1814-1866
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/9/2
Letters written by various Company Clerks between 1814 and 1866
Your coal is selling below cost price. If you wish us to take more, you must reduce the price.
We cannot accept your draft for coal as you have charged 20s per ton instead of 19s 6d, and for more than received.
Please forward some coal to make up our winter stocks. It should be cheaper as the price of labour is lower.
As to payment, your account is now running two months on average. If you will allow discount, we will pay ready money.
I now return your bill, accepted, payable in London. If you wish to supply more coal, you must name a less price.
Draft for £338 17s enclosed. Have ordered T. Longney and William Garniford to call for a barge each of best Newport coal.
Complaint about deficiency of water in canal between Dudbridge and Double Lock, partly caused by water being diverted adjoining premises of Mrs Pettat. Canal bank must be repaired within 3 days or further measures will be taken.
Draft for £117 19s 9d returned not accepted. Grazebrook Wathen & Co bill for £117 11s 3d is enclosed as payment.
Encloses Grazebrook Wathen bill in payment of account. Company only pays for exact amount received from carrier, be it more or less than bill of lading.
Bill for £70 enclosed.
What is price of 4 horsepower and 6 horsepower boat steam engine with apparatus for excavating mud out of canal?
Your account has been received and payment enclosed, to be credited to Stroud Coal Company.
Enclosed is payment to John Barnely being the balance due to him by Stroud Coal Company.
Locks are 15½ft wide, bridges 12ft high, canal 30ft wide at the bottom, mud to be excavated is 2 to 3ft deep. We would like an engine that could clear 1 mile in 40 days.
You claim over 41 tons of coal per the Brothers, Miller, was loaded at Lydney basin. On arrival it was weighed at 38 tons. Unlikely the vessel master could embezzle it without discovery. If you insist we must pay, but would not order Forest coal again.
Error in your accounts. You claim to have a receipt from Mr Hains for coal cargo delivered by Edward Boden in April.. Boden's vessel never entered the canal at that time as shown by tonnage book and lockkeepers books.
Payment enclosed for accounts of the Ketley Co, Madeleywood Co, William Reynolds & Co. Boden probably sold disputed coal cargo at Gloucester. T Adams sent bricks for Dudbridge with Boden which never arrived; later found Boden had sold them at Gloucester.
Encloses remittance by Grazebrook Wathen in settlement of account.
Rejects request for payment until machinery supplied proves adequate for purpose as per contract.
The company is suffering a diminution in sale of coal at Bristol Road wharf because of a toll gate placed at its entrance, making carts from Uley, Cam, Coaley and Dursley liable to toll. To avoid this those from Coaley and Cam usually go to Frampton, those from Uley and Dursley to Berkeley Pill. Request that toll gate be moved to Whitminster village.
If you can supply on the same terms as Park End Coal Co.I shall order from you all Forest coal that the company needs. We shall not need any for some time as I have just received 3 cargoes and sales are low at this time of year.
As a result of reduction in coal price by Parkend Co we cannot pay you more than 10s a ton for your coal.
In consequence of reduction in coal price, the company have decided to sell their Bilston coal at 24s per ton, so in future cannot pay you more than 18s 6d per ton. Your vessel Edward is lying near the Bristol Road wharf. Continued …
From previous page: When it has discharged its cargo at Dudbridge I will not be able to pay more than 18s 6d per ton for it.
The company has been offered best Bilston coal at 18s 6d per ton, which they declined, so 18s 6d is the highest price we can pay you. If Bilston coal is sold at Stourport at a lower rate we expect you to lower your price to match.
Request that you repair the cut you made through the canal towing path near your mill at Ebley.
Our agent William Blackwell reports that work on the lock being built near Whitminster for the Stroudwater Navigation company by the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co is proceeding in an improper and inefficient manner. Notice not to proceed unless according to the directions of William Blackwell.
Request for a quote for supplying a cast iron aqueduct to carry the Stroudwater River under the Stroudwater Canal.
Proprietors have rescinded an order allowing drawback on coal carried from Stroudwater Canal along Thames & Severn Canal, down River Thames to Radcot Bridge. Application by Wiltshire & Berkshire and North Wiltshire Canal Cos for an allowance of the drawback is rejected.
Notification of the rescinding of the order allowing a drawback (as above).
John Carefield, wharfinger and coal seller at Bristol Road wharf, owes us £58 17s 7d for coal sold by him for the company. As you entered a bond of indemnity for him we ask you to pay the debt.
Letter from Mr Woodhouse indicates that planned junction of G&B Canal with Stroudwater Canal deviates from clauses in the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Act which requires gates and other works, and appointment of a lock keeper. Continues ...
From previous page: Work on canal bank to stop until all provisions of the Act are complied with.
Notice for Gloucester Journal about temporary closure of towpath.
Application for payment by Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co for having impeded navigation on Stroudwater Canal [while making Junction].
The committee will employ and pay Robert Miles [at the Junction] on a casual basis but will not give him a fixed salary.
Notice to shut down the cloughs at Ebley mills to maintain sufficient supply of water to canal
Notice to shut down the cloughs at Ebley mills to maintain sufficient supply of water to canal
Notice to draw up the flood gates of Ebley mill so the culverts passing under the canal above the mill can be repaired.
Mrs Susan Chalie did not own a share in the company at her death. Share 103 was sold to James Tyers in 1811.
Please send a draft of the provisions to be introduced in your Act now before Parliament.
Please confirm in writing the ownership by the Stroudwater Navigation Company of land near Walk Bridge where a warehouse has been built.
We have received a lower offer than your terms. Unless you can supply us with coal on advantageous terms we must stop dealing with you.
Concern about risks to navigation in Stroudwater Canal from the intended junction of the two canals
The proprietors do not consider it advisable to lower tolls on vessels passing on the Stroudwater Navigation between Framilode and the G&B Canal
The committee are unable to accept your offer to take their coal concern at Dudbridge or to purchase your stack of coal there. They have been unable to sell your coal on the same terms as others selling your coal locally.
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal continued
from previous page: concerning the supply of water to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Notice to draw up the flood gates at Lodgemore mill pond to allow repairs to canal.
Flood gates at Lodgemore mill pond may be closed as work on culvert under canal is completed.
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal continued
from previous page: concerning the supply of water to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal continued
from previous page: concerning the supply of water to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal continued
from previous page: concerning the supply of water to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Work on erecting and altering bridges at Ryeford was agreed, following your contribution to the costs.
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal continued
Arrangements for building a new bridge at Ryeford requiring diversion of river towards Stanley Mills
Request for payment of contribution towards work on Ryeford bridges, now completed
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Request for payment of contribution towards work on Ryeford bridges
Notice of special general meeting of Proprietors to appear in Journal
Concerning the supply of water from the River Frome to the G&B Canal
Page not used
Advertisement of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at George Inn, to appear in Journal
Request for payment of £30 towards cost of repairing damage to lock gates caused by Charles Twine, master of boat Triumph
Master of the Dispatch has damaged lock gates and must pay a fine
Request for payment towards cost of repairing damage to lock gates caused by Charles Twine, master of boat Triumph
Please clear mud accumulated in canal near Paper Mill lock
Turning down offer to supply timber from Bristol
Enclosing cheque in payment for timber
Leaks from canal are damaging some cottages in Ryeford. Road over Ryeford Bridge requires further work by you, after which we will continue the contract to keep it in repair.
We will repair leaks and consider the Ryeford Bridge road situation
We will give you 3 months credit. Your clerk must come to our office for tonnage payments on certain dates.
I wish to erect a repair dock at Framilode and request permission to open it to the canal. The premises are available to buy if the Company wishes.
The Company turns down your request [to open a repair dock to the canal] and does not wish to buy the premises.
Master of the Defiance did serious damage to a gate at Dudbridge Lock which must be replaced. We expect you to pay the full cost.
If the damage [to Dudbridge Lock] was caused by negligence, we will pay for the damage. PS, It has been represented to us as accidental.
Ryeford Bridge road is in urgent need of repair. We are willing to do the work for an agreed payment.
The committee will consider your letter [about Ryeford Bridge road]
Request for payment of account
We intend to build an inlet weir near Whitminster Lock. I am happy to meet your Committee to explain the works
A delegation from our Committee will meet you at Walk Bridge by Whitminster House to discuss proposed work.
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at George Inn, for inclusion in Journal
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at George Inn, for inclusion in Chronicle
Request to Stroudwater to reduce tonnage on salt, in line with neighbouring canal companies
Your request will be put to the Proprietors at the next meeting
Tonnage on your vessels must be paid at time of passing our canal
Does the Committee doubt the responsibility of our firm?
The Proprietors do not doubt the responsibility of your firm. We cannot as yet give a definite reply to your request [for reduction in tonnage]
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at George Inn, for inclusion in Journal
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at George Inn, for inclusion in Journal
Please give me the details of the dividend payable on the estate of Bowerman & Son
Grimes, captain of the Dispatch, caused the demolition of a gate at Dudbridge Lock by his neglect . The committee will hold you responsible.
Damage [to Dudbridge Lock] was caused by actions of your lockkeeper and decayed state of the gate, not the fault of my man.
Damage to gate was caused by your captain failing to secure his boat properly. The sluices were opened by your men, not our lockkeeper.
Cost of installing a new lock gate is £53 but the Committee will accept £25 if you pay immediately.
The captain accused of causing the damage to Dudbridge Lock has not yet returned. After his return I hope to meet the Committee to produce evidence to exculpate myself.
A cargo of bricks belonging to you has been on Wallbridge Wharf since last April. Please remove as the wharfage due is mounting up.
The Stroudwater Navigation Company will not oppose the Cheltenham & Great Western Railway Bill
A meeting of the Committee will be held on the 21st
If you remove your bricks from Wallbridge Wharf immediately, the Company will charge a reduced wharfage.
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at George Inn, for inclusion in Journal
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at George Inn, for inclusion in Chronicle
Meeting of the Committee will take place on 20th of this month, not 21st
The Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co are demolishing Framilode Mills. Will you allow us to ship the material free of charge on the Stroudwater Canal at Framilode?
I have ordered the clerk at Framilode not to charge tonnage on the material you mention.
The Dudbridge Lock gate was damaged previously by a Parker & Co boat. You made only a temporary repair and charged a small fine. Our boat did not hit the gate; it fell apart due to the force of water. Your lockkeeper was negligent in allowing others to draw up the sluices instead of himself. Continued ....
Continued from previous page; Your demand for payment is excessive.
Letter deleted
Advertisement for the post of Inspector to superintend the works and navigation of the canal
Advertisement for the post of Inspector to superintend the works and navigation of the canal
Mr Dymock of Ebley is supplying us with beech timber for the graving dock at Gloucester. Will you allow it to pass through your canal free of charge?
The Committee agree to charge no tonnage on the timber you purchased from Mr Dymock.
Notice to quit the house and premises you occupy at Chippenhams Platt.
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at George Inn, for inclusion in Journal
Notice of general half yearly meeting of Proprietors at George Inn, for inclusion in Chronicle
