1783-1822
Gloucestershire Archives TS/166
Minutes of General Meetings of Proprietors
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Proprietors approved and listed.
Agreed reduction of coal tonnage landed at certain wharfs on the River Thames.
Committee elected.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Proprietors and number of shares listed as part of the transfer book.
Committee elected.
Meeting at Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand
Rev. Doctor Disney in the chair
Interest on the loan to be repaid with all speed on the faith of the tolls derived from coal transportation.
The last subscription of £15 per share was deficient by £5805 by the non advancement upon 387 shares. All proprietors to pay £15 and a further five pounds on each share by 24th December. If subscriptions are not forthcoming a meeting to be called with the mortgagees to apply for further powers in the act on the 2nd day of December.
Meeting at Crown and Anchor in the Strand London
Lieutenant Colonel Loveden in the chair.
Shareholders present named with number of shares held.
The Company had not received the unanimous concurrence of the proprietors who have not subscribed the fifteen pounds per share to advance the same.
An unwanted late application to parliament for further powers was necessary to raise £65,000 by attaching a half share of the value of fifty pounds to every whole share of the original value of one hundred pounds before the 5th day of January 1796.
Thomas Lane to solicit the bill in Parliament.
Mortgagees to be acquainted with the plan and asked to forebear the demand for interest due on the 5th January 1796.
Five thousand pounds to be repaid to the proprietors who had paid ‘on their faith in the committee to assist this company out of the first receipts that shall come into their hands’.
The committee were informed that a bill intended to be brought before parliament for laying a duty on tonnage of all carriage by inland navigation. Committee resolved to co-operate with the committees of other canals in this matter.
Mr Thomas Lane to be engaged as the company solicitor.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Adjourned because not enough proprietors attended.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Mr Sam Smith to collect and arrange all the conveyances, leases, contracts, bargains and receipts for lands or buildings and copies of all verdicts of the commissioners belonging to the company.
The following elected as a committee: Sir Edward Littleton Bart, Edward Loveden Esq, Chris Chambers, Lowbridge Bright, John Chalie Esq, Mr Carter, Mr James Black, Rev. Doctor Disney, Robert Rolleston, Brownlow Bate Esq., Matthew Chalie, Lancelot Shadwell, SJohn Hayes Pettit.
Company to ask holders of mortgages who are asking for £10 per share payment of interest to exchange the same for bonds of the same amount. If this was refused, the committee to take this into consideration when assembling the information about securities.
Tonnage to be reduced passing on this canal to the rates shown in the attached table.
.
Meeting at Mr Sills House Upper Thames Street London
Tonnage on Fullers Earth reduced to one penny per ton per mile.
Trade along the canal must be extended and encouraged. Expenditure required. The interest to be paid on the mortgages would not allow the sums required to invest or to extend the coal and general trade to the River Severn. Mortgagees to be requested to forego for a limited time the receipt of their interest money. The cash thus raised and the money from the half shares to be applied to the purposes of trade.
Reminders to be sent to each proprietor to buy half shares. All proprietors that had not subscribed to the half shares be desired to attend the next meeting in person.
Meeting at House of Mr Joseph Sills, 217 Upper Thames Street, London
As it appears notwithstanding the advancement of fifteen pounds per share in December 1793 (which has been made by about two thirds of the proprietory only) and the subsequent subscriptions for half shares ( which had not been adopted by a greater proportion of the whole body) That the net profits of the tolls arising from the navigation are as yet insufficient to discharge the growing interest due to the mortgagees and Bond creditors at the regular stated times.
It is resolved that the payment of interest on all mortgages and bond securities shall be postponed. What money is available to be applied to increasing the stock of boats for carrying trade and the purchase of coal.
Proprietors who have not taken up half shares must do so.
Resolved also that the trade of the company and the coal stocks and funds for carrying and the profits be under the direction of a committee distinct from the General Committee.
Sir Edward Littleton, Edward Loveden Loveden Esq, Christopher Chambers Esq, James Perry Esq, Thomas Lane Esq, James Black Esq, Brownlow Bate Esq, Lowbridge Bright Esq, Robert Rollaston Esq, be a committee for the purposes of superintending, directing and managing the trade of the company and the stock and funds. Three members to be a quorum and committee to report to the general committee to be held in London between Lady Day and midsummer.
Meeting at Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand, London
Mr Sam Smith to receive all tolls and rents due to this company and keep a separate and distinct account after payments of costs which will then be paid to the company treasurer.
The committee of trade to be empowered to borrow at the rate of 5 per cent per annum for the promotion of trade.
John Lane esq, Matthew Chalie, and William Smith Esq be added to the committee of trade.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street London
Meeting adjourned because of no quorum.
Signed Joseph Sills
Meeting at Mr Joseph Sills House, 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Committee elected to manage the works and conduct the trade.
The upper District of the Thames Navigation requiring repair. In order to induce the Thames Commissioners to complete the work necessary the committee to advance five hundred pounds upon the security of the Thames and Severn bonds upon the Thames Commissioners expending the same.
Net produce from rents, tolls and wharfage to be paid to the Treasurer.
Meeting at Mr Joseph Sills, 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Mr Samuel Smith signed over to the treasurer six hundred and thirty pounds two shillings, and five pence between Lady day and to about Michelmas last after deducting payments for rent of roads and lands the maintenance of the fire engine, repairs of the locks and buildings and for land and clerk’s salaries.
Mr Dennet said that the cause mentioned on the 14th June last is coming to trial. Mr Chambers and Mr Black to defend the same.
Meeting at House of Mr Joseph Sills, 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Approval of the suspension of interest payments on mortgages and bond creditors with the caveat that payment will resume when the tolls of the canal will admit, noting that the proprietors themselves are creditors of the company.
Those that stand in the character of creditors only should receive fullest attention.
Only two thirds of the proprietors advanced fifteen pounds on each share and half shares have not been adopted by most of the shareholders.
All proprietors should take up their half shares.
Tolls insufficient to discharge growing debt. Extension of trade requires an increase in the stock of boats to carry coal. The carrying trade should be under the direction of a separate committee. Several proprietors have built their own boats and let them to the Company.
Trade impacted by the defective state of the upper River Thames.
Boats have also been seized by customs officers on the River Severn on doubtful grounds.
Unusual drought has led to lower water levels.
Resolved that Sir Edward Littleton Bart. James Perry Esq, Thomas Lane Esq, James Black Esq, Edward Loveden Esq, Christopher Chambers Esq, James Perry Esq, Thomas Lane Esq, Brownlow Bate Esq, Lowbridge Bright Esq, and Robert Rolleston Esq. be a committee for the purposes of superintending, directing and managing the trade of this company. And the stock and funds belonging to the same. Any three of the committee to make a quorum and report to the general assembly annually in London.
Meeting at House of Joseph Sills, 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Mr Joseph Sills was thanked and presented with twenty guineas and an inscribed silver cup.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street.
Adjourned.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Samuel Smith submitted four hundred and seventy-seven pounds one shilling and eightpence halfpenny balance of tonnage, wharfage, and rent from 1st October to the 31st March after deduction of rent of roads and lands, the maintenance of the fire engine, repairs of the canal,, locks and buildings and for land , clerks salaries.
In consequence of late purchase of coal, he cannot remit the money to be placed to the account of the trustees. Resolved that the same remain as a debt.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Adjourned.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Bill of sale for all coals, boats, barges, horses, carts, carriages, and other stock of this company for the purpose of securing payment of £2000 advanced by Sir Edward Littleton Bart, Lowbridge Bright, John Chalie, Matthew Chalie, Christopher Chambers, John Disney, John Lane, Thomas Lane, Mr William Smith, Mr William Stevenson through shares of £200 each. The £2000 to be transferred to the committee of Trade.
Committee of trade to pay Samuel Smith monthly the produce of the coal at Abingdon Wharf in part payment of the £2000.
Company seal to be affixed to a bond of arbitration between the company and Messrs Joseph Cripps and Edward Cripps for settling a division of water of the River Churn.
Committee elected to manage the canal.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Received £3073.3s.5d. Payments £1460.9s.7d, Balance £1612.13s.10d. Account from 31st March to 30th September last.
Continued purchase of coal from Staffordshire and new imports from Newport. The amount to remain a debt due to the trustees to be discharged.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London
A committee appointed to purchase boats and coal for trade and said trade carried on by the firm of James Perry and a further committee appointed for superintending, directing and managing the trade of the company with particular directions for their conduct therein which have varied the manner of conducting such business will now be discontinued.
Resolved that the trade be uniformly conducted and carried on as well on the River Severn as on the Thames according to the resolutions of 14 & 28 Jun 1796 in the name of the Thames and Severn Canal company in conformity to the inscription and registration of the vessels of this company.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Adjourned due to not enough proprietors attended.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Sir Edward Littleton, Edward Loveden Loveden, Chris Chambers, Lowbridge Bright, James Perry, James Black, John Chalie, Rev. Doc. Disney, Rob. Rollaston, Matthew Chalie, Lancelot Shadwell, John Lane, William Stevenson, elected a committee for managing the affairs of the canal.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Adjourned
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Adjourned.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Resolutions read and approved.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Adjourned.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Tonnage on cheese reduced to 4s per ton for the whole length of the canal and to 2d per ton per mile for intermediate distances.
Tonnage on slate to be reduced to 1d per ton per mile.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Adjourned.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Election of committee. Edward Loveden Loveden replaced by John Stevenson Salt.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Adjourned.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
John Stevenson Salt to be added to the committee of trade.
Tonnage on limestone and rough walling stone to be 1 penny per ton per mile at all seasons of the year.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Meeting abandoned. Insufficient proprietors
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Approved the business of the Committee.
Committee elected.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London.
William Stevenson and John Disney be added to the committee of trade.
John Chalie, William Stevenson and Jasper Atkinsons Esquires to pay the treasurer £630.2s.5d.
Joseph Sills to use the money to purchase Exchequer Bills.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London
List of Proprietors and addresses, share numbers and half shares.
List of mortagees and bond holders and addresses.
Allowance for expenses to be increased from eight pence to one shilling per mile.
Committee elected.
John Robert Chambers be added to the committee of trade.
Meeting at 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Mr William Smith transmitted his statement of account. Balance £48.3.6d. The amount placed in the hands of Mr Jon Stevenson Salt.
John Stevenson Salt a partner in the House of Stevenson Salt, Lombard Street, be appointed treasurer. Security given of six? thousand pounds as given in the instances of former treasurers.
Meeting at House of Joseph Salt, Upper Thames Street, London
In consequence of considerable bounties being allowed by the Oxford Canal Company on the importation of salt. Resolved that a bounty of sixteen pence per ton be allowed for six months from Thursday to Mr Jacob upon all salt imported by him in his own boats to any place in the River Thames above Marlow.
Meeting at Brimscombe Port House
Committee re-elected.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Proceedings of the company read and committee re-elected.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street London
Names and addresses and number of shares and half shares listed.
Names and addresses of mortgage and bond holders listed
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Committee’s business approved and Committee elected.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Insufficient number of attendees.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Committee’s business approved and Committee elected.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
(Printed copy and associated papers circulated to all proprietors available at TS/263)
Report of the committee on the present state of the company read and resolved to be printed.
Resolved that the sum of £2342. 10s. 0d being a sum equal to 2 per cent on the company’s debt of £104,425 due on mortgage and on £12,700 due on bond amounting to £117,125 be paid to the treasurer (J S Salt of 80 Lombard Street) to each mortgagee and Bond creditor on the 16th of August next on account of interest due to them respectively.
Some boats and vessels at the discretion of the committee to be sold or let for hire to such persons willing to enter upon the carrying trade on the canal.
Lancelot Shadwell Junior Esq to be added to the Committee of Trade.
Meeting at Upper Thames Street, London
Insufficient number of proprietors. Signed Joseph Sills.
Meeting 1802 at 217 Upper Thames Street, (late the house of Joseph Sills)
Committee elected.
Lancelot Chambers added to Committee of Trade
Meeting at T&S Office, 217 Upper Thames Street, London
Conveyance of part of the Hill house farm contracted to be sold to Mr Richard Harris confirmed. Sir Edward Littleton Bart and Lowbridge Bright already signed but James Perry to also sign.
Committee elected.
