1814-1866
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/9/2
Letters written by various Company Clerks between 1814 and 1866
Mr Walker. Please advertise in two next journals: General half yearly meeting on 27 April
Mr Kemp. Please advertise in two next journals: General half yearly meeting on 27 April
Re letter put before committee requesting stone sent by Charles Harrison to be free of dues. Committee have asked who Harrison made the contract with, where it will be delivered, how much, and whether it is for repair or new work.
Stone has been purchased from Harrison by Mr Danks, architect, for Mr Baker of Gloucester who is building new wall for G&B Canal. 130 tons has passed on Stroudwater, and I am applying for return of canal dues.
Your proposition regarding drawing off of water in the Bristol Road level has been agreed, on condition that Gloucester and Berkeley Canal Co restore the banks, well puddled, and remove the coffer dam.
Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co undertaking to do works as requested.
The addressee of your letter, William Jenkins, died three months ago. Messrs Colston, Georges and Phipps were appointed executors. Please advise what authority you will require to pay the dividend on their behalf.
Before dividend can be paid to the executors of William Jenkins, a probate of will must be laid before the committee. I will advise of date of next meeting
Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co request permission to fit stop boards for use at Whitminster Lock to remove need to create dam in the lock as at present
Permission granted to fit stop planks at Whitminster Lock, without prejudice to Stroudwater Navigation Co rights
Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co accept permission granted and the terms of your letter
Please enter my name in the company's books following my marriage to Miss Mary Cambridge
Your letter will be laid before the committee on 9 August
Regarding shares belonging to Miss Cambridge, please send extract of register of marriage. The transfer of share to Miss Cambridge was not signed and sealed as required by Act of Parliament. Please contact Messrs P H and S Fisher (solicitors) if you have questions.
Please advertise in two next journals: General half yearly meeting on 26 October
Please advertise in two next journals: General half yearly meeting on 27 April
Miss Mary Cambridge is now wife of William Phillip Cracknell, and her shares are now his property; he has given no orders for payment of dividends to you. Treasurers have been directed not to pay until further orders.
The dividends on six shares of Mr Jones (lately deceased) has not been paid to me as before. Will an order from Mr Thomas Jones be sufficient, or do you need to see the will.
Mr Thomas Roberts is now the only trustee of the late William Battersby of Bristol. So an order from Mr T Roberts is needed to pay dividends on the six shares to Mrs Frances Ann Shawe. The late Thomas Jones had three shares, and the committee will need to see probate of the will to have the shares claimed.
Mr Roberts has been dead for twelve months. Do you require certification of Mr Roberts' death before Mr Jones' executor can make an order for payment of dividends to Mrs Shawe? Please reply to William Slades, Walcot Place, Lambeth
A certificate of the decease of Mr Roberts should be sent at the same time as the probate of Mr Jones' will is sent
Mr Joseph Small has applied to you for castings for an iron crane for the company's wharf at Dudbridge. The company want Mr Small to erect the crane without a moment's loss of time
Statement of castings ordered from you by Joseph Small, with request for cost and weight of items.
Joseph Small contracted with the Canal Co to put up the crane.
Cost of the crane fitted complete is £140 as previously quoted to Joseph Small who we understand will fix the crane
Does your price of £140 include erection of the crane? We want the maker to erect the crane.
Our estimate of £140 did not include erecting the crane. We will do so for a further £15 if you prepare the ground.
Formal order for the supply and erection of a crane on the terms quoted by you on 19 May
I have had no reply to my letter of 30 Aug. Please inform me how soon you can supply the crane.
I enclose a letter conveying the dissent of the Company to the Bristol & Gloucestershire Extension Railway. Please send us a copy of the Bill and an explanation of how the Stroudwater Navigation will be affected.
Please insert our name as dissenting in respect of the Bristol & Gloucestershire Extension Railway undertaking
When lifting a 6 ton stone the crane gave way and collapsed. Send someone to look into this immediately.
Our man will be with you on Monday to see what repairs are needed to the crane.
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at the George Inn on 24 April, for insertion in Journal
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at the George Inn on 24 April, for insertion in Chronicle
Cost of repairing crane was £22 which we trust you will repay us. The accident was caused by the breaking of wrought iron pins and was beyond our control.
We do not consider ourselves obliged to reimburse you. You should seek remuneration from your wrought iron supplier.
We are surprised by your refusal to repay us. The crane was supplied as ordered, and approved. We had no obligation to repair it.
The materials which failed were unfit for their purpose. But as you used a cast iron column in repairs we will offer you £11.
We will inspect the aqueduct near Lockham Bridge and repair if necessary. The problems you refer to may be caused by obstructions in River Frome above the aqueduct, and silt deposits by the slowing of flow of the stream below it
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at the George Inn on 24 Oct, for insertion in Chronicle
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at the George Inn on 24 Oct, for insertion in Journal
Mr Bengough threatens to prosecute the Company if water above and below the aqueduct near Lockham Bridge is not kept level. Arrange with Mr Cambridge to clear bar of sand, silt and mud from the Frome below aqueduct to speed water flow.
Floods have prevented Mr Cambridge from removing 2 trees laying across R. Frome between Whitminster and Lockham Bridge. There is no bar of silt, only bank of sand and gravel at tail of aqueduct which belongs to Stroudwater Co.
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at the George Inn on 22 April, for insertion in Chronicle.
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at the George Inn on 22 April, for insertion in Journal
Notice of special general meeting of Proprietors at Wallbridge on 13 July, for insertion in Chronicle
Notice of special general meeting of Proprietors at Wallbridge on 13 July, for insertion in Journal
Complaint that your servant Hooper is raising the paddles at the feeder near Ebley Mills for long periods to draw water from our reservoir to the canal, depriving the mills of water. Under what authority is this he doing this? (continued ...)
Water is drawn under authority of the Act of Parliament incorporating the Company. Mutual co-operation between Company and mill owners necessary. Problem is partly caused by diversion of Stroudwater River away from Ebley Mill, reducing amount of water available from feeder.
The Act does not give you the right to draw off water in the way we complained of. This method was agreed with the permission of Ebley Mills. The Company agreed to restore the water course under the canal.
The committee will be at Ebley on the 6th and will be happy to meet you there.
We will be happy to confer with you tomorrow
T & S S Marling will further consider the feeding of the canal following their conversation with you this morning
Suggesting our foreman take charge of the feeder and allows water to canal on Saturday nights and Sundays when it currently runs to waste.
Agree to give you the key of the feeder paddles as an experiment
Notice of a General Meeting on 23 October
Complaint by Charles Baseley about heavy charges on goods stored in Dudbridge Warehouse and the covering of goods with others that are deposited for sale and not for carriage on the navigation. If this does not stop, the Committee will be inclined to take the warehouse into their own hands.
To John Holbrow, Gloucester [Treasurer?]. I tried to collect the week's money from Mr Purcell, as ordered by the Committee, but he refused saying he would take it to Mr Hawker himself.
Notice of a General Meeting on 23 April
Notice of a General Meeting on 23 April
Notice of a General Meeting on 28 October
Notice of a General Meeting on 28 October
We have recently erected gates but cannot get to them from our swing bridge without passing over your towpath. Can we have permission to do that.
Notice of a General Meeting on 22 April
What is your charge for wharfage & craneage of block stone from Dudbridge
Our charge for block stone taken from Dudbridge to London (including craneage) is £1 10s for about 25 tons.
Your letter raises complex questions about tonnages. Mr Denyer is invited to discuss them with our Committee
You letter will be laid before the next Committee meeting.
Notice of a General Meeting on 28 October
Notice of a General Meeting on 28 October
The Committee intend to appeal to part of their property under the Property Tax
Committee would like to know your response to the suggestion at the sub-committee respecting the Ebley feeder.
Notice of a General Meeting on 21 April
The canal is open; your vessels should not be detained but vessels which draw more than 4 ft may not be able to pass near Lockham Bridge. (Signed by Chairman of the Committee)
The Chairman was correct in saying that the canal was open in letter of 17th. We have no evidence that any of your vessels were detained or unable to pass on that day. Continued …
continued from previous page
Statement of tonnage rates for various cargoes to Wallbridge Wharf and Dudbridge Wharf, and charges for conveyance on T&S Canal to Cirencester and Brimscombe.
Note that circular was sent to committee to meet on May 19th
Note that special meeting of committee was called for May 27th
Note that circular was sent to committee to meet on June 16th
Note that circular was sent to committee to meet on July 21st
We agree to a drawback of 2d per Ton on coal imported from Framilode to the Junction for exportation only, provided the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal Co also reduce their tonnage to 2d.
Floods have prevented Mr Cambridge from removing 2 trees laying across R. Frome between Whitminster and Lockham Bridge. There is no bar of silt, only bank of sand and gravel at tail of aqueduct which belongs to Stroudwater Co.
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at Wallbridge on Oct 27th
Insert: Enclosing letter for James Apperly about his overdue rent
Insert; continued from 154a
Insert: Draft of 155
Your recent letters referring to Mr Croome will be considered at a future meeting when Mr Croome will be asked to attend.
Committee does not consider a drawback is due on coal exported on 14 June as it was before Mr Trotter's application. When remaining coal at the Junction is exported you must obtain a certificate from Mr Miles.
continued from 155
The committee will allow you the drawback on the coal exported on June 14
I enclose a copy of the committee minutes and hope you will supply me with the information requested.
The committee does not agree to your request for a reduction of tonnage on your timber and coal.
The committee will allow a drawback on timber from Dudbridge Wharf, when Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co will reduce tonnage.
The committee wants Mr Mason, company agent, to talk to Mr Willson about tonnage on bricks as we do not charge the tonnage he alleges.
continued from 157
Statement of wharfage charges at Wallbridge. Committee does not consider tonnage on converted timber charged at Wallbridge to be in violation of the Thames & Severn Act, but will reconsider if you can give reasons.
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at Wallbridge on April 26th for insertion in newspaper
Sam Dunn, master of your boat the Jane, defrauded the company by claiming he carried 2 tons of wheat less than was proved. We will reduce the fine of £5 to £2 if you pay that and the extra tonnage immediately.
The committee will consider your letter about the resolutions of the meetings of the gentlemen interested in canals.
Please insert the enclosed two advertisement in your paper.
Please insert the enclosed three advertisements in your paper.
Advertisement for a surveyor, salary of £80 with a house.
Advertisement for contractors to undertake repairs to the canal (continued on 162)
Notice of general meeting of proprietors to be held at Wallbridge on 17 June.
Any claim for damage that may happen to your bridge would be against the parties who may cause it, not the Company
The committee agrees to pay £1 per mile to the Fund for offering rewards for improvements on canal conveyance. We would like to receive reports of proceedings and copies of statements submitted to Board of Trade.
The swivel bridge at Stonehouse Farm is in bad repair and damaged by its use for transporting railway materials for which it was not intended and for which you have received compensation. We are not liable for the cost of repair of this damage.
Current tonnage from Severn to Stonehouse is 1s 8d per ton but will probably be reduced in November (continued on 165)
(continued from 164) The Railway co. will have a wharf at Stonehouse to land coal on for Cheltenham and Cirencester
The committee has considered your letter and the draft Bill (continued on 166)
(continued from 165) The committee will subscribe £5 towards the costs of the proposed Bill. Mr Gurney from our solicitors will call on you to discuss details.
The committee ordered the bridge to your premises to be inspected and repaired. Mr Mason promised to look into this.
We will allow the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co to deposit mud in the old channel of the Stroudwater Canal at the Junction.
Notice of general meeting of Proprietors following resignations of Robert Hughes, Paul Hawkins Fisher & Henry Wyatt
Notice of half yearly meeting of Proprietors at Wallbridge on 24th Oct.
Request of Committee to meet proprietors of Forest of Dean Railway Co to discuss tolls. Discussion of growing competition from new railways, need to consider tolls, concern for livelihood of barge owners.
Instructions on system for allowing drawback of 2p per ton on coal from Framilode passing up G&B Canal to Gloucester.
We cannot deal with your son's claim for painting boards without a report from Mr Wyatt.
Assertion that an Act gives Stroudwater Company powers to draw water from the Whitminster level. Do not prevent it again
It is impossible for barge owners to compete with the railways to carry a large quantity of timber to Birmingham unless tonnage is reduced. (continued on 173)
continued from 172. We are prepared to reduced tonnage if you will also do so, to prevent railways from taking this traffic
Mr Sherwood has instructions to ascertain whether side lock gates at the Junction are in working order.(continued on 174)
Your barge The Lovely Susan brought 60 tons of coal for Hill's Mill. The cargo was instead landed at Stonehouse Cross where the charge is 1d per ton more, which the master refused to pay. You will be liable for a large penalty. (continued on 175)
continued from 174
You have no claim on the committee for payment for your boat, which must be removed as it obstructs the canal.
Statement of charges for carrying railway material on the canal (continued on 176)
continued from 175
Statement of terms for allowing you to build a warehouse on company land at the Junction.
South Wales Railway: The Company dissents in respect of the proposed undertaking
Monmouth & Hereford Railway Bill: the Company dissents to the proposed railway
Advertisement for new tenant for the Ship Inn at Wallbridge, along with coal dealership, now occupied by Samuel Adams
If you do not remove your boat within 10 days you will incur a charge of 1s for every hour it remains.
We accept your expenditure of 5s for repairs to the Walk Bridge as payment of the annual quit rent.
The committee will adopt your petition and forward to an MP to present to the House of Commons.
Notice of general half yearly meeting of the Proprietors on 25 April, for insertion in newspapers
Invitation to coal dealers to lease a house on the wharf at Stonehouse Cross, currently a beer shop occupied by Thomas Clark
Demand for overdue rent.
Demand for overdue rent.
Please remove the barge lying in the water near the dock at Chipmans Platt
When you have removed the coal from beyond your allotted boundary at Dudbridge Wharf, do not place any more there.
Notice of general half yearly meeting of the Proprietors on 24th October, for insertion in newspapers
Notice of a general meeting of the Proprietors on 17th November due to 2 vacancies on the committee
Please enter my name as dissenting in respect of the Wilts and Gloucester Junction Railway
South Wales Railway: please report to Parliament that I dissent in respect of proposed works (viaduct and tunnel) affecting our property.
Your request for payment to Rev Thomas Peters of a charge in lieu of tithes was rejected as the company is exempted by a clause in the Act of Parliament
Statement of tonnage for grain
Mr Willson states that if Mr Partridge or others in Gloucester send 500 tons of grain, corn, salt, iron up the Thames & Severn within 6 months a drawback will be allowed, reducing the charge to 1d per ton per mile as charged by our company.
Your proposition of paying 1s per ton on grain to Lodgemore and Wallbridge was not agreed by the Committee. For grain landed on the T&S Canal, where the Stroudwater gets a reduced toll, there will be a charge on returning flour
continued from previous page
Please present the enclosed petition to the House of Commons and to the Committee on the South Wales Railway
Insert: I have no record of a half-yearly payment for your cottage Please pay full year's rent on Lady Day.
Notice of general half yearly meeting of the Proprietors on 23rd April, for insertion in newspapers
Please take steps to repair Gallows Bridge which was damaged by your vessel Caroline
insert: I have paid £11 into your account
insert: I agree to your request to leave your cottage on June 25th. Please send an estimate of the cost of any painting and whitewashing, though rent money was allowed for this not long ago. Continued on 192c
Committee members Wood & Fryer do not consider it necessary to take further steps to support our clause before the Committee on the South Wales Railway Bill.
Disagreement over table of rates charged on goods delivered at Stroud and below Brimscombe (continued on following page)
