Percy Trollope, in the 1980s, was in possession of a handwritten penned manuscript featuring the following note:
5 Oct 1877. “To Mr. & Mrs. Bull of Bishopstrow Farm. We the poor of Bishopstrow, to whom you gave permission to glean in your fields, beg your acceptance of the accompanying Pencil Case and Brooch as a small token of our appreciation of your kindness, & we trust you may be spared to live amongst us during many Harvest times to confer upon us similar benefits.â€
It is not known how Percy Trollope acquired the manuscript but Percy later gave it to Danny Howell.
The details stated in the manuscript were published, with the heading ‘Bishopstrow Presentation’ in the Wiltshire County Mirror, issue dated Tuesday 16th October 1877. The introduction to the words above, read: “Mr. and Mrs. Bull, of Bishopstrow Farm, having granted the poor of the neighbourhood permission to glean in the fields during the past harvest, have been presented, the former with a silver pencil case, and his wife with a silver brooch, in acknowledgement of their kindness. The gifts were accompanied by the following address of thanks:-