as requested. Yours faithfully R. (?) pro manager Mrs Anson Scotscraig Tayport

FROM : Leslie Pym TO : Minna Anson DATE : 5th September 1910 ALNWICK CASTLE ESTATES OFFICE Dear Mrs Anson The address you were asking about is G. L. Bush Esq Estate Office Laverstock Park Whitchurch Hants. Long enough isn't it? We have just got some hurdles from him 8/- a doz. Carriage not paid. Size 6ft.x3ft. I expect this is the sort of thing you want. I hope it may be of some use. We had an awfully jolly dance on Friday, great fun. Betsy(?) told me you gave her your address for me - but she has lost it - so I hope you will get this - sometime. Yours sincerely Leslie Pym

FROM : William Wood TO : Minna Anson DATE : 10th September 1910 HASSOCKS SUSSEX Madam So far as we can we have stopped the leak - I speak guardedly - because it was not possible to make certain that we had found the only place of entry - the walls of the Mill are solid - not hollow - and in this case rain will drive through - at any rate I can do no more - if in future we have trouble and find another weak spot we must try again - but at the rental I make I cannot spend much money - it would be cheaper for me to let the Mills stand empty & this I should do. The Mills are situate about 7 miles south from Haywards Heath a good road & down hill nearly all the way - till you come to Clayton Hill - they are only about 2 miles from Hassocks station. Yours obediently William Wood

FROM : George. L. Bush TO : Minna Anson DATE : 23rd September 1910 Estate Office, Laverstoke Park, Dear Madam, In reply to your postcard we shall not be making hurdles until November and I should not be able to supply you until the end of the month when the price would be 10/- per dozen (?) rail here including stakes. I am Yours faithfully George. L. Bush. Mrs. Anson 4 Smith Square Westminster S.W.

FROM : Robert Hammond TO : Minna Anson DATE : 23rd September 1910 Lodge Farm Keymer To Mrs. Anson In reply to your letter respecting the price of Hurdle & stakes I beg to say they would cost - 12/6 per doz deliver to Clayton - Mills - But I cannot get any before December as they do not begin making of them before November. Old Hurdles would not be any use on the Hill and the stake must be cut longer than the ordinary stake we use. The gate would have to be made to order. If you decide to have them I shall be pleased to get them for you. Yours Truly Robert Hammond

FROM : Army and Navy AUXILIARY Co-operative Supply, Limited, TO : Minna Anson DATE : 24th September 1910 B2652 Please refer to G No./20034 in your reply Madam With reference to your enquiry, regarding Wattle Hurdles and Stakes, I beg to inform you that the makers have been communicated with and the Company is able to supply these Hurdles, together with stake, at 15s/6d per dozen, in lots of 100 delivered to Hassocks Station. Awaiting your instructions, I am Madam Your obedient Servant, W. Workman Secretary Mrs. Anson 4 Smith Square Westminster.

FROM : W R Campion TO : Charles DATE : 25th September 1910 Rowlands, Roffey, Horsham. Dear Charles I am seldom at Danny now, but will certainly pay my respects to the Ansons when I am there. Meanwhile I have sent your letter on to my people & have no doubt they will be delighted at finding such pleasant neighbours. They must join the Pyecombe Golf Club which is quite close & really good. Yes, Nov 15th. Yours ever W. R. Campion

FROM : William Wood TO : Minna Anson DATE : 30th September 1910 HASSOCKS, SUSSEX Madam In reply to your note of yesterday as I understand you have obtained Mr. Blencowes consent - I have no objection whatever to your proposal. Mr. Blencowe insures the property - & the fact that a stove was placed in the Mill would probably invalidate his policy unless he gives notice of the insertion but he ought to be aware of this & if he does not mind it does not affect me at all. I am none the less obliged to you for kindly consulting me. With reference to the proposed fence of hurdles if it is of any convenience to you I would supply and place them in position probably at less expense to you than you could otherwise get the work done - but I have no desire to do this work if you are making other arrangements. In case you wish me to do this work - you would kindly mark position of the fence. I remain Madam Yours obediently William Wood Added on left side of letter: I think, if you made an offer to Mr. Blencowe for longer tenancy - he would be prepared to come to terms - & I would immediately surrender my Lease so that you hold direct from him.

FROM : J I Blencowe TO : Minna Anson DATE : 3rd October 1910 DANNY ESTATE St. SWITHUNS, LEWES. Dear Mrs. Anson I am obliged for your letter of 30th inst. and I return Mr. Woods letters which you forwarded to me. I have given notice to the Insurance Co that a stove will be put in the large Mill so that, so far as I am concerned, you are at liberty to do this whenever it suits you. Yours faithfully J. I. Blencowe Mrs. Anson 4 Smith Square Westminster

Jack Windmill Interior - complete with the stove Photo : courtesy of Emmy Eustace

FROM : J I Blencowe TO : Minna Anson DATE : 13th October 1910 DANNY ESTATE St. SWITHUNS, LEWES. Dear Mrs. Anson I am sure Mr. Campion will have no objection to the old mill stones being used as you suggest. With regard to a lease of the Mills to you after the expiration of the present term I can only repeat that so far as one can foretell it is most probable that Mr. Campion may be glad to let you the property and he would naturally take into consideration the fact that you were already in occupation & had spent money on the place. I cannot say more or make any definite promise. Yours faithfully J. I. Blencowe Mrs. Anson 4 Smith Square Westminster

FROM : William Wood TO : Minna Anson DATE : 13th October 1910 HASSOCKS, Sussex, Madam I have no objection to you using the stones - they are certainly worth something but I do not suppose I could sell them. Yours (?) W. Wood

FROM : William Wood TO : Minna Anson DATE : 19th October 1910 HASSOCKS SUSSEX Madam I write again because Wooler has sent me down the rent of his Cottage up to Sept 19th which reminds me that after the 29th he is to pay it to you and I am writing to tell him so. Then - you having paid me for a months rent of the Mill from Sept 1st to Sept 29th your rent will begin to run as from September 29th as follows. Two Cottages at 3/- a week each - 52 weeks @ 6/- 15. 12. 0 The Upper Mill 10. 0. 0 The outhouses 1. 0. 0 per annum £26. 12. 0 I continuing to pay all rates & taxes. I think then you owe me really a months rent for the Shepherds Cottage - but I am not quite clear when he turned out. I shall be glad if you will kindly confirm (or correct) the above - and in your letter state that you agree to take these premises for remainder of my term - that is to Ladyday 1912. I am Madam Your Servant W. Wood

FROM : William Wood TO : Minna Anson DATE : 26th October 1910 HASSOCKS SUSSEX Clayton Mills Madam I have yours of yesterday & now confirm same. I let to you the Upper Mill - Cottages and outhouses for the sum of £26. 12. 0 per annum payable quarterly from Michaelmas 1910 to Lady Day 1912, being remainder of my term - I pay all rates & Taxes. I remain Madam Yours obediently William Wood Added on left side of letter: I have instructed Wooler to pay his rent to you & I hope you will not disturb him re his tenancy if you can help it.

FROM : National Provincial Bank of England Limited TO : Minna Anson DATE : 17th January 1911 National Provincial Bank of England Limited Builth Wells Dear Madam I am in receipt of yours of the 16th inst. intimating that you have issued a cheque for £149 this will overdraw your Clayton Mills account £175. The Guarantee signed by Mrs. Venables is only for £50. Kindly let me know when I may expect to receive the Cheque mentioned in reduction & the amount to oblige. Yours faithfully W. Snead Williams Manager Mrs. Anson Carfax Windsor

FROM : National Provincial Bank of England Limited TO : Minna Anson DATE : 18th March 1911 National Provincial Bank of England Limited Builth Wells Mrs. Anson 4 Smith Square Westminster S.W. added to letter: sent £3. 0. 0 from own account March 27th.to pay bank as (?) should pay me Dear Madam We have today paid a cheque for £20. 14. 6 on your Clayton Mills account making it overdrawn £169. 14. 10. Please note this, and that the Guarantee is for £50 only. Yours faithfully W. Snead Williams added to letter: 169. 14. 10 ---------- 20 2. 5. 9 ---------- 22. 5. 9 157. 6 1 Send £20. from Personal account - & say re guarantee being ? overdrawn

FROM : J I Blencowe TO : Minna Anson DATE : 5th August 1911 DANNY ESTATE ESTATE OFFICE, LEWES. Dear Mrs. Anson The Lady who now hires the smaller Mill is anxious to know whether she will be able to continue her tenancy after Lady day 1912. Will you therefore kindly tell me whether it is your wish to hire both Mills from that date or whether you are content with the present arrangements. You will kindly treat this communication as strictly private. Yours faithfully J. I. Blencowe Mrs. Anson Clayton Mill Hassocks.

FROM : J I Blencowe TO : Minna Anson DATE : 9th August 1911 DANNY ESTATE ESTATE OFFICE, LEWES. Dear Mrs. Anson Thank you for your letter - I have, in consequence, declined to offer the present occupier of the small Mill a lease in tenancy from Lady day 1912 - I do not know on what terms she holds at present from Mr. Wood - I will let you know when I have Mr. Campions instructions, on what terms I can offer you the whole of the premises from Lady day 1912. I hope to call on you again when I return from my holiday - at the end of September. Yours --?- J. I. Blencowe Mrs. Anson Clayton Mills Hassocks.