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
Mr Warman and Mr Beard met Mr Ford of Ryeford Mill and were of the opinion that Mr Ford could unload barges by cutting on southern side of Navigation. Building a wall on that side to carry the weight of the bank and deepen the water near the towing path and a cutting from the northern side on Mr Ford’s land is required.
Tonnage on bricks to be 1s per 1000, as 1000 bricks weigh 3 tons.
Estimate from Mr Henry Harrison for work at Ryeford. £36 on south side, £49 north side. Not enough room to make lieby as proposed by Mr Ford near mill at Ryeford. Wall should be built on south side and cutting from Mr Ford’s land made on north side. Mr Ford to pay half cost on north side, providing work is executed to satisfaction of Company’s surveyor and he erects warehouse as proposed.
Letter from Mr Ford: Mr Partridge applied for tonnage on excess of flour to be taken down over wheat. Messrs. Ford proposed reduction to induce Company to retain their trade. Otherwise they intended to erect a steam engine at Bristol instead of at mill at Ryeford. Company could not reduce tonnage to Ryeford Mill. Expected excess of tonnage referred to in Mr Partridge’s letter to be made good.
Mr Richard Cole of Cirencester proposed to carry 200 tons of larch sleepers to Newport if tonnage could be reduced. Tonnage on sleepers to be 6d a ton.
Mr Partridge reported that Mr Taunton applied on behalf of Thames & Severn Canal Co to join them in reduction of tonnage on coals to enable traders at or near Brimscombe to compete with railway. Company did not comply.
Mr Geo. Nurse applied for reduction of tonnage on stone. Allowed drawback of 4d per ton from present rates at Dudbridge and Wallbridge for not less than 500 tons in year from present.
Company not willing to join Canal Companies Association at present.
Mr Clegram submitted plan for preserving supply of water to G&B Canal during repairs of gate at Whitminster by inserting a dam. Mr Clegram to hold company harmless from all expense.
Mr Croome to ascertain by personal communication with coal proprietors in Forest of Dean or others charge made by Railway Company for carrying coal from pit’s mouth to Bullo Pill, to discover whether traders on this canal are charged more in proportion than traders who convey coal by railway.
Inspection report: Mr Withy asked for written acknowledgement by Committee of the wall at Lodgemore being built on his land.
New locks at Foundry completed.
Requisite repairs to be done to dwelling house at Dudbridge Wharf.
Mr Eycott, Mr Warman, Mr Beard and Mr Croome met Mr Ford at Ryeford.
Mr Edward Sharp allowed a coal pen at Stonehouse Wharf. Mr John George of Stonehouse to balance his tonnage account by next Committee meeting.
John George’s tonnage account to be demanded.
Letter from Mr Coley, Secretary to Stroud Gas Co., requiring to be put on same footing re tonnage on coals as consumers at Stroud.
Drawback on all coals from Forest of Dean and South Wales delivered to Wallbridge and places up to Dudbridge uniform rate of 1s 6d per ton.
New gates at Whitminster found to have been satisfactorily completed in workmanlike manner.
Proposition from inhabitants of Saul and neighbourhood to remove Walk Bridge and substitute swing bridge.
Mr Wilton’s proposed alteration to swing bridge recommended for consent.
Plan for lieby at Ryeford approved.
Resolved that payment be required from all millers for excess of flour exported over wheat imported.
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 April £2396 18s 4d. After wages, etc, £16129 19s 4d. Dividend of £8 declared.
Mr Wilton to pay whole expense of bridge and to make good the road, materials of present bridge and its approach allowed towards cost. Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co assent given. Surveyor to keep separate account of expenses incurred.
Mr Driver stated that in altering Walk Bridge, a proper wall would be needed to contract the present water tray by 2 feet. Mr Driver to take measures for altering bridge.
Mr Knee’s captain gave false account of cargo of timber of the ‘Sisters’ on 30 November, as 300ft rather than 414ft measured. Mr Knee charged additional tonnage. Penalty for future irregularities.
Mr Jas. Nurse applied to use bars of old bridge to erect shed or stable on Dudbridge Wharf. Allowed. Building to be considered property of company.
Martin & Co. to provide 3 dozen Port Wine and 3 dozen Bucellas for use of Company meetings.
Mr Jas. Nurse proposed weighing bridge at Dudbridge be let to him at annual rent. Company to retain use of it. Payment to him for all other persons using it.
Pen on Wallbridge Wharf used by Mr Fluck to be repaired.
Bridge at Framilode to be repaired.
Mr George to remove from wharf at Stonehouse goods and articles not in pen made for him.
George Nurse’s boat, the ‘Fanny’, injured one of five locks through carelessness. Application to him for expense of repair.
Mr George to settle his half year accounts immediately.
Mr Bucknall and Mr Hawkins applied for allowance of tonnage on coals intended to be given away to poor by Stroud Committee. Subscription equal to one half of tonnage to be made on coals taken from Dudbridge Wharf.
Edwin Cooper claimed share no.178, will of Eliza Cooper; William Cooke & Charlotte Hurcomb claimed shares nos.40,47,112,189, will of William Cosham; Thomas James Bond claimed share no.50, will of Elizabeth Mary Sutton.
Letting of weighing machine at Dudbridge discussed. Application from Mr Nicholson, Parkend Canal Company, to use machine without charge. No alteration at present.
Tonnage on road stone from Framilode to Wallbridge, entering T&S Canal not carried to Brimscombe, 6d per ton.
Josh Chapman on 11 February carried cargo of timber, 867 feet which he declared to be 600 feet. Paid for smaller quantity. Error made by daughter unintentionally. Additional tonnage to be paid without fine.
Mr Knee to carry bricks and sand for erection of Messrs. Clarke’s sawing mill at Bowbridge.
Stoppage for building the bridge at Whitminster to start 7 April.
Letter from Messrs. Coullas & Jones requiring use of wharf and weighing machine at Dudbridge free of expense. Resolved that portion of wharf be allotted, use of weighing machine to be paid for.
In future all coals from Framilode to Ebley and all places to Wallbridge to be charged at 1s 6d per ton, with no drawback.
General Half Yearly Meeting;
Tonnage since 1 October 1855 £2391 9s 3d. After wages, etc, £1830 0s 5d profit. Dividend of £9 declared.
Mrs Mary Clutterbuck to find tenant for house she left at Dudbridge or pay rent till Midsummer.
Mr Ford unable to carry out work on lieby at Ryeford. New warehouse reduced space. Committee unwilling to incur expense on inefficient work but willing to do work at Messrs. Ford’s expense.
Slip of land on north side of canal at Ryeford. Quantity of soil placed on bank by Messrs. Ford had fallen into canal and carried piles with it.
J. Beardmore Wathen and Henry Dickson claimed share no.101, will of Nathaniel Wathen.
Mr George to pay his account by 7 July or proceedings will be taken under his guarantee.
New traders must give guarantee before getting credit, but existing traders need not
Mr George to be charged tonnage on separate cargoes if balance of account remains unpaid.
Repairs required to wharf wall, fences and house at Dudbridge and culvert at Bond’s Mill.
Further land conceded by Messrs. Ford at Ryeford obviated Committee’s objections. Track has been put in during Whitsuntide stoppage.
Alterations in tonnage depend on results of Messrs. Ford’s trade on canal.
George Henry Augustus Beard claimed shares nos.65,111,117,138, 139,157, will of Frances Lockey.
Bridge at Framilode completed.
Beaman and Washborne to supply 3 dozen Sherry for the use of meetings.
Page crossed out
Odd partial claim for shares. [Investigation of what happened here required, possibly:
Arthur John Allaway claimed shares nos.123,124, will of Robert Tucker Allaway;
Theophilus Thompson, Nathaniel Beardmore, Rev Thomas Bacon, George Henry Wathen claimed shares nos.151,153,77,78, will of Eliza Ford.]
Revd. M^r Bowles requested map of canal as evidence of the repairs of a road. Solicitor asked to prepare map at his expense.
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 April £2430 10s. After wages, etc, £1806 5s 9d profit. Dividend of £9 declared.
Requests for reductions in tonnage from Messrs Reynolds & Lane and Mr George referred to committee.
Mr Lane and Messrs. Reynolds and Allen applied for reduction of tonnages on wheat. To be given drawback of 4d per ton for over 1500 tons each half a year for each of them, with flour returned free of charge.
Mr George and Mr Blick to be allowed a drawback of 6d per ton on coal landed at Stonehouse provided more than 300 tons per half year provided it is not sent on by rail.
Henry Sidney Wasbrough and George Hall claimed share no.12, will of John James.
Charge for weighbridge at Dudbridge to be 1p per ton on coals and goods carried up and down canal: 3p per ton on coals and goods weighed and do not pass on canal
Rates to be charged on coals from Stonehouse Station on the Midland Railway by Wethered, Cosham & Co to be 3d per ton on all coals landed at Stonehouse Wharf or at Messrs. Davis mills; 6d per ton not carried beyond mills, not passing into double locks; 9d per ton into double locks and landed westward of lock at Dudbridge; 1s per ton on coals carried into lock at Dudbridge and landed between there and culvert at Lodgemore.
Mr Taunton explained necessity for reduction of tonnages on coals carried into T&S Canal and landed between bridge at Brimscombe and Brimscombe Wharf. Object to secure reduction to meet railway competition. Also requested further reduction on coals sent on to Cirencester. Committee expected Thames & Severn Canal Co to bear whole of deduction.
Proposals for reduction in charges by Mr Nathaniel Cosham and Mr Cole of Cirencester.
John Scandrett Harford and William Henry Harford claimed shares nos.23,24,25,95, will of Charles Gray Harford.
Mr Markham claimed reduction on tonnage from 4d to 3d on iron ore carried from newly discovered mines near Seend, Wiltshire, down canal from Wallbridge to the junction with G&B Canal or to the Severn at Framilode. Reduction made – new trade, system of back carriage on coals carried up Navigation and others brought from Staffordshire.
Mr Henderson proposed to make a reduction of 6d a ton on Norchard coal and asked for a reduced tonnage rate. No alteration to be made in rates.
Mr Knee to be allowed £2 per annum for locking and unlocking doors of Wallbridge Wharf at proper hours.
Mr Croome to enforce a settlement of account on Mr Nurse.
New grate to be fixed in house of George Williams.
Gratuity of £2 to be allowed to Thomas Habgood for exertions on behalf of company.
Blank page.
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 October 1856 £2242 17s 4d. After wages, etc, £1532 19s 6d profit. Dividend of £7 10s declared.
Committee to investigate the rights of Company in respect of bridge between mills and other premises at Ebley occupied by Mr Samuel Marling & Co. now used in conveyance of coals not carried by the Canal with view to steps being taken to prevent carriage of such coals to the loss of the company.
Mr Partridge’s salary to be increased to £120 per annum.
Counsels option to be taken regarding rights on Ebley Mill bridge.
JC Dalby to be given notice to quit the pen at Stonehouse
Uniform rate of 6p ton to be charged on all stone carried from Framilode or Junction to or beyond Eastington.
Mr Phipson’s opinion as to Company’s rights in relation to bridge at Ebley read. To be considered at a special general meeting on 22 July.
Special General Meeting resolved that no proceedings should be taken over the use of Ebley Mill Bridge.
Committee to consider if a mileage rate, subject to exceptions, is needed for coal tonnage.
Annual inspection on company boat. Mr Driver to call on owner of timber forming pen at Stonehouse Wharf, belonging to late Jos. Blick, and see that it is removed in a fortnight.
Subscription of £5 per annum for lighting lamps at Dudbridge Wharf to be renewed.
Mr Cooper, the auditor, asked to explain why audit had not shown any debt at time of Mr Hawker’s resignation as Clerk.
Mr Holmes applied for reduction on tonnage on merchandise carried from railway at Stonehouse.
Exact mileage rate cannot be practically worked.
A tonnage scale for coal travelling up the canal with near approximation of mileage is listed.
A tonnage scale for merchandise carried up and down the canal from the railway at Stonehouse is provided.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 April £2030 13s 6d. After wages, etc, £1431 13s 6d profit. Dividend of £7 declared.
Mileage based tonnage on coal to be charged from 1 November, providing no increase is made in any tonnage at present charged for coals.
Merchandise sent from the railway at Stonehouse to be charged at one uniform rate.
Mr George Nurse omitted to account for cargo of timber carried from Mr Webb’s wharf in the ‘Ellen’.
Mr George Williams gave false account of cargo of road stone carried in the ‘Ann’. Must pay for additional tonnage. Penalty will be enforced if future irregularities discovered.
Mr Nurse and Mr Williams paid additional tonnages.
Mr Lane complained he sustained loss because of waste water from canal running through circular weir at Ebley past his mill. Suggested that new weir be constructed above house at the Oil Mills, six feet in length one inch lower than the circular weir. Company to put in weir under the towing path. Mr Lane to bear expense of taking away the water.
Mr Lane asked for reduction 1 penny per ton in tonnage on corn carried to Oil Mills.
Mr Ford should be allowed to carry converted timber down canal free of tonnage.
Meeting held at Oil Mills. Proposed new weir discussed: Mr S.S. Marling, Mr Lane, Mr Lewis of opinion that a sill of cast iron 3 inches deep put on present circular weir with opening of 18 inches required by Messrs. Lewis. Works similar to those now existing, to be constructed at a spot above bridge and near Mr Lane’s house, with sufficient passage to carry off water would effect object. Resolved that Committee consent to proposal. Works on towing path at their expense. Mr Lane to construct at his own expense on his own land a circular weir and works of same diameter and at same level as existing weir with sufficient passage to take away water. In case he or successors alter weir or works so as to waste water of canal or allow weir to get out of repair, agreement with Company shall become void. Company may wall up or close intended new waterway and remove iron sill from old weir. Agreement at Mr Lane’s expense.
Timber carried up canal to any sawing mill or works to incur one half of tonnage on similar number of tons of converted timber carried from same mill or works in same half year.
Agreement on the new weir at the Oil Mills signed by Mr Lane.
Mr Woodicark complained of an obstruction at Gas Works Bridge.
Mr George of Stonehouse to be given notice to quit on 19 September.
Use of wharves to be put under control as follows: Mr Fryer and Mr Hawker at Wallbridge, Mr Warman and Mr Harris at Dudbridge, Mr Marling and Mr Hooper at Stonehouse.
Edward Carruthers Little, Antony Holbrow claimed share no.89, will of Peter Drew.
Mr Clutterbuck permitted to launch new vessel built near Bristol Road across towing path and to take out one of gates at Whitminster Lock to allow vessel to pass into G&B Canal.
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General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 October 1857 £2292 13s 5d. After wages, etc, £1847 16s 6d profit. Dividend of £9 declared.
Annual stoppage to begin on 4 May and end on 11 May.
Following complaints from Messrs Marling, Strachan & Co, repairs to be made to pens at Ryeford used for landing coals for Stanley Mill.
Gas Company to pay £3 2s for damage to towing path following laying of pipes towards Nailsworth.
House of Commons required a return of share capital and details of dividends paid.
Drawback of 2d per ton on 6d tonnage to be allowed to Mr Cole and any other traders to Cirencester who carry 5000 tons of coal in any year.
Her Majesty’s Customs to be asked for an order to permit vessels from foreign ports to be brought up the canal to discharge their cargoes.
Customs Officers to give permission to unload foreign laden vessels (corn) at a particular sufferance wharf. Committee cannot suggest any better than Junction now used.
Messrs. Ford Brothers renewed application to have lock at Eastington widened and enlarged to admit their steam vessel, the ‘Queen Esther’. Committee do not agree to alteration.
Isaac Allan Cooke and Charles Frederic Philips claimed share no.156, will of Sarah Wathen.
Proposed lieby near bridge near Gas Works.
Mr George Day given permission for pen at back of Dudbridge Wharf. Fence at his own expense. Three months notice of removal.
Estimate from Stephen Harrison for building wall near Gas Works. Use of Company’s workmen.
The Wherry, Captain George Clark, belonging to Mr Lane had accidentally injured one of the locks at double locks in passing at night.
Summons against Clark for drawing water at Foundry Locks on 31 August when upper gates were open.
Page Missing
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 April £2181 8s 4d. After wages, etc, £1707 14s 7d profit. Dividend of £8 10s declared.
Notice given to Mr George be given fresh notice to quit wharf and premises at Stonehouse at Michaelmas next.
William Daniels absent one month from work owing to illness while in Company’s service. Allowed half his wages.
Ford Bros to be charged 1s per ton on flour taken down canal in excess of wheat brought up.
Tonnage of 1d a ton to be charged on coke taken from Gas Works to Thames & Severn Canal.
Thomas Lawrence, captain of the Maiden Oak of Lydney, to be fined 10s for leaving a bridge unfastened on 15 December.
Subscription of £2 2s to be given to Fund for distribution of coal for the poor.
Eliza Beale claimed share no.158, will of John Evans Beale.
Mr Leys, Inspector of Weights and Measures, to receive £2 for adjustments to weighbridge at Dudbridge.
Tonnage of coke from Gas Works to Saul Junction to be 4d.
Mr G Ford proposed inspection of alterations to his steamer the ‘Queen Esther’ to see whether she could pass the locks of the canal.
Bateman and Son to provide 3 dozen Port, 3 dozen Sherry and 3 dozen Bucellas.
Charles Thomas Edwards claimed share no.197, will of Frances Edwards.
Rebecca Capel claimed shares nos.62,63,64,120,146, will of George Capel.
Mr Ford stated that if Committee allowed excavations and mason’s works at Eastington Pike Lock and Blunder Lock to be done by his servants, he would bear the expense and undertake that the canal should not be stopped for more than three days, under penalty of £5 for every day stopped. Work to be commenced at next neap tide. Subject referred to General Meeting
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 October 1858 £2178 9s 4d. After wages, etc, £1806 12s profit. Dividend of £9 declared.
Mr Ford’s request acceded to.
Mr Hayes of Gloucester, contractor for the new Sewage Works at Stroud, to be sent rates for various materials to be used in the works.
Mr Jones of Minchinhampton to be allowed £3 for putting up a proper fence at Dudbridge Wharf.
Repairs to Dock Lock to start on 11 July. Notice of stoppage to be given.
Samuel Phipps, Elisa Fryer and Joseph Bellamy claimed share no.37, will of William Fryer.
Messrs. Ford’s ‘Queen Esther’ jammed in Framilode Lock, was obstructing the Navigation. Ford’s to remove obstruction and be responsible for consequences of stoppage.
Annual inspection. Meeting held on Company’s Boat.
Dangerous state of Mr George Ford’s millpond. Wooden railing at same spot encroached on the towing path. He replied that the erection was temporary and would shortly be removed. Old iron and timber left by him on towing path to be removed.
Committee ordered quoin of mill next the towing path to be cut away 6 inches according to understanding when lieby was made.
Committee inspected wharf at Stonehouse to improve trade and regulations as to space allotted to traders. No offer yet made for Mr George’s tenancy. Thomas Marling proposed to take house and garden with use of wharf with others under control and regulations of Committee. Yearly rent £10.
Complaints about flushing locks, particularly at Eastington, to allow boats too heavily laden to pass up to the injury of millowners. Traders to be warned that penalties will be applied if the practice continues.
Piece of vacant land just below Westfield Bridge at Eastington to be let.
Notice boards along canal to be repainted.
All timber going down the canal to be charged at the same rate as coal to encourage back carriage.
The canal being in good condition thanks to the efforts of the Surveyor, the committee resolved that a gratuity of £10 be given to Mr Driver in thanks.
Mr Charles Hawker claimed shares no.90,104, will of Sophia Halliday.
Fence on western side of wharf at Stonehouse to be replaced by brick wall to ensure safety of wharf and property of traders.
Dates set for the annual closure of the towpath.
Mary Anne Croome claimed shares nos.46,81, will of Thomas Clutterbuck Croome.
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General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 April £2176 2s 1d. After wages, etc, £1642 2s 3d profit. Dividend of £8 10s declared.
Mr Henry Harris appointed Solicitor to Company.
Special meeting to select replacement on committee for the late Mr T C Croome selected Thomas Myers Croome to replace his father.
Mr Joseph Timbrell Fisher claimed shares nos.129, 163, will of Revd. John Colborne Fisher.
Special General Meeting.
Additions to Byelaws of Navigation, namely: if any goods remain upon any wharf or wharfs, in landing places belonging to Navigation, for three clear days, Sundays excepted, the owner or reported owner of goods shall forfeit and pay sum of 2s 6d per day for every day goods remain after notice in writing given to remove goods.
The usual dinner after half yearly meetings is to be discontinued.
Subscription of 2 guineas to be given to the Stroud Coal Fund.
Income Tax and other bills paid.
Mr Sharp given notice to remove his timber on Stonehouse Wharf on expiry of three days under new byelaw.
Mr Ford’s proposal that his firm be allowed, in their account of excess of flour carried down over wheat brought up, to count wheat brought down through T&S Canal in same way as wheat brought up Canal from Junction. Proposal not entertained.
Mr Sharp served notice of charge of 2s 6d a day on timber not removed.
Mr Aaron Ford proposed to bring wheat down Canal from any place beyond Chalford to Framilode at 4d per ton provided none brought first by railway, and that they be allowed 4d per ton on excess of flour exported to amount of wheat brought down. Accepted.
Mr Hunt’s application to put a feed pipe to boiler of his steam engine at Lodgemore Mills accepted. Written memorandum as acknowledgement for use. Company to withdraw at any time.
Report of Special Meeting of Committee crossed out and noted as being recorded on p.301.
