Letters of John Peniston, Salisbury Architect
30 April 1828. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House
Arranges a meeting.
1 July 1828. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House, Blandford
Apologizes for delay in sending the enclosed sketch of alterations to her chapel. If the present chapel is to be retained there will be a screen to separate the congregation in the new Part, but this will not impede the straight forward view of the ladies towards the altar. Will send plan for a new chapel, so that it will be possible to calculate alternative costs.
(Addressee “reverend Mother” struck through, then “Madam” struck through and corrected to “Mrs Berrington”. Letter sent to the care of Mr House. Letter begins, “Reverend Madam”.)
12 July 1828. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House
Arranges to visit.
Aug.1828. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House, Blandford
Apologizes for delay in replying but is often from home. Recommends that the good Sister Procuratrix should not emulate the clown at the fair, who by displaying the contents of a purse, excites the cupidity of bystanders, and often leads, though somewhat surreptitiously, to a transfer of property. Recommends doing no more than securing building material. mainly bricks, for work in the ensuing spring. Has not wholly given up hope, if funds allow, to transfer the school room to the chapel, leaving more room in the dwelling house. Asks if this looks like aiming at the purse of the Procuratrix.
26 Oct. 1828. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury
Replies to query about bricks. Mr Knight should be the judge of their quality. Has not decided for either of the plans. Will call if in the area or could come on purpose if asked.
9 Nov. 1828. Mrs Barrow, Spetisbury
Agrees to examine the bills. Sends respects to the Reverend Mother. (Mrs Berrington)
10 Feb. 1829. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House
Warns that as the building season approaches the costs ought to be looked at more closely. If she will send back the drawing of the new chapel with Mr O’Connor working drawings will be prepared. Sends good wishes to the ladies of the community.
24 Feb. 1829. Rev Mr Dullard, Cannington House, near Bridgewater
Apologizes for delay. Sends proposed plan for Spetisbury and hopes its expedition may tend to forward his wishes at Cannington.
26 Feb. 1829. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House, Blandford
Arranges to delay a visit when he will bring a carpenter.
13 March 1829. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House, Blandford
Discusses orders for various lots of timbers.
26 June 1829. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House, near Blandford
Asks her to make enquiries of Wells about an order for laths.
(Written by J M Peniston, on father’s behalf.)
(undated). Mr Wells, carpenter, Spetisbury House, near Blandford
Disappointed in connection with the work. Discusses problem about the supply of laths.
13 Nov. 1829. Mrs Berrington
Will be visiting Spetisbury when the plasterers are there, which he hopes wll be the following week.
19 Nov 1829. Messrs Grieve, Grellier
Orders 20 casks of coarse and two of fine plaster via Poole to Spetisbury, Blandford.
(No copy of this letter but a summary of its contents.)
(undated). Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House
Acknowledges wishes about trees to be felled in the garden. Suggests those to be felled forst, in order to judge eggect. The plasterers may proceed with lathing the ribs in the ceiling.
28 Nov. 1829. Mr Porter, plasterer, Spetisbury House, near Blandford
Approves mode of finishing the ribs adjoining the sanctuary.
(Written by J M Peniston, on father’s behalf.)
(undated). Mrs Berrington
Prefers to write instructions rather than visit because of recent indisposition. Does not wish to renew it by exposure to the Dorsetshire hills. Wells’ difficulties are often more imaginary than real. Porter thoroughly understands his business.
(undated). Mr Porter
Cannot agree the ladies’ wishes to substitute corbels for columns. Has returned from London with the gout and cannot visit. The altar with its dressing and the painting should fill a large part of the end wall. Asks for sketch of the Reverend Mother’s and Rev. Mr Lee’s wishes.
(undated). Mr Bellamy, Hartfoot Lane
Cannot allow a list of work done for the London painters unless it is in addition to that already measured. Reminds Bellamy of his promise respecting the elm timber at Spetisbury.
22 March 1830. E Doughty Esq, Upton House, Poole
Arranges to visit Spetisbury, at the request of the Reverend Mother, and Upton House to discuss proposed alterations. His son will be driving their chaise.
25 May 1830. Messrs Grieve, Grellier and Morgan, roman cement manufacturers, Belvedere Road, Waterloo Bridge, London
Orders three casks of coarse plaster to be sent via Poole for Spetisbury House, near Blandford. Recommends them to deal with a plasterer named Porter who is starting business in Salisbury, but will not be responsible for any credit given to him. Enquires whether Mr Millet of Hindon has called at the manufactory to settle the account for the fireplaces.
3 June 1830. Mr Porter, plasterer, Spetisbury House, near Blandford, Dorset
Request for mastic, and instruction in its preparation with sand and roman cement.
(Written by J M Peniston, on father’s behalf.)
17 June 1830. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House
Forwards drawings, estimate and letter received from Captain Day relevant to Mr Stephenson’s proposed work on windows.
28 June 1830. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House
Has seen Captain Day at Bath and discussed altar windows. A lady has offered one as a present if it cost no more than £12. Has sent a strong message to Wells about completing the work on time.
13 Aug. 1830. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House, near Blandford
Apologizing for his father’s absence, J M Peniston can see no reason why the workmen cannot comply with her wishes of repairing the altar at Spetisbury. He will visit next week if his father does not return.
(Written by J M Peniston, on father’s behalf.)
14 Sept. 1830. Mr Wells, carpenter, Spetisbury House
The dimensions taken the other day were insufficient to complete the new plan, and asks for specific measurements.
(Signed by J M Peniston. “A copy of this letter was sent to Mr Wells on the 16th of Sept. his plans not being correct.”)
18 Sept. 1830. Mr Wells, carpenter, Spetisbury House, near Blandford
The drawing he has sent is of no use. Reiterated the measurements required, with a sketch.
(Signed by J M Peniston.)
22 Sept. 1830. Mrs Berrington, Spetisbury House, Blandford
Peniston has left for London. Before the plan can be completed needs from Wells details of a doorway. Wells has been sent three letters but does not appear to understand what is required.
(Signed by J M Peniston; sketch included.)
1 Oct. 1830. Mrs M C Knight, Court House, Cannington
Acknowledges with considerable pain her letter. Discusses unauthorized expenses incurred on the work at Cannington, for which Haggar is much to blame. Disagrees with Mr Padden’s prices for plasterwork, and if Padden is to undertake the work Peniston wishes to decline having any more to do with the business, considering him incompetent. Cannot visit Cannington until late October. Meanwhile work can continue if she wishes, but she has the power to stop it at any time and discharge the workmen. Expresses regret if he is not to have the power to serve her, and wishes his successors better fortune. Regrets it the more as he has had the gratification of seeing Spetisbury Chapel completed.
4 Dec. 1830. Mr Haggar, Court House, Cannington
Sends a drawing for seats, the same as in Spetisbury chapel, Apologizes for delay.