Realising that local bricklayers might not be familiar with including such features during construction, the Stroudwater Company arranged for a model to be provided by fashionable local architect Anthony Keck, who was a member of the Committee. The navvies digging the canal were at work in the estate in November 1776, when they were told to pile up some of the spoil to form the approach embankments for the planned bridge.
Hawker 6 Shares 600 Jos Wathen Five Shares 500 Richd Aldridge 4 Shares 400 J Winchcombe five Shares 500 Thos Baylis Eight Shares 800 Jno Hollings two shares 200 Benj Grazebrook six shares 600 Friam Anrundell Three Shares 300 Peregrine Arundel Two Shares 200 Rich Hawker & Son Five Shares 500 John Butt five shears 500 Tho: White Seven Shares 700 Jno Colborne three Shares 300 Thos Heart three shares 300 Willm Capel two Shares 200 Wm Smith two Shares 200 Jas Croome three Shares 300 Wm Wathen two Shares 200 Richd Bigland two Shares 200 Natl Jones One Share 100 Francis Knight one Share 100 Thomas James one Share 100 Anna Haynes one Share 100 Durley Wintle Five Shares 500 Willm Ellis one Share 100 Jas Dallaway Two Shares 200 Willm Hopton one Share 100 Hester Poglor one Share 100 John Gardner Ten Shares 1000 Benjn Fisher one Share 100 William Tombs one Share 100 Edwd Clutterbuck two Shares 200 Edwd Clutterbuck for Daccive Clutterbuck one Share 100 Edwd Clutterbuck for Hathe Porky two Shares 200 John Allaway five Shares 500 Charles Pugh two Shares 200 Timothy Lewis one Share 100 Timothy Lewis One Share for his Son Bathurst Lewis 100 Timothy Lewis One Share for his Son George Lewis 100 Richd Gabb one Share 100 Gorge Sumner one Share 100 Rowles Scudamore one Share 100 Chas Freebury one Share 100 Richd Gabb one Share 100 Gorge Sumner one Share 100 Rowles Scudamore one Share 100 Chas Freebury one Share 100 Robt Ellis one Share 100 Henry Shephard one Share 100 John Peach one share 100 Joshua Thomas one Share 100 Wm Sevill Senr two Shares 200 Wm Sevill for John Wright Clk one Share 100 Wm Sevill Junr two Shares 200 Anthy Keck one Share 100 Sam Baylis Three Shares 300 John Cambridge two Shares 200 William Turner one Share 100 Saml Jones two Shares 200 Saml Arundell three Shares 300 James Sheppard Two Shares 200 Samuel Peach one share 100 S Bowyer one share 100 Abel Grey two Shares 200 Thos Gibson four Shares 400 Thos B Winter four Shares 400 Bick Coney for Self & J Wilson five Shares 500 Elizth Hawes (Junr): one Share 100 S Bowyer for Wm Bowyer one Share 100 Frank Hawes one Share 100 Thomas Colborne two Shares 200 John Priddey one Share 100 Saml Shey two Shares 200 John Bennett two Shares 200 Joseph Beddome two Shares 200 Joseph Beddome one share for his Daughter Rebecca Ann 100 Susanna Dallaway one share 100 Nathl Clissold one share for his Daughter Elizabeth 100 John Clissold two Shares 200 Jos.
Whereas an Act was made in the Third Year of the Reign of his late Majesty King George the Second, intituled, An Act for making navigable the River Stroudwater, in the County of Gloucester, from the River Severn, at or near Framiload, to Wallbridge, near the Town of Stroud, in the same County: And whereas by the said Act certain Persons therein named, their Heirs, or Assigns, or Nominees, were authorised and impowered, at their proper Costs and Charges, to make the said River, called Stroudwater, navigable and passable for Boats, Barges, Lighters, and other Vessels, from the River Severn, at or near Framiload aforesaid, to Wallbridge, near the Town of Stroud aforesaid, and from Time to Time to continue, maintains, and use such Navigation in such Manner as they should think fit; and, for the better effecting the Premises, Commissioners were, by the said Act, nominated to determine Differences between the Undertakes and other Persons concerned; but no Proceedings were had towards making the said Navigation: And whereas an Act was made in the Thirty-second Year of the Reign of this said late Majesty, to amend and explain the said former Act, whereby other Persons therein named, their Heirs, Assigns, or Nominees, were impowered to make and maintain the said Navigation, in Manner and by the Ways and Means therein mentioned: And whereas by the said Act it was provided, that, in case the said Undertakers should not finish their said Undertaking one or before the Twenty-ninth Day of September, One thousand seven hundred and sixty-one, or within such further Time as the Commissioners should think proper to allow for finishing the same, the Powers, Authorities, Rights, Privileges, and Advantages, by the said Act granted to and vested in them, should cease and determine; and all the Lands, Engines, and Machines which should then have been by them purchased, erected, and made, for the Use and Purpose of the said Navigation, should be forfeited to the Commissioners appointed by and in pursuance of the said former Act, who were impowered to grand and convey the same to any other Person or Persons who should be willing to complete the said Undertaking in the Manner intended by, and under the Conditions, Privileges, Restrictions, and Limitations of the said former Act, in such Manner as might have been done in case the said last-mentioned Act had not been made: And whereas the Undertakers under the said last-mentioned Act made some Progress towards effecting the said Navigation, but did not complete he same, notwithstanding they has a further Time of Six Years allowed them for that Purpose, pursuant to the Provisions of the said Act: And whereas, upon the Eighth Day of December, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, the several Persons hereinafter named entered into an Article of Subscription for raising the Sum of Twenty thousand Pounds for making the said Navigation, to be divided and distinguished into Two hundred equal Parts or Shares, at the Rate of One hundred Pounds per Share, and agreed to advance and pay such Sum or Sums of Money as should respectively belong to the Share or Shares subscribed for, according to the Tenor of the said Article; videlicet, the Right Honourable the Lord Ducie Two Shares, Sir Onesiphorus Paul Baronet One Share, William Dallaway Three Shares, William Dallaway, for his Daughter Elizabeth, One Share, William Dallaway for his Daughter Rebecca Catherine, One Share, William Knight Two Shares, George Hawker, Six Shares, Joseph Wathen, Five Shares, Richard Aldridge Four Shares, James Winchcombe Five Shares, Thomas Baylis Eight Shares, John Holling Two Shares, Benjamin Grazebrook Six Shares, Fream Arundell Three Shares, Thomas Crozier Arundell Two Shares, Richard Hawker and Son Five Shares, John Butt Five Shares, Thomas White, Seven Shares, William Capell Two Shares, William Smith Two Shares, James Croome Three Shares, Wiiliam Wathen Two Shares, Richard Bigland Two Shares, Nathaniel Jones One Share, Francis Knight One Share, Thomas James One Share, Richard Gabb One Share, George Summer One Share, Rowles Scudamore One Share, Charles Freebury One Share, Robert Ellis One Share, Henry Shephard One Share, Anna Haynes One Share, Durley Wintle Five Shares, William Ellis One Share, James Dallaway Two Shares, William Hopton One Share, Hester Pegler One Share, John Gardner Ten Shares, Benjamin Fisher One Share, William Tombs One Share, Edmund Clutterbuck Two Shares, Daniel Clutterbuck One Share, Nathaniel Perks Two Shares, John Allaway Five Shares, Charles Page Two Shares, Timothy Lewis One Share, Bathurst Lewis, Son of Timothy Lewis, One Share, George Lewis, One Share, Joshua Thomas One Share, William Sevill Two Shares, John Wight One Share, William Sevill junior Two Shares, Anthony Keck One Share, Samuel Baylis Three Shares, John Cambridge Two Shares, William Turner One Share, Samuel Jones Two Shares, Samuel Arundell Three Shares, Jane Sheppard Two Shares, Samuel Peach One Share, Samuel Bowyer One Share, Abel Grey Two Shares, Thomas Gibson Four Shares, Thomas Bradbury Winter Four Shares, Bicknel Coney and John Wilson Five Shares, Elizabeth Hawes One Share, Thomas Colborne Two Shares, John Kemmett Two Shares, Joseph Beddome Two Shares, Rebecca Ann, Daughter of Joseph Beddome, Two Shares, Susanna Dallaway One Share, Elizabeth Clissold, Daughter of Nathaniel Clissold, One Share, John Clissold Two Shares, John Billingsley Two Shares, Richard Hall One Share, William Tombs One Share, John Mills One Share, Hannah Beale Two Shares, Abraham Wallbank One Share, Samuel Wallbank One Share, Joseph Cripps, Son of Joseph Cripps, One Share, Edward Cripps, Son of Joseph Cripps, One Share, Samuel Vines One Share and John Dauncey One Share.
The said proprietors did in pursuance of a former Method prescribed for regulating the Ballatt for the above Choice appoint Mr Jno Colborne and Mr Francis Knight Inspectors, and Mr Joseph Grazebrook and Mr William Wathen Scrutineers for the present Election, and the following return was made by William Knight Esqr the Chairman: Mr James Winchcombe, Mr William Knight, Mr Joseph Wathen, Mr Robert Ellis, Mr John Hollings, Mr Thomas Baylis, Mr Thomas White, Mr Freame Arundell, Mr Durley Wintle, Mr Anthony Keck, Mr Benjamin Grazebrook, Mr Timothy Lewis, Mr Richard Bigland.
At a Meeting of the Committee held by Adjournment at the George Inn in Stroud on Thursday the 11th Day of April 1776 Present: Joseph Wathen in the Chair, Anthony Keck, Robert Ellis, Benjamin Grazebrook, Thomas Baylis, Durley Wintle, John Hollings, Fream Arundell, James Winchcombe.
Design of bridges approved according to Anthony Keck’s proposals.
Anthony Keck that plans for all locks, bridges and aqueducts be prepared, and that Bills of Scantlings for all gates and other timbers be published in the Gloucester Journal.
Mr Keck to give order for timber to Mr George.
At a Meeting of the Committee held by Adjournment at the George Inn in Stroud on Thursday the 19th Day of August 1776 Present: Joseph Wathen, Anthony Keck, Robert Ellis, John Hollings, Durley Wintle, Benjamin Grazebrook, Freame Arundell, Thomas White.
Ordered that Mr Keck and Mr Grazebrook be desired to go to Glocester and View the Timber, next Saturday Morning, and to fix on such parts of it are fit and proper for the purpose, and the rest to be returned.
Mr Lingard Reported that he had been with Mr Baxter of Atherstone and apply'd to him on behalf of the Company for the price of his Land necessary for the Navigation, and his answer was that he had no Objection to the parting with his Land, but desired first to have a plan of his Lands, and a Skeck of the Canal where it passes Through to be sent him.
Mr Keck desired to purchase some oak timber in Worcestershire.
No account yet from Mr Keck about Timber.
Offer from William Price of Gloucester for oak scantlings at 1s 9d per cubic foot as agreed with Mr Keck.
AGM Money received for tonnage, £214 14s 6s, to be applied to completing Navigation, Anthony Keck voted in as member of committee.
Mr Keck to write to William Price re non-delivery of timber needed for first lock.
Mr Grazebrook Reported that Mr Keck had wrote to Mr Price relative to the forwarding the Scantlings of Timber for the Locks, and Mr Prices answer received that he is providing the same ~~~ and will be delivered soon as possible.
Mr Grazebrook is desired to inform Mr Keck that part of the Scantlings Mr Price has sent for the Locks is bad Timber and cannot be put to its design'd Use.
Jos: Grazebrook Reported that he has apply'd to Mr Keck, who has promised to go and view Mr Prices Timber.
Mr Keck hath not Viewed Mr Prices Timber.
Joseph Wathen Five Shares Wm Knight two shares Thos Baylis Fourteen shares J Winchcombe five Shares Jno Hollings Two shares F Arundell 3 Shares D Wintle Three shares Thos White 7 Shares Timothy Lewis three Shares Robt Ellis one Share Richd Bigland Two Shares Anthy Keck one Share Benjn Grazebrook 7 Shares Jno Colborne five Shares Saml Shey four Shares John Butt five Shares Jas Croome Three Shares Humy Jefferys one Share John Cambridge two Shares Wm Wathen 2 Shares W Tombs two Sheares Wm Sevill two Sheares Wm Sevill Junr two Shares Rowles Scudamore one Share George Sumner one Share William Ellis one Share Rd Gabb one Share Wm Seville for Revd Mr Wight one Share William Turner one Share Thos Heart one Share Thomes James one Share John Morris one Share Francis Knight one Share Debh Pitt one Share Jno Allaway five Shares John Gardner ten Shares Henry Shephard one Share Thomas Cooper One Share Richd Aldridge five Shares Nathl Perkes two Shares Edmd Clutterbuck two Shares Edmd Clutterbuck for Danl Clutterbuck one Share Saml Whitmore 4 Shares Hannah Beale 2 Shares William Hopton 1 Share Frans Hawes One Share Frans Hawes for Eliz: Hawes One Share S Bowyer one Share J W W Jepson one Share Abrm Walbank one Share Chars Freebury one Share Anna Maria Rogers Two Shares Samuel Peach one Share S Peach for Mr Wm Bowyer one Share Thos B Winter Two Shares Thos Gibson two Shares Joshua Thomas One Share Thomas Hayes four Shares Christopher Chambers Eleven Shares Ricknell Coney for himself & Jno Wilson Two Shares Thomas Colborne Two Shares Saml Arundell Three Shares ?
Ordered that our Clerk do call on Mr Keck to inforce the Contract he entered into with Mr Price for the Company.
Ordered that Mr Lingard do give the height of every Lock from Chippenhams Platt to Nassfield ~~ when the Clerk will take the bill of Scantlings from Benn Pashley to Mr Keck for him to Send to Mr Price ~~ the Eastington Lock is to use Twelve feet and a half.
Signed Anthy Keck 11t Novm 1777 No of pieces: Length Feet: Width at one end Feet Inches: Do at the other Feet Inches: Thickness Inches.
Bough and Gleave to settle the size of the lock at Eastington and one above, to determine what scantlings Mr Keck should order from William Price.
The proprietors thank Anthony Keck for his plan and section of a lock.
Mr Keck ordered to attend the next meeting.
Agreed Anthony Keck’s proposal for Ryeford lock, to cost £760.
At a Meeting of the Committee held by Adjournment at the George Inn in Stroud on Thursday the 4th day of Febry 1779 Present: Joseph Wathen, Thomas Baylis, John Hollings, Anthony Keck, Freame Arundell, Benm Grazebrook.
At a Meeting of the Committee held by Adjournment at the George Inn in Stroud on Thursday the 4th day of March 1779 Present: Joseph Wathen, William Knight, John Hollings, Fream Arundell, Anthony Keck, Thomas Baylis, John Allaway, Benjamin Grazebrook, Richard Bigland.
Resolved that the following Persons do Constitute a Committee for the ensuing year ~~ Viz: James Winchcomber, Anthony Keck, Joseph Wathen, Thomas White, William Knight, Thomas Hayes, John Hollings, Thomas Baylis, Freame Arundell, James Dallaway, John Allaway, Richard Bigland, Benjamin Grazebrook.
Mr Keck to be paid £100 on account.
Mr Keck is to be paid £100 on account.
Mr Keck and Benjamin Grazebrook to measure up the remainder of the stonework done by Messrs Bough and Edge.
Mr Keck to be paid £50 on account.
At a Meeting of the Committee held by Adjournment at the George Inn in Stroud on Tuesday the12th October 1779 Present: Joseph Wathen, Fream Arundell, John Hollings, John Allaway, James Dallaway, Benm Grazebrook, William Knight, Anthony Keck, Thomas White.
Mr Keck to be told to repair it before it falls and obstructs the Navigation.
Benjamin Grazebrook has seen Mr Keck who will take down the wall and repair it when the weather is better.
Agreed that a letter be written to Mr Keck desiring him to take immediate action at Ryeford Double Lock to prevent future consequences.
Mr Keck has received our letter and will take down that part of the Double Lock, which is giving way and rebuild it when season permits.
New committee elected: Anthony Keck no longer a member.
Copies of letters exchanged with Anthony Keck to be preserved.
General Meeting Messrs Lane and Jepson be engaged to commence an action against Mr Anthony Keck for non-performance in building the Double Lock.
Mr Keck to be asked for a plan of the Double Lock for Mr Franklin to copy.
Mr Keck has written recommending that no vessels pass the Double Lock for at least one month.
Anthony Keck sent bill of £132 17s 8 1/2 d for the repair of the failure of the Double Lock, which bill is entirely rejected and the Company is to abide by the decision of the 7 July last.
Ordered that the bit of Land on the lower side of the Bridge at Ryford be lett, and that Mr Keck do have the refuse of the same.
In consequence of the late trial at Gloucester with Mr Anthony Keck, it has appeared that the said lock is not built agreeable to the plan and module.
Our clerk to make Mr Keck an offer of the bit of land at Ryeford at the sum of 30 guineas including the stow (contents).
Our Clerk Reported that he hath made Mr Keck and Offer of the Bitt of Land at Ryford at the Price of Thirty Guineas, which Mr Keck will consider off and give an answer.
No answer Yett Rece'd from Mr Keck relative to purchasing the bitt of Land at Ryford.
Mr Keck ordered to repoint .
Double Lock built by Mr Keck not completed to original contract, now in ruinous condition.
Clerk to report state of Double Lock to Messrs Lane and Whitcombe and ask their opinion whether late trial with Mr Keck has affected his original contract.
Letter to be sent to inform Mr Keck that Double Lock is defective and he should put it in a proper state.
No answer from Mr Keck.
No answer received from Mr Keck.
Clerk to apply to Messrs Lane and Whitcombe respecting Mr Keck's business.
Messrs Lane and Whitcombe have again written to Mr Keck but have not yet received a reply.
Unsatisfactory answer from Mr Keck.
Letter to Mr Keck recorded in minutes.
Our Clerk Reported that he has transmitted a Letter to Mr Keck agreeable to the direction of the last Meeting.
Committee to proceed against Mr Keck till he has fulfilled his agreement with the Company.
Immediate answer required from Mr Keck.
Mr Keck attended meeting.
Mr Keck's parts of lock belonging to him to be put in good repair at his expense under direction of Mr Clowes.
Mr Clowes to inspect and Mr Keck to be applied to for payment.
Mr Clowes to be paid his bill, and Mr Keck sent account of cost of repairs requesting payment.
Clerk waited on Mr Keck with account for repair of Double Lock.
Letter from Mr Antony Keck.
No answer from Mr Keck respecting account for repair of Double Lock.
Solicitor to apply to Mr Keck for £58 5s 9½d for repair of Double Lock by Mr Clowes.
Solicitor to apply to Mr Keck for payment.
Company to accept £45 from Mr Keck as full compensation for late repair of Double Lock under direction of Mr Clowes.
Anthony Keck claimed share no.140, will of Anthony Keck, his father.
King Standley & Lenard Wollm Daver, Thos Brownning, Willm Diske, Saml Miller, Willm Pitt, Saml Lowlend, Willm Hourcomb, Jno Heavery, Jno Collines, Those Ockey, Thos Legg, Willm Hayward, Jno Pegler, Saml Perve, Richd Clutterbook, Anty Keck, James Miller, Thos Smith, Richd Bird, Saml Beard, Jno Partrige, Nathl Wight, jno Pegler, Jno Clutterbook, Benjm Wood, Jno Rodway, Willm Hayner.
