Letter – Edward Blackett to Christopher Blackett – 4 Jan 1715

      Newby Jan 4 1714

Dear Kitty

      Upon receipt of this letter write a line by Post & give my most humble Service to my Brother Bridges <that> he’l order his gardener to goe to London, & assist you in the hireing of an Experienct Kitchen Gerdener, from the neat houses or from some such place–, for raiseing of mellons & Cowcumbeers & all other Early plants be times, for such a gardener I want Extreamly, I hired my self formerly one from the neat houses, & gave him Eight pounds a year, he proved a very honest fellow & he married one of our maides which was the reason I parted with him, I know those men Understands nothing of Pruning of trees Cliping of Greens into Shape, & mannaging of a flower Garden, I have one that understands those things very well, so let me know by the very first post what you can hire, such a man for, I would not stick for a small matter, Provide he be a sober man, with my Service to all your Relatives & Blessing to yr Self & family I am 

      Your most affectionate Father

      

fail not to dispatch this Business as soon a possibly you can he may Either come down by ye Carrier or by Sea