1846-1867
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/1/5
Minutes from 16 November 1846 to 25 April 1867
of the Committee of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation
Advertisement for a surveyor for the canal [in place of Mr Sherwood] to be inserted in the two Gloucester papers and Midlands Counties Herald. Salary £70 per annum.
Enquiries made respecting a crane to be placed on Wallbridge Wharf.
Accommodation required for Mr Biddle nearly completed.
Mr Sherwood reported that the dock at Chippenham Platt and the stepladder were not repaired.
Mr Benger to be put on the same terms as Mr King of Dudbridge.
A subcommittee met to discus the applications received for the surveyor’s position from 14 applicants, 5 from the midlands, 8 from Gloucestershire, and one from Oxford Goal.
J W Crowley of Walsall, Nathan Driver of Stroud, Charles Fox of Berkeley, William Watson of Birmingham, William Matthews from the Cotswolds and John Winn of Brimscombe asked to come for interviews.
Results of interviews with applicants recorded in detail. Mr Nathan Driver was elected as Surveyor at a salary of £70 with a rent free residence.
Mr Waring of Gloucester offered to put up an 8 ton crane for £105. Proposed removal of the crane at Dudbridge to the wharf at Wallbridge and provision of a new crane at Dudbridge.
Conveyance of the Coalpit Heath coal from Stonehouse station to Dudbridge Wharf at a charge of 6d per ton of coal conveyed.
Messrs Larkin & Co. complained about a £5 charge made for a pen on Wallbridge Wharf. In future the charge should be 10s.
Mr Wyatt ill. For time being Mr Fryer should sign tickets.
Messrs Warings attended and inspected cranes at Wallbridge and Dudbridge Wharfs. Jib on crane at Dudbridge not of sufficient length to load vessels without turning. New crane could be erected 18 inches nearer canal and 4 yards to the east of the present one. Messrs Warings asked to submit estimate for crane with jib 18 inches longer than previously estimate.
Messrs Warings asked to estimate cost of erecting new crane and moving present one to Wallbridge, at site where old one now stands.
Warings Brothers will provide crane of increased length at Dudbridge for £112 and move the old crane to Wallbridge for £53.
Mr Holbrow to request a further extension of the jib of new crane by two and a half feet.
Messrs Waring had refused to lower estimate but will extend jib.
Nathan Driver, though yet to provide security, directed to get dock and step ladder repaired.
Mr Davies complained that the bridge leading to his mill required two or three men to turn it and that a quantity of stone had been improperly removed from his premises.
A new 218 piece dinner service to be bought.
Thomas Jones of Chalford to provide security for Nathan Driver.
Post of Treasurer vacant following death of Mr Wyatt. Mr Hawker to pay receipts directly into County of Gloucester Bank in Stroud.
Mr Wathen had obtained the Bill now before Parliament – Gloucester & Dean Forest Railway (Construction of Docks), to ascertain whether the interests of the company were interfered with in supplying the Dock to be made in Gloucester with water.
Jas Nurse’s application to rent Dock at Chippenham Platt refused.
Chas Hobbs accepted as tenant for the house at Stonehouse at £12 10s per annum.
Company to allow room let for the use as a club room at Framilode to be used as a schoolroom until 29 September.
Mr Sharp permitted to ship quantity of timber at Bristol Road Wharf to be conveyed westward - drawback of 2d a ton.
A portion of Wallbridge and Stonehouse Wharfs to be let at £15 per annum to Mr Hughes and Mr Keedewell.
Charles Clutterbuck refused reduction of 3d per ton on all coals brought up G&B Canal to Stonehouse.
Fredrick Nurse to have larch fence put up between his garden and wharf at Dudbridge.
Messrs. Martin & Co. to send a 3 dozen hamper of sherry.
The will of Henry Wyatt proved in the Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury gave share no.50 in the Stroudwater Navigation to Paul Hawkins Fisher.
Mr Driver to commence mudding the canal and that the canal be stopped at Whitsuntide as usual, commencing Monday 24th May and ending on Saturday following.
Half-yearly meeting of proprietors.
Tonnage since 30 September 1846 £2955 18s 5d. After paying wages, etc, £2409 18s profit. Dividend of £12 declared. 10 member committee appointed for next year.
Mr Hawker to write to John King informing him that if he does not pay the two year’s rent he owes by Friday next he will be preceded against.
The Thames & Severn Canal Co decided that from 28 April last all wharfage on goods sent from their wharf at Wallbridge or between that wharf and Brimscombe Port should cease. All wharfage on this canal shall cease from this day.
Frederick Nurse allowed £10 a year from rent if he lands two thousand tons of coals annually at Dudbridge Wharf and £5 for every additional five hundred tons.
William Knee to have same terms for Wallbridge Wharf.
£10 to be given to Richard Webb of the Bourne towards his great loss by fire.
Following the death of our solicitor, George Wathen, a special meeting of proprietors to be called to elect another committee member and appoint a solicitor.
Special general meeting selected Thomas Clutterbuck Croome as committee member and solicitor for company.
County of Gloucester Bank at Stroud to be appointed as treasurer to company. They will allow 2½% interest on average balance held.
When the new swing bridge near Stonehouse Church was constructed, the approaches should be raised as the proposed bridge is much above the height of the old bridge.
Isaac Allan Cooke claimed shares nos 156,152, will of George Wathen.
Mr N S Marling wished the alteration to the swing bridge to be deferred for the present.
Repairs to be made to the outside of the Ship Inn at Wallbridge.
Cellar and other alterations not costing more than £15 to be made to house at Stonehouse Wharf. Mr Hobbs to pay an additional rent of £1 per annum when completed.
Mr Waring agreed to a test of the new crane at Dudbridge with a 6 ton piece of timber.
When time expired within which Messrs Waring requested it should not be tested, it should be tested by a competent engineer before payment of the account. Capt. Clegram to be asked to attend and report on the trial of the crane.
Application from Mr Clutterbuck to have gate or stile erected across footpath from swivel bridge at Dudbridge was rejected as they have no authority to put a fence across a public footpath.
Usual voyage of inspection of the Canal to start from Wallbridge at 9 o’clock in the morning on Thursday 19 August.
As estimates for changes to house at Stonehouse Wharf greatly exceeded £15, Mr Hobbs offered to pay a further £2 per annum.
Hall and back kitchen pavements of house at Wallbridge need repairs.
The crane at Dudbridge Wharf had not raised load from the ground when one of the main wheels broke. Load of 2 pieces of timber weighed 7 tons 18cwt. The shaft bent so much that it seemed to require strengthening.
Use of towing path as a footpath to be stopped during days in October fixed by Mr Hawkins and Mr Driver.
Correspondence regarding alterations in crane at Dudbridge.
Mr Eycott not having attended a committee meeting for 3 months a Special General Meeting to be called to select another committee member.
Mr Sam Marling requested that the tonnage on a cargo of coals intended to be given away gratuitously to the poor might be allowed. The Committee were of the opinion that they did not have the power to abandon tonnage under such circumstances.
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 31 March £3020 15s 1d. Profit after wages, etc, £2254 19s. Dividend of £11 declared.
Extra work and materials for the cranes at Dudbridge and Wallbridge - £24 9s 7d. Provided Messrs Waring made good 2 pair of dogs according to the order, the account was allowed.
Special general meeting to select replacement for Mr Eycott re-elected Fred Eycott!
Coals put out of barges and boat for private individuals at any place other than a Wharf should have a note in writing specifying details.
Carpenter’s boat out of order – to be repaired.
Capt Clegram’s Award was read and his proposed plan for alteration to the crane at Dudbridge was inspected. Our solicitor to serve Messrs Waring with a copy of the Award and plan.
Taxes on house at Wallbridge to be paid by company in future.
Special meeting of committee with Mr Waring to discuss Capt Clegram’s award. The Committee resolved to accept the crane in its present state and pay Messrs. Waring £126 10s instead of the original tender of £165.
Mr Driver’s proposal to strengthen the crane at Dudbridge with two bands of iron was accepted.
Notices regarding the rules to be observed in the working of the crane at Dudbridge to be placed in the office at Wallbridge and on the warehouse at Dudbridge. Weight limit to be 5 tons on inner wheel, 2½ tons on outer wheel and 1 ton 10 cwt on leverage wheel.
As a result of two lives lost at Ryeford and Eastington, a fence was ordered to be erected between the millpond and the towing path and the bridge painted white with railings on both sides at Ryeford and a secure fence on Eastington Bridge.
Some withy plants to be set on the south side of the towing path between Ryeford Mill and Double Lock.
Tonnage of road stone at Dudbridge Wharf to be 10p a ton.
Biddle and Bishop, and other millers, are to be charged for excess of flour exported over grain imported. Balance to be struck half yearly.
A reduction of £1 made in the rent of the house occupied by William Knee, having sold more than 2000 tons of coal during the past year.
Charles Clutterbuck given permission to use the forge at the Dock at Eastington to complete the vessel he is building.
Charles Clutterbuck to pay sum of £3 5s for damage done to the bridge at Stonehouse Church by his vessel the ‘Nelson’.
Mr Cooper the auditor found the books and vouchers correct.
Enquiries should be made on the check kept at Framilode on the quantity of coal landed.
In future, when Mr Driver suspects fraud on coals carried, he should have the cargo weighed.
Mr Driver to make arrangements with Capt Clegram on behalf of Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co for repairs of the lock gates near the paper mill at Whitminster.
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 30 September 1847 £2962 13s 8d. After wages, etc, profit £2313 2s 10d. Dividend of £11 10s declared.
The auditor should be more attentive in future to the checking of tickets with the numerical book.
Mr Cooper’s letter confirms that the cash book and the numerical book correspond.
The banks of the canal are much injured by people fishing with nets. Mr Driver to prosecute a person by the name of Morgan, lately detected using a net, before a Magistrate for fishing.
Notices to be fixed on boards that all persons found bathing should be deemed trespassers and punished accordingly.
To prevent obstruction in the use of the crane, a charge should be made for timber or stone placed within 60ft of the crane at Dudbridge.
Mr Driver to buy shears for the crane at Dudbridge.
Mr Martin to send 3 dozen Bucellas and 3 dozen of Port wine for the use of the Company.
Mr Driver should employ as many men as possible to mud the canal during the annual stoppage 9–17 June.
The Company solicitor to make a schedule of deeds and other documents.
Rev Frederick Morgan’s claimed shares nos.13,14, will of his brother John Morgan.
Report from Mr Croome the solicitor regarding a schedule of deeds and documents was read and recorded in the minutes. He has also found a number of books showing history of the making of the Canal, expenses for it, claims, Treasurer’s books, Parliamentary plan of original scheme certified by speaker of House of Commons. Also a very useful map, on vellum, of Navigation, and lands purchased and sold by Company. Tonnage books, journals and ledgers with share register to 1822. Powers of Attorney for transfer of shares.
Mr Croome’s letter also proposed a more strict method for ensuring accurate records of share transfers.
A copper plate engraving be procured for Tickets of Shares, and a book for recording their duplicates.
Tender by Mr Rob Osborne of Bristol to supply shears for crane at Dudbridge at 4d per pound accepted.
Water to be drawn off the short pound at Dudbridge for a day to allow repair of gates and paddles.
Swing poles to upper gates of Foundry Lock to be renewed.
Frederick Nurse’s house at Dudbridge - pavement of floor in brewhouse to be completed. Brewhouse roof to be pointed.
Fredrick Nurse to use pantiles from shed in garden at Dudbridge Wharf for shed or stable, to belong to Company when built.
Roof of warehouse at Dudbridge Wharf to be covered on the front with Bangor Duchess tiles.
Side and hand rails of Ryeford swing bridge to be painted white.
Crane at Wallbridge Wharf damaged by Mynett the Stroud Town surveyor and repaired at cost of 30s, 20 to be paid by the Town Commissioners.
A lock and chain have been purchased for the Wallbridge crane, the key in the care of the wharfinger.
Mr Dangerfield to provide fireproof chest for office at Wallbridge at cost of £7 10s.
Proposal that 6000 tons of coal should be carried on canal as far as Brimscombe for onward transfer to Great Western Railway wharfs.
Paper Mill Bridge at Whitminster to be replanked with oak when frame has been repaired.
Mr Hallewell of County of Gloucester Bank proposed as treasurer.
Agreement on division of tonnage proposed between Company and Thames & Severn Canal Co for the trade of GWR.
Thames & Severn Canal Co have not responded carrying coals for the GWR.
Mr Cooper has audited books.
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage from 31st March £2856 15s 4d. Profit after wages, etc, £2236 4s. Dividend of £11 declared.
Thames & Severn Canal Co unwilling to accept proposed terms of trade with GWR.
James Charles Hallewell elected Treasurer of Company. Mr Joseph Watts named as his surety.
Mr Croome’s offer to enfranchise the copyhold lands of Company as soon as Mrs Mansfield the Trustee was admitted to them on receipt of £15 accepted.
Drawback of 6d per ton to be allowed to Mr Jas. Smith under his agreement with GWR on all coals carried to a wharf beyond the branch from Kemble to Cirencester on production of a certificate from the Thames & Severn Canal Co that they have allowed a drawback.
Application for reduction of tonnage on wheat carried to Ryeford Mill not considered expedient.
Edwin Gyde is permitted to re-erect a pen on Ryeford Wharf.
Claims for 20 shares from three parties rejected for insufficient evidence.
Shares in Company accepted for transfer:
Mary Williams and Harriet Williams claimed share no.10, will of Catherine Williams;
William Bevan and Sarah Davis claimed share no.61, will of Nathaniel Edgecombe;
Margaret Nugent Jones, James Talbot the Younger, John Aldridge claimed shares nos.132,191,195, will of Thomas Jones, and shares nos.98,5,6,93,127,68 held in trust for Mrs Frances Ann Shaw by Thomas Jones.
Philip Roydell Bouverie and Joseph Cripps claimed shares nos.3,31,32,33,34,35,67,74,148,196, will of Richard Hawker.
Damage to lock gates near Whitminster. Reward of 5 pounds for information.
Ordered advertisement of General Meeting for 25 April and payment of bills.
Baulk to be bought for planking and repairing lock gates at Whitminster.
Annual general stoppage to be from Monday 28 May to Saturday 2 June. Mr Driver to employ as many men as needed to remove enough mud to fill all places available for its deposit.
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 30 September 1848 £2984 19s 6d. Profit after wages, etc £2506 11s 1d. Dividend of £12 10s declared.
Charles Hawkins Fisher claimed shares nos.39,75,174, will of Charles Fisher.
Damage of £1 10s to George Bailey for overflowing of canal.
Mr Sam S. Marling proposed to erect Grist mill at Dudbridge with a steam engine. He required assurance that a means of access should be secured for bringing boats and vessels from canal into his mill stream and reservoir. Agreed if fully detailed plan and specification of works were provided and terms arranged.
Mr Marling to pay for £200 for constructing link between canal and Ebley Mill Stream, on land he has provided. To be kept in repair my Mr Marling for 3 years. £100 of the costs will be offset against tonnage over the link.
Shed on Wallbridge Wharf to be repaired.
Frederick Nurse to be given notice to quit house and premises rented at Dudbridge.
Two screw jacks to be bought for the works at Chippenham Platt.
Annual survey of inspection to be undertaken on Wednesday 15 August.
Samuel Critchley proposed to pave his kitchen with a silver grey Forest Stone on company paying 3d a foot for the pavement and allowing him to use the old pavement in the premises he occupied.
John James and Charles James claimed share no.12, will of John James.
George Henry Augustus Beard and Frances Locking claimed shares nos. 45,53, will of Matilda Beard.
Benjamin Williams and James Charles Hallewell claimed share no.21, will of Robert Hughes.
Samuel Marling had to postpone execution of works proposed, Grist Mill, till spring.
Basin at Framilode to be cleared and mud driven out by blow board, if practicable.
Mr Oliver Cam’s estimate of £19 for new tiling on roof of house at Framilode occupied by George Williams to be accepted, and that new zinc spouting be provided.
Messrs. Bishop and Biddle found to have imported 2000 tons more wheat than they had exported flour.
In future, rate of tonnage charged to Mr Peter King and others at Dudbridge to be reduced to 1s 6d on wheat from Framilode to Dudbridge.
Fence to be put up a Bristol Road Wharf to protect coals landed there.
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 31st March £2905 15s 10d. Profit after wages, etc, £2437 12s 10d. Dividend of £12 declared.
£5 to be given to pay off debts of Building Committee of Stroud National Schools.
Annual subscription of £2 to be made to Stroud Casualty Hospital.
George Henry Augustus Beard claimed shares nos.71,97,180, will of Abiah Beard.
Houses at Dudbridge and part of wharf let to Samuel Critchley at £25 per annum with conditions.
Proposal by Mr Joshua Smith and Brewin and Sons of Cirencester that a reduction should be made on tonnage on coals, following a reduction made by GWR from Gloucester to Cirencester. However coal trade appears to have increased.
Mr Biddle to be allowed to replace the fence between the Company’s garden and his mill yard with a good wall.
Summit level of Th&S Canal frozen. Coal stock at Cirencester expended. Merchants will use supply from Gloucester, unless supplied by railway from Brimscombe during present frost at same price. Allowance of 6d per ton by T&S and 3d by Stroudwater will keep price the same.
Mr Trotter of Bilson and Crump Meadow Coal Company asked for facilities for landing coal at Stonehouse Wharf, carting it and sending it by GWR to Cheltenham. Wanted a drawback of 1s 3d per ton. The Committee saw this as an opening for the Company. Coal at present supplied at Cheltenham travels by G&B Canal. Proposal accepted.
Application by Messrs. Wethered, Keeling & Cossham of Wickwar to land coal at Stonehouse Wharf at 4d per ton for onward transmission to Cirencester unanimously rejected.
George Edwards’ claim of share no. 173 in the name of Frances Georgiana Wyatt, his wife, admitted.
Martin & Co to be asked to supply 3 dozen Sherry and 3 dozen Bucellas.
Mr Nicholson of Park End Coal Company asked for a drawback on coals landed at Brimscombe and forwarded by railway.
The well at Mr Hawker’s to be cleaned and the pump repaired.
An estimate to be procured for building stabling for four horses at Dudbridge Wharf.
The culvert under the canal at Ebley in a dilapidated state. Mr S Marling’s proposal to avoid an expensive repair by a new weir at Ebley accepted.
Mr Henry Harrison of Stonehouse’s plan for new weir accepted – cost not exceeding £40.
Mr Webb’s estimate of £42 for stable at Dudbridge accepted. Mr Critchley as tenant to pay £5 towards expense of stable.
William Williams of Cheltenham to be allowed same terms as Bilson and Crump Meadow Coal Company for coal delivered from Stonehouse Wharf.
Annual stoppage to be Friday 17 May to Saturday 25 May.
Mr Driver bought two oak trees for swing poles for lock gates at 1s 9d per foot and is to buy four more.
Mr Hawker to apply to Midland Railway to erect two gates under railway bridge over Navigation as proposed by Mr Marling.
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 October 1849 £3114 9s 8d. After wages, etc, profit £2642 18s 2d. Dividend of £13 declared.
A spot to be agreed for erecting new weir at Ebley by committee members.
Elizabeth Stone claimed share no.22, will of William Stone.
Place fixed for erecting new weir near Mr Marling’s mill at Ebley.
Mr John George of Dudbridge and Bilson and Crump Meadow Coal Company, to be allowed 9d drawback on coals landed at Stonehouse Wharf and forwarded by GWR.
Stoppage period to be extended by 2 days.
Committee was unable to provide different terms for Mr Biddle than to other traders at Wallbridge respecting coal deliveries.
Mr Fisher, Chairman, was asked to write to Mr Barlow, engineer of Midland Railway Company, about erecting two gates at bridge at Stonehouse.
Inspection of Navigation to take place on 31 July.
Meeting with Thames & Severn Canal Co re reduction of tonnage to Cirencester to take place on 25 July.
Mr Richards of Thames & Severn Canal Co proposed a reduction of 9d in tonnage of coal to Cirencester, 3d to come from 8 miles of Stroudwater and 6d from 16 miles of their canal.
Meeting held on company boat.
Mr Argent complained of bargemen fastening vessels to the hedge near his house. Ordered that proper posts be put in the towpath.
Committee ordered a division of Dudbridge Wharf to prevent questions which have arisen between traders.
New feeder at Ebley inspected and approved.
Agreement with Thames & Severn Canal Co approved.
All traders sending coal by GWR from Stonehouse to have the same terms as Mr George.
Mr Miles to leave post at Saul Junction. Mr Hawker to ascertain his exact duties.
Mr Griffin of Eastington died owing Company £29 19s 5d for tonnages. Estate insolvent. Threatened with stoppage of their vessels they offered £16, which was accepted.
After the introduction of the Stamp Act on 10 October, each trader requiring credit is to sign a stamped form of Guarantee.
Mr Miles was paid 5s a week for looking after stop gates at Whitminster and recording vessels entering canal from the G&B Canal.
Mr George to be allowed 1s per ton drawback on all coal sent from Stonehouse to beyond Minety Station.
Books audited by Mr Cooper.
A new boat is to be built for clearing mud from canal.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 April £3213 7s 10d. After wages, etc, £2539 10s 8d remains. Dividend of £12 10s declared.
Mr Biddle to build a warehouse at Wallbridge. Cost to Company not to exceed £400.
Following death of Mr Sikes a General Meeting of Proprietors is to be called for 18 December to select a new committee member.
As a check on vessels paying tonnage, all vessels to produce a Framilode Ticket countersigned by the surveyor, at present Nathan Driver, specifying the quantity and discharging point of their cargo between Framilode and Ryeford. Vessels not to pass out of canal without such. Vessels from Ebley to Wallbridge to pay tonnage to clerk at Wallbridge.
Nathaniel Hamlet to be successor to Robert Miles. Detailed instructions as to his responsibilities were recorded in the minutes.
3 dozen Port wine and 3 dozen Sherry requested for use of General Meeting.
Gratuity of ten pounds to Mr Driver.
