HARDY, Thomas. Als re Athelhampton Church to Mr A C de Lafontaine at Athelhampton.

Hardy apologises for failing to remember the name of the builder of Athelhampton Church in 1861/2. He declares that it is not Mr. Wellspring “who has just died. He did not succeed to his father’s business till after the date. Whether the builder was his father, or Hammett of Tolpuddle, I am not sure, but I think it was one of them”. He remarks that he should remember, “for though you are wrong in supposing that I designed the church, I made many of the drawings for it under Hicks (with whom I was a pupil) & I helped him to mark out the church & the churchyard….at any rate I was there. 

I remember the stonemason…Hounsell of Broadway…I incline to the belief it was Hammett; but if I can tell you later on I will do so”.

Housed in a later portfolio.

Provenance: Property from the library of a Dorset Gentleman.