The opening of the North Wilts Canal in 1819, provided an alternative route to Abingdon for narrowboats, avoiding the difficult upper reaches of the Thames.
A number of traders occupied parts of the wharf, which served not only the adjacent canal-side communities of Dudbridge and Cainscross, but also a wide surrounding area that included parts of North Wiltshire. Prior to the construction of the Midland Railway’s branch line to the town of Nailsworth, 4 miles south of Stroud, the wharf was used to discharge cargoes consigned to the town.
Letter to be sent to shareholders inviting investment in proposed North Wilts Canal.
Coals passing from Thames and Severn along the North Wilts Canal and entering the Wilts and Berks canal and not returning into the North Wilts Canal to have such drawback as will reduce the tonnage to be taken by the Thames and Severn Company to 2s 6d per ton.
Printed letter advertising that the promoters of the North Wilts Canal had opened a subscription and appointed a Committee.
Printed letter advertising that the promoters of the North Wilts Canal had opened a subscription and appointed a Committee, and encouraging T&S Canal supporters to add their names.
Agreed Petition to Parliament in support of North Wilts Canal (wording given).
William Jessop to be paid for his work on the North Wilts Canal.
Agreed to recommend supporting the proposed North Wilts Canal financially.
Meeting at Globe Tavern Fleet Street London As the Thames and Severn company judge that the North Wilts Canal will be advantageous to the trade along the Thames and Severn Canal, a sum of money not exceeding five thousand pounds be subscribed for the same from the common funds of this company.
Seal to be fixed to bill for North Wilts Canal to show formal approval.
Petition to be prepared in favour of North Wilts Canal.
£250 to be paid towards legal expenses for the North Wilts Canal.
Act for amending Act 23rd year of His Majesty for making and maintaining the T&S Canal [T&S Canal Act 1813] and the North Wilts Act [1813] have both been passed.
Meeting at Lombard Street London The company to forward £5000 towards the making and maintaining the canal intended to be made from Swindon to join the Thames and Severn Canal at or near Latton (to be called The North Wilts Canal).
Sealed certificate promising financial support to North Wilts Canal.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London Election of committee W. Disney appointed as proxy of the company in respect of their shares in the North Wilts Canal company and to attend the meetings of that company where necessary.
Accompanying resolution of T&S Canal Co to admit passing of small boats on payment in the same manner as they will do when the North Wilts Canal is completed.
Meeting at 80 Lombard Street London Common seal to be affixed to the following ‘Know all men by these presents that we the Company of Proprietors of the Thames and Severn Canal Navigation proprietors of two hundred shares in the North Wilts Navigation do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint John Disney of Lincolns Inn in the county of Middlesex to be our proxy and in our name to vote and to give our assent or dissent to any business matter or thing relating to the North Wilts Navigation or undertaking which shall be mentioned and proposed at any meeting …….
Treasurer to dispose of £600 India bonds to pay the further call of three pounds per share in the North Wilts canal.
Treasurer to sell India Bonds to pay for call on North Wilts shares.
To make necessary preparations during full water obliged to know if North Wilts Canal to proceed until it unites with T&S new Basin & whether intended to put in Aqueduct to convey Churn River under the Canal during ensuing summer.
Net proceeds £986.16s.8d Dividend 17s per share £600 being the last call on the sum of £5000 subscribed by this company towards the North Wilts Canal.
New Company barge to be built suitable for the North Wilts Canal.
Completion of North Wilts Canal likely to materially improve tonnage on T&S Canal.
Consideration of applying for part of exchequer Bills to finish the North Wilts Canal & possibly T&S.
Returned from London, hope Chancellor of Exchequer’s propositions for completion of North Wilts Canal acceptable.
I do not think there can be a doubt about finding one third of the money required to finish North Wilts Canal provided Government will advance the remainder.
Hope loan will be available to complete North Wilts Canal.
Construction of North Wilts Canal progressing well.
Meeting at 20 Lombard Street London Mr Disney reported on meetings with the North Wilts Canal Company.
Application has been made from the North Wilts Canal respecting lowering tonnage on coal going to certain places.
Application of the Wilts & Berks and the North Wilts Canal Companies for the drawback on coals passing below Radcot Bridge that was granted in 1814 be rescinded from 1 June.
Application by Wiltshire & Berkshire and North Wiltshire Canal Cos for an allowance of the drawback is rejected.
All stone produced at the summit level taken for repairing the Wilts and Berks and the North Wilts branch to pay tonnage rate of one penny per ton per mile .
Notice received from Mr Dunsford that North Wilts Branch & line between Latton & Abingdon to be stopped for repairs.
We will charge 1/2d per ton per mile on salt brought to Purton on the North Wilts Canal if Thames & Severn Canal Co do the same.
No notice of stoppage on North Wilts & Berks canal has reached us.
Information on ownership of North Wilts Canal and Wilts & Berks and regarding inspection of T&S Canal next week and ordering of boat for the purpose.
Stroudwater Navigation Co withdraw opposition to closure of main section of Wilts & Berks Canal, providing North Wilts Branch maintained in good repair
Statutory obligation to put and maintain North Wilts branch in good condition.
