Thu 23 Jan 1777
Timber at Cam unsuitable for use.
Two horses and cart purchased. Charles Wheeler to be the company carter at 10s per week.
William Esthop appointed master of our vessel ‘Stroud’, to be paid 4 quineas for each voyage to Hanham (Bristol Avon) and Abbey Quarries (Wye). Bricks to be brought from Frampton at 3s 6d per 1000. All freight down to be place at credit to company.
Agreed prices with John Couch and John Hern for building locks and a bridge, the bridge at Bristol Road to be finished within one month.
At a Meeting of the Committee held by Adjournment at the George Inn in Stroud on Thursday the 23^d Day of January 1777
Present: James Winchcombe, Freame Arundell, Robert Ellis, Joseph Wathen, Durley Wintle, John Hollings, Thomas White, Benjamin Grazebrook, Thomas Baylis.
Read the Minutes of the Last Meeting.
M^r Pashley have examined the Timber at Cam and find it improper for our use.
Griffith Coopers proposals for burning Lime posponed.
As M^r Grazebrook had not Succeeded in procuring a Stable for our Team, M^r Lingard is desired to apply to M^r Martin for his Stable, or any other Person and make a report. ~~~ The two Horses and Cart now purchased to be imediately employed.
M^r Hollings is desired to Purchase M^r Webbs Mare.
Application to be made by M^r Grazebrook to the several Wheelwrights near this place for Estimates of the prices of Six Inch Wheel Carts and Waggons ~~ the Carts of the size of Mess^rs Winchcombe & Clutterbucks and Waggons of M^r Freeburys.
M^r Grazebrook is requested to waite on the Rev^d M^r Stephens explaining the State of the Lands that Farmer Coaly generally goes over the common Meadow by Chippenham Splat, and if an injury in going round to Milking, will allow him Ten Guineas to deliver up the Land to Davis.
Agreed with Charles Wheeler to be our Carter at the Weekly Sum of Ten Shillings, to enter on his Service on Monday 27^th Instant.
Agreed with William Esthop to be Master of our Vessell named the Stroud, at four Guineas per Voyage to Hanham and Abbey Quarries and to bring what Bricks are wanted from Frampton to be delivered at the Works at three Shilling and Six pence per Thousand all Freight to be placed to the Credit of the Company.
Ordered that a Bill be drawn on the Treasurer for the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds.
Agreed with Mess^rs John Couch and John Hern for the Building the Locks, the strait Walls at 1^s/10^d per perch, the Coping, Trunking and Quoins at 6^d per Foot Supperficial, hollow Quoins included ~~ and the Stones at 18^d per perch ~~ The Trunking and Quoin Stone at 4^d per foot Cubical measure, the Stones to be Scabbled at the Quarry.
The Bridges to be erected at the prices of the Locks, and in the Parrapet Walls Parpin Stones every four feet in every Course. ~~~ At the payment of every Sum, Twenty Pounds of Work to be left as a Security.
Mess^rs Couch and Hern agrees to give a Security of One Thousand pounds for the performance of the Work. ~~~ No delay to be made in Delivering the Stones by the Company. ~~~ The Bridge to be finished in One Month after the Foundations is prepared to begin it.
Adjourned this Meeting to Thursday the 6^th Day of February next at four of the Clock in the afternoon at the George Inn in Stroud.
